PwC vs KPMG Graduate Scheme 2027: Which Should You Apply To?
Open PwC 2027 applications are open (rolling, may close early). KPMG has not published an opening or closing date.
Checked on PwC and KPMG official pages on 26 Oct 2026.
PwC and KPMG are two of the Big Four, and both take graduates into audit, tax, consulting and technology. They differ on timing, entry rules and how they assess you. This guide compares them from each firm’s own pages and marks anything unconfirmed. Single-firm detail is in our PwC graduate scheme guide and our KPMG graduate scheme guide.
PwC vs KPMG graduate scheme 2027: side by side
| Factor | PwC | KPMG | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Status | Open since 17 Sep 2026; roles are filled on an ongoing basis and can close early | Opening and closing dates not published; Launch Pad events run 17 Nov 2026 to 5 May 2027 | Official / Not published |
| Categories | Audit, Accounting, Tax and Finance; Advisory and Consulting; Strategy; Legal Services; Technology and AI (one category per year) | Audit; Consulting; Tax and Law; Technology and Engineering | Official |
| Pay | Not published (varies by grade, experience and location) | Not published; Glassdoor average of £31,614 (Reported) | Not published / Reported |
| Degree rule | A degree passed or on track; most programmes need only a pass; any discipline | Audit page: 2:1 in any discipline, 120 UCAS points and GCSE Maths and English at grade 5 or B; contextual recruitment applies | Official |
| Application stages | Seven steps: online application, SHL assessment, on-demand video interview, virtual assessment centre, recruiter call, in-person business assessment, offer | Four stages: Explore and Apply (about 45 min), online assessments (about 60 min), video interview (about 40 min), Launch Pad half-day with final interview | Official |
| Video interview | On-demand, on SHL; reviewed later by an assessor | Six pre-recorded questions from an AI avatar, scored by a human | Official |
| Qualifications | ACA or ICAS CA (audit and tax), IFoA (actuarial), CAI (finance); also ATT and CII | ACA or ICAS CA over three years; CFAB for Technology Audit; KPMG pays all qualification costs | Official |
| Visa sponsorship | Limited roles (Audit and Assurance, Tax, Deals, Strategy, Workforce Consulting); work-permit applicants apply by 1 Jun 2027 | London Audit, Tax, Consulting and Technology, and Consulting Actuarial; no guarantee; offer accepted by 1 Jun 2027 | Official |
| AI in assessments | Not permitted unless explicitly authorised; applications can be withdrawn | You confirm you did not use AI or others; parts of tests can be re-tested | Official |
| Start date | September 2027 | 1 September 2027 | Official |
Evidence: Official means taken from the firm’s own pages; Reported means a third-party or our own earlier page; Not published means we found no figure.
At a glance: what each firm states
| PwC opened | 17 September 2026; rolling | Official |
| KPMG opening date | Not published | Not published |
| Salary, both firms | No fixed figure published | Not published |
| KPMG Launch Pad | 17 Nov 2026 to 5 May 2027 | Official |
| Offices | PwC pages quote 18 and 19; KPMG lists 19 office pages | Official |
| KPMG Glassdoor average | £31,614 (446 submissions) | Reported |
Evidence labels: Official = the firm’s own pages; Reported = third-party data; Not published = no figure found. Our Transparency Index scores how clearly employers publish pay, dates and stages.
The biggest difference: PwC tells you it is open, KPMG does not
PwC states that its 2027 graduate roles opened on 17 September 2026 and that places are filled on an ongoing basis, so it can close a category early. KPMG publishes no opening or closing date on the pages we read, only the dates of its Launch Pad events. If you want to apply now, PwC is the one with a confirmed open window; for KPMG, check the live application page and apply as soon as it is open.
PwC vs KPMG graduate scheme: entry requirements
PwC asks for a degree passed or on track, with most programmes needing only a pass, and welcomes any discipline. KPMG’s Audit page asks for a 2:1, 120 UCAS points from your top three A levels and GCSE Maths and English at grade 5, though it says it is flexible and uses contextual recruitment. Check the page for the programme you want, because we only verified the Audit criteria at KPMG.
How they assess you
PwC runs an SHL online assessment, an on-demand video interview, a virtual assessment centre and an in-person business assessment. KPMG runs a 60-minute online assessment, a 40-minute video interview with an AI avatar scored by a human, and a half-day Launch Pad. Both forbid AI help in assessments. See our PwC assessment centre guide and our online tests guide.
Pay and qualifications
Neither firm publishes a fixed graduate salary. Both fund professional qualifications: PwC lists ACA, ICAS, IFoA and CAI routes depending on the programme, and KPMG says it pays all qualification costs. Use our paycheck calculator once you have an offer figure.
Application stages compared
PwC stage 1: apply online
Choose one category for the year. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis.
PwC stage 2: SHL online assessment
A non-assessed values activity, an untimed behavioural test, then a timed cognitive test.
PwC stage 3: on-demand video interview
Recorded on SHL and reviewed later by an assessor.
PwC stage 4: virtual assessment centre
Followed by a recruiter call to match you to a business area and office.
PwC stage 5: in-person business assessment
A session with a senior leader before the offer.
KPMG stage 1: Explore and Apply
About 45 minutes: a non-assessed job preview quiz, then the application form.
KPMG stage 2: online assessments
About 60 minutes: an untimed skills assessment and a 36-minute timed cognitive test.
KPMG stage 3: video interview
About 40 minutes: six pre-recorded questions, scored by a human.
KPMG stage 4: Launch Pad
A half-day in-person event that ends with a final interview; KPMG says offers follow within two working days.
What a graduate says
“What I love about my role is the variety of work.”
James, Advisory Graduate at KPMG UK (first name only on the page). Source: KPMG UK people profiles. One graduate’s view.
We could not find a short named quote on PwC’s own pages that we could verify, so there is none for PwC rather than an invented one.
Checklist
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PwC vs KPMG graduate scheme: which should you apply to?
Apply to PwC now if you want a confirmed open window, a degree-pass entry rule and a choice of five categories including Strategy and Technology and AI. Choose KPMG if audit, tax or technology with a strong qualification package fits you and you meet the Audit criteria, but expect to watch its page for dates. Pay is not published by either, so compare the offer letters. For more Big Four comparisons see PwC vs Deloitte, the assessment centre guide, all schemes on the graduate schemes hub and our deadlines calendar.
PwC vs KPMG graduate scheme: FAQ
Is the PwC or KPMG graduate scheme open?
PwC opened on 17 September 2026 and recruits on a rolling basis. KPMG has not published opening or closing dates on the pages we read.
Which pays more, PwC or KPMG?
Neither publishes a fixed graduate salary. KPMG has a Glassdoor average of £31,614, which is reported, not official.
Do I need a 2:1?
PwC says most programmes need only a degree pass. KPMG’s Audit page asks for a 2:1 and 120 UCAS points, with contextual recruitment.
Can I use AI in the assessments?
No. PwC does not permit it unless explicitly authorised, and KPMG asks you to confirm you did not use AI.
Do PwC and KPMG sponsor visas?
Only for specific roles, mostly in London. Both give 1 June 2027 as a key date. Check the live role page.
Can I apply to both?
Yes, they are separate employers. PwC allows one category per year.
