Does McKinsey, Bain, BCG, and Oliver Wyman allow referrals for graduate/ PhD schemes for London office??

Yes, referrals are possible for graduate and PhD applications at McKinsey, BCG, Bain, and Oliver Wyman in London. A referral does not guarantee an interview, but it can help your application get noticed.

Try to get a referral before applying. Speak to consultants or alumni first, then ask if they would feel comfortable referring you. Send them your CV, target role, office, and deadline to make it easy

For PhD hiring, also check each firm’s advanced-degree recruiting page and events. Bain explicitly recruits PhD candidates for Associate Consultant roles, including London.

Agree with Franco entirely - and would add that if you're not able to get a referral, this shouldn't stop you from applying. It may help to varying degrees based on the company you are applying to - but it certainly doesn't harm! 

In my experience, for Advanced Degree applicants (medics and PhDs), it's more helpful to have support from PhDs/medics who work in consulting for interview prep (and the referral is simply a bonus). I would optimise for having multiple people who can offer 1-2 hours of interview prep, over a single referral who doesn't give you any time/support during the process.

All the best! Happy to discuss further if any questions.

Yes, referrals are absolutely possible, and I would recommend seeking one if you can.

A referral will not guarantee an interview but it will surely help ensure that your profile receives proper attention.

Best of luck with your applications!
Franco

Maybe they help... just a bit 😉

Yes! Referrals are absolutely helpful, regardless of whether you are applying through a graduate, PhD, or experienced hire route.

A referral does not guarantee an interview, but it can increase the chance that your application is properly reviewed and give the recruiter more confidence in your candidacy.

Network properly. Build a genuine relationship, learn about the office and role, and only then ask whether the person would be comfortable referring you.

Of course, the referral cannot rescue a weak application. Make sure your CV is sharp and your experience is positioned clearly.

If you want a structured approach, my Applications course covers CVs, networking, referrals, and the complete application strategy.

Hi there,

I would be happy to share my thoughts on your questions:

• First of all, yes, referrals are possible at all major consulting firms, and they are also used for the graduate and PhD entry routes. A referral does not replace the standard process, but it usually makes sure that your profile gets proper attention in the screening stage.
• Moreover, contrary to what other coaches have said, there is no need to look for a "perfect clone" of yours in your target consulting firms - what matters is that you have several conversations with the consultants so that they are willing to refer you. Also, there really is no reputation at risk on their end, so please don't shy away from asking.
• Lastly, I would advise you not to delay your applications while searching for referrals. Apply in parallel and within the deadlines, since a referral helps the most when it arrives together with a strong application, and a missing referral should never stop you from applying.

If you would like a more detailed discussion on how to best prepare your application files, for your upcoming pre-interview assessments and/or interviews, please don't hesitate to contact me directly.

Best,

Hagen

hey there :)

Yes, networking and referrals can be useful for London recruiting, including for PhD and graduate candidates. That said, a referral is not a substitute for having a strong application and passing the relevant screening stages.

I’d focus on speaking to people who actually know your profile rather than asking random LinkedIn connections for a referral. A genuine recommendation from someone who can speak about your strengths is much more valuable.

If you’re finishing a PhD, I’d also make sure your CV clearly translates your research experience into problem solving, leadership, analytical skills and impact.

Feel free to reach out if you’d like help positioning your PhD profile for MBB recruiting. Best, Alessa :)

Referrals are definitely worth it if you can find someone who knows you in those firms. As someone who worked there, I was often surprised when people who I didn't know very well would ask me, but looking back I wish I had given out a few more. Keep in mind that the consultant is risking a bit of their reputation on you, so you ideally find someone that truly does think you have what it takes and wants to work with you - when they get asked internally about you they want to be able to say genuine and sincere things about your strength as a candidate! Hope you find someone and good luck on your application journey - let me know if I can be of help!

Hi there, 

Referrals can indeed help, but it's worth applying even if you don't secure one. 

I can't tell for sure whether London is accepting referrals or not, because I heard different accounts over the past couple of years, but it's worth trying. 

Sharing here a guide on how to approach networking discussions and getting referrals:

• • Expert Guide: How To Handle Networking Calls and Get Referrals

Best,
Cristian