Associate Review

I study at the University of Leeds, which is funded by PwC, full time from September 2018 to May 2019. Often there will be meetings with the cohort and our senior manager who asks how we are and provides information about the company face to face or on a conference call. Then there is a 10 week placement in June 2019 where I will work for PwC on a day-to-day basis.

PwC provide group sessions and conference calls with different colleagues to help us transition into work life and to learn more about the company. They teach us about business conduct and behaving professionally in a work environment. They have also helped develop my public speaking skills as well as opportunities such as speaking to the press for International Women's Day.

I have thoroughly enjoyed the programme and continue to enjoy myself. I have had the opportunity to get to know the people I will work with as I study at the University of Leeds with them. The programme is unlike any other as it allows you to experience university like any other student - just without the debt!

From applying last year to now preparing for my Summer placement, I can say that the organisation has been impeccable. There are several people I know I can speak to at PwC if I ever had any questions and know I would get an immediate response. My manager has been incredible at keeping us up to date with any events that may interest us, keeping us very included in the company. Again, the structure of the programme is unlike any other, being a full-time student with regular interactions with PwC has truly prepared me to be able to work in Summer. I feel privileged to be part of such a programme.

The support from PwC is incredible. Whenever I have had any questions regarding the company or the programme I have always had an immediate response from my manager. My manager is very supportive and always asks how we are in conference calls or emails. She is very passionate about the programme which shows through her willingness to help and give advice.

The qualification will be provided by the University of Leeds, it will be a degree in Computer Science. I receive immense support from the university, having a personal tutor between a small number of students who are all on the degree-apprenticeship. Having regular tutorials allows our group to get to know each other better which has formed very close friendships. Lecturers are always happy to help out of hours and will go out of their way to support you if you ask.

I feel that studying at the University of Leeds will help me to perform better in my role. This is because the university has different ways of teaching, such as lectures, independent learning and group work. In particular, the group work helped me to get to know my colleagues more in terms of their strengths and weaknesses which will definitely help in terms of working with them in the Summer placement.

There have been opportunities to participate in charity football and netball events which I have been invited to. In addition, our cohort was given a buddy at the office between two or three of us. This has encouraged us to go to the office and socialise with people who already work there. There have been many professional networking events which allowed experts in different parts of the company to explain what they do.

Yes

The programme does not hinder you from being a university student, you can be as academic as you like, knowing that you only need to work in the summer for placements, (Third year is an 11 month placement). Being part of such a global company gives you opportunities that don't really exist for a typical university student. In addition, your education is funded by PwC so you leave university debt-free and with endless opportunities.

Apply! This programme will only get more popular as it continues. I would advise others to definitely choose this degree-apprenticeship if having a normal student life is important to them. I would advise them to always ask questions to find out if this is right for you and also to attend open days to meet people you could potentially be working with.