The Masters Consultancy Challenge (MCC) gives Postgraduate Taught students the opportunity to work in interdisciplinary groups to solve a real-world business problem that an employer is facing.
The programme will take place between June 9th and June 27th 2025, and will run in collaboration with Turner & Townsend, renowned for their project management and programme management consultancy work in the real estate, infrastructure and natural resources sectors.
The Masters Consultancy Challenge offers a range of skills development opportunities, including teamwork, commercial awareness, and pitching, all of which will enhance your future career prospects.
Applications will open on January 27th 2025, closing on May 5th 2025. Find out how to apply below.
Please note that places on this programme are limited.
“It’s all about being able to link what you learn at the postgraduate level with your practical ability in a real world situation.”
To find out more about the MCC programme:
What is the Masters Consultancy Challenge?
The Masters Consultancy Challenge programme is a work experience opportunity with an employer (Turner & Townsend). They will set you a real-life challenge they are facing and you will have the opportunity to work in an interdisciplinary team to address the challenge that they have set.
Teams will present their solutions to a judging panel, competing against each other to secure the panel's vote. Prizes will be on offer for the winning team(s) and for standout individuals too!
What is the time commitment?
Students on both the Edgbaston campus and the Dubai campus may take part in the Masters Consultancy Challenge in 2025. For students in Dubai, the programme will run between June 3rd and June 26th 2025 (not including the University closure period across the Eid period), while for student in Edgbaston, the programme will run between June 9th and June 26th 2025.
The Masters Consultancy Challenge has a number of mandatory sessions. Failure to attend these sessions may prohibit you from being eligible to win prizes or receive a certificate of completion. Mandatory sessions may include:
- Welcome Session
- Employer Brief Session
- Employer Check-in Session
- Skills Development Sessions
- Final Pitch Presentation Session
Dates and times of these sessions will be confirmed once you have been successful in your application to the programme.
There will be plenty of time to work in your team to address the challenge provided by Turner & Townsend. You will be expected to arrange time to work together on this.
Am I eligible to take part?
The Masters Consultancy Challenge is open to all Postgraduate Taught students from the University of Birmingham, including students based on the Dubai campus.
This year, the Masters Consultancy Challenge will run across our Edgbaston and Dubai campuses. Unless registered as Distance Learners, Edgbaston students will be expected to take part in-person. Dubai students may take part in-person or online, although this is subject to change.
No previous experience is necessary and Postgraduate Taught students from all subject areas are welcome. Places are limited and will be allocated on the quality of your application.
You will need to be able to attend mandatory sessions (see above). If you are unable to attend a mandatory session or a group meeting due to another University commitment (e.g. a dissertation session), you will be expected to communicate this clearly in advance.
How do I apply to the programme?
You can apply for the Masters Consultancy Challenge 2025 here.
Applications will open at 9am on January 27th 2025, closing at 5pm on May 5th 2025.
Places for the Masters Consultancy Challenge are limited, and will be allocated depending on the quality of your application. Please ensure you take the time to complete the application form in full and answer the questions to the best of your ability.
In particular, you application will assessed against the following criteria:
- Authenticity of application
- Skills and suitability to the programme
- Links to career aspirations, including knowledge and desire to work with Turner & Townsend
Quotes from employers and students
This kind of experience is valued by employers and is great for your CV and interview answers.
Employer quote
“It is inspirational to see students from various degrees and backgrounds participate and broaden their skillsets which gives their CVs a worthy boost. Even if all the students don't decide to pursue the course of management/consultancy, the challenge undeniably builds transferrable skills such as presenting, team work and time management which will help them in all manners of jobs.”
— Shalabh Agarwal, KPMG
Student quote
“This is a training programme you definitely can't miss out! You'll have lots of opportunities to learn knowledge of consultancy, work with smart people from various academic and cultural backgrounds, improve your communication, cooperation, coordination, and presentation skills, and gain the abilities of identifying problems, collecting information, and coming up with solutions. Come and enjoy the intellectual buzz!”
— MSc Investments student