In this post, I’ve covered the JBIMS MSc Finance program in detail. To achieve the objective of passing on genuine information on the program, I connected with an alumna (who has worked in the industry for more than two years post her MSc Finance from JBIMS) and with a student (who is currently studying in the program).

I am keeping both as anonymous as it allows them to offer an unbiased view and I am thankful to both of them for helping me out. I hope these insights will help you.

What’s the major difference between MSc Finance and the MMS program at JBIMS?

Alumna: MSc Finance is a concentrated course in Finance and helps one gain more technical knowledge and get access to jobs in credit risk, technical analysis and equity research to name a few. MMS has a broader curriculum and a more wholesome approach and offers exposure to finance, consulting, marketing, and other roles.

Student: MSc Finance is a finance oriented course involving core finance subjects which help you dwell deeper into the Finance domain covering all aspects. On the other hand, MMS program gives you a broader perspective of different domains such as Marketing, Finance, Operations, IT and HR. The faculty for both the programs is the same though. MSc Finance would help you gain management knowledge with a concentration on Finance right from the first year. MMS would help you get an overview in the first year and stream-oriented curriculum would be in the second year.

What are the advantages of doing MSc Finance?

Alumna: For someone willing to pursue a CFA/FRM, Msc Finance offers the correct base as most of the courses will overlap. One can gain specific domain knowledge through MSc Finance as the course offerings are limited, however it entirely depends on the individual how much he/she is willing to put in to grow further. I gained the essential credit risk knowledge through Msc Finance, which I could apply in my corporate banking role.

Student: If the applicant is clear that he/she wants to pursue a career in Finance then MSc Finance would help him/her do that.

• Right from the first year the applicant gets to study managerial as well as Finance oriented subjects.
• You get to work on research papers where you get to focus on a particular area in the business scenario, analyse it completely and derive conclusions on the research work with guided mentoring which helps the student have an expertise in the area of research.
• The schedule is filled with lectures and industry interaction to get an overview of the corporate world, pre-placement talks, seminars, projects, competitions and assignments.
• Events such as Prabhav – Financial Conclave, the flagship event of MSc Finance offers a platform where CEOs, industry leaders and corporate giants share their ideas, views and current market situations of the country and the world and where students get to interact with them on one-to-one basis.

What’s the selection process of MSc Finance?

Student: The process consists of Application > shortlisting on the basis of profile and CAT/CET percentile > GD-WAT-PI. Application Rating Score is arrived at after considering MAH-MBA/MMS CET and/or CAT performance, Past Academic Records up to Graduation, Work Experience and Extra Curricular Activity, and Academic and Gender Diversity. Approximately 300 candidates are shortlisted for In-Person assessment which includes GD-WAT-PI which is a 2-day process. All rounds assess basic business knowledge and awareness of current affairs in the industry as a whole.

Prasad’s comment: Please go through the article on IMS website where the application process has been explained in a detailed manner.

What does the admission committee look for while selecting candidates?

Alumna: The committee wants to understand if the candidate has clear goals of what he/she wishes to pursue. Your profile and scores have already got you the interview call, the next task is to be articulate about your ambitions and how the course will help you achieve that.

Student: The committee looks for a clear focus on why the student wants to pursue finance, how the work experience, academics, background defines the need for a financial career and how choosing finance would help the candidate fill the gap in his/her career which he/she feels is present at the moment. If the reason is justifiable and if the candidate’s focus on the career choice is quite clear then he/she would be a perfect fit.

What made you choose MSc Finance and not a core MBA program at any other place?

Student: I always wanted to have a career in Finance. While I was working as a Software Engineer, my projects were related to Financial domain where we used to work with Financial Analysts to help them develop and maintain their software. This is where I got an exposure in the Financial domain and started learning the necessary aspects. My Corporate experience helped me learn basic Financial knowledge and I found that a perfection in this field is the need of the hour.

Is there any disadvantage in not having an ‘MBA’ degree?

Alumna: There is a certain disadvantage as an MBA is considered “required” to rise through the ranks in any organization. However, having said that, I don’t think it is that black or white. One can build on the necessary leadership and communication skills even through a MSc Finance degree at JBIMS, since we have access to the same guest lectures, alumni network and corporate resources.

Do recruiters perceive MSc Finance differently?

Alumna: I was a part of the Placement committee for the Msc Finance program at JBIMS, so I can answer this question the best. To be honest, yes they do. You cannot expect a company offering General Management roles to prefer MSc Finance over MMS. However, for careers in corporate banking, investment banking, equity research, etc., MSc Finance is equally perceived as the students tend to gain more sound technical knowledge.

How did the career pan out for you and your batch-mates?

Alumna: I interned with one of the largest banks and got a PPO from them. I was placed as an AVP in Corporate Banking, managing a portfolio of large companies in various industries. I have now moved to the US. My batch-mates are doing well. Many of them have got a good jump to better companies and roles within two years of graduation.

Is Finance background required if one is thinking of applying?

Student: Not really. You would find students with Engineering degree from top colleges in various fields, students with commerce background with graduation in BMS, BAF, BBA, B.Com, M.Com and even CA and Inter CA. Students with corporate work experience in Financial Markets, Software Engineering, Banking and Financial Institutions and even freshers make up the batch at MSc Finance.

Q. How was your GD-WAT-PI experience?

Student: Group Discussion is the first round which takes place between 10 students, topics concerning current affairs and recent industry happenings are chosen. Time span of 10-20 min is being given, you might even get a Group Activity where you would be given a business scenario and as a group you need to arrive at a final decision and conclude it.

WAT would consist of writing a 1 – 1.5 pager on a current issue or on any industry scenario where your views for the same would be tested. PI is mostly focused on why finance, where they test your reason on why you need to take up M.Sc. Finance, and ask questions on candidate’s background, basic knowledge about finance like stock markets, current affairs, and economy.

Any tips for applicants?

Alumna: Getting into JBIMS is a tough path, but it does not end there, getting into your dream company is tougher, as the competition is very high. You need to know how you stand out, I think that is the key.

Student: Have a strong grasp on your basics (academics and work-ex background). Be sure about why you want to pursue finance. Have a hold on how financial markets work. Read newspapers daily in and out (ET/Mint/Business Std- recommended). Don’t stress out and be confident.

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Please note that the JBIMS MSc admission process has not been announced yet (blog posted on June 17) and the admission process is expected to begin in July. If there are any queries, please leave them in the comments below and allow me a few days to get back. Share this with your friends and co-aspirants. Happy prepping! 🙂