I've just graduated from the university of manchester and am taking a year out, applying for grad schemes for 2013 entry in the process. I was initially planning on focusing on big 4 apps, which I am still doing, but I'm keen to also try for some of the strategy houses, such as Marakon, which I found to be a particularly appealing company to work for. So as I have spare time, I was thinking of taking an advanced course in Microsoft Excel to get ahead and differentiate myself from the Oxbridge and LSE candidates. Can anyone recommend any courses in Excel, or any particular aspects of Excel that I should really learn and become an expert in? Or anything apart from Excel for that matter?Thank you

Excel is really not usually a differentiator. Only useful example I can think of is if you're a wizard at valuation models, but that assumes you want to do transactional work.

Proficiency in Excel won't be enough to differentiate you in the way you seem to think. Any top/medium consultancies would want these skills as standard, and anyone with a remotely numerical/statistical degree should already possess them.By all means freshen up your excel skills; there have been posts about this in the recent past that should point you in the right direction. I can't emphasise enough that you won't "become an expert" in any aspects of Excel through completing a course. Some skills are better learned "on the job" than academically. However, there are far more valuable ways to spend 12 months than completing an Excel course, if you are trying to enter the increasingly competitive consulting industry. Work experience, evidence of leadership and a demonstrable track record of problem-solving are three competencies you need to build in the upcoming year. This can be done through internships, voluntary work or anything entrepreurial you may be involved in.

True, after reading that, it does make more sense than just taking a course i suppose. thanks to you both!