The market, the firms, and the rules
Firms, how hiring works, and the work-pass rules for foreign candidates.
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
- Kearney, Oliver Wyman, L.E.K., Roland Berger, Strategy&, and EY-Parthenon (reported; check each firm's office page).
- YCP Solidiance, an Asia-focused strategy consulting and investment firm with offices across Asia, including Singapore.
- Graduates of local universities and international business schools with Singapore campuses are common hires (reported).
- Many firms hire on a rolling basis for set start dates (reported). Check each firm's application window.
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.
So What Club is independent. It is not affiliated with, sponsored by, or endorsed by any firm named in this library. Firm names are trademarks of their owners and are used only to describe publicly available information about how these firms hire. We never reproduce any firm's test or share confidential interview material.
Singapore often serves as a hub for Southeast Asia, and consultants based there may work on projects in several countries, such as Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia, and the Philippines (reported).
Firms that hire in Singapore and the region
- McKinsey, BCG, and Bain.
- Kearney, Oliver Wyman, L.E.K., Roland Berger, Strategy&, and EY-Parthenon (reported; check each firm's office page).
- YCP Solidiance, an Asia-focused strategy consulting and investment firm with offices across Asia, including Singapore. Its parent, YCP Holdings (Global) Limited, has been listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange since December 2021 (its investor relations page). We have not verified its interview process.
- Redseer, which works in Southeast Asia on consumer internet and digital sectors.
How hiring happens
- Graduates of local universities and international business schools with Singapore campuses are common hires (reported).
- Many firms hire on a rolling basis for set start dates (reported). Check each firm's application window.
- For example, BCG hires Associates in Singapore, Bangkok, Ho Chi Minh City, Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, and Manila year-round, while its Summer Associate applications are campaign-based and close in October or November (official).
Rules for foreign candidates
- Employment Pass (EP): the employer applies for it. For new applications before 1 January 2027, the minimum qualifying salary is 5,600 Singapore dollars a month for candidates aged 23 and under in most sectors, and 6,200 in financial services, rising with age.
- From 1 January 2027 for new applications, the minimums rise to 6,000 Singapore dollars (most sectors) and 6,600 (financial services) for candidates aged 23 and under, again rising with age.
- Candidates must also pass COMPASS, a points-based framework, by scoring at least 40 points unless exempted.
- These rules affect whether a firm can hire a foreign graduate for a Singapore role. This is general information, not legal advice. Check the Ministry of Manpower pages and ask the recruiter early.
| Firm | Bachelor's or master's entry | MBA entry | Where we checked |
|---|---|---|---|
| McKinsey & Company | Business Analyst (fellow and intern roles also exist) | Associate | mckinsey.com student career pages |
| BCG | Associate (Senior Associate for many PhD students) | Consultant | careers.bcg.com early-career and job pages |
| Bain & Company | Associate Consultant | Consultant | bain.com hiring-process pages |
| Roland Berger | Junior Consultant | Read the job posting | rolandberger.com job postings |
| EY-Parthenon (US) | Associate Program | Consultant Program (check eligibility) | ey.com US EY-Parthenon career pages |
| KPMG (UK) | Strategy Graduate Programme (per a 2019 KPMG brochure; check the current posting) | Read the job posting | kpmgcareers.co.uk |
| All other firms here | Varies by country and team | Varies by country and team | Read the job posting for your office |
So-what
Titles differ by office and country, so always read the posting for the office you apply to.
Last reviewed: 2026-09-28. Sources, official pages first. "Reported" means a secondary source, not the firm or government itself.
- Singapore Ministry of Manpower: Eligibility for Employment Pass (official government source): https://www.mom.gov.sg/passes-and-permits/employment-pass/eligibility
- Singapore Ministry of Manpower: COMPASS (official government source): https://www.mom.gov.sg/passes-and-permits/employment-pass/eligibility#compass
- BCG: International opportunities, application timing and languages by country (official): https://careers.bcg.com/global/en/locations/united-kingdom/international-opportunities
- YCP Solidiance (official): https://ycpsolidiance.com/
- YCP Holdings: investor relations FAQ (stock exchange listing) (official): https://corporate.ycp.com/investor-relations/faq
- Redseer Southeast Asia (official): https://redseer.com/sea/
- Reported: Vault, YCP Solidiance profile: https://vault.com/company-profiles/management-strategy/ycp-solidiance
Sources for this lesson (7)
- Singapore Ministry of Manpower: Eligibility for Employment Pass (official government source)
- Singapore Ministry of Manpower: COMPASS (official government source)
- BCG: International opportunities, application timing and languages by country (official)
- YCP Solidiance (official)
- YCP Holdings: investor relations FAQ (stock exchange listing) (official)
- Redseer Southeast Asia (official)
- Reported: Vault, YCP Solidiance profile
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