Dubai vs. London in Consulting – Which Hub Is Better to Target?

Question

Hi everyone,

I’ve been thinking about something and would love your thoughts.

While researching consulting salaries across top firms, I noticed that entry-level compensation in Dubai is significantly higher than in London, at least for the first few levels on the pyramid.

This made me wonder: which of the two hubs is actually better to target for someone at the beginning of their consulting career?

For context, I’m Italian, and English is my only second language.

A few questions I’d appreciate help with:

Which city/hub would you consider better overall?
What key categories would you use to compare the two? (For example: salary, type of projects, career progression, lifestyle, difficulty of getting in, etc.)
Does it make more sense to apply now for junior roles (even with limited experience) or to build more experience and apply later for stronger positions?
Is now a good time to apply, or is it better to wait for a specific recruitment cycle or season?

Thanks a lot in advance—your insights would be super helpful!

Answer 1

Hi there,

Which city/hub would you consider better overall?
Dubai is generally the better option from a growth perspective. It’s a more future-oriented, dynamic market, while much of the UK/Europe is currently stagnating or facing headwinds - this won't change but likely accelerate.

How do they compare?

Market growth: Dubai is expanding; Europe is more mature and slower-growing/shrinking. Both markets have overhired in the past, which influences current hiring...
Difficulty of entry: Both are highly competitive, especially for expats.
Career progression: Generally similar, since the career path is very rigid. I'd try to apply in your home country first, then make an internal transfer (unless you have specific ties to a region, e.g., a Masters from a top UK b-school)
Project types: Highly dependent on the firm and specific practice (local vs. international staffing).
Lifestyle: Fairly comparable, though cultural and personal preferences matter.

Does it make more sense to apply now for junior roles or build more experience and apply later?
Both approaches can work. Apply now - if it doesn’t work out, you can always try again after gaining more experience. Note that many firms impose a 12–24 month reapplication period.

Is now a good time to apply, or should I wait for a specific cycle?
It depends on your flexibility. At the moment, hiring is tight unless you have a strong story or a niche, high-demand profile. If you have time and can build your candidacy, waiting might improve your chances.

Cheers,

Florian

Answer 2

hey!

Here’s a short and focused reply you can post on PrepLounge:

Hi there! Great question — both Dubai and London have their pros, and the “better” hub really depends on your priorities. Here’s a quick comparison by key factors:

Salary: Dubai wins — significantly higher take-home due to tax-free income.
Lifestyle: London is more walkable, diverse culturally, and offers a more “European” lifestyle. Dubai is more expat-heavy, car-centric, but very safe and vibrant.
Projects: Dubai often focuses on public sector, mega-projects, and implementation-heavy work. London offers broader industry exposure (finance, consumer, etc.) and often more strategy-focused work.
Difficulty getting in: London is more competitive due to volume of applicants. Dubai offices are smaller but still tough — referrals help a lot.
Career progression: Similar at MBB level in both, but London may offer smoother transitions to EU industry roles later.

If you’re early in your career, it’s fine to apply now — no need to “wait” unless you think you’ll significantly boost your profile in the next 6–12 months.

Best of luck!

Alessa