KPMG extends groundbreaking university tie-in to Birmingham

KPMG is to sponsor up to 50 students in a groundbreaking scheme to support school leavers as they study for accountancy degrees at the University of Birmingham.

The financial services firm and Birmingham University has announced an extension to a pilot scheme already running in the north east through which the young people would be supported for up to six years.

Students will enter onto a programme in which they will gain work experience at KPMG, take a BSc honours degree in Accountancy and Finance at the University of Birmingham’s Business School and gain a professional accountancy qualification – while receiving a salary of around £20,000, and having all of their tuition fees and student accommodation paid for.

The University reached an agreement in principle with KPMG yesterday, and hopes to offer 50 places on the scheme from September 2012.  Students who meet the A level entry requirements and successfully apply to do their degree at Birmingham will then study for the ICAS (Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland) chartered accountancy qualification.  

KPMG said its school leaver programme may eventually account for most of its annual trainee chartered accountant intake – more than 400.  Birmingham joins the Universities of Durham and Exeter in being one of the three universities to partner KPMG in the programme.

Graham Neale, head of audit at KPMG in the Midlands, said: “We want to increase the diversity of the intake into the profession and this scheme is central to our plans to make that happen.  At a time when the affordability of higher education is uppermost in many people’s minds, this scheme clearly offers an alternative route that should see students emerge not only with first class qualifications but also a positive bank balance.”

Professor Edward Peck, pro-vice-chancellor and head of the College of Social Sciences at the University of Birmingham said: “This programme will be a truly attractive prospect for those keen to pursue a successful career in accountancy, as it provides the ideal combination of a rigorous academic grounding through our accountancy and finance degree with relevant and consistent work experience at a world-leading firm.  

“The full proposal for this new programme is currently being developed for approval, and I’m sure that places on the scheme will be in high demand.”