EY Scholarship programme aims to educate more accountants

Global professional services firm EY has announced a new scholarship scheme to fund students and support their careers.

In partnership with the Bath University School of Management, the new initiative will be worth over £1 million over the course of the next four years, with students individually receiving up to £40,000 in financial support.

As part of the plans, ten first year students studying Accounting and Finance in the University’s school of management have been chosen to pick up £15,000 of funding during their four-year programme, along with paid summer work experience at EY and placement at the company for their third year.

These opportunities will help to make a big difference to the careers of these young professionals and, from next year, the number of new student scholarships will increase to 20. Participants will apply online and be selected after an interview and assessment phase.

As well as this, EY is creating three awards of £1,000 every year to students that meet criteria for widening the access to higher education. 

Hywel Ball, EY’s managing partner for assurance in the UK & Ireland, said: “Our Assurance Scholarship programme is designed for those who are focussed on starting a career in accountancy, but who don’t want to miss out on the university experience. 

“We already offer school leaver, graduate and undergraduate programmes, but we are expanding the range of career entry routes in response to growing demand. It’s a great opportunity for students to earn while they learn.”

Mr Ball went on to say that many modern graduates start working with student loan repayments that could run for the majority of their working life.

“The EY Assurance Scholarship will give students a financial leg-up, to ensure they are able to focus on making the most of their time at university,” he went on to say.

What are the benefits of the scholarship?

The scholarship will help to give candidates a better understanding of the accountancy sector, enabling them to enter the industry with more confidence than other university graduates.

Professor Veronica Hope Hailey, Dean of the School of Management, commented on the plans, noting: “This new scholarship scheme offers our students an enviable pathway into one of the world’s leading professional services companies, as well as substantial funding for their studies.

“We are proud that EY have recognised the quality of the University of Bath’s Accounting & Finance students and chosen to support and nurture their studies and career development.”

The University recruits 150 new scholars every year and help to reduce the financial pressure on students and their families. 

By receiving support from scholarships, many of the stresses that come with a regular university degree can be removed, meaning students can focus primarily on their workload and hopefully achieve the best grades possible. 

With accountancy, a scholarship could make a big difference to how professionals are perceived when they first enter the market, helping them to become more attractive to employers and land their ideal job.