PwC Graduate Scheme and Programme 2027: Audit and Tax Open

PwC Graduate Scheme is one of the most in-demand routes into audit, consulting, tax and technology careers at one of the UK’s Big Four professional services firms. PwC UK received 60,000 applications for just 2,000 entry-level roles in its most recent intake, a 35% year-on-year jump. Applications for the 2027 programmes opened on 17 September and are reviewed on a rolling basis, but on 11 November 2026 only the Audit, Accounting, Tax and Finance category is shown as open on PwC’s site. If you’re weighing it up against other Big Four employers, see how it compares to Deloitte, KPMG or EY, or browse every UK graduate scheme we cover.

Weighing PwC against KPMG? See our PwC vs KPMG graduate scheme comparison.

PwC graduate scheme at a glance

When does the PwC graduate scheme open?

PwC opened its 2027 graduate applications on 17 September 2026. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis and individual categories can close early, so apply soon after a role opens rather than waiting for a deadline. Compare every employer in our graduate scheme opening dates table. On 11 November 2026 PwC’s own graduate page shows only Audit, Accounting, Tax and Finance as open; Advisory and Consulting, Strategy, Legal Services and Technology and AI show applications closed (Official, PwC graduate programmes). Compare other employers in our graduate scheme deadlines calendar.

How to apply

PwC’s assessment and selection process runs through these stages, and at the start of your application you get access to resources on what to expect at each one:

Once applications open, they are reviewed on a rolling basis, so early applications have a real advantage and popular categories can close once places fill. PwC allows one application at a time: it only considers one application for its 2027 programmes, and if you are unsuccessful or withdraw, you need to wait and reapply for programmes starting in 2028. This includes any role you were offered, withdrew from or were unsuccessful in.

Browse current openings and apply on PwC’s official graduate careers site, or read PwC’s own assessment and selection process page.

For a full breakdown of the assessment centre and the stages around it, read our PwC assessment centre guide.

Preparing for the later stages? Our PwC virtual assessment centre guide covers the assessment centre, our video interview guide and graduate online tests guide cover the recorded and SHL-style stages, and our guide to AI in graduate applications explains what employers allow. The stages above follow PwC’s own assessment and selection process page (Official, checked 11 November 2026).

What PwC looks for: the PwC Professional behaviours

PwC assesses candidates against its PwC Professional framework, which has two dimensions. Trusted Leadership covers three behaviours: inspire (people want to work with you), empower (you coach and work side by side with others) and evolve (you grow and guide the future). Distinctive Outcomes covers champion (a commitment to quality, integrity and inclusive behaviour), build (a business mindset) and deliver (collaborating to deliver quality client experiences).

You can show these through examples from university, part-time work, volunteering or societies, and you don’t need work experience. Read PwC’s own page on the behaviours it looks for before you start.

How to prepare for PwC’s assessments

Salary and eligibility

PwC doesn’t publish one fixed graduate salary — pay depends on grade, business area and office location. Reported Big Four starting salaries for 2026 UK graduate intakes typically range from around £30,000–£33,000 outside London up to £35,000+ in London (Reported, not an official PwC figure; PwC’s own FAQ tells candidates to ask their recruiter about salary, Official).

To be eligible, you’ll typically need:

• Check the academic requirement on the job description for your category. PwC’s general pages do not state one grade rule (Not published), but its FAQ says you can still apply below the minimum academic requirement if extenuating circumstances affected your grades (Official).
• Any degree discipline: many programmes weigh skills, strengths and motivation over subject, though some require a specific background.
• No prior work experience required, and you can still apply if you graduated a few years ago.
• Only one application at a time.