I think its a stroke of genius by Futex, the jobs market is flooded with highly educated people looking to get on the financial gravy train. I work at a prop firm and have been around the industry for years and it amazes me the quality of candidates. There is a serious case of "educational inflation".
20 years ago having a degree was your key to career development. The trainees that come through the door now are "kids" that have masters degrees and have been turned down from all the banks so looking to the higher risk career route of prop trading.
I think Futex are exploiting a generation of young professionals desperate for a foot in the door. I say exploiting because i know as a proprietary trader that what we do has very few transferable skills to other careers, i can admit that, despite the number of people that like to claim a trader's job is highly intellectual and vitally important to the world.
An Msc from a prop shop? Do me a favour? 16 grand to learn about trendlines and scalping the bund order book combined with A-Level economics plus a bit on trading psychology. I guarantee I could work with someone for 2 months and get them up to speed with what they need to be doing to stand as much chance as any other local in the market. The rest is experience, hard work and determination. Only way to learn that is to get in front of the screens for 15 hours a day and be around supportive and successful traders.
Sorry for the rant, but i just see so many young 20 year old desperate for a chance and people out there fleecing them. By all means get an Msc i highly recommend it, but do it in a subject that will open career opportunities, not limit them.