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Recruiting in Europe and the UK
Lesson 2 of 2 Facts checked against sources on 28 September 2026 6 min

Work permits, case themes, and preparation

Work permits in general terms, typical European case themes, and a preparation list.

Firm processes and online tests change from year to year and differ by office. Use this to prepare, and confirm the exact current steps on the firm's own careers page.

Key takeaways

  • Industrial and automotive companies adapting to electric vehicles and new competition.
  • Energy transition and high energy prices.
  • Pricing and monetization (Simon-Kucher, and many cases at other firms).
  • Note each firm's application window in your calendar; UK windows open and close early.
  • If you target a continental office, practice cases in the local language as well as in English.
Checked on 2026-09-28

This lesson was checked against the sources listed at the end, official pages first. Firm processes change between offices, roles, and years, so use it as a guide and confirm the details in your invitation and with your recruiter.

Work permits: if you are not a citizen of the country where the office is, check whether you need a visa and whether the office sponsors one for your role. Rules differ by country and change often, so read the official government page for that country and ask the recruiter.

Typical case themes

  • Industrial and automotive companies adapting to electric vehicles and new competition.
  • Energy transition and high energy prices.
  • Pricing and monetization (Simon-Kucher, and many cases at other firms).
  • Private equity due diligence (L.E.K., OC&C, EY-Parthenon).
  • Banks and insurers (Oliver Wyman).

What to prepare

  • Note each firm's application window in your calendar; UK windows open and close early.
  • If you target a continental office, practice cases in the local language as well as in English.
  • Practice a written case with slides and a short presentation.
  • Practice a group case where you help the group agree on a structure and keep time.

Facts checked against sources on 2026-09-28. Sources, official pages first. "Reported" means a secondary source, not the firm or government itself.

  • BCG: UK Associate jobs (official): https://careers.bcg.com/global/en/locations/united-kingdom/associate-jobs
  • Bain: London Associate Consultant recruiting (official): https://www.bain.com/careers/recruiting/london-recruiting/
  • Bain: Interviewing (official): https://www.bain.com/careers/hiring-process/interviewing/
  • BCG Netherlands: application process (official): https://careers.bcg.com/global/en/locations/the-netherlands
  • Roland Berger: Careers FAQ (official): https://www.rolandberger.com/en/Join/Your-application/FAQ/
  • Roland Berger: Selection process (official): https://www.rolandberger.com/en/Join/Join-Us/Career-Starter/Selection-Process/
  • KPMG UK: Our application process (official): https://www.kpmgcareers.co.uk/graduate/applying-to-kpmg/application-process/
  • BCG: International opportunities, application timing and languages by country (official): https://careers.bcg.com/global/en/locations/united-kingdom/international-opportunities
  • Roland Berger: Junior Consultant 2027, London (job posting) (official): https://www.rolandberger.com/en/Join/All-Jobs/Junior-Consultant-2027-REF4503I.html
  • EY UK: Student application process (official): https://www.ey.com/en_uk/careers/students/application-process
  • Strategy& UK: Graduates and interns (official): https://www.strategyand.pwc.com/uk/en/careers/graduates-and-interns.html
  • Reported: PrepLounge forum, language used in interviews in Germany: https://www.preplounge.com/consulting-forum/language-used-in-interviews-in-germany-15689
  • Reported: Hacking the Case Interview, McKinsey Germany recruiting: https://www.hackingthecaseinterview.com/pages/mckinsey-germany-recruiting
  • Reported: MyConsultingOffer, L.E.K. written case: https://www.myconsultingoffer.org/case-study-interview-prep/lek-written-case/
  • Reported: IGotAnOffer, Kearney case interview: https://igotanoffer.com/blogs/mckinsey-case-interview-blog/at-kearney-case-interview
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