KPMG is supporting seven students to study at Queens University Management School.
The KPMG Scholarship Programme, which is run in association with Queen’s University Belfast, is designed to encourage and support more students to go to third level education by providing financial and a range of other support throughout the lifetime of their degree course.
Selected scholars get £3,000 a year to support living costs, a KPMG mentor to support them throughout their degree and two paid summer internships. In addition, scholarship students have a strong chance of being offered a graduate career at the firm.
KPMG said the scholarship aligns with it focus on ensuring it is building a workforce made up of people from diverse backgrounds - whether experience, ethnicity, gender or socio economic - an approach which allows it to better serve its broad range of clients.
“We are incredibly proud of The KPMG Scholarship Programme and delighted to be supporting students to reach their potential - academically and professionally,” Johnny Hanna, Partner-in-Charge of Northern Ireland, said. “The scheme is in its relative infancy but has already mined a rich seam of talent from across Northern Ireland, many of whom will go on to represent the firm and further enrich our offering.
“Aside from the financial support offered through The KPMG Scholarship Programme, students have found the mentoring incredibly important, as well as the work experience gained through the internships where they get to spend time working in a professional environment. It was lovely to have the scholars in with us recently and we look forward to partnering with them throughout their university journey.”
David Stinson, QUB Accounting student and KPMG Scholar, said the mentorship aspect of this programme was a key part that encouraged me to apply.
“In addition to introducing me to members of the tax team, my mentor has been a great source of advice and motivation for my studies by hearing how he has progressed from a graduate role to a trusted and senior member of the team.”
The KPMG Scholarship Programme is being run in conjunction with Queens Management School and Alumni Engagement and Philanthropy through the Queens Widening Access Programme. The latter is designed to support students from disadvantaged areas to access third level education. Students are encouraged to apply for The KPMG Scholarship programme, although it is open to everyone joining QUB Business School.
Total investment commitment by KPMG in the programme since starting four years ago through to the end of the current agreement with Queens University Belfast is over £120,000.
