The first students from Ernst & Young's accountancy degree programme at the University of Leicester have joined the firm for a taste of working life.
Part of the four-year sandwich degree, the three month placements at E&Y offices around the country help the students gain first-hand experience of working with some of the best of the accountancy practice's teams.
Those involved will be on a fast track to qualifying as chartered accountants - up to 18 months ahead of their contemporaries. They are also able to sit professional exams while they are still undergraduates and can apply for a three-month secondment at one of E&Y's overseas offices following a 15 to 18-month salaried placement in the UK.
Ben Dickinson is one of the 18 students on the programme. "I wanted to distinguish myself from other graduates and the opportunity to combine academic study, work placement and a fast-track to chartered accountancy qualification was not to be missed."
He said that the busy end of reporting season was "intense but is a great way to learn".
There is room for 40 new entrants in the E&Y Accounting, Auditing and Finance degree course this September.
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