Assessment and selection process

We're a skills-enabled organisation, allowing us to identify, develop and future-proof the skills our people need today and in the future. Our assessment and selection process focuses on the human and technical skills you need to be successful at PwC. The assessment journey will also provide you with insight into who we are, how we work, and what you could expect from your career with us.

We're promoting cross-functional teamwork, driving inclusive growth, and maximising value for our clients. And by doing this, we do more than develop skills - we cultivate potential. Enabling you to develop the skills you need, for the career you want. So that you can grow here and go further.

We’re aware that there are providers selling guidance and assistance on how to complete our recruitment assessments. We have no relationship with, and do not endorse any of those providers. Our PwC Careers webpages offer hints and tips on our assessment process, opportunities to sign up to our events, talk to our recruiters and information on what we look for in our people. We also provide additional resources post application to support our candidates throughout the assessment process. We encourage applicants to use the tools available on our channels.

We take candidate professional conduct very seriously. This means we undertake periodic reviews of candidate applications to identify activity we believe undermines the integrity of our recruitment process. This includes, but is not limited to, comparing candidate video interview responses, assessing if transcripts are identical and proactively looking for duplicate accounts across our systems. Where we find evidence of undermining our recruitment processes, you will be disqualified from our recruitment process.

You’re restricted to one application at a time for our Early Careers roles. We’ll only consider one application for our 2026 programmes. If you’re unsuccessful or withdraw from our process, you’ll need to wait to re-apply for one of our programmes starting in 2027. For these purposes, the definition of an 'application' includes any roles that you have been offered, withdrawn from or been unsuccessful in your application. Please take the time to check that you're able to make a new application to us now before you apply. We take any attempts to circumvent this policy very seriously.

Our employees act with honesty and integrity, so we expect the same from you. If you already work at PwC, please ensure that you’ve contacted the Ealy Careers team to discuss your application before you proceed.

Our selection process

Apply online
Online assessment
Video interview
Assessment centre
Finding you the right role (Graduate programme only)
Business assessment
Your offer
Pre-employment screening

Apply online

The first step of your application journey is to find the right opportunity for you. You can read about our entry level, undergraduate and graduate programmes on our careers website and select the opportunity you wish to apply to. We want to make it easy for you to find your place at PwC, without having to become an expert in our business before you apply, so if you need more help or have any questions you can also use our chatbot. When completing your application, remember to:

read and follow instructions carefully
proofread everything you write, including checking grammar and spelling
be as concise as you can
not be vague or lie about your results as we'll check your academics at a later stage in the process
provide us with details on the type of visa you require if you require visa sponsorship

Online assessment

The first stage of the assessment and selection process is a series of online assessments that measure your cognitive skills, behaviours, natural preferences and reasoning abilities. The test is hosted in the SHL platform.

Find out more about how to prepare for these types of assessment here.

What to expect

The online assessment consists of two parts: a behavioural test, followed by a cognitive assessment. A behavioural profile test asks about your natural behavioural preferences in a work setting. A cognitive assessment is an ability test including numerical, inductive and deductive reasoning. The behavioural test is not timed, but the cognitive assessment will be.

How long will it take to receive my outcome?

You’ll be contacted within 48 hours of completing your online assessment with the outcome, if you’ve met the scores required, you’ll automatically be sent details of the next stage.

Video interview

The next stage of our assessment and selection process is an on-demand video interview which will be conducted virtually via the SHL platform. The expected duration is one hour, we recommend you allow yourself additional time to get into the platform, test your tech, and logout afterwards. You will receive your log on details and instructions in advance and will have one week to complete the video interview.

What to expect:

During the video interview you will be presented with a series of questions on the screen and asked to describe your experience. Instead of having an interviewer, your answers will be recorded and reviewed afterwards. 

How long will it take to receive my outcome?

The next stage of our assessment and selection process is the assessment centre, these are typically conducted throughout November to April so you may not be invited to attend the assessment centre straight away, but don’t worry we’ll be in regular contact with you once you have completed the interview.

Assessment centre

The penultimate stage of our assessment and selection process is a virtual immersive assessment centre. The purpose of the assessment centre is for us to learn more about you, assessing you against the core skills and attributes that are crucial for success in a role at PwC. The experience will also provide you with insight into who we are, how we work, and what you could expect from being part of the PwC team. This is as much of an opportunity for you to find out if our firm is the right fit for you and your career aspirations as much as it is for us to assess your human and technical skills.

What to expect:

The assessment centre will be virtual and run by our assessors. During the day you will meet and work with up to five other candidates who have also applied for a range of programmes at PwC. You’ll be supported throughout by a facilitator whose role is to help guide you through the process and answer any questions.

How long will it take to receive my outcome?

Before you move to the final stage of the assessment and selection process you will be matched you to your business area and office based on your performance throughout the assessment stages, and the preferences you indicated to us as the start of the process. Job matching happens between December and May so you may not be matches immediately, but don’t worry we’ll be in regular contact with you once you’ve completed the interview.

Finding you the right role (Graduate programme only)

If you've made it to this stage of our assessment and selection process you can be proud, you have demonstrated the skills and behaviours we look for in our people.

Based on your performance throughout the assessment stages, and the preferences you indicated to us at the start of the process we will match you to your business area and office.

What to expect:

You’ll be asked to schedule a call with one of our recruiters. During this call, we'll tell you more about the business area you’ve been matched to, guide you through the next stage of the assessment and selection process, and provide you with support resources to help you confidently prepare. This will include your feedback from the previous assessment stages.

Please note, preferences are considered but not guaranteed.

How long will it take to schedule my business assessment?

The final stage of our assessment and selection process is the business assessments, these are conducted throughout January to May, but we’ll confirm the timelines for the business area and office you’ve been matched to when you speak with us.

Business assessment

The final stage of our assessment and selection process is an interview with a senior leader from business area you’re matched to.

What to expect:

This will be in person in the office that you have been matched to. It will be your chance to meet a leader from the business area you’d be working in, find out more about the office and the team, and tell us more about why you are interested in joining PwC.

How long will it take to receive my outcome?

You’ve now completed all the stages of our assessment and selection process. We will complete all the business assessments for the role you’ve been matched to before we make any offers of employment, but don’t worry we’ll be in contact with you to confirm the timeline.

Pre-employment screening

Part of our onboarding process includes checking your grades and job history, so please make sure everything is correct on your application form. We’re known for accuracy, so carrying out checks like this protects our reputation.

What’s next?

Our culture is all about our people and we want you to feel supported and part of PwC as soon as you join us. You’ll be invited to our onboarding portal where you’ll have lots of things you need to do before your first day. Before your start date, you’ll also be invited to attend a pre-joining event. Here you can meet fellow new joiners and learn more information about the team you’ll be joining and your forthcoming induction. You’ll also be asked to complete your Right to Work checks at the event so you will be all set to join on your first day.

You can expect to hear from us regularly as we prepare you for your career with us.

Applications for the majority of our Flying Start programmes must be submitted through UCAS using the specific course UCAS code. If your application is accepted by the university, you’ll then complete the standard PwC assessment and selection process.

We're committed to ensuring all candidates have a fair and equitable opportunity to demonstrate their abilities during the assessment and selection process. If you have a disability, if you’re neurodivergent, or if you have a condition that you believe may affect your performance during our assessment and selection process, we’ll be happy to make reasonable adjustments to our processes for you. You’ll have the opportunity to let us know about any adjustments you may need as you complete your application. We’ll continue this conversation if you join us as an employee, and we’ll work with you to make sure you have the adjustments you need to succeed in your role. Find out more on our adjustments to the recruitment process page.

Expenses for travel from outside the UK to attend our in person offer holder event won’t be reimbursed without prior agreement and only includes economy fares. If you're travelling from overseas, we request you don't book travel arrangements yourself, but to instead contact our recruitment helpdesk.