Consulting internship formats
In France, strategy internships mainly take two forms: a six-month gap-year internship between the two master’s years, and a final-year internship, which often leads to a permanent offer. Some firms also offer short summer or insight programmes, but longer internships account for most intern recruitment.
There are far fewer places than in banking: even a large Paris consulting office takes only a handful of interns per intake. That makes selection demanding, and case preparation essential even for an internship.
The firm landscape: MBB, Tier 2 and boutiques
MBB — McKinsey, BCG and Bain — lead in selectivity and recognition. Tier 2 firms such as Oliver Wyman, Kearney, Roland Berger, L.E.K. and Strategy& offer similar processes and work, often with more accessible recruitment volumes. Strategy boutiques and the strategy practices of large generalist firms complete the landscape.
Applying only to MBB is a common beginner’s mistake. Tier 2 firms are excellent targets in their own right and recognised stepping stones. A successful Tier 2 internship can reopen MBB doors for permanent roles.
The application timetable
Internship recruitment is less rigid than banking but requires just as much planning. Firms open regular campaigns, often in autumn for January–April starts and spring for summer–September, with processes lasting a few weeks to two months.
Allow three to six months from application to your first day, and build preparation in beforehand: a sound case interview level takes six to ten weeks of regular practice, rather than the week before the interview.
The process: tests, cases and PEI
CV screening comes first: university, grades, experience and leadership signals. An online assessment may follow, depending on the firm, office, role and campaign. McKinsey describes Solve for most consulting roles, Bain Paris confirms TestGorilla for its AC/ACI campaigns, and BCG includes a logic test in the first round of Paris junior recruitment. Candidate reports describe the latter as 80 questions in 30 minutes; confirm the details in your invitation.
At McKinsey, the experience component takes the structured form of a PEI — Personal Experience Interview. Case styles and stage order vary by firm, office and interviewer. Follow published guidance and adapt to the announced format, rather than assuming a strict divide between candidate-led and interviewer-led cases.
- Online tests: formats vary. Check the name, duration and rules in your invitation before choosing practice material.
- Cases: market sizing, profitability, market entry, pricing and growth, with structuring out loud.
- PEI / fit: 2–3 strong personal stories told precisely, covering context, actions and impact.
- Final stage: a partner interview exploring your understanding of the work and motivation in depth.
During the internship: aim for conversion
A strategy intern works like a junior consultant: research and analysis, industry interviews, slides and modelling tasks. You are assessed on analytical rigour, supervised independence and communication quality, using the same criteria as for a permanent role.
Conversion is the explicit aim of a final-year internship and a realistic goal for a gap-year internship, through a deferred offer or a fast-track process on return. Ask for structured feedback halfway through: firms are used to providing it, and it is your best opportunity to adjust while there is still time.
The typical process by firm group
| Stage | MBB | Tier 2 |
|---|---|---|
| CV screening | Very selective: university, academics, leadership | Selective: the same criteria, with more accessible thresholds |
| Online test | Solve, TestGorilla or BCG logic test, depending on the firm; confirm the details in your invitation | Varies: an aptitude test or no test |
| Case interview rounds | 2–3 rounds, with firm-specific formats | 2–3 rounds, often similar to MBB formats |
| Fit | Structured PEI at McKinsey, in-depth fit elsewhere | Standard fit: motivation, STAR stories |
| Final round | Partner: case + understanding of the work | Partner or office head |
Frequently asked questions
How many cases should I practise before a strategy consulting interview?
Well-prepared candidates generally arrive having practised 20–40 cases, including some in realistic conditions: out loud, timed, with a partner or coach. Progress matters more than volume: 25 cases with thorough feedback are better than 50 without correction.
Can I intern at McKinsey, BCG or Bain without consulting experience?
Yes. For most MBB interns, the internship is their first consulting experience. Firms look for strong academics, leadership signals and excellent case skills. Previous experience, such as an analytical internship or entrepreneurship, helps but does not replace case preparation.
Can a gap-year consulting internship lead to a permanent role?
Often: a successful gap-year internship may lead to a deferred offer or fast-track process on return, while a final-year internship may convert directly. It can have a strong impact: one successful recruitment process may potentially secure a permanent role.
Should I target Tier 2 firms or only MBB?
Both: the processes are similar, preparation overlaps, and Tier 2 firms offer comparable work with more favourable recruitment volumes. A successful Tier 2 internship is also one of the strongest stepping stones to a permanent MBB role.