I'd really appreciate some honest advice on whether a Masters adds anything to one's chances of getting into a top strategy consulting firm and to promotion chances thereafter. I now work in the strategy function of a financial institution after graduating from a russell group university (top 15 in UK) 2 years ago. I have an offer to study a MSc in Economics and Management at the London School of Economics with a part-scholarship and would like some views on whether this is a good investment given my career goals (financial services strategy consulting at MBB/Big four/top boutiques). The LSE's reputation would certainly add some credibility to my CV and I think I'd enjoy returning to study but will it significantly broaden the range of firms that will give me a shot at interview?

Disclaimer - I know nothing about anything.Moving on, I wonder whether it's really worth the year out and what I assume is >£20k debt. Perhaps it is, particularly for MBB. But I would be surprised if you couldn't crack big 4 given your background without a masters, albeit you may need to take a step back to do it. My guess is that if you can't break in to big 4 now, the masters won't help. MBB is a different beast though.P.S. read the disclaimer.

I work for one of the big 4. I have poor A-Level results, 2:1 from a good Uni and good work experience. The big strat houses may be different but you don't need an MBA for the big 4. I've worked with people who have MBAs and worked with those who do not. I haven't noticed any difference in the quality of their outputs.However, I know less than MikeTC so definitely don't listen to me!

The only bit I can comment on, is that it will not help your promotion chances; all that counts is your performance within the firm, not what degree you entered with.Whether it helps to get into MBB I can't judge; at a Big 4 it won't make it easier to enter. Though like MikeTC said it should impact the salary both types of firms offer.I've worked with people with an MBA where it did not show at all. On the other hand I've also known people who used their MBA studies to build a vast network and succesfully leveraged that MBA to get senior positions in the industry.

2 years into your career is too early to take time out again for further qualifications. You need to establish your own credibility first before LSE will add anything to that. Give it another 3 years min then look at an MSc or MBA should it still be of interest. That way you will be established enough to [i]have[/i] a career to come back to better qualified, enough experience to apply your studies to real world situations, and the maturity and life experience to use the networking opportunities.