MBA or advanced degrees for promotion at MBB MENA

Short Answer: No, you don’t necessarily need an advanced degree (e.g., MBA) to rise through the ranks and reach Partner at an MBB firm in the Middle East (Dubai/Riyadh).

Long Answer: The factors influencing promotion within MBB vary across different stages of your career:

1. Early Career (Business Analyst to Manager):
   At this stage, your promotion depends primarily on your performance on projects—first as an individual contributor and later as a team and client leader. Your ability to deliver results, manage stakeholders, and lead teams is pivotal. While an advanced degree can provide useful skills (e.g., strategic thinking, problem-solving frameworks), it isn’t a promotion prerequisite.
2. Later Career (Principal to Partner):
   In the senior stages of your career, the focus shifts to client relationships and business development (e.g., selling projects, building trust with key clients). An advanced degree does not directly contribute to these capabilities, nor is it required to reach Partner. That said, it might offer indirect benefits—like strengthening your network through alumni connections, especially in regions where professional relationships carry significant weight.

Additional Insight:
In my experience (incl. in the Middle East), consultants who pursue advanced degrees like MBAs after starting at MBB typically do so for reasons unrelated to promotions. These may include a desire to relocate (e.g., switching offices post-MBA), take a break from consulting’s fast-paced environment, or explore other career opportunities (including exit options). While advanced degrees can be a valuable experience, they are by no means a requirement for career growth within MBB.

Hope this helps, and good luck!

Hey!

At MBB in the Middle East, an MBA or advanced degree is not strictly required to rise to partner, but it can be advantageous depending on your career trajectory and goals. If you join directly after undergrad from a prestigious school, you can progress without further degrees, provided you consistently perform well and demonstrate leadership and impact. However, pursuing an MBA or advanced degree is often encouraged as it broadens your network, enhances your strategic thinking, and positions you favorably for both internal promotions and external opportunities.

The necessity can vary by firm: McKinsey has historically placed a strong emphasis on advanced degrees, while BCG and Bain also value them but may place slightly more weight on consistent performance and on-the-job learning. In the MENA region specifically, where there is significant emphasis on credentials and prestige, an MBA or advanced degree might add credibility, particularly if you transition to exit opportunities in fields like private equity, corporate leadership, or government advisory roles.

Ultimately, the decision depends on your long-term goals. Many consultants pursue MBAs for the experience, network, and global exposure. However, staying at MBB and delivering exceptional results can also provide a direct path to leadership without additional education. Networking with consultants who have taken different paths can give you further clarity.

Best, Alessa

It depends! If you are a top performer you will have 2 options:

1. Business Analyst / Associate to Senior Associate / Consultant (In US it is BA to EM/PL)

2. Firm sponsorship to do an MBA

The fastest career growth is unsurprisingly for path 1, but the 2nd option is specially helpful if you are trying to move offices, e.g., MENA to North America/ Europe and / or get 1-2 years of paid holiday! Although, if you are a top performer you might be able to move offices without an MBA. 

If you are not a top performer and choose to do MBA on your own, you still have a chance to come back in a post-MBA role (Associate/Consultant).

 Hope this helps

Hi there,

Not at all!

If your goal is to make partner, going out for 1-2 years for an advanced degree would actually slow that trajectory. What counts is how you drive the firm and client work forward.

It can help with other things though (not necessarily in consulting)!

Cheers,

Florian

An MBA or advanced degree is not required for promotion to partner in MBB firms, especially in the MENA region. Promotions are primarily merit-based, focusing on performance, leadership, and business impact. It can however provide an advantage by strengthening your profile and opening doors to greater opportunities. 

If you already have a postgraduate degree from a well-regarded school, pursuing an additional degree is usually unnecessary unless it aligns with specific career goals. Instead, focus on building exceptional results and relationships within the firm.

Best of luck!

No, it’s not a requirement. If you join at an entry-level role, you can progress all the way to partner without needing an MBA.

Best,

Alberto