2026 EMPLOYER GUIDES7 min read

Guide for EY Early Careers 2026

Here’s what you’ll uncover in this guide:

1. EY Early Careers

What are the Ernst & Young career programmes?

The EY career programme offers learning and work experience opportunities at Ernst & Young, designed to help individuals grow professionally across various career stages and to attract and retain talent from students to experienced professionals.

There are three EY career programmes, and they are:

  1. EY Apprenticeships and Work Experience
  2. EY Undergraduates
  3. EY Graduate Programme

There are EY career programmes worldwide, and you can apply to the programs that suit your preference and location; however, we will try to focus on the UK career programmes.

Are you prepared to see what each of these programmes has to offer? Keep reading to find out!

EY Apprenticeships and Work Experience

What is the EY apprenticeship and work experience?

EY apprenticeship and work experience programmes are designed to give students and early-career individuals hands-on exposure to the professional world. They allow them to earn while they learn, gain real experience, and build foundational skills for a career at Ernst & Young (EY).

Eight programmes are available under the EY apprenticeship and work experience scheme. Come along as we uncover what each programme offers.

EY Career Starters:

The EY Career Starters is for individuals exploring options beyond university. This programme offers insight into life at EY and can help you determine whether the EY Business Apprenticeship is the right path.

EY Smart Futures:

The EY Smart Futures programme spans ten months, beginning with paid work experience and continuing with a range of transferable skills and experiences designed to support you in choosing your next step.

EY Audit:

The EY Audit programme is where many students begin their careers, building a strong foundation for the future. In this role, you’ll help provide assurance and confidence to businesses, markets, and society.

EY Entity Compliance & Governance:

EY’s Entity Compliance & Governance team supports clients in navigating the complexities of legal compliance. You’ll play a role in shaping the future of governance while working toward an industry-recognised qualification.

EY Turnaround and Restructuring Strategy:

EY’s Turnaround and Restructuring team helps organisations stay competitive by assisting with buying, selling, merging, or restructuring their business. You’ll support clients in making informed decisions and developing effective strategies.

EY Tax:

EY Tax offers fresh insights that help shape business strategy and adapt to the constantly changing tax landscape. It leverages the latest technology to deliver innovative solutions.

EY Business Leadership and Management Practice:

The EY Business Leadership and Management Practice supports financial services companies across Europe, the Middle East, India, and Africa (EMEIA) in managing risk and navigating regulatory challenges, all while you work toward a business management degree.

EY Digital and Technology:

The EY Digital and Technology programme enables you to support local and global businesses through technology-driven assurance and advisory services while studying toward a BSc degree.

EY Cadet Program:

Available in Hong Kong and Australia, the Cadet Program helps you combine your studies with work experience in areas such as Assurance, Tax and Transactions.

Who is eligible for the EY apprenticeship and work experience?

The EY apprenticeship and work experience programme comprises several separate programmes, each with its own eligibility criteria. Ensure you review the specific requirements for the programme you wish to apply for. 

What is the EY Apprenticeship and Work Experience application process?

The EY Apprenticeship and Work Experience application process can vary, however typically includes some or all of the following:

  1. Online Application
  2. Online Assessments
  3. Video Interview
  4. Experience Day

EY Application Tip: The Career Starters programme only uses the EY online assessments as part of the EY assessment process before accepting applicants into the company.

The next EY career scheme programme type is the EY Undergraduate schemes. Are you curious to see what these hold?

EY Undergraduates

What are the EY undergraduates?

EY Undergraduates is an early-career programme for university students. It provides exposure to EY’s work environment, helps develop professional skills, and creates pathways to internships, graduate schemes, or full-time roles.

There are three programmes in the EY undergraduate programme. Keep scrolling to find the right programme for yourself.

Discover EY:

The Discover EY programme is a two-day event featuring virtual and in-person activities across the UK. It allows Year 13 students (S6 in Scotland) and all university undergraduates to engage with business leaders and explore career opportunities.

EY Summer Internships:

The EY Summer Internship is a four-week paid program offering real client work and insights into EY. Interns will work on projects, develop skills, and explore career interests, making it ideal for penultimate-year university students.

EY Industrial Placements:

The EY industrial placement (or the Vacationer Program in Australia) is a paid, year-long program for penultimate university students around the globe. It allows them to apply their strengths professionally while developing future skills.

EY First Nations Vacationer Program:

This EY internship program aims to support candidates from Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander descent to develop their technical and leadership skills through work opportunities.

What is the EY Undergraduates application process?

Depending on the opportunity, the EY Undergraduates application process consists of some or all of the following steps:

  1. Online Application
  2. Online Assessments
  3. Video Interview
  4. Experience Day

With one EY career programme left to check, here is the EY graduate programme, which will help you decide what to apply for at EY.

EY Graduate Programme

What is the EY graduate programme?

The EY graduate programme is a full-time programme designed to launch your career with client experience, skills training, and support for professional qualifications. Lasting two to four years, it involves team rotations, coaching, and clear progression pathways.

There are four EY graduate programmes, which are:

EY Assurance:

EY Assurance is about solving problems and building financial trust, not just crunching numbers. Candidates will work with clients on strategy, risk, and growth, while learning innovative skills for the digital age.

EY Consulting:

EY Consulting drives transformation through people, technology, and innovation. Help clients make a real impact by cutting carbon emissions, supporting tech firms, or using AI to enhance healthcare access while advancing your career.

EY-Parthenon:

EY-Parthenon drives client transformation, helping businesses thrive in a fast-changing global market through advice on mergers, acquisitions, divestitures, and strategic changes with innovative professionals.

EY Tax:

EY Tax plays a vital role in supporting society. The taxes you help manage fund essential services like education, healthcare, transport, and environmental initiatives, underpinning the daily infrastructure that communities rely on.

EY First Nations Graduate Program:

The EY First Nations graduate program supports Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander candidates with professional growth, community development and networking opportunities across various departments and areas such as Assurance, Consulting. Tax or the EY-Parthenon.

Read on to discover the application process for the EY early career roles.

2. EY Recruitment Process

What is the EY application process for early careers?

From research, I have found that the EY graduate recruitment process typically includes some or all of the following stages:

  1. EY Online Application
  2. EY Numerical Reasoning Test
  3. EY Verbal Reasoning Test
  4. EY Situational Reasoning Test
  5. EY Job Simulation Test
  6. EY Strengths-Based Assessment
  7. EY Video Interview
  8. EY Experience Day

Discover all the stages of the EY application process here!

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Before you start your EY application process, explore the FAQs section below for more answers about the EY early careers.

3. EY Early Careers FAQs

1 Are the EY early careers programmes paid?

Yes, the EY programmes are full-time salaried positions with benefits. You will also receive support for any professional qualifications you work toward during the scheme.

2 What qualifications do I need to apply to EY early careers?

EY looks for candidates with at least a 2:1 undergraduate degree (or equivalent). However, some programmes may accept a 2:2 or focus more on strengths and potential than academic performance.

3 Does EY sponsor visas for graduate roles?

Yes, in many locations, EY does sponsor visas for graduate roles, especially in areas facing talent shortages. However, availability depends on the role and country, so check specific job listings for details.

4 Can I apply to more than one EY graduate programme?

No, you can only apply to one programme per recruitment cycle, so choose the service line and location that best align with your interests and skills.

5 Do I need a finance or accounting background to work in EY?

Not necessarily. While some roles require numerical skills or accounting knowledge, many EY programmes welcome graduates from various disciplines, from the humanities to science.

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This article was last updated on 26 May 2026. All information provided is accurate to the best of our knowledge at the time of publication, based on publicly available sources. For the most up-to-date details, please verify directly with the employer.

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