Consulting graduate schemes

From suggesting technological solutions that transform a business to advising companies on their financial strategy, consulting graduate schemes provide a platform to work with a range of clients in your chosen sector

What are consulting graduate schemes?

Generally speaking, as a graduate consultant, you'll analyse a business's problems and seek to develop workable solutions. You'll provide a fresh perspective to the company and assist it in expanding its operations or gaining a competitive edge in its industry.

Consulting graduate programmes may be available directly with an organisation or through a consultancy firm where you'll work for clients on a contract basis.

Due to the nature of this work, there's plenty of overlap with other sectors. Indeed, consulting programmes are typically defined by their area of specialisation.

The consulting firm will determine the exact duration and structure. Despite this, you can expect most consultancy graduate schemes to last two to three years (but can be as long as five).

What areas of consultancy can I work in?

Accounting, banking and finance

On a financial consultancy programme, you'll typically provide individuals and businesses with financial guidance on matters such as:

• debt management
• financial planning
• investment.

Accounting consultants may help organisations:

• develop financial forecasts
• improve their processes
• maintain efficient accounting practices
• understand the meaning behind the numbers.

Consultants working in retail, commercial or investment banking are often assigned to projects involving:

• digital transformation
• product development
• regulatory compliance
• risk management
• strategy.

Get the lowdown on finance graduate schemes.

Business management

As a management consultant, you'll offer expert advice to senior managers at organisations, helping them to:

• identify issues and find solutions to improve their operations
• investigate areas of concern through research and data analysis
• define their business strategy and performance.

On a graduate scheme, you may be involved with:

• change management
• human resources - see HR graduate schemes.
• strategy development.

Public sector

As a public sector consultant, your responsibilities may include helping to keep people safe and ensure they have access to the services they need. Alternatively, you could be looking to improve the efficiency of service delivery.

You could work for the following organisations:

• Civil Service
• intelligence services
• National Health Service (NHS).

Graduate public services consultancy roles are available through The PSC.

Explore jobs in the healthcare sector and consider getting a graduate job in public services.

Technology

Many information technology (IT) companies require IT consultants to provide strategic guidance on technical issues and devise solutions to improve efficiency.

Roles are available at businesses of all sizes, from small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to large multinationals.

Some technology graduate schemes are focused on becoming an expert consultant in a specific area, such as:

• cyber security
• data science or artificial intelligence (AI)
• project management.

Other job sectors in need of consultants

• digital marketing
• education
• energy
• engineering
• environment and sustainability - see environment consultant
• transport and logistics.

Which firms run consultancy graduate schemes?

• Accenture - a management consulting programme where you'll work with various technologies on projects across a range of industries.
• A&O Shearman - on the two-year Law Tech & Operations Graduate Programme, you'll work with IT and legal professionals to transform their traditional law practice into a modern workplace.
• Arcadis - work as a surveying, facilities or management consultant in energy, property, transport or water management.
• AtkinsRéalis - teams you can join include aerospace, defence, security and nuclear. You'll get to work with new technologies and design end-to-end project solutions with sustainability in mind.
• BJSS (CGI) - with the London office as your base, you'll get to work as a management consultant providing core services, including transformation and change, technology advisory, and operational excellence and automation.
• Capgemini - solve complex challenges and drive digital transformation in the automotive, energy, finance, public services and retail industries.
• Cognosis - join the strategy consultants as an analyst, working up to consultant after six months.
• Deloitte - with offices across the UK, you can work in various areas, such as business and financial advisory, real estate, technology, and tax consulting.
• EY - roles in business, people, and technology, with programmes ranging from actuarial to cyber and digital risk.
• FDM Group - choose from streams in change and transformation, risk, regulation and compliance, and IT operations.
• Fujitsu - work on client projects and help them to use technology to grow and change their business.
• Grayce - as a graduate business analyst, you'll gain hands-on experience working for clients and providing solutions that meet their objectives.
• IBM - the IT company offers consulting roles in business, transformation, Salesforce, software, strategy, and industry.
• KPMG - graduate programmes are available in actuarial, customer, financial transformation, forensic, governance, risk and compliance services (GRCS), operational transformation, people, and risk and regulatory.
• Newton Europe - become an operations, digital or people and change consultant and work on projects across the UK.
• PwC - get a management or technology consulting job with this global assurance, tax and advisory services company.

What will I do on a consulting scheme?

By joining a graduate programme, you'll gain access-all-areas insight into how organisations operate daily, providing a depth of knowledge and experience in your chosen industry.

As a consultant, you'll learn how to quickly build relationships and develop your problem-solving, stakeholder management and communication skills, which are all invaluable in any career you choose. You may even get to study towards a professional qualification.

For instance, on KPMG's three-year Operational Transformation Graduate Programme, you'll develop your commercial understanding and business acumen as you support businesses in transforming their operations.

You'll do this by providing your clients with data-driven insights and technological solutions as you get to work within specific functions such as:

• front office
• supply chain and procurement
• compliance
• or risk.

As you become more experienced in the role, you'll study towards the CIMA (Chartered Institute of Management Accountants) Certificate in Business Accounting qualification via distance learning. This approach ensures that you get to study at your own pace and put into practice the technical knowledge gained through the course in your day job.

On the FDM Business Consulting Graduate Scheme, successful candidates can choose between the risk, regulation and compliance or business consultant pathways. These lead to roles as either a project support officer (PSO) or business analyst:

• Business analysts offer critical insight into the design, development, and delivery of projects that can help improve or grow the business.
• PSOs organise programmes and coordinate people as they work with project managers to deliver efficient and effective projects across the company.

What are the entry requirements?

• A 2:1 undergraduate qualification - Some organisations ask for a related degree, but this isn't always the case. You'll find that Accenture, Fujitsu, KPMG, and PwC welcome applications from graduates of any discipline. Employers like Arcadis and FDM Group ask for a 2:2 in any subject.
• A strong and demonstrable interest in your chosen sector/organisation - Being passionate and knowledgeable about the area you're working in can improve the quality of your work and strengthen your problem-solving abilities.
• Language skills - Due to the international nature of many large companies, knowledge of a second language can be an advantage but is not essential.
• A willingness to travel - Consulting careers usually require a fair amount of travel, and you may need to relocate, nationally or internationally, and work from home for extended periods.

What skills will I need for consulting?

Whatever sector you work in, you'll find that consultants require an inquisitive mind and a passion for learning and growing. They have a flair for problem solving and an analytical mind. By having these attributes, you'll quickly get to grips with analysing an organisation and working to improve its business performance.

A career in consulting will fit those keen to make a difference in businesses and communities, those who can collaborate well, and those interested in using new technology to solve problems.

Finally, you'll need to be:

• an excellent communicator
• highly organised
• able to manage your workload.

Discover the 7 skills for a successful management career and learn more about the skills employers want.

When should I apply?

Graduate scheme applications are typically accepted from around October until December or early in the new year - in preparation for an August or September start date.

For instance, Arcadis has two intakes of graduates each year. Applications are accepted from September for start dates in April and September of the following year. On the other hand, Grayce recruits all year round for their consultancy programmes.

How should I apply?

Consulting application process

• Submit your CV - The first step is to fill out an application form and attach your CV. Some companies may then direct you to a situational judgement test.
• Interview stage - If successful, the next stage of the process will likely include a telephone or video interview.
• Assessments and psychometric tests - You'll attend an assessment centre before the final interview. Depending on your preferred consulting area and employer, you may also need to pass numerical or psychometric tests.

Tailor your application

With the rising popularity of consulting as a graduate career, competition for places on these programmes is fierce. To stand out, you'll need to have a good understanding of the organisation you've applied to.

Avoid sending generic applications, as they're unlikely to prove successful. Instead, take the time to demonstrate your suitability for the role by providing real-world examples of required competencies.

Consider your soft and transferable skills

Remember to include any extra-curricular activities and relevant work experience in your application. Consider the transferable skills you possess. For example, are you part of a sports team, demonstrating long-term commitment and teamwork? Have you organised a charity event to show creativity, leadership, and responsibility? All these skills are of interest to employers.

How much will I be paid?

According to High Fliers' The Graduate Market in 2024 report, which analysed graduate starting salaries at many of the UK's major employers in 2023/24, consulting graduate wages are behind only those in investment banking and law.

Here's a selection of what consulting firms are offering graduates:

• Accenture - £33,600 plus a £10,000 bonus.
• Allen & Overy - £37,000 in the first year, £43,000 in the second year.
• AtkinsRéalis - £30,500 to £33,500 plus a £2,500 settling-in payment.
• Capgemini - £30,000, plus additional benefits.
• Cognosis - £32,000, potentially rising to £36,500 after six months.
• Grayce - £28,000 for its graduate business consultant development programme.
• KPMG - £29,000 to £35,000 for its consulting graduate schemes.
• Newton - £49,000 to £53,000, plus a £2,500 sign-on bonus.

In 2025, consulting graduates will typically be paid £28,000 to £35,000, although salaries can be as high as £55,000.

Will I be offered a job afterwards?

While it's not true of every scheme, landing a place on a graduate programme usually opens the door to permanent employment with the firm.

Depending on the nature of your training, you could find work in business, management, strategy, or technology consulting after completing the scheme.

Find out more

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