Our application process
This is an important moment in your career. Show us you have the skills, aspirations and experience we're looking for and you’ll join a diverse community of bright minds at KPMG. We've designed an application process to support you in showing us your potential.
Our application process is a combination of both virtual and in person assessments. If you are successful in obtaining an offer to join us, then we will be in touch to arrange a time for you to meet us in person at one of our offices. We also run many virtual and in-person events for those considering making an application throughout the year. You can find out more here.
As you progress through each stage of the recruitment process the Student Recruitment team will be in touch to explain the next steps. If you have any adjustments for us to consider, please let us know within the appropriate sections of your application, or please contact the team on 0800 328 5764 or email us at apprenticeships@kpmg.co.uk. You can find out more around the support we offer here.
To help you prepare for each stage of our recruitment process, our Student Recruitment team have created some useful videos below to guide you each step of the way. From your application form, online assessment, Launch Pad assessment centre and considering your strengths - our Student Recruitment team will guide you through all the different stages. Click here to view these helpful videos.
Stage 1: Your Application
This is your chance to tell us about your academic background and any work experience you may have undertaken. This should take about 30 minutes to complete, and you won't need to upload a CV.
Our general entry criteria for each of our programmes can be found on the relevant programme pages. These have been carefully considered based on ongoing evaluation of how prior achievements and our selection process predict future performance at KPMG. If you do not meet all of these, and are a few grades or points short, then we would still encourage you to apply, as you will be given the option to provide information that enables us to assess your application and potential in the context of your socio-economic background and/or any extenuating circumstances. Supplying us with this information will not negatively impact your application, but it may provide a positive uplift on your academic achievements through contextual recruitment. You also have the option to opt out of sharing it. You can find out more here.
Stage 2: Transforming Small Businesses
After submitting your application, you will be automatically invited to our first online assessment, Transforming Small Businesses. This assessment will require you to consider a range of material relating to three fictional small businesses, each with their own business challenges.
Throughout the assessment, you will be asked how you might respond to certain scenarios by ranking what you'd likely do, say or feel. You will also be asked to analyse some information and provide responses. You will need a pen, paper and basic calculator (your phone calculator will be sufficient).
Although the assessment is untimed, we suggest that you allow 90 minutes for completion, and we recommend that you complete it within one sitting. You will need to complete the assessment within five calendar days from the date of your invitation.
We would encourage you to familiarise yourself with what to expect ahead of completing your live assessment by exploring our practice assessments here. You can access the assessment using most browsers; however, we recommend using Chrome for optimal functionality. Please ensure you have a good and stable internet connection before starting the assessment. You should also complete the assessment on a desktop or laptop.
Please let us know before you start the live assessment if you need any adjustments. Once you have completed the assessment, you will receive a personalised feedback report based on the KPMG strengths assessed.
Stage 3: Delivering Outcomes
If you are successful at Stage 2, you may be invited to our next online assessment.
This stage provides you with an insight into your chosen business area as you are taken through a fictional project, linked to one of the small businesses introduced in the previous Transforming Small Businesses assessment.
Throughout the assessment, you will be asked; how you might respond to certain scenarios by ranking what you'd likely do, to record video responses via your webcam under a time limit and provide written responses to information provided.
The majority of this assessment is untimed, but we suggest that you allow 60 minutes to complete it and that you do so in one sitting. You will have five calendar days to complete the assessment from the date of your invitation.
Make sure you let us know before you start the assessment if you need any adjustments.
Stage 4: Launch Pad
If you are successful at Stage 3, you will be invited to attend the final stage of the recruitment process: Launch Pad, an in-person, half day event. Here, you will be able to meet our diverse community and people within the area you have applied to, from our Partners to our Trainees.
Launch Pad combines two assessed activities (an interview and group assessment) with five non-assessed group activities. Both the assessed and non-assessed activities will provide you with a chance to find out more about our inspiring career opportunities and meet our supportive community, but we’ll also be looking to learn more about you too.
To succeed at this stage, we will be looking for you to demonstrate the KPMG strengths that will give us the confidence that you will be successful with us. If successful, you will receive a job offer within two working days and if you are unsuccessful, you will be offered the option to request feedback.
We want you to have a fantastic experience with us, reducing any barriers or worry as far as possible. Full instructions around what to expect and how to prepare for your Launch Pad, including travel expenses and what to wear will be provided ahead of the event, and our team will be on hand to answer any questions you might have.
Launch Pad dates:
- Tuesday 19th November – London ExCel
- Thursday 5th December – London Oval
- Tuesday 10th December – Manchester Midland Hotel
- Monday 13th January – Birmingham NEC
- Thursday 20th March – Glasgow Hilton Hotel
- Thursday 3rd April – Leeds Royal Armouries Museum
- Thursday 10th April – Bristol Ashton Gate Stadium
- Tuesday 13th May – London Oval
Candidate conduct and integrity
In line with our Values and Code of Conduct, we expect candidates to demonstrate integrity throughout the assessment process. By completing our assessments, you are confirming that you are doing so independently and without the assistance of others, or any artificial intelligence or other resources, to provide responses that are not your own. Candidates who are found to have acted dishonestly during any part of the assessment process, including sharing, copying assessment content, or using assessment content shared by others, will be withdrawn and further action may be taken (including reporting to professional bodies, law enforcement or relevant fraud databases) as deemed appropriate. We will also be conducting periodic reviews of candidate activity and re-testing elements of the online assessments. Please note that reviews or re-tests could take place at any stage of the application or offer process.
We want to warn you that any external sources (paid for or unpaid) offering to support you through the KPMG recruitment process (including taking assessment tests for you) are not supported or endorsed by us in any way. Please note that any KPMG assessment material provided by these sources has not been obtained from us legitimately, and we advise that you do not use these channels.
If you become concerned that someone may be acting dishonestly, please let us know either by contacting apprenticeships@kpmg.co.uk or via our confidential whistleblowing hotline. The hotline is independent of KPMG, and anything reported will remain confidential.
