Is it possible to break into MBB in Copenhagen with only UK experience?

Hi there,

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

• First of all, nobody knows for sure until you try. Therefore, I would highly advise you to consider working with an experienced coach like myself to polish your application to perfection and see the result.
• Moreover, while offices in the Nordic countries are generally relatively open to non-local candidates, please keep in mind that 1) local competition is fierce and 2) the offices are relatively small.

You can find more on this topic here: How to succeed in the final interview round.

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

Best,

Hagen

Hi there,

Yes, breaking into MBB in Copenhagen with UK experience is definitely possible. The UK and Denmark have similar hiring standards, and King’s College London is a well-known institution that will be recognised.

Across the Nordics, MBB typically operates in English due to international clients, so not speaking Danish shouldn’t be a major barrier—you can always learn the language while there.

For next steps: connect with consultants in the Copenhagen office to understand the specifics of their hiring process and explore potential referrals. You can also reach out to a recruiter directly to clarify any concerns about your background and language requirements.

Your profile seems to be solid, so focus on networking and gathering insights. Best of luck!

Best wishes,
Johannes

The short answer is - yes it is possible. Given your background I would say that though it is possible, it may be much harder to do so. MBB is competitive on its own and matched with the current investment climate makes it much even more challenging. 

To have a fair shot I recommend reaching out to folks in the office you are targeting and going through your profile with them along with any roles you are targeting to get a realistic breakdown of your chances. I would not encourage you to apply online before having conversations and obtaining a referral at the least.

Best,

Udayan

Hey there, 

Yes, it's possible. And let me break my answer into specific parts for further clarification:

• Breaking into MBB
  • Part one would be passing the screening process by recruiting. This part is not in your hands directly, but you can heavily influence it by submitting a strong profile and resume of yourself including great academic results, achievements from your insurance background and consulting, evidence of problem solving, etc.
  • Then Part 2 would be acing the interview after having passed the screening. From here, the ball would be fully in your court, and you practice effectively to get the offer
• Getting into Copenhagen
  • I'm not sure about what the immigration requirements for you would be with regards to getting a work permit visa etc., but whilst getting VISA sponsorship is very easy doable for MBB's, i've noticed it's starting to reduce somewhat. So this is something to keep in mind

Further to the above, MBB's don't look the specifics of your background, but rather your knowledge and ability. So your experience and education from UK won't be a hinderance. You can just apply directly

All the best! 

Hi,

Yes you can apply/work at the MBB office in Copenhagen as the office language is English. Note the Nordic MBB offices are less international compared to other offices/locations. You can always double check with the specific company by reaching out to HR.

Mattijs 

Is my experience and education from the UK a hinderance to breaking into the Copenhagen office as pretty much everyone I can see on LinkedIn has come from a Danish university?

Hi there! King’s is a solid brand, and transitioning from a big4 to MBB is not unusual, specially if your experience is in the consulting branch. English is usually the first language of every office, I have worked with people from the UK, Germany, the US, Israel and Indonesia who wouldn’t speak a word of Portuguese while in Brazil, for instance. 

Make sure to craft a great CV within the correct format that highlights your achievements and look for referrals. That is the best way for you to join the recruiting process. There are good articles here on Prep Lounge about those topics.

Good luck!

Best,

Mari

Hi there,

Spent some time there with McKinsey - lovely office and culture. Most local clients use English as their company language, and the Nordics, in general, are more open to hiring non-locals compared to other regions. 

Your background is solid but a bit non-traditional for MBB, so you’ll want to emphasize transferable skills, consulting experience, and stakeholder management. A direct jump could be possible, but gaining more experience at a Big 4 or Tier 2 in Copenhagen could help if you’re not getting traction with MBB right away. Either way, I’d give it a try now - network to gauge potential and secure a referral.

All the best,
Florian

Hi there, 

your education is solid (King's is a great university) that should not hinder you at all. 

There might be some barriers that could make it a bit harder for you to be picked versus a local person, one being the language. When you apply for the German system, for example, it will be hard to get the job without speaking German. I am not sure how they treat that in Denmark. 

Hence, it might be easier to make the move with your current employer and once you are in the system make the switch. I would probably go for a dual process, i.e., apply for one MBB company (to test the water) and start kicking off a transfer process at your current employer. If you get a positive MBB feedback, you can always apply to the remaining two. If not, you save them for later once you are in the system. 

Best, 
Sebastian

Hey there 🙂, breaking into MBB Copenhagen with only UK experience is possible, but it does come with challenges—especially because you don’t speak Danish, and most consultants there come from local universities. Here’s what you should consider:

1️⃣ Your UK Experience – Does It Work for MBB Copenhagen?

✅ Strong academic credentials – A law degree from a semi-target UK university + an LLM from King’s College London gives you credibility, though MBB Denmark typically favors Danish business schools.
✅ Consulting experience at Big 4 – Your current role in financial risk consulting helps, but 6 months isn’t a lot—MBB may expect more experience before considering you.
✅ Danish language barrier – While MBB Copenhagen hires some international candidates, Danish fluency is often preferred for local client work. English-only roles are not impossible, but they’re more competitive.

2️⃣ Best Path to MBB Copenhagen

🔹 Option 1: Apply directly now

• Since you already have consulting experience at a Big 4, you can try applying now.
• Network with consultants in the Copenhagen office (especially international hires) to get a sense of their hiring preferences.
• If you get interviews, prepare to position yourself strongly as an international candidate who brings unique value.

🔹 Option 2: Gain more experience in Denmark first (Tier 2/Big 4 Transfer)

• Moving to Denmark via a Big 4 or Tier 2 firm (like OW, ATK, RB, or EY-P) first would help in two ways:
  1. You establish local work experience and credibility.
  2. You build connections in the Danish consulting network, making an MBB transition easier.
• This approach reduces the risk of rejection and makes MBB more likely to take you seriously.

3️⃣ Final Recommendation

Since you only have 6 months of consulting experience, I’d recommend:
✅ Apply to MBB now, but manage expectations—getting an offer may be tough without more experience.
✅ If unsuccessful, secure a consulting role in Denmark (Big 4 or Tier 2) first, build local experience, then transition to MBB later.
✅ Network heavily with MBB consultants in Copenhagen to understand how they evaluate international candidates.

You’re on the right track, and with more consulting experience and strategic networking, MBB Copenhagen is definitely possible! Let me know if you need more insights.

Best, Alessa 😇

Why don't you try immediately to transition? What do you lose? Why are you asking self-defeating questions leading to answers that will justify not applying?

What you have to do is to apply. Now. With the best CV you can. 

Then, but only after applying and getting a refection, if that happens, you consider the alternatives. Tier 2 would be a very good option. 

Regarding Big4... I doubt a Big4 in a Risk consulting role will be that helpful in getting you a job in MBB, so look for a different kind of role.