McKinsey MBA sponsorship

Question

Hello PrepLounge Community,

I recently received an offer by McKinsey for a position as a Consultant at the Operations Practice based in Paris, France. I have 4 years of work experience prior to McKinsey.

I am very interested in doing an MBA in a few years and I would like to understand the conditions to obtain a sponsorship by the firm in Europe:

Are sponsorships offered only to people who start as Business Associates (I will start as a Junior Consultant, which is equivalent to a junior associate level in the Operations practice).
Are there any performance conditions?
How long does a person have to be in the firm in order to be sponsored?
How much longer does the person have to stay in the firm after the MBA

Thank you very much!

Answer 1

Hey there,

Congrats! :-))

Usually, in Europe this is how it goes:

MBA sponsorship is usually for consultants joining earlier (BA-level), however, there are individual arrangements
You would need to be eligible for the next promotion to get a return offer + educational leave sponsorship. Some offices pay for the full program, others for 50% of the fees + salary continuation for one year
2 years
1 year

HOWEVER, just ask HR directly. They are here to help and are the only ones that can give you 100% accurate information since these conditions change all the time and there are office specifics involved.

Cheers.

Florian

Answer 2

Hi,

McKinsey offers MBA sponsorship to BAs. As far as I'm aware junior associates join after a graduate degree or even after MBA in many countries hence it doesn't apply to them.

If you do qualify you have to be at the firm for two years and then you can do an MBA at any time till you are an associate partner.

You have to be a strong performer (so you cannot be rated as having issues) and for the full sponsorship in the US you have to come back and work at McKinsey for 2 years post your MBA.

Best,

Udayan

Answer 3

Hi Martin,

First of all you should definitely speak to them to see the exact details and expectations here!

Generally, sponsors are offered as long as you are performing to expectations and have been there a couple of years. Generally you also need to stay with the firm a couple of years after the MBA as well (or pay it all back).

Again, for exact specifics (role, timing, process, etc.) just ask them directly!

Answer 4

Hello,

The pointers that Florian gave are 100% in accordance with my understanding of how MBA sponsorships work at McKinsey Europe.

That being said, I highly recommend you reach out to HR at the Paris office to understand the specificities there.

Answer 5

Hi Martin,
congrats on the offer! I confirm McK usually sponsors MBA for junior consultants. However, you can negotiate it if you are explicitly clear from day 1 with the people department

Best,
Antonello