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Meet some of our interns and find out why they enjoy being part of our global organisation.

Choosing where to start your career is an important decision. We know that you’re probably considering several options, including Ernst & Young.
That’s no problem: we’re here to help you understand what life at Ernst & Young is like, to show you the chances you’ll have to thrive and to demonstrate how you can develop your career once you’re part of our team.
You’re in the right place to learn more about our application process and what we look for.
There are eight steps to complete before your first day at Ernst & Young. Find out exactly how the process works.
We recruit people from all kinds of backgrounds and with all sorts of skills. However, we do look for some common values.
An interview is your chance to tell us about yourself and what you’d bring to Ernst & Young.
The details about our application and selection process. Includes information about creating and accessing your online profile.
A great way to learn about the opportunities at Ernst & Young is to come and meet us on campus. Find out where and when.
People have different strengths. Some of us are highly logical, careful thinkers, others are more creative and energetic; one person might thrive in a crowd where another gets more done left to their own devices.
Strengths aren’t simply the things you know how to do, or even the things you’re especially skilled at; they’re the positive personality traits that, when you’re putting them to use, make you feel energised, happy and effective. They’re the things that get you going – and help you get things done.
Working at Ernst & Young is all about working for our clients – and the better and more effective the work we do for them is, the more successful we all are. We learn and grow faster, we help our clients achieve their potential and we all achieve ours.
But doing better work isn’t just about working harder and smarter; it’s about all of us doing things that we’re interested in and truly stimulated by. This is where strengths come in.
The idea that we all have strengths, and that by working to them we thrive, comes from a field of psychology called Positive Psychology. Its practitioners have established that by tapping into the positive traits that we all have - compassion, creativity, resilience, self-awareness and curiosity, for example – we become more engaged, more productive, and crucially, happier.
It’s obvious then why a business like ours, whose success depends so much on doing exceptional work for our clients, would want its people to work to their strengths. This is why working out what people’s strengths are is at the heart of our recruitment process. And why, as our people grow and progress, we help them nurture their existing strengths and develop new ones.

The first step to playing to your strengths is figuring out what they are. Reveal yours with our online Strengths Test.
There are eight steps to success. Click on a topic below to prepare effectively.
Take a moment to visit the 'Your role here' section to learn about our service lines and identify your area of interest. You can then apply for the relevant opportunity in Assurance, Advisory, Transactions or Tax.
Click on 'Job search' and look for openings in your chosen area of interest. We welcome applicants from all degree disciplines for most of our graduate and undergraduate programmes. You’ll find more information about specific requirements in the job descriptions.
Applying online should take approximately one to two hours. We ask all applicants to complete the application form to ensure everyone is assessed fairly and objectively. A member of our recruitment team screens each form. We ask you about your academic results, positions of responsibility and work experience. We also ask you to complete three free-text questions, which will help us start to find out more about your strengths and skills.
You will need to complete verbal, numerical and logical reasoning tests. Each test takes 6 minutes to complete.
Wherever possible your first-round interview will take place in the office you’re applying to with a manager or senior manager from the service line and will take approximately one hour. We are particularly keen to find out about you as a person, your strengths and attributes, as well as what you’re interested in. We recommend you think about your hobbies and extra-curricular activities, as well as any work or other experience you’ve had that you think may be relevant to Ernst & Young. It’s also always useful to think about what questions you’d like to ask your interviewer.
A day at the assessment centre is the next stage of the process and includes exercises such as a team meeting, a case study and an interview with a Partner or Director from the service line & location you have applied to. It’s quite intensive and gives you the chance to know us better, while we gain a greater understanding of you and your strengths. We’ll give you more information when we invite you to the assessment centre.
We always aim to let you know the outcome of your assessment centre and final interview within 48 hours. In addition, to help you get the most from your experience with us, we’ll offer feedback on your performance at our assessment centre and final interview. If you’re successful at this stage, we’ll make you a formal offer and allocate you a buddy, who will answer any other questions you may have and invite you into the office to meet your future colleagues.
You’ll find a large community of people at Ernst & Young ready to welcome you. In the months before you take up your position, you'll have a chance to participate in campus networking events and possibly to meet your peers and new colleagues. We encourage you to take advantage of these occasions to help prepare for day one at Ernst & Young.
Read our frequently asked questions for more detailed information about this process.
The kind of person you are and the things you’re naturally good at can bring a lot to our business. So don’t think you’re not the right type, or you haven’t studied the right subjects – because we want people from a wide range of backgrounds.
However, we do look for some common attributes from our people. If this list describes you, get ready to put in your application.
High academic achievements are one thing. But demonstrating leadership and achievement away from your core studies – and simply getting involved – is just as important to us.
Our people know the difference between right and wrong and behave with a clear sense of accountability. To get on at Ernst & Young, you need to be as committed to doing the right thing as we are.
It’s important you recognise and understand the value of different backgrounds and points of view, because those differences are key to our success.
You’ll be part of a team from the very first day you start work at Ernst & Young. So it’s vital you can listen, learn, share, develop and work effectively with other people – even if they’re different from you.
We get excited about our work, our clients, and the amazing things we help them to do. We look for people who are naturally enthusiastic about new ideas and who can’t wait to see what the next day brings.
Find out how our application process works, or come and meet us at an event near you.
We conduct strengths based interviews which have been designed in such a way that it encourages applicants to be open & honest in their responses. We are looking for you to demonstrate your natural strengths.
Find out how our application process works, or read our FAQs for detailed information.
If you've got a question find out more in the sections below:
For a complete list of open positions, go to 'Job search'. We recruit on a first come, first served basis. Once we have filled a vacancy and / or location, you will not longer be able to apply for that particular role. Therefore we recommend that you apply as soon as possible.
Search our website to identify your area of interest, then go to 'Job search' and apply online. You'll find specific requirements in the job description. Find out more about our recruiting process.
People are our most valuable resource so we plan to maintain our current intake of graduates this year. We’re focused on identifying and hiring the most qualified and suitable talent from outstanding universities around the world to support our business now and in the future.
There are several ways to find out more about our process and programmes. Attend one of our events on campus to meet some of our current graduates and ask them questions, or talk to one of our Student Ambassadors who've been on one of our internship programmes. And you can contact the graduate recruitment team or call 0800 289 208. All these people can help you make an informed decision about pursuing a career with Ernst & Young.
As soon as we receive your application, we'll acknowledge it by email. A member of our recruitment team screens each form. If your application meet our requirements, we'll invite you to the next stage of the recruitment process, which will be completion of our online tests At each stage we'll let you know the decision within 72 hours at most.
Yes, if you need permission to work in the UK, you will be referred to our immigration team. But you will need to have received and accepted an offer from us by the published deadlines, because of the time it takes to complete this process. We can't begin the process until we have certified proof of your degree.
To join one of our graduate programmes, you must have the necessary permission to work in the UK. If you're unsure about your eligibility to work in the UK, please see www.ukvisas.gov.uk for more information. Please be aware that the UK immigration policy is currently being reviewed by the UK government which may impact your Certificate of Sponsorship application. The work permit deadline for graduate programmes is Monday 30 April 2012
Due to the prevailing UK immigration rules, there will be a deadline for applications from Romanian and Bulgarian nationals that will be required to apply for authorisation to work in the UK. The deadline is Wednesday 29 February 2012.
No, we welcome applicants from all degree backgrounds: it's your intellectual ability and natural strengths that matter to us. Some of our most successful people have studied subjects totally unrelated to the work they do.
We understand that not everyone is ready to start their career the day after graduation. If we offer you a job, we'll be happy to talk to you about deferred entry.
Most of our graduate and undergraduate vacancies require at least 300 (24) UCAS points at A level / Scottish Higher (excluding General Studies and re-sits), a minimum B grade in GCSE Mathematics and English Language and a 2:1 honours degree (predicted or obtained). Some business units require more, or ask for specific degree subjects. For example, our Business Advisory and Corporate Finance roles require 320 (26) UCAS points.
In very exceptional circumstances, we’ll accept applications from people who don’t meet our academic requirements. If this is your case, you’ll need to provide strong justification for why we should consider your application.
Yes, but we accept only one application per person within a 12-month period. If you are not offered a graduate position following a summer internship or industrial placement, you can re-apply for a graduate position 12 months after the completion of your placement.
If you have applied for an undergraduate programme and are unsuccessful at interview or assessment stage, you can re-apply for a graduate position after a 12-month period.
We receive around 17,000 applications a year for around 1,000 positions. Unfortunately, the sheer number of applications we receive means we can't give individual feedback at the early stages of our recruitment process. If you’re unsuccessful after your assessment centre or final interview, one of our graduate recruiters would be happy to give you personal feedback over the phone.
Absolutely. We are very happy to accept applications from students who have already graduated.
No – to ensure we treat all applicants equally and fairly, you must use our online application form. If you’re unable to complete your form online and have any special requirements, please contact our recruitment team at 0800 289 208 or gradrec@uk.ey.com
You can change your personal details online at any time; just log on to your account and make your amendments.
You’ll need to provide original certificates for your GCSE Mathematics and English, A level and degree qualifications on your first day with us. We’ll also need to see confirmation of your right to work in the UK, for example your passport or equivalent.
Yes. If you’ve looked carefully and can’t find an important piece of information, you can contact us at gradrec@uk.ey.com or on 0800 289 208.
Ernst & Young is a global organisation made up of member firms in 140 countries. Each member firm is owned by its partners, who have operational control of their business, but we have a global governance structure in order to maintain the same high standards of service quality and delivery in all our locations. This consists of five geographic Areas, each with an Area Executive which collaborates with our Global Executive, headed by our CEO, Jim Turley. To support our efforts as a global organisation, we also have an entity, Ernst & Young Global, which works strategically with all our Areas to support consistency and excellence in all our activities around the world.
Ernst & Young has 152,000 people working in 140 countries around the world. Take a look at our location map.
The right choice for you will reflect your area of interest and specialisation. Have a look around our website to get a feel for who we are and what services we offer, and speak to us on campus to gather all the information you need to understand where you may fit best. Ernst & Young is expanding into new and exciting business areas, so there are lots of options to consider. Take the time now to research the possibilities so you can make an informed choice later on.
You may apply for any open positions you see in any one of the 140 countries in which we hire graduates. Your eligibility though depends on the hiring country’s qualification requirements, employment laws, work permit and/or visa requirements. Please visit the country website you wish to work in and view the current vacancies available.
We're committed to helping our people succeed professionally and personally. We have a pragmatic approach to enabling individuals to meet commitments in and out of the office. We work together to agree on a framework which meets the needs of our business, our teams, our clients and our people. This approach allows you to manage family commitments or pursue personal passions outside work. We’re proud that some of our people have participated in the Olympics, written novels or recorded albums while pursuing a career at Ernst & Young.
If you're looking to jump-start your career, participating in one of our internship programmes will give you valuable experience. If you're a strong performer, you'll be offered a position with us upon completing your studies. Take a look at the different programmes available and apply now.
Interns work in teams as do all other new graduate staff. This means you'll collect data, complete analyses, prepare presentations and participate in meetings. Rest assured you will also receive intensive training to help get you started as well as extensive coaching from advisors in your team along the way. We aim to give you work similar to that of a graduate so you can find out exactly what it is like to work at Ernst & Young.
We're committed to your ongoing learning and development. We take your individual strengths and learning requirements into account in order to provide you with the right blend of experience, training and coaching. This approach, which we call EYU (Ernst & Young and You), reflects a mutual commitment to your development and will speed up your progress towards your career goals. You're responsible for articulating your needs and aspirations and we'll provide the tools and opportunities you need to fulfil them.
For most of our graduate programmes you will be required to take a professional qualification in addition to relevant technical training. Please visit each programme page for information on the professional qualification provided for that vacancy.
Training is a core element of EYU. On our award-winning learning and development programmes you receive the formal training you need through a variety of approaches in the classroom and online. You'll also receive valuable informal training through new experiences and on-the-job coaching and mentoring. See EYU for more information.
You're in charge of your career at Ernst & Young but developing it is a mutual commitment. You're responsible for articulating your development needs and aspirations. We provide a supportive, high-performing, team learning environment to help you become a highly competent and successful professional. We offer many career options and we allow flexibility wherever possible, so you can balance the demands of work and your personal life. In return, you take responsibility for your professional and personal growth and for performing at your best every day.
There's no typical week at Ernst & Young. Your hours will vary according to the work or engagement in which you're involved. Occasionally you may need to work at weekends, particularly during busy periods. We encourage teams at all levels to work flexibly and discuss how to meet the demands of each engagement. By talking to your team and supervisor, you'll know what's expected of you and be able plan your time effectively.
Here you'll find individuals with a variety of backgrounds and opinions united by a shared set of values. There are many groups and networks built around shared issues and interests, ranging from hobbies, sports and creative or intellectual pursuits to volunteer and support groups, for example for working mothers. Regardless of your background or areas of focus, you'll find colleagues who share them.
We're committed to creating an environment where all people feel valued, are part of the community and are able to perform at their best. Diversity and inclusiveness are about everyone. It's about welcoming and harnessing diverse viewpoints, and about how this leads to making better decisions for us and for our clients. It's also about operating in a way that helps people to achieve their potential and make a difference, wherever they come from and whatever their characteristics. We believe in developing our people's cultural awareness and skills, including helping them to be aware of their own assumptions, frames of reference and behaviors. To us, diversity and inclusiveness make business sense: it helps us to engage with clients and teams in a global economy. And in a world of shifting demographics, it allows us to navigate efficiently across boundaries.
We recognise our corporate responsibility to the environment and believe in making it possible for our people to contribute to it individually. As an organisation we’ve implemented various strategies: for example, developing carbon neutral buildings; reducing the need for overseas travel through the use of video and teleconferencing; and sourcing green energy suppliers wherever possible. As an individual, you can participate in one of the eco-teams promoting responsible practices in our offices, or you can contribute your time to a charity or body that benefits the environment.
We have a philosophy of volunteering and strongly encourage you to support your community in any way you can. Each Ernst & Young employee is given two days' paid leave each year to dedicate to corporate responsibility.
We understand that success means more than just what you achieve at the office. That's why we support one another in attaining life balance, reaching our personal goals and carrying out our personal commitments. The key to balancing your professional and personal commitments is talking to your team and supervisor and remaining flexible.
If you really want to find out what Ernst & Young is like and meet some of the people who’ve been through the graduate recruitment process, come along to one of our events on campus.
You can chat to people who successfully completed our graduate recruitment process, question fellow students who’ve been on one of our programmes – and get a feel for who we are and what makes us tick. Oh – and you can ask us anything you like.
Find out about upcoming events.
Here you can search and apply for our graduate and undergraduate vacancies across the UK and Ireland.
2012 applications
We are now recruiting for our 2012 graduate, undergraduate & schools vacancies. Any programmes or service lines not listed are currently not open for applications, however please check back regularly for updates.
How to apply
Our application process is straight forward and should take approximately 1 hour to complete. The step by step guide below outlines the process and will help you navigate our global recruitment system.
If you have any queries regarding your application or any aspects of our recruitment process, contact us on 0800 289 208 or e-mail: gradrec@uk.ey.com
Good luck!
Ernst & Young refers to the global organization of member firms of Ernst & Young Global Limited, each of which is a separate legal entity. Ernst & Young Global Limited, a UK company limited by guarantee, does not provide services to clients.
