PwC receives record number of applications to student programmes

PWC received its highest ever number of applications this year, as over 41,000 students applied for more than 2,000 graduate, school leaver, paid internships and work placement positions.

Following the firm’s decision to scrap UCAS scores as entry criteria for its graduate roles, applications have increased 15%, on the same period last year.

The firm’s graduate intake is 47% female this year, up from 41% in 2014 as it seeks to improve its performance in equality.

Alongside the growth in graduate interest, appetite for alternative training options has also increased, with the number of people applying to the firm’s Higher Apprenticeship programme rising 17% since last year. The firm, which now offers over 165 Higher Apprenticeship roles a year, received 117% more applications than it did for its school leaver programme back in 2010.

Gaenor Bagley, head of people at PwC, said: “The level of interest in our student roles this year is simply astounding, especially given the fierce competition for top talent. The surge in applications, since we changed our graduate recruitment criteria, is an early indicator that efforts to attract students from wider pockets of society is working. We are seeing young people begin to rethink the career options available to them and make informed decisions about their future career.”