The Cambridge MBA uses GMAT as one criteria for selection, the MFin does not. Why? GMAT is a standardised test aimed at management students. It is supposed to test a range of skills or aptitudes suitable for the varied course … Continued
A common question is whether someone should apply for a master of finance degree or an MBA. In the US, the conventional two year MBA allows time to cover the same modules as a one year finance masters. In that … Continued
I just read another attack on the use of “naked” CDS (credit default swaps). This use of the word is potentially misleading – maybe deliberately so, in order to tarnish CDS by association with naked shorting of ordinary securities. Naked … Continued
How do you sum up the future of finance in 10 minutes? Well I’ve been asked to do just that for an event in Cambridge on 22 October, which is part of the annual Festival of Ideas (http://www.admin.cam.ac.uk/whatson/ideasfestival/). The Festival … Continued
On Saturday I accompanied a group of MFin students to see the belated “Wall Street” sequel. This was strictly for entertainment – not part of the syllabus. The consensus was it was pretty average. Moderately entertaining, with some good attention … Continued
Today Jérôme Kerviel was found guilty in the trial over his unauthorised trades for Societe Generale, the unwinding of which caused huge losses. He faces three years in prison and (this is surely the French sense of humour) he must … Continued
I mentioned in a previous blog that we hosted a day of complexity experts here in Cambridge. I wasn’t at the seminar but was lucky enough to be introduced to Eric Beinhocker, the author of The Origin of Wealth: Evolution, … Continued
Another year begins… While most people think of a year as starting in January, the cycle in Cambridge gets going in September (when the new MFin and MBA students arrive) and fully in October (when official term starts and the … Continued
I try to write clearly and have always encouraged my students, and my former analyst colleagues, to do the same. This is because: i) it’s polite to make things easy for your reader (whom you should think of as a … Continued
I mentioned in an earlier post that I had been re-reading F. Scott Fitzgerald’s novel Tender is the Night. It’s good to read something that is unconnected with work but it’s pretty hard to do that when your subject is … Continued
I’ve been reading a fascinating, if rather grim, book called The Secret State, by the distinguished British historian, Peter Hennessy. Based on interviews and a range of declassified official files, it’s a detailed picture of the secret arrangements made in … Continued
Somewhere about the middle of the Easter term, the students start to realise that there are only a few weeks left, their course is nearly over and the world of work beckons. This leads to an upsurge of socialising, including … Continued
One reason we reject some candidates before interview is because they recently did another masters degree, including an MBA. On occasions the applicants are doing one masters while applying for another. This might seem as if we’re rejecting people with … Continued
I often get asked about whether being the MFin director is a full time job. Well, sometimes it feels like it, but it’s supposed to be only a small part of my overall responsibilities. As the last week has been … Continued
We are making some small changes to the curriculum and structure of the Master of Finance degree. It’s still quite early days for the course so we continue to watch and learn how it’s going. The content is to remain … Continued