Solve It UK and Ireland

Solve It UK and Ireland

Solve It is a competition for university students who would like to use their skills to help a non-profit to address some of their current strategic and operational challenges. Participating in this event will give you the opportunity to learn, meet like-minded peers, and do meaningful work to create sustainable social impact.
Be part of a team that creates impact and helps a non-profit shape its future.

Competition details

Initial application

  • Apply as an individual, by submitting a 1-2 page CV. Please upload this in Microsoft Word or PDF format by March 2, 2025. Please note a Cover Letter is not required.
  • You will be required to complete our digital assessment, Solve (you will receive an invitation link from us after you have submitted your application).
  • All applicants will receive an update on the status of their application after the application deadline.
  • If your application is successful, we will divide you into small regional-based teams for the Case Competition.

Case Competition – Friday, April 4, 2025

  • In-person case competition in our London office
  • Each team will receive an assignment based on a key challenge facing the non-profit’s leadership
  • Teams will spend the day coming up with a proposed solution to the challenge, supported by McKinsey consultants.
  • Solutions will be presented to a panel of McKinsey consultants and the non-profit leaders who will determine the winning team
  • Each member of the winning team will receive:
    • A McKinsey mentor to support them for the next six months of their academic and professional journey
    • Access to live virtual skills sessions lead by McKinsey consultants and the Recruitment Team
    • A prize - more to be revealed later!

  • We will cover economy/standard class travel expenses for the day

Applications are now open – apply by March 2, 2025.

Apply now

Who are we looking for?

We are keen to get to know students who:

  • actively seek ways to grow their potential
  • enjoy problem solving and creative thinking
  • thrive working in a team
  • are keen to expand their leadership potential
  • have a desire to make an impact on the world around them
  • want to learn more about a career working in consulting at McKinsey

If you think this sounds like you, we invite you to apply to Solve It.

Who is eligible?

The competition is open to penultimate and final year undergraduate students and Master’s degree students graduating from one of the universities listed below. Please note that you are not eligible for this competition if you are currently studying for an MBA, PHD, or are enrolled at a university that is not listed.

Eligible universities

University of Bath
University of Birmingham
University of Bristol
Cardiff University
University College Cork
University College Dublin
Dublin City University
University of Edinburgh
University of Exeter
University of Galway
University of Glasgow
University of Lancaster
University of Leeds
University of Limerick
University of Liverpool
Loughborough University
University of Manchester
Newcastle University
University of Nottingham
Queen Mary University of London
Queen’s University Belfast
University of Sheffield
SOAS University of London
University of Southampton
University of St Andrews
University of Strathclyde
The London Interdisciplinary School
Trinity College Dublin
University of York

Solve It is just one of our many worldwide initiatives aimed at helping individuals get to know McKinsey better.

If you have previously applied for a role or event with McKinsey, you are still welcome to apply. All applications will be reviewed regardless of prior applications or their outcomes.

At this time, we are only able to host this competition for candidates from a limited number of universities. If your university is not included in the list above, or you are ready to apply for a full-time role, please visit our careers website to learn about other opportunities that might be of interest to you.

Take a look at last year’s competition

Contact the Solve It team

Contact Us

Learn more about McKinsey

Careers in the United Kingdom
McKinsey in the United Kingdom
Careers Blog
Careers Blog
McKinsey is opening doors for disadvantaged students in the UK
New at McKinsey Blog
This program is intended for students currently studying at the universities mentioned above. It is one of many worldwide programs aimed at helping all individuals get to know McKinsey better.