University of Nottingham: graduates off to a flying start
Setting the scene
A collaborative degree programme between the University of Nottingham Business School, PwC and the ICAEW (Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales), has produced its first cohort of graduates.
The programme has just produced its first batch of graduates – and 24 students collected their degrees on Wednesday 18 July as part of the University of Nottingham's summer graduation 2018 - they have all been offered positions at PwC.
We will welcome them back to PwC in the autumn, following a number of successful placements with us and to now continue their careers with us in accounting and professional services.
"The Flying Start programme, which has the unique blend of work and study is an excellent way for our firm to develop the best local talent. The skills that students learn on the paid work placements with us are extremely transferable, which means they will be able to work anywhere in the business.”
How we helped
The Flying Start degree programme unique to PwC is an innovative course aimed at people who want to become ICAEW Chartered Accountants. The BSc Accountancy degree is a four-year programme sponsored by PwC and overseen by the ICAEW. PwC already runs the Flying Start programme at Newcastle and Reading universities and following the success of these courses launched a third course with the University of Nottingham.
Whilst studying at the Business School, students on the course learn technical and theoretical accounting skills, with lecturers who are experts in their field and experienced practising accountants. A series of paid work placements are also built into the course, which means undergraduates get to apply the technical theory they’ve learned in the workplace.
Graduates are able to claim an enhanced level of accreditation in the ICAEW qualification examinations, as well as being likely to be offered a job at senior associate level with PwC after they graduate.
Throughout their degree students are supported by a network of staff from both the Business School and PwC. They earn a competitive salary, and have some of their living costs supplemented as well as paying reduced university fees.
Making a difference
Mubeen Uppal, 22, is one of the graduating students this year. He said: "I was planning on doing financial accounting and management, or an accounting-related degree and when I was told about the course at a university fair, I was extremely interested and obviously the lure of having PwC on your CV was an extremely important factor for me.
"In the second, third and fourth year, for one semester - we were on placement in a PwC office. I was at their Aberdeen office. I was lucky as I was able to forge really close relationships with some of the managers, directors, and even the partners there. I was even lucky enough to travel to Paris whilst I was there, to work on the biggest client Scotland has ever signed. It was an incredible experience in terms of understanding the different working cultures in different countries.
"The placements are challenging as PwC expects high standards, but although you work hard – they do reward you. It was a steep learning curve but so valuable and I've taken a lot from it, which has been really good and I feel prepared for my career now."
“Our students benefit from world-leading academic insights from Nottingham University Business School, as well as leading-edge professional practice from time on placement with PwC and working in partnership with ICAEW.”
Related content
Contact us
Follow us
