MBB UK advanced degree holder timelines?
Hi all,
I’m a newly qualified doctor (Oxbridge 2024) looking to move into strategy consulting. I’ve seen McKinsey’s summer intern role is out, but I’m not eligible as I’m no longer a student.
Does anyone know when BCG, Bain and McKinsey usually open their UK applications for full-time roles for advanced degree / consultant tracks? Have the 2025 dates been released yet, or are they still to come?
Thanks!
Based on the most helpful WSO content, MBB firms (McKinsey, Bain, and BCG) have historically opened their full-time applications for advanced degree holders (APD) in the UK around the summer months, with some deadlines extending into early fall. For example:
McKinsey: They have previously encouraged candidates to complete internships before applying for full-time roles, but for APD candidates, full-time applications typically open in the summer. Specific dates for 2025 have not been mentioned yet.
BCG: In past years, BCG has also opened applications for full-time roles in the summer, with some offices recruiting as early as spring for specific programs like "Bridge to BCG."
Bain: Similar to McKinsey and BCG, Bain's full-time applications for APD candidates have generally opened in the summer months.
As of now, there is no explicit mention of the 2025 UK application dates for these firms in the WSO dataset. It’s recommended to keep an eye on their official careers pages or reach out to their recruitment teams for the most accurate and updated timelines.
Sources: Consulting Recruiting 2023, MBB London Summer 2022 applications, 2016 APD/ADC MBB Full Time Recruiting Updates, BCG incoming associate/consultant delayed start date (NA), McKinsey July 7th Summer BA Application Deadline
Please ignore the WSO bot for Bain, this answer is really only true for the US. Can't speak to McK or BCG.
For Bain London, you'd have to follow the same process as regular AC recruiting for FT (should be visible on our website + LinkedIn posts, I saw and reposted a few recently, but they might have filled up and closed already).
The reason is that at Bain London, we don't really have dedicated advanced degree recruiting to speak of (there may be some events with that name, but knowing how recruiting worked, it makes no difference). I spoke with the partner who is on the committee for those decisions, and.. yeah.. they're not budging on this (as of Spring '24, but I don't see a reason for them to have moved on this).
For us, you'd come in as an AC, so same as a fresh 21yo grad, which is frustrating, but recruiting doesn't budge on this. Other offices in other countries have slightly difference policies, but London is firmly: all PhDs count as an UG degree. Only exception is if you have 2+ YOE outside of academia pre or post advanced degree, then you might be able to go for an SAC role (same application, same interview, but the offer would state SAC instead of AC).
Let me know if you have other questions. I'm currently doing an MBA, but I still have friends at Bain London, so I can always check to see if things have changed (as of this summer they didn't seem to have changed, FWIW).
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