Hi everyone,
I’m a final-year student (graduating next spring) and interested in applying for full-time graduate roles in the Middle East (e.g., BCG, McKinsey, Bain).
I can’t find any clear information about application deadlines for this region. Do they usually post them on the company websites, or are they announced through universities/networks? Are the deadlines fixed (once per year) or rolling?
Any advice on where to reliably check for these deadlines would be very helpful.
Thanks!
Hi there,
For MBB in the Middle East, deadlines are not always centralized or announced the same way every year. The most reliable source is each firm’s careers website — that’s where official openings and timelines are published. Many offices in the region recruit on a fixed annual cycle (typically once per year for graduate intakes), while a few roles may be posted on a rolling basis.
Usually, if it's a fixed annual cycle - they open by end of August and close by end of October / mid November for the next cycle.
A good rule of thumb: check the company sites regularly, set up job alerts, and leverage alumni or recruiting contacts to confirm timing.
Deadlines for MBB roles in the Middle East can vary a bit depending on the office and the type of role (full-time vs. internship). In most cases, the firms publish them directly on their official careers pages, but it’s common for Middle East offices to also rely heavily on university career centers and student networks. Unlike some regions where applications are rolling, MBB firms in the Middle East often stick to fixed cycles, usually once or twice a year.
That's a great point.
Yes, often they are not communicated clearly, which is why it always makes sense to find a way of getting in touch with the recruiter from your target office for a short call.
See if you can find a contact email address or phone online. Ideally, it should lead directly to the recruiter, not to the general recruiting email. Contact them at that address.
If they don't answer, follow-up. If they don't answer, see if you can contact them on LinkedIn.
If they don't answer, try to speak with a consultant from that office in a virtual coffee chat and ask whether they could put you in touch with the recruiter.
You might also find this guide helpful in terms of how to prepare your application strategy:
Best,
Cristian
Hi there,
For MBB Middle East, deadlines aren’t always fixed – some roles are on rolling basis while others have annual intakes. The best way is to check the official careers pages frequently and also stay in touch with recruiters/university career services, as they often announce region-specific timelines. Networking with current consultants in the region can also give you an early heads-up.
Best,
Evelina
You should aim to start your application process for MBB Middle East relatively ASAP. My experience as a fresh grad (back in 2019, may have changed by now), was as follows:
1. My application got locked in by end of September,
2. CV screening and invitation to Solve (problem solving game) by early-mid October
3. Super day of interviews by end of October (2x first round + 2x second round) - this has changed post-COVID , where I've heard different reports of people having 3 to 4 interviews depending on the role.
4. Offer received day after - again, post-COVID I've heard of some instances taking 2-3 weeks to get back with an offer / rejection.
Happy to help in a more direct 1:1 conversation. Best of luck!
You should check with your university career center.
