Consulting Internship Opportunities in the Middle East

Hey there,

Similarly to the full-time hiring process, companies such as the MBBs and tier 2 tend to recruit from select universities and schools (Target Schools), and their Middle East Offices are no different,

So your best bet is to ideally be a student at one of these schools,

Now, if this isn't the case, it doesn't mean that you have no shot. Ideally, keep on checking the companies' website, as, based on my knowledge and previous experience, they tend to have specific windows for internship applications. These windows open about twice per year on average, one during the spring semester and once during the fall.

Your third bet would be to leverage your network to try to get a referral and have visibility over the recruiting windows,

Hope this answers your question,

Best,
Fady

Hey there, 

I understand how difficult and not always easy it is to get information on the consulting internships can be. My recommendation would be to:

• Reach out to (network with) recruiters: Use LinkedIn or other consultants you may know in these industries to connect with recruiters in the organizations that you would want to do internships with.
• Ask them directly when opportunities are likely to come up: They would have a yearly plan of dates when they plan on opening up and closing applications for various roles (including internships) and they could let you know when to look out for them. Also, they could (or rather may) let you know if they are only recruiting from certain target schools or not - and this could help also align your expectations well
• Maintain relationships with them for future: If there's nothing available now (or soon), stay in touch with them for future so you can get first hand information from them later

All the best

Network and seek referrals.

I recently helped a coachee secure referrals at 7 consulting firms in the Middle East.

Happy to discuss this further in private.

Best,

Alberto

—

Explore my latest case inspired by a real MBB interview: Sierra Sprints - New Product Launch

Hey there!

I understand how challenging it can be to find consulting internships in the Middle East, especially with firms like MBB, Oliver Wyman, or Kearney. Having done internships myself at McKinsey, BCG, and Roland Berger—and eventually choosing McKinsey for a full-time role where I worked for several years—I recommend being proactive. Reach out to consultants or recruiters via LinkedIn, focus on regional career portals, and leverage any alumni networks or campus resources. Many firms in the region recruit seasonally, so keeping an eye on timelines and attending events like workshops or competitions is key. As a former McKinsey interviewer, I can assure you that persistence and networking make a big difference—best of luck!

Alessa :)

Having successfully recruited for MBB internships in the MENA region, I can relate to being in this position.

If you're aiming for a summer 2025 internship, it's likely that these firms have already completed their hiring process for that year.

However, if you're targeting a summer 2026 internship, here’s what you should do:

1. Connect with Recruiters: Reach out to the recruitment teams to confirm when applications will open (my guess is late summer to early fall).
2. Network with Consultants: Engage with consultants at your target firms to gain insights into what it’s like working in the Middle East and understand the specific nuances of the recruitment process in this region compared to others.
3. Case Prep: It may seem early, but honing your case-solving skills now is key to standing out and performing well when the interviews come around.

All the best!

Hi there,

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

• First of all, if there are no open positions at these consulting firms in the Middle East, it means that they are not currently accepting applications.
• Moreover, I would still advise you to reach out to the recruiters of these consulting firms. A personalized message explaining your interest and qualifications may open up new and/or unlisted internship opportunities.
• Lastly, I would highly advise you to expand your search to include boutique consulting firms in the region. Although smaller, these firms can offer significant learning opportunities and may have more accessible application processes.

You can find more on this topic here: Boutique consulting companies.

If you would like a more detailed discussion on how to best prepare for your upcoming interviews, please don't hesitate to contact me directly.

Best,

Hagen