KPMG vs Goldman Sachs graduate scheme — one is a Big Four route into audit, tax and consulting with offices across the UK; the other is one of the most competitive investment banking entry points in the world, with pay to match. KPMG’s graduate programme and Goldman Sachs’ New Analyst Programme couldn’t be further apart on compensation, but the gap in competitiveness and day-to-day intensity is just as real.
“The process has both online and in-person elements… you can see why the people at KPMG are so friendly — KPMG invest a lot in training their staff, especially their graduates… you can tell everyone wants you to succeed.” — Gina, KPMG graduate
Source: Bright Network, “Securing a Graduate scheme with KPMG”
KPMG vs Goldman Sachs Graduate Scheme 2026: The Salary Gap
This is the single biggest difference, and it isn’t close. KPMG doesn’t publish one fixed salary — reported 2026 figures put London graduate pay at roughly £35,000-£38,000, with Audit and Tax routes starting closer to £28,000-£33,000. Goldman Sachs does not publish a UK graduate starting salary for its New Analyst Programme; its benefits page says pay may consist of salary, discretionary compensation and local allowances. Glassdoor’s figures conflict (a roughly £72K average sits under a United States selector, while text on the same page gives about £37,915), so we give no Goldman Sachs figure here. Check your offer, and compare it with KPMG’s reported range using our paycheck calculator.
Salary and pay
| KPMG | Goldman Sachs | |
|---|---|---|
| Reported base salary | £28,000–£38,000 (varies by service line/location) | Not published (Glassdoor figures conflict) |
| Total compensation | Base + bonus from year 2 (non-Audit) | Not published (salary, discretionary compensation and allowances) |
| Degree requirement | 2:1 or equivalent, any discipline | All academic backgrounds; no minimum classification or experience listed on the New Analyst page |
| Structure | 4 service lines (Audit, Consulting, Tax & Law, Technology & Engineering) | Choose a division and location when you apply, across groups such as Global Banking & Markets, Asset & Wealth Management and Engineering |
Run either figure through Debut’s Paycheck Calculator to compare real take-home pay.
What the job actually feels like
Gina’s quote above — the sense that “everyone wants you to succeed” — reflects KPMG’s structured, training-heavy culture: dedicated study time, a tutor to help you pass professional exams, and a five-day induction before you start.
Goldman Sachs’ Fabian, who secured a graduate analyst role after a summer internship, describes a similarly people-first first impression despite the bank’s reputation for intensity: “I really enjoyed my time there, mainly because of the people. I had the chance to get to know all of my co-workers and found them extremely friendly and helpful. They really went out of their way to make sure I was getting on ok and were always looking out for me.” (Source: Bright Network, “How I did it: Fabian shares how he secured a graduate analyst role at Goldman Sachs”)
Programme structure
Structurally, the KPMG vs Goldman Sachs’ New Analyst Programme has you choose a division and location when you apply (its businesses include Global Banking & Markets, Asset & Wealth Management and Engineering, plus support functions), with less formal rotation and faster immersion into live work.
Application process
The KPMG vs Goldman Sachs graduate scheme application process differs sharply in both length and format. KPMG runs four stages: a non-assessed job preview quiz, SHL online assessments (skills + cognitive), a video interview with KPMG’s AI avatar “Leah” (reviewed by a human recruiter, not AI), and an in-person Launch Pad half-day — successful candidates typically hear back within 2 working days.
Goldman Sachs’ preparation page describes an online application where you choose your divisions and locations, a video interview of about 30 minutes, and a Superday of two to five interviews, depending on the division; Engineering adds a HackerRank assessment. Goldman Sachs says applications are evaluated throughout the recruiting season and publishes no closing date or fill times.
Locations
KPMG operates from 16+ UK offices — London, Birmingham, Bristol, Cambridge, Cardiff, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Leeds, Liverpool, Manchester and more — so most routes aren’t London-only. Goldman Sachs lists London and Birmingham as its UK offices; the Birmingham office opened in 2021 at One Centenary Way.
Deadlines
KPMG’s standard deadline typically falls around late April for the following September intake, with Launch Pad slots filling on a rolling basis well before that. Goldman Sachs publishes no closing date for the New Analyst Programme and says only that timelines vary by business, so check its application page and apply early under rolling review.
Benefits
KPMG: Flextra flexible benefits (health cash plan, travel/dental/critical illness insurance, workplace ISA, cycle-to-work), plus BeWell employee assistance and early Friday finishes in summer (“Jump Start”).
Goldman Sachs: its global benefits page lists medical, dental, disability and life insurance, an employee assistance programme, flexible working subject to manager approval and an equity programme; benefits vary by office, and it gives no UK pension wording.
KPMG vs Goldman Sachs Graduate Scheme: Which One Should You Apply To?
If you want a division-based route into banking and are comfortable with an unpublished starting salary, Goldman Sachs fits. But Goldman Sachs is also likely to be far more competitive to break into, with a faster-paced environment. If you want a genuinely qualification-focused route with broader UK office options and a gentler on-ramp into professional life, KPMG is the safer, still well-paid choice.
Full hub: Graduate Scheme
