The EY graduate scheme is a two- to three-year early-careers programme across Assurance, Consulting, EY-Parthenon and Tax, with offices from London to Glasgow. Applications for the 2027 intake are open now on EY’s official early careers site. EY closes roles once they are filled or application volume gets high, so apply early. This guide covers the stages, what EY looks for, what you can expect to earn and how EY compares with PwC, KPMG and Deloitte.
EY graduate scheme at a glance
| Intake | 2027 (applications open now) |
| Business areas | Assurance, Consulting, EY-Parthenon, Tax |
| Locations | London, Manchester, Glasgow, Leeds, Edinburgh, Birmingham, Bristol, Cambridge, Liverpool, Aberdeen, Luton |
| Degree requirement | No minimum degree grade or UCAS points set by EY |
| Salary | Not published before offer (Glassdoor average in London: £42,352) |
| Final stage | EY Experience Day (November 2026 to April 2027) |
| Re-application | One programme application every six months |
Which EY graduate scheme business area should you choose?
EY organises graduate roles around four service lines, plus Business Enablement teams that support how the firm runs.
Assurance
Assurance graduates work on audit and related services, testing whether a client’s financial information is accurate and reliable. It is the most common route into chartered accountancy at EY.
Consulting
Consulting graduates help clients plan and deliver change, from technology and data projects to risk and operations. Expect project-based work and regular client contact.
EY-Parthenon
EY-Parthenon covers strategy and transactions, including M&A, due diligence and corporate finance. It is one of the more competitive routes, so prepare your commercial awareness.
Tax
Tax graduates advise businesses and individuals on compliance, planning and cross-border issues, and usually study for professional tax qualifications while working.
Not sure which route fits? Consulting at EY is closest to what Accenture and Deloitte offer, while strategy work in EY-Parthenon compares with McKinsey. New to the field? Read what a consultant actually does. You can see all the service lines on EY’s careers pages.
EY graduate scheme locations
EY recruits graduates into offices across the UK, including London, Manchester, Glasgow, Leeds, Edinburgh, Birmingham, Bristol, Cambridge, Liverpool, Aberdeen and Luton. Available locations depend on the programme you choose, and you pick your programme and location on the application form. Check the live listing on EY’s graduate programmes page, because available offices change.
EY graduate scheme application process
EY’s recruitment process has five steps, and everything is online until the final stage.
- Application form. Choose your programme and location and complete the form. Proofread it carefully, and request adjustments here if you need them.
- Assessment preparation. After applying, you get access to EY’s assessment prep hub with guidance on what is coming.
- Online assessment. This includes a Realistic Job Preview, which tests teamwork and learning capability, and a behavioural skills test. Complete it as early as possible, because you receive a deadline.
- EY Experience Day. This is the final stage for most programmes. Experience Days run from November 2026 to April 2027. If your programme includes a final interview, it usually takes place two to three weeks after the Experience Day.
- Offer and joining. Successful candidates receive an offer and move into onboarding before starting.
EY allows one programme application every six months. If you are unsuccessful, you must wait six months before applying for another graduate or undergraduate programme, so choose the programme you actually want.
Preparing for several firms at once? Our guides to the PwC and KPMG processes show how their stages differ. EY’s own application process page lists every stage and how to request adjustments.
When do EY graduate scheme applications open and close?
Applications for the 2027 intake are open now. EY does not publish a fixed closing date, because roles close as soon as they are filled or when application volume gets too high. Treat the real deadline as “as early as possible”, and aim to submit within the first few weeks. If the role you want has closed, EY runs a talent community you can join for future openings.
Planning your whole applications season? Our graduate scheme opening dates table shows when HSBC, PwC, KPMG, Airbus and others open, and our guide to when to apply for graduate jobs explains why early matters.
What EY looks for in graduates
EY assesses candidates against eight key skills rather than degree grade alone. They are: being proactive, doing the right thing, being curious, building relationships, showing agility, thinking critically, embracing technology and being motivated. Prepare one real example for each, from university, work, volunteering or societies, because the behavioural test and the Experience Day are built around them.
EY graduate scheme requirements
EY does not set a minimum degree grade or UCAS points for its graduate roles, which makes it more open than firms that ask for a 2:1. You need to have graduated or be about to graduate, and have the right to work in the UK. Some programmes expect a relevant subject or strong numeracy, so read the individual role description.
If you are comparing firms by degree grade, KPMG and PwC set their own criteria, and our list of graduate jobs you can still get with a 2:2 covers more flexible options.
EY graduate scheme salary and benefits
EY does not publish graduate salaries before you receive an offer. According to Glassdoor’s London graduate salary data, the average EY graduate salary in London is £42,352, with the 25th to 75th percentile range running from £28,516 to £65,865. That range is wide because it includes more senior staff, so treat it as a guide rather than a starting figure. Benefits listed by EY include a £500 yearly EY Spend Account, private healthcare, a gym allowance, pension contributions of up to 6%, and a career counsellor and buddy during your programme. Training towards professional qualifications is part of most programmes.
For context, see what other firms pay in our guides to HSBC, J.P. Morgan and Goldman Sachs.
How to prepare for the EY assessments
Start with the Realistic Job Preview and behavioural test, since they are the first real filter. Read each question fully and answer as you would act at work, rather than guessing a “right” personality. Then prepare for the Experience Day with two things: a short, specific answer on why EY and why that service line, and examples for the eight key skills. Reading about the firm’s recent work in your chosen area helps your commercial awareness. EY offers adjustments, including up to 25% extra time on assessments, if you need them.
EY graduate scheme FAQs
Does EY require a 2:1?
No. EY does not set a minimum degree grade or UCAS points for its graduate roles.
How long does the EY graduate recruitment process take?
It varies, but allow several weeks to a few months from application to offer. The Experience Day is the final stage, and any final interview follows two to three weeks after it.
Can I apply to more than one EY graduate programme?
No. EY allows one programme application every six months, so pick carefully.
How much does the EY graduate scheme pay?
EY does not publish graduate salaries before an offer. Glassdoor puts the average in London at £42,352.
Where can I work on the EY graduate scheme?
Locations include London, Manchester, Glasgow, Leeds, Edinburgh, Birmingham, Bristol, Cambridge, Liverpool, Aberdeen and Luton, depending on the programme.
Compare other graduate schemes
Weighing EY against another firm? Read our head-to-head guide, KPMG vs EY, or browse the Deloitte, PwC, Accenture and McKinsey pages. See every programme in our graduate scheme guide, or apply on EY’s official site.
