Technology Degree Apprentice Review
at PwC
Degree Apprenticeship
Information Technology
Leeds
Review Submitted: April 2022
Overall Rating
4.6 /5
The Overall Rating is the average of all the ratings given in each category. We take those individual ratings and combine them into one final score!
5/5
-
Overview of Role
4/5
-
Skills Development
4/5
-
Structure and Support
Overview of Role
Please give an overview of your role and what this involves on a day-to-day basis:
5/5
Currently my role is no different from any university student until the summer placement. The summer placement is what will consist of working in the offices for a team and gaining experience. PwC host weekly sessions where senior TDAs or employees provide insight on the sectors of the company that apprentices can decide to work for in the summer.
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
5/5
Many university students leave with debt and have small margins to pay for essentials. What makes being an apprentice a much better option is that we don't have a worry about debt, and can live comfortably with disposable income, all while learning and working towards something you enjoy and gaining that experience.
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
4/5
I have developed new skills during my studies in university. This course offers something many other apprenticeships do not, and that is the opportunity to study in one of the best universities in the country. During only two semesters of study I have already picked up the tools necessary in developing robust, maintainable and efficient code in languages such as C and Java.
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
4/5
The programme is very well structured as apprentices all have many ways to contact for any support whether it be from the module leaders at university, the personal tutor you meet frequently with as well as a career coach. Meetings are held frequently to track progress as well as to keep TDA's informed and prepared.
How much support do you receive from your employer?
4/5
PwC take supporting their employees a priority. There are many ways to contact for support as highlighted above, but other than that they have additional services such as free private healthcare as well as external support for individuals looking to buy property with a mortgage from the many connections PwC have, which few companies can compete with.
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
4/5
The university provides many tutorials with all the modules to talk to lecturers face to face allowing to ask any questions that may arise. Additionally, the lecturers are open to emails and teams conversations for other queries incase the content shared is not enough. University of Leeds provide an enjoyable way to complete a degree with an emphasis on preparing students for the future.
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
4/5
The training provided by the university provide the knowledge worthy of leading a project, rather than being a passenger to what senior colleagues say. Professionalism is a focus, with emphasis on ethics as well as careful planning and preparation of projects with the right tools, and communicating with the right people in a business setting.
Are there extra-curricular activities to get involved in at your work? (For example, any social activities, sports teams, or even professional networking events.)
4/5
The company have held a Ball for all TDA apprentices and I believe many activities are set to be prepared during the summer placement. There are also virtual coffee sessions where employees can have a conversation with randomly chosen employees in another sector of the company, allowing to learn and gain a better understanding of different sectors of work.
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend PwC to a friend?
Yes
Why?
I would recommend it to a friend as I believe other than the top few universities in the country, which are incredibly difficult to be accepted to, University of Leeds is on par or better than any of university in the country. Not only that, but you can study at such university without student loans, and working for a company that offer you the chance to work during your degree as well as after.
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to PwC?
I would advise applicants to research on the business for what they might ask in an interview, as well as to learn to answer questions that involve absorbing a lot of data in a short amount of time, and perform calculations on it for the exam. Unlike other apprenticeships, you must apply through UCAS.
