KPMG Early Careers Guide

Programmes and routes

KPMG's early careers programmes are listed on its dedicated careers site, kpmgcareers.co.uk. Programmes and locations change each year, so check there for what is currently open.

Graduate programmes

Structured routes for final-year students and graduates in Audit, Tax & Law, Consulting, and Technology & Engineering. On most Audit programmes you will study for the ACA professional qualification, and KPMG says its graduates come from a wide range of degree subjects. KPMG has offices across the UK, including London, Manchester, Birmingham, Leeds, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Bristol, Cambridge, and Cardiff.

Apprenticeships

KPMG runs apprenticeships for school and college leavers in Audit, Tax & Law, Consulting, Technology & Engineering, and Business Administration. See the section below for more detail.

Vacation programmes

Summer programmes for university students, such as the four-week Audit Vacation Programme, where you work on real projects in a specific business area. Doing well can lead to a graduate offer.

One Year Business Placement

A year-long placement for students whose degree includes a placement year.

Talent Insight programmes

Shorter insight programmes for undergraduates, including the Abilities Talent Insight, Black Heritage Talent Insight, and Social Mobility Talent Insight programmes.

Work experience

KPMG also offers work experience for Year 13 (S5 or S6 in Scotland) students who want to explore careers before applying for an apprenticeship.

KPMG apprenticeships

KPMG's apprenticeships are an alternative to university. You earn a salary from day one and work towards fully funded qualifications, with no tuition fees.

The programme you choose shapes what you study:

• Audit and Tax & Law. According to KPMG, by the end of your apprenticeship you will have the same qualifications as its graduates, with around five years of hands-on experience.
• Technology. The Technology Apprenticeship leads to a BSc (Hons) in Digital and Technology Solutions over four years, covering areas such as software development, cyber security, and cloud.
• Consulting. You gain experience across a wide range of client projects and tech-enabled solutions.
• Business Administration. A two-year programme within KPMG Business Services, supporting the wider firm.

Apprenticeships start with a five-day induction, followed by dedicated study time and a tutor to help you pass your exams. You may see older names such as "KPMG360°" on past materials; KPMG now simply lists these as apprenticeships by business area.

Balancing work and study is demanding, particularly in the first couple of years. For a broader look at the choice, see our guides on degree apprenticeship vs university and apprenticeship levels.

Entry requirements

KPMG sets entry requirements for each programme, and they can differ by business area and location, so check the specific vacancy before you apply. As a general guide:

• Graduate programmes: you need to be on track for, or have, an undergraduate degree. For most business areas, any degree subject is accepted.
• Apprenticeships: you typically need to be completing, or have completed, A-levels or equivalent qualifications, along with GCSEs including English and Maths.
• Vacation programmes and placements: you need to be at university, in the year of study the programme is aimed at.

If your grades were affected by extenuating circumstances, explain this in your application or contact KPMG's recruitment team before you apply. For more on how employers weigh grades, see our guide on whether you need a 2:1.

The application process

KPMG uses the same four-stage process for graduates and apprentices.

Stage 1: Explore and apply (around 45 minutes)

You learn about the role and tell KPMG about your academic background. This stage includes a job preview quiz based on everyday scenarios from your chosen role. It is not assessed, but it is a useful check on whether the role really suits you.

Stage 2: Online assessments (around 60 minutes)

You complete two online assessments. These include a skills assessment that presents work scenarios and asks you to rank how you would think, feel, or respond, choosing the option that is most like you. KPMG provides a practice assessment on its careers site. Our guides to situational judgement tests and psychometric tests explain the common formats.

Stage 3: Video interview (around 40 minutes)

You record answers to six interview questions, drawing on your skills, experience, and motivation for the programme. See our guide to video interviews for preparation tips.

Stage 4: Launch Pad (half a day)

The final stage is an in-person half-day event combining assessed and non-assessed activities, including your final interview. You will meet people from your chosen business area and location, from trainees to partners. Our guides to assessment centres and strengths-based vs competency interviews will help you prepare.

What KPMG looks for

KPMG's purpose is to "inspire confidence, empower change", and its values are:

• Integrity: doing what is right.
• Excellence: never stopping learning and improving.
• Courage: thinking and acting boldly.
• Together: respecting each other and drawing strength from differences.
• For Better: doing what matters.

KPMG's graduate pages also highlight curiosity, agility, attention to detail, and an appetite to learn about technology. Read KPMG's values before your online assessments and interviews, and think of genuine examples of when you have shown them. For the scenario-based assessment, KPMG's own advice is to pick the answer that is most like you rather than the one you think it wants.

Salary and culture

Salary

KPMG does not publish fixed graduate salaries, and pay varies by business area and location. As a guide, Big 4 graduate salaries in audit and tax typically start at around £30,000 to £35,000, with London at the higher end, and rise as you progress through professional exams.

Trainee experience and culture

• Training and qualification support is strong. KPMG provides study time and tuition to help you pass your exams, and you do not pay for your training.
• The cohort is a big part of the experience. You start alongside a large group of graduates or apprentices and go through training together.
• Busy seasons are demanding. In Audit, the period from January to April is often intense, as many clients have December year-ends.
• Hybrid working varies. KPMG runs a hybrid model, but how often you are in the office or at client sites depends on your team, clients, and study schedule.

KPMG also gives apprentices six days of volunteering leave a year.

Application windows

KPMG recruits on a rolling basis for most early careers programmes, with applications usually opening in the autumn for the following year's intake.

Because applications are reviewed as they arrive, roles can close once they are full, often before any published deadline. Apply as early as you can. If your preferred programme or location is not open, you can join KPMG's Talent Community to hear when new roles become available.

FAQ

• Do I need an accounting or finance degree to join KPMG Audit or Tax?↓

  Do I need an accounting or finance degree to join KPMG Audit or Tax?

  No. KPMG says its graduates have degrees in a variety of subjects. It is more interested in your curiosity, attention to detail, and appetite to learn.

• How is a KPMG apprenticeship different from a graduate programme?↓

  How is a KPMG apprenticeship different from a graduate programme?

  Apprenticeships are for school and college leavers who want to earn while they qualify, instead of going to university. Graduate programmes are for people with, or finishing, a degree. In Audit and Tax, both lead to the same professional qualifications, but the starting point and length differ.

• Can I change programme once I have applied?↓

  Can I change programme once I have applied?

  Usually not, as you are assessed for the specific programme and location you applied to. If you want to switch, you typically have to withdraw your application and reapply, which risks your preferred role closing in the meantime—so research the day-to-day work of each business area carefully before you submit.

• Do I have to pay for my training?↓

  Do I have to pay for my training?

  No. KPMG funds your professional qualifications and provides study support. If you fail an exam, you will usually have the chance to resit, but speak to your manager early if you are struggling.

• Should I pay for help with KPMG's recruitment process?↓

  Should I pay for help with KPMG's recruitment process?

  No. Avoid paying third-party coaching sites or buying practice packs that claim to guarantee success at KPMG. KPMG provides a free practice assessment and full preparation guidance on its careers site, which cover everything you need to prepare.

Ready to apply?

If you want to secure a role at KPMG or one of the other Big 4 firms, see our side-by-side Big 4 early careers comparison or read our individual guides to Deloitte, EY, and PwC.

Create a free EarlyBird account to get personalised employer recommendations, track your applications, and access our full directory of student employers in the UK.

Browse live roles on our KPMG company profile, explore our Company Directory, or sign up for EarlyBird to get started!