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Original poster

KPMG apprentice programme instead of university?

88 replies

Apprenticeoruni · 21/08/2025 15:05

My daughter is thinking of skipping university and going straight to work, specifically targeting KPMG’s apprenticeship as she wants a career in finance so thinks this will lead her to the same place but in less time without student debt. It sounds sensible but I can’t help but think the university experience, even the social and living side, is invaluable for later life and that she’d regret missing those years later in life. I also have friends who have worked at KPMG, but a long time ago, and they worked really hard so I’m worried she’d be sacrificing her best years just to get ahead. I’d really love to hear from anyone whose child has made the same decision-whether good or bad- to help me understand what it’s really like and if the benefits outweigh my concerns! So AIBU to support her decision without challenge or should I gently nudge in the direction of university?

OP posts:
citygirl77 · 21/08/2025 15:30

My daughter went to PWC from uni, having achieved a first in chemical engineering. The benefit of this and her great CV was when she decided to move on. However she often said the ones on the apprenticeship had no debt and ended up with the same qualification. I did ask her recently if she regrets going to uni, due to her high student loan repayments, her answer was ‘ no, absolutely not, they were the best times ever’.
Good luck to your daughter, whatever she chooses.

Silverbirchleaf · 21/08/2025 15:28

My dc has done an EY apprenticeship, and moved away from home to do so. He lived with other school leavers, and they had a network with other young professionals in the area. He’s now qualified with no debt, and has brought his first flat, and is further ahead in his career than his uni peers.

My advice would be to apply for the apprenticeship and uni, and to defer the uni to keep her options open. Those apprenticeships are hard to get, so if she gets one, she should grab the opportunity.

Original poster
Apprenticeoruni · 21/08/2025 15:26

This is all really positive and maybe shows I’m a bit out of touch by presuming uni has to be the best option. I just can’t imagine missing out on the friends I made there or the carefree times! But I wasn’t facing the same debt prospect. Seems like she is making a good decision. Does anyone have any experience of KPMG? It’s audit she wants to join. I’ve of course seen negative FT articles about the big 4 but would appreciate any first hand insight!

OP posts:
Radiatorvalves · 21/08/2025 15:25

Ex Deloitte here. I loved engaging with our Bright Starts - fabulous people. Overwhelmingly their experience is positive and I’d say 100% go for it. Internships and grad jobs are not easy to come by and she has done brilliantly. She’ll come out employable, could potentially be a partner in her early 30s and not have any student debt to worry about.

My kids were adamant they wanted uni but had they applied for a Big 4 Apprenticeship I’d have been totally supportive.

Strollingby · 21/08/2025 15:21

I am an accountant and worked with KPMG advisors who were on this scheme. Whilst not a university experience they had a good social experience in their cohort, some shared accommodation etc.
If I had children who wanted to go into finance I would strongly encourage the apprentice route unless they had a degree subject they were passionate about and likely to excel in.

noidea69 · 21/08/2025 15:20

These schemes are great, and she will be set for life once shes gone through it.

She will have to commit though to doing it properlt, they will work her hard, so going out on wednesday night to get pissed with her mates who have chosen uni isnt an option.

NCfor24 · 21/08/2025 15:15

Yes!
They'll be able to afford to live independently id they choose to.
I loved uni and moving away, for all the same reasons you say, but if my children can get on with their careers without uni, I'm all for it. I think it would mean learning to let go a bit whilst they still live at home to encourage and foster the independence.

Herberty · 21/08/2025 15:15

I have mentored students and nowadays would encourage them to go down the apprenticeship route to qualification as a lawyer or accountant.

They get hands on training and in my view often make better professionals and they don't end up with masses of debt and a uni degree with a risk of no job at the end of the degree course.

There is a but - do you think she will cope with a high pressure firm such as KPMG and will she get in the firm as competition will be fierce. Also, will she be able to cope with working and doing exams ?

alldark · 21/08/2025 15:15

Bloody hell, if I had a kid smart and capable enough to get on this I would absolutely encourage them to do so.

She can earn a shit load and retire in her 50s.

Go for it!

Mushroo · 21/08/2025 15:12

I used to work at Deloitte and know quite a few people who did the scheme. (One did a year at uni, decided it wasn’t for them, and joined Deloitte instead).

On the whole they had a really positive experience! Obviously it’s really hard working and doing exams, and not the same as university, but they’re now around 25ish earning c.£60k - £90k and no debts whatsoever.

It’s very lucrative if that’s what your DD wants to do - and she doesn’t have to stay with Big 4 forever!

Newgirls · 21/08/2025 15:12

If she gets in - yes! Competition will be tough though. She can always leave after 2 years and go to uni.

Mushroo · 21/08/2025 15:11

I used to work at Deloitte and know quite a few people who did the scheme. (One did a year at uni, decided it wasn’t for them, and joined Deloitte instead).

On the whole they had a really positive experience! Obviously it’s really hard working and doing exams, and not the same as university, but they’re now around 25ish earning c.£60k - £90k and no debts whatsoever.

It’s very lucrative if that’s what your DD wants to do - and she doesn’t have to stay with Big 4 forever!

KTheGrey · 21/08/2025 15:10

My friend’s eldest did this at PWC and it’s made her highly employable and quite well off. She also has professional qualifications equal to degree level. You know your daughter can quit KPMG and go to Uni if she wants, but may not be able to get into a KPMG apprenticeship if she drops out of uni.