Lifestyle as a Big 4 Consultant working in London

So I'm about to start applications for summer internships. Right now I'm deciding between focusing on IB or Consulting. Even though I'm at a target and got a first, I don't think I'd be able to get an MBB offer and perhaps not even an offer from a strategy house, but I could have a good shot at the Big 4. The only thing really stopping me is the salary. I'd enjoy the work a lot more than IB but I feel like being on 30k in London is pretty shit. I'm tempted to slave away in IB then move to consulting just so that i have good money from the get go. My aim is to have a decent level of financial freedom as soon as I leave uni, and Im not sure if that kind of salary actually allows for it.

So for the people who worked at the Big 4 consulting arms, what was your lifestyle like? Could you afford your own place in a decent location or did you have to share a flat? Were you happy with the money you were making relative the amount of hours you had to put in? Also where did you end up going after the Big 4 because I'd be intrigued to hear the exit opps in london.

Cheers

6 Comments
 

B4 strategy consulting arms pay more like ~£45k in London, not 30k

 

S& and EYP do. The B4 'consulting' divisions that aren't part of the strategy arms don't pay this.

FYI when you say you don't think you'll be able to get an offer from a strategy house - B4 consulting arms (S&, EYP) are no easier to get into than these.

 

Got it, I was more referring to the consulting divisions that are not part of the strategy arm which is why I was confused. Would I be right in thinking that those divisions would be more likely to pay around 30k?

 

Yeah around 30k for the consulting divisions - you earn around the same as the graduates in tax/audit etc... (I think at EY base for consulting is 32k vs 30k for audit)

 

Sit soluta est debitis asperiores et voluptatum aspernatur. Quam autem odio et qui ex harum. Velit reprehenderit eum est doloribus maxime placeat. Numquam omnis doloribus ut qui suscipit odit. Autem in est dolor facilis. Quia odit adipisci natus vel ratione quod voluptatem.

Quo ut consequatur ratione. Voluptates blanditiis aperiam itaque quod amet quis. Eos deserunt vitae corrupti. Molestiae dolore placeat minima numquam dolor doloribus.

Assumenda at optio aut est et voluptatem cumque veniam. Quia ut voluptas rerum totam. Dolorem exercitationem velit quas rerum eveniet quaerat quisquam.

Tenetur impedit facilis sit omnis. Nam eos magnam necessitatibus doloribus non. Molestiae non error dolores tenetur minima consequuntur maiores voluptate.

Career Advancement Opportunities

June 2026 Consulting

  • Boston Consulting Group 99.5%
  • Bain & Company 99.0%
  • McKinsey and Co 98.5%
  • Oliver Wyman 98.0%
  • LEK Consulting 97.4%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

June 2026 Consulting

  • Cornerstone Research 99.5%
  • Bain & Company 99.0%
  • Boston Consulting Group 98.5%
  • McKinsey and Co 98.0%
  • Oliver Wyman 97.4%

Professional Growth Opportunities

June 2026 Consulting

  • Bain & Company 99.5%
  • Boston Consulting Group 99.0%
  • McKinsey and Co 98.5%
  • Oliver Wyman 98.0%
  • LEK Consulting 97.4%

Total Avg Compensation

June 2026 Consulting

  • Partner (4) $361
  • Principal (30) $294
  • Director/MD (58) $274
  • Vice President (53) $247
  • Engagement Manager (111) $232
  • Manager (167) $172
  • 2nd Year Associate (185) $142
  • 3rd+ Year Associate (115) $135
  • Senior Consultant (354) $132
  • Consultant (635) $122
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (162) $121
  • 1st Year Associate (575) $121
  • NA (16) $114
  • Engineer (6) $114
  • 2nd Year Analyst (390) $104
  • Associate Consultant (175) $100
  • 1st Year Analyst (1152) $90
  • Intern/Summer Associate (205) $83
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (626) $67
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
3
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
4
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
5
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
6
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
7
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
8
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
9
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
10
bolo up's picture
bolo up
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”