The OC&C graduate programme has two entry routes: the full-time Associate Consultant role for final-year students and recent graduates, and the Summer Associate Consultant internship for penultimate-year students. Both run from offices including London, Paris, Hamburg, and New York, and both offer early responsibility on small, partner-led teams.
This guide covers the 2027 intake at OC&C Strategy Consultants — applications open in 2026 and are reviewed on a rolling basis, so applying early gives you the strongest chance. Confirm exact dates on OC&C Strategy Consultants's official careers page.
OC&C Graduate Programme: Associate Consultant
This is the main full-time entry route. Associate Consultants join after graduation and work directly on client engagements from day one. Because OC&C teams are small, juniors get more client exposure than at large firms — you sit in client meetings, own workstreams earlier, and work directly with partners instead of through layers of management.
The trade-off is intensity. Small teams mean real accountability fast, which suits candidates who learn by doing.
OC&C Graduate Programme: Summer Associate Consultant
The summer internship is aimed at penultimate-year students and is the strongest pipeline into the firm. Interns do real case work alongside full-time consultants — not shadowing exercises — over several weeks in one office. A strong summer performance typically leads to a full-time Associate Consultant offer.
If you are eligible, treat the internship as your primary target. Our step-by-step guide to how to apply to OC&C walks through the application process for both routes.
Offices Hiring Graduates
OC&C recruits across its global offices, including:
- London — the largest graduate intake
- Paris, Hamburg — core European offices
- New York — the main US base
- Other international locations
Apply to the office where you want to be based. Each office runs its own hiring, and switching offices mid-process is not something to count on.
What "Boutique" Means for Your Career
Three things differ from the MBB experience:
- Team size: small engagement teams mean faster learning and earlier responsibility — but nowhere to hide.
- Sector depth: OC&C is known for deep expertise in retail, consumer goods, and media. If those sectors interest you, you go deeper, sooner, than at a generalist firm.
- Partner access: fewer layers mean juniors work directly with partners, accelerating feedback and sponsorship.
If you are weighing the boutique against bigger firms, our guide on which OC&C role is right for you breaks down the decision directly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can apply to the OC&C graduate programme?
Final-year students and recent graduates for Associate Consultant; penultimate-year students for the Summer Associate Consultant internship.
Which OC&C office should I apply to?
The one where you want to work. Offices hire independently, so pick based on location preference, not perceived odds.
Does the summer internship guarantee a full-time offer?
No, but it is the highest-probability route in — strong interns routinely convert to Associate Consultant offers.
How does OC&C differ from McKinsey or BCG?
It is a boutique: smaller teams, earlier responsibility, deeper sector focus, and direct partner exposure — at smaller intake scale.
Applying to OC&C? Our 2027 OC&C Online Test & Video Assessment prep covers the real questions — $79 one-time, instant download.
