KPMG to fund students' tuition fees - graduate jobs

Professional services firm KPMG has announced that it will be launching a ground-breaking new school leavers' programme from September 2011, with the aim of producing graduates who are fully proficient in chartered accounting.

The proposal is for an initial intake of around 75 students at Durham, who will start a six-year programme with the firm.

Those enrolling onto the programme will have their university and professional tuition fees paid for by the firm. They will be given an initial salary of £20,000, which will go up to £45,000 or more by the time they complete the course.

During the degree phase, students will have to spend part of the time at Durham University, where they will study for a BSc in Accounting, while they will be working for the company for the remainder of their time.

Upon completion of the course, the students will not only receive their degree but will also be fully qualified accountants.

KPMG envisages that in due course school leaver schemes of this type will account for the majority of its annual chartered accountant intake, which stands at over 400.

Oliver Tant, KPMG's UK head of audit, said they hope the scheme will address current concerns over rising university costs.