You can pursue a career in management consultancy with a degree in any subject, but disciplines that involve a high level of analytical and problem-solving work such as economics, business, finance and engineering are particularly useful.
The most common route is through a graduate training programme with a management consultancy firm. Competition for places is high and you will need at least a 2:1 degree to apply and will typically have to go through a rigorous assessment process followed by a structured training programme.
At City, University of London our economics students benefit from wide-ranging research expertise relevant to management consultancy, including:
- behavioural economics
- health economics
- competition and regulation
- financial economics
- macroeconomics
- the economics of migration.
What can I expect from a career as a management consultant?
As a management consultant, you will work as part of a project team advising companies on how to manage change or improve their business performance.
You will provide strategic, objective guidance on areas such as financial performance, human resources, business systems and processes, marketing and restructuring, with a focus on managing risks and costs.
You will need to have an analytical approach and enjoy working with people to solve problems. Your role will involve conducting detailed research into the client’s organisation, interviewing staff, identifying issues and analysing the resulting data to make recommendations and produce implementation plans.
Your working hours will vary, depending on the projects you’re involved in and the deadlines you have to meet. Travel is also likely within the UK and possibly abroad.
Foreign language skills are also highly valued, as many firms work with international clients. As a student at City, you are able to study a foreign language for free alongside your degree.
Related courses at City
Whatever your level of interest in becoming a management consultant, City's courses can help you take one step closer to a career as a management consultant, develop specialisms that'll set you apart from the field or broaden your horizons with study in related subjects.
Who can I work for as a management consultant?
You have a range of options, from large generalist consultancies that cover all aspects of business development and management, to specialist companies that work within specific industry sectors or disciplines. These could include:
- human resources
- information technology, systems and applications
- business strategy and planning
- finance and budgeting
- outsourcing.
With sufficient experience and contacts, you could work on a freelance basis, perhaps in a specialist sector or area of interest to you.
What about management consultancy work experience?
Relevant work experience within a business or commercial environment is helpful. Some firms may also be interested in any hobbies or voluntary work you do that demonstrate your organisational skills, financial acumen and your ability to work successfully as part of a team.
What are my prospects as a management consultant?
Consulting businesses usually offer a structured career progression route, with clearly defined hierarchies from entry level analysts through several grades of consultant up to director or partner level.
Many companies encourage and support consultants to further their skills through completing professional management qualifications, an MBA or other relevant master’s level qualification.
Our master’s degree in Behavioural Economics, which examines the motivations behind people’s financial and economic decisions through the lens of psychology, offers a valuable new perspective on the factors influencing commercial success.