An MBA is a popular, career-oriented course that is often considered a valuable asset for career advancement in various parts of the world. Pursuing this course can help boost your career prospects, leading to salary increases, leadership roles, or a wide range of job opportunities.
While not a standalone degree, an MBA in consulting refers to tailoring your MBA journey toward a consulting career. By focusing on areas like strategy, finance, management, and marketing, alongside skills such as client handling and project management, students gain the foundation needed to thrive in the consulting industry.
How An MBA Can Benefit Your Career In Consulting?
MBA programs help students develop essential core skills in business ethics, analytics, and management. However, the best MBA programs for consulting further refine and diversify the skill set of students by providing training in organisational leadership, human relations, effective communication, and risk management. An MBA in consulting refers to leveraging an MBA to build a successful career in the consulting industry—this guide shows how the degree can help you get there.
Builds a Strong Foundation in Business Strategy
Consulting requires a keen understanding of how businesses operate. MBA programs provide you with the tools to understand industry structures, organisational behaviour, and core business functions—everything you need to guide clients toward better decisions.
Opens Doors to Top Consulting Firms
With strong placement support and alumni networks, top B-schools give you access to leading consulting firms. Whether it’s through on-campus events or mentorship sessions, the right program sets you on a path to exciting roles in the field.
Enhances Leadership and Communication Skills
Consultants are expected to lead with clarity and inspire trust. Through presentations, group projects, and real-world interactions, the top MBA programs for consulting emphasise communication and leadership skills, so you’re ready for boardrooms and beyond.
Expands Your Professional Network
You won’t just learn from textbooks—you’ll learn from people. The best MBA programs for consulting surround you with driven peers, experienced faculty, and alumni who are already making waves in the industry.
Offers Internship and Live Project Opportunities
Live projects, consulting internships, and simulations give you a taste of the challenges consultants face daily. It’s a chance to build your resume and apply theory to practice, long before graduation.
Provides Access to Consulting-Specific Clubs and Case Competitions
These activities prepare the candidates for the consulting industry by honing their problem-solving and analytical skills, developing connections with industry professionals, and gaining real-world experience.
Specialised Electives and Courses in Consulting
Many MBA programs offer electives in strategy, operations, analytics, and more. These courses help you specialise, giving you a solid edge in consulting interviews and on the job.
Improves Your Resume and Personal Branding
Consulting is as much about presence as it is about skill. The best MBA programs for consulting help you build your personal brand and improve your resume by showcasing your skills, values, and aspirations that make you unique.
Also Read: Comparing Online and Traditional MBA Programs – Pros and Cons
MBA in Consulting- Jobs and Career Prospects
An MBA can help you step into the field of consulting within leading global businesses. Here are some details of some of the best MBA programs for consulting jobs.
Management Consultants
These professionals offer expert advice to businesses on their operations, management, and strategies to improve their profitability and efficiency.
Career Path:
- Analyst/ Associate
- Senior Consultant
- Consultant
- Engagement Manager
- Director/ Partner
- Principal / Associate Partner
- C-suite roles like Chief Strategy Officer
Common Fields of Operation: Consulting companies, private equity, corporate strategy departments.
Average Salary: The approximate salary of the management consultants in Singapore is SGD 7,633 per month (as per Glassdoor).
Operations Consultants
Graduates of the best MBA programs for consulting often take on key roles in optimising internal business processes, from technology management to supply chain operations.
Career Path:
- Operations Consultant
- Operations Analyst
- Operations Manager/ Engagement Manager
- Senior Operations Consultant
- VP of Operations
- Director of Operations
- COO or Chief Operating Officer
Common Fields of Operation: Logistics, Supply Chain, Lean Management, Process Improvement.
Average Salary: An approximate wage of these operations consultants is between SGD 2913 and SGD 23004 per month (according to AmbitionBox)
Marketing Consultants
These professionals offer insights into the brand management, marketing strategy, customer engagement, and digital marketing of businesses to boost their market presence.
Career Path:
- Junior Marketing Consultant
- Marketing Analyst
- Campaign Manager/ Senior Consultant
- Marketing Consultant
- Marketing Director
- Marketing Strategy Lead
- CMO or Chief Marketing Officer
Common Fields of Operation: Businesses dealing with digital marketing, consumer insights, brand strategy, etc.
Average Salary: The approximate salary of the marketing consultants in Singapore is SGD 3,150 per month (as per Glassdoor).
Strategy Consultants
By addressing strategic issues such as market expansion, mergers, and corporate restructuring, graduates excel in their roles, thanks to the training they receive in the top MBA programs for consulting.
Career Path:
- Strategy Consultant/ Associate
- Strategy Analyst
- Senior Strategy Consultant
- Strategy Director
- VP of Strategy
- Strategy Manager
- CSO or Chief Strategy Officer
Common Fields of Operation: Corporate Strategy Teams, MBB Firms, and Government Think Tanks.
Average Salary: The approximate salary of the strategy consultants in Singapore is $7,550 per month (as per Glassdoor).
Human Resources Consultants
These experts specialise in offering services such as employee performance, organisational structure, and HR strategy to optimise talent management for businesses.
Career Path:
- HR Analyst or Associate
- Senior HR Consultant
- HR Consultant
- HR Business Partner/Talent Management Lead
- VP of Human Capital
- Director of HR Consulting
- CHRO or Chief Human Resources Officer
Common Fields of Operation: Organisational Development, Change Management, Talent Acquisition.
Average Salary: The approximate salary of Human Resources Consultants in Singapore is $3,408 per month (as per Glassdoor).
Financial Consultants
These professionals offer advice to their clients on specific issues, such as mergers and acquisitions, budgeting, and cost optimisation strategies.
Career Path:
- Financial Consultant or Associate
- Financial Analyst
- Senior Financial Consultant
- Director of Financial Planning
- VP of Finance Strategy
- Finance Manager
- CFO or Chief Financial Officer
Common Fields of Operation: Wealth Management Firms, Banks, Fintech companies, and Corporate Finance Departments.
Average Salary: The approximate salary of financial consultants in Singapore is $5,500 per month (as per Glassdoor).
IT Consultants
These professionals work with different businesses to develop and implement technology solutions which support their operations and strategic goals.
Career Path:
- IT Consultant
- IT Analyst
- Technical Lead/IT Project Manager
- Director of IT Strategy
- Senior IT Consultant
- Solutions Architect
- CTO or Chief Technology Officer /CIO or Chief Information Officer
Common Fields of Operation: Cybersecurity, ERP, Digital Transformation, Cloud Computing.
Average Salary: The approximate salary of IT consultants in Singapore is $5,450 per month (as per Glassdoor).
Project Managers
The role of these professionals is to manage companies’ consulting projects, from inception to completion, ensuring they are delivered on time, within budget, and meet client expectations.
Career Path:
- Project Analyst/Coordinator
- Project Manager
- Director of Program Manager
- Assistant Project Manager
- Program Manager
- Senior Project Manager
- COO or VP of Projects (in delivery-focused businesses)
Common Fields of Operation: Prince2, PMP, Agile/Scrum Master
Average Salary: The approximate salary of the project managers in Singapore is SGD 6,000 per month (as per Glassdoor).
Also read: Full-time Vs. Part-time MBA In Singapore
How Upgrad Helps You Build a Career in Consulting?
upGrad, the online learning platform, offers a wide range of MBA programs that can benefit your career in consulting. These programs offer industry-relevant knowledge, specialised skills, and career support to the candidates.
Check out these MBA courses, upGrad has to offer:
- MBA from Paris School of Business
- Master of Business Administration (Edgewood College)
- MBA from O.P. Jindal Global University
- Master of Business Administration from Liverpool Business School
- Master of Business Administration (Golden Gate University)
For details, email query@upgrad.com or call +65-6232-6730
FAQs on How an MBA in Singapore Can Boost Your Career in Consulting?
Q:- How does an MBA help in consulting?
Ans:- An MBA program helps in consulting by developing critical skills, offering a strong foundation of business knowledge, and expanding your professional networks. Besides, an MBA in consulting course equips you with the necessary tools to analyse complex business issues, communicate the findings effectively to the clients, and develop strategic solutions.
Q: Can I be a consultant with an MBA?
Ans:- Yes, getting an MBA degree will considerably improve the scope of becoming a consultant at a leading consulting business.
Q: Which MBA specialisation is best for consulting?
Ans:- Strategy, Finance, and Management Consulting are some of the most beneficial and directly relevant specialisation courses for a post MBA career in consulting. These areas offer the basic skills and knowledge required for managing consulting projects like strategic decision-making, data analysis, and client relationship management.
Q: What are the top consulting firms that hire MBA graduates?
Ans:- Some of the leading consulting firms that hire MBA graduates in consulting are Boston Consulting Group (BCG), McKinsey & Company, Bain & Company, Accenture, Deloitte, Kearney, EY, etc.
Q: Is consulting a good career after an MBA?
Ans:- Consulting is one such career that offers a blend of social adeptness, technical skills, and creativity. Therefore, it is a good career option after an MBA, especially for people looking for fast career progression, diverse experience, and high earning potential.
Q: Can I get into consulting without prior experience?
Ans:- Yes, it is possible to get into consulting without prior experience as a new MBA graduate or at the entry level. Businesses often hire recent graduates and offer them comprehensive training. However, it needs a strong network and better preparation to secure post-MBA jobs in consulting at the leading businesses.
