Consulting Case Competition 2019 - FAQs

Read on to find out more about applying for, or attending, our Consulting Case Competition 2019! Any further questions, please email nbi.applications@gmail.com and we'll get back to you as soon as we can.

Note that further information on attending as a non-competitor will be published shortly!

Q: I am an undergraduate/Masters' student or post-doctoral researcher. Can I still participate?

A: Yes. Although the competition is targeted towards PhD students, applications from teams with a mix of students and researchers at various education levels (i.e. undergraduate/Master’s students/PhDs/post-docs) are more than welcome to apply. Teams with at least ONE PhD student (from any discipline) as a member will be given preference; however, exceptional teams that were not able to recruit a PhD student teammate will be considered. Please note that all competing participants should be students currently enrolled at – OR- post-doctoral researchers (i.e. research associates) currently employed by a UK university.

Note: students from all academic levels and subject areas, local professionals and members of the public with or without a university affiliation are all welcome to participate in an afternoon of activities on Saturday, 22nd June 2019 – the day of the competition.

Q: I don’t have any relevant business experience. Can I still participate?

A: Absolutely. We invite students and post-docs from any discipline who are interested in gaining exposure to management consulting in the biopharmaceutical sector to participate in the competition. If you want to sharpen your critical and analytical thinking, communication and team work skills, then you are fully qualified to enter the competition.

All of the information that your team needs to create a strategic solution to the assigned case will be provided for you in the competition materials that you will receive at the beginning of the three week deliberation period ahead of the competition. However, we do encourage participants to form interdisciplinary teams so as to draw from the largest variety of member strengths.

Q: What are you looking for in a participant?

A: We invite all UK-based students and post-docs from any discipline who have an interest in business, science, research and the biopharma industry to participate in the competition as long as their team contains at least one PhD student (exceptions to this rule may be considered on a case by case basis for exceptional teams who were not able to recruit a PhD student team member).

However, anyone from the general public with an interest in learning about career paths at the interface of scientific research and business can join us on the day of the competition as a non-competing attendee.

Q: The competition rules say my team will have three weeks to prepare a pitch. Do we have to be in Manchester for the entire three week period?

A: No. Members of shortlisted teams are free to communicate and collaborate amongst themselves via any means necessary during the three week deliberation period (i.e., in-person, remotely, etc.). At least 3 members of each competing team must be physically present in Manchester on the day of the competition to present their pitch.

Q: I don’t have a team. Can I still participate?

A: Yes. If you want to compete, but don’t have a team please send your CV and a short cover letter explaining why you want to participate to NBI (nbi.applications@gmail.com) by Friday 3rd May and we will do our best to match you to an already existing team OR other individuals who are keen to form a new team. Please note that we can’t guarantee that you will be matched to others from your department or university, therefore it is likely that you will have to collaborate remotely with a team in order to compete.

For those who are not competing but still want to benefit from the discussions and workshops led by our expert guest speakers on the day of the competition, just show up and bring a friend on Saturday the 22nd June 2019!

Q: My University isn’t in Manchester. Can I still participate?

A: Yes. Although teams are typically based in or near Manchester, we welcome teams from all over the UK to apply and represent their university or region during the competition. Please note that at least 3 team members must be physically present in Manchester on the day of the competition.

Q: How and when should I apply?

A: If you want to compete and want us to help you find a team to join, please send us your CV and a short cover letter highlighting your strengths as a teammate to nwbiotechinitiative@gmail.com by Friday 3rd May.

If you already have a team and are ready for the challenge, please email us EACH team member’s CV and ONE cover letter describing why your “consultancy” should be chosen to participate in this competition by Friday 10th May. We encourage teams to have fun with this cover letter and write it from the perspective of a consultancy firm (i.e., give yourselves a name, come up with a history and specialisms, and even throw in a logo!).

All teams will hear back by the 27th May regarding whether or not they have been shortlisted for the competition.

Q: When can I register as a non-competitor?

A: Keep an eye out on our website and Facebook page for further details on this