Class size: small but perfectly formed

posted in: MFin, Programme | 2

We are getting close to the end of the admissions process. There is always a large margin of error at this stage but it looks likely that next year’s class will be a bit bigger than this. I’d suggest a bid-offer spread of 34-40. Much depends on the rate of deferral – several people who accept offers later decide to defer, which is automatically allowed for one year. The reasons given include promotions or job changes that make it a bad time to leave, problems raising the funds and various personal circumstances.

The current class size is relatively small compared with the Cambridge MBA and finance degrees at other universities. But it seems to be something that students value. There’s no doubt you get a more personal touch with a smaller class and it makes for a very cohesive class. There are some advantages in larger scale, such as being able to offer more electives while keeping the group size large enough. But in practice we don’t seem to face any important constraints there.

I’d be happy to see the MFin class grow steadily, but there must be an upper limit before it turns into a different sort of experience. I’m not sure where that would be. Most business school teachers I know believe that much above 70 the classroom is just too crowded and I’m inclined to think that 60 might be a practical upper limit. But even before we reach that level (if we ever do) I’d be on the lookout for signs that the MFin is losing its “soul”.

2 Responses

  1. Yi

    Hi, Dr.Taylor,

    Does that mean that new applications to the program for 2011 Sept class is not accepted? thanks!

    Regards

    Yi

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