Consulting graduate jobs & schemes 2025

Consulting is a broad industry with several specialisms, including:
 

• Strategy Consulting – Advising businesses on long-term direction and competitive advantage (e.g., McKinsey, BCG, Bain).
• Management Consulting – Improving business operations, structures, and efficiency (e.g., Deloitte, PwC, KPMG, EY).
• Technology & Digital Consulting – Implementing IT systems, cybersecurity, AI, and digital transformation (e.g., Accenture, Capgemini, IBM).
• Financial & Risk Consulting – Specialising in corporate finance, risk management, and restructuring (e.g., FTI Consulting, Oliver Wyman).
• HR & People Consulting – Advising on workforce strategy, talent development, and organisational change (e.g., Mercer, Korn Ferry).
• Economic & Public Sector Consulting – Working with governments, NGOs, and public institutions on economic policy and social impact (e.g., Frontier Economics, Oxford Economics).
   

Some firms offer generalist roles, where graduates gain experience across multiple sectors before specialising.

Most top consulting firms offer structured graduate schemes, including:
 

• Big 4 (Deloitte, PwC, EY, KPMG) – Management, strategy, technology, and financial consulting schemes.
• MBB (McKinsey, BCG, Bain) – Highly competitive strategy consulting graduate roles.
• Specialist Consulting Firms – E.g., Oliver Wyman (financial services), L.E.K. Consulting (life sciences, healthcare), Roland Berger (industrial strategy).
• Technology & Digital Consulting – Accenture, Capgemini, IBM, and PA Consulting.
• Economic Consulting – NERA Economic Consulting, Oxera, Frontier Economics.
   

Graduate schemes typically last 2–3 years and involve formal training with potential for a permanent position upon completion. 

Consulting firms recruit from a wide range of degree backgrounds, though some roles require specialised skills:
 

• Strategy & Management Consulting – Open to all disciplines, though analytical degrees (business, economics, STEM, social sciences) are preferred.
• Technology Consulting – Computer science, IT, engineering, or data science backgrounds are highly valued.
• Financial & Risk Consulting – Finance, economics, accounting, or mathematics backgrounds help.
• HR & People Consulting – Psychology, business, or HR degrees can be useful.
• Economic Consulting – Economics or related disciplines (often requiring a master’s degree).
   

Non-business graduates can still enter consulting by demonstrating strong problem-solving, communication, and analytical skills.

• Problem-solving & analytical thinking – Consultants break down complex business issues and develop structured solutions.
• Quantitative skills – Comfortable working with data, financial models, and performance metrics.
• Communication & presentation – Clear and persuasive storytelling in reports, slides, and client meetings.
• Interpersonal & stakeholder management – Working effectively with clients, teams, and senior leadership.
• Project management & adaptability – Managing tight deadlines across multiple industries.
• Commercial awareness – Understanding of how businesses operate and generate revenue.
   

Strong applicants often demonstrate these skills through internships, case competitions, or leadership roles.

Consulting salaries vary by firm and specialism:
 

• MBB (McKinsey, BCG, Bain): £50,000 – £60,000 + performance bonuses.
• Big 4 (Deloitte, PwC, EY, KPMG): £30,000 – £40,000 + potential bonuses.
• Specialist Consulting Firms: £35,000 – £50,000 depending on expertise (e.g., financial, economic, digital consulting).
• Technology & IT Consulting: £28,000 – £40,000 depending on the firm.
  
  At senior levels, salaries can increase significantly, with consultants earning £100,000+ within 5–10 years.

• Extremely competitive – Top firms receive thousands of applications per role.
• Strong academic background is preferred – Most firms expect a 2:1 or first-class degree from a top university.
• Work experience is crucial – Many successful applicants have internships or consulting-related experience.
   

To improve your chances:

✔ Gain relevant work experience (internships, part-time consulting, research projects).
✔ Practise case study interviews (firms like McKinsey, BCG, and Bain heavily test case-solving ability).
✔ Develop strong Excel and PowerPoint skills, as they are used daily in consulting.
✔ Show leadership and teamwork experience (e.g., student societies, competitions).
✔ Network with current consultants through LinkedIn or industry events.

• Practise case interviews – Use resources like PrepLounge, CaseCoach, and Victor Cheng’s Case Interview Secrets.
• Learn about the industry – Read McKinsey, BCG, and Bain reports, and stay updated on business trends.
• Gain relevant experience – Internships, student consulting groups, hackathons, or finance competitions.
• Develop commercial awareness – Follow business news (FT, The Economist, Harvard Business Review).
• Perfect your CV & cover letter – Tailor them to highlight analytical skills, leadership, and problem-solving experience.