Student FAQs

Do you have questions about applying to and working at EY? You’re likely to find your answers here.

Find the answer

Below are the answers to some of our most frequently asked questions to help you through the process. 

Programmes

  • Choosing a programme

    • What are the key dates for the EY undergraduate and graduate programmes?

      EY Graduate Programme

      Opening Dates

      Applications for the EY Graduate programme launch every September, for our biggest graduate recruitment campaign of the year! Keep an eye out on campus and our socials for regular updates during our graduate recruitment season.

      During this Graduate recruitment campaign, EY looks for students entering their final year, who are interested in applying to a graduate programme the following September (i.e. Successful applicants applying in September 2022 will start in September 2023)

      Applications for this Graduate Programme will close in October each year, with interviews to follow in November.

      To add - in semester 2, some graduate positions may still be available, so keep an eye out on our careers site, on campus and our socials regular updates for new positions! During this campaign we are looking for final year students who are soon to graduate and ready to start a graduate position in September.

      Closing dates

      Unless the closing date is stated on the individual programme page (make sure you check), applications will close as soon as the set number of roles have been filled – so it’s better to apply sooner rather than later!

      EY Summer Internship Programme

      Applications for the EY Summer Internship programme launch every January, for our only internship recruitment campaign of the year! Make sure to keep an eye out on campus and our socials for regular updates during our internship recruitment season.

      Applications for the EY Summer Internship programme will close in February and make sure to keep an eye on our closing dates to avoid disappointment as late applicants will not be accepted.

      Work Placement Opportunities

      EY works closely with University and College careers offices across Ireland to facilitate over 100 work placement opportunities across Ireland each year.

      Application opening dates, closing dates and interview dates will depend on your course and University, so please make sure to regularly check in with your local careers office contact if you are interested in a Work Placement with EY.

    • Which programme is right for me?

      We have a few ways of helping you decide where you may fit best in EY:

      • Programme pages

      Visit our individual programme pages to find out more about the role and the work you'll be doing.

      • People Stories

      Hear from those who are currently on our student programmes across Ireland. Hear their insights and experiences by asking your questions.

      • Events

      We regularly run events so you can get the chance to speak to our people and recruiters and find out more about working at EY and our culture.

      • Careers advisor

      Meet with your campus or schools' careers advisor or talk to your lecturers or peers. They will have insights and advice to help you make your career choice.

      • Speak to us!

      Engage with our team by emailing us at studentrecruitment@ie.ey.com or reach out to us on one of our social channels!

    • Can I apply to more than one programme?

      Unfortunately, no. We want you to apply the programme that interests you the most. If you need any help choosing the right career path, take a look at our programmes.

      If you go through the process and want to apply to another programme, you can withdraw but you will need to start from the very beginning of the process – we're unable to offer any swaps throughout the recruitment process.

      If you are rejected from any stage in the process, in line with our policy, you will need to wait six months before making another application to an EY student vacancy.

    • What are your intake dates?

      We can’t give you exact dates, but these are often in:

      • EY Summer Internship Programme – first week in June
      • EY Work Placement Programme – this start date will depend on your course and university requirements
      • EY Graduate Programme – our main intake for our Graduate programme is September, however may also facilitate other start dates on a case-by-case basis where needed, allowing flexibility for you an our business.

      These may change and if you're successful through the process, you'll be notified of the exact dates during the onboarding process.

    • What are the benefits of joining an EY graduate programme?

      Firstly, EY offers a competitive and wide-ranging package. When you work hard, it’s important to know you’re being paid fairly.

      We also offer many other benefits to our new Graduates which includes:

      • Generous, fully paid exam fees & study leave for all ACA & AITI graduates
      • Exam & performance bonus schemes
      • Recognition awards
      • A flexible, Hybrid working environment
      • Free gym membership
      • 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme & wellbeing support
      • Pension contribution
      • Discounted health insurance
      • Ability to buy 5 extra holidays per year
      • 2 charity days per year
      • 5 learning days
      • Graduation day paid leave
      • Referral programmes
      • Travel pass
      • Bike to work scheme
      • The opportunity to earn a FREE Tech MBA, or Masters in Sustainability or Masters in Business Analytics while working with EY through Hult International Business School
      • Transformation Leadership Model
      • Many D&I Networks including the Ability, Family, Unity, Women, International& Mental Health networks

    • Can I apply for a deferred entry?

      If you have already accepted a graduate offer to join EY, you'll need to let us know as soon as possible and make your request to defer in writing. All requests to defer your place for a year needs to be approved by the individual business area that you're applying to. Our team will be able to discuss this with you if you wish to defer.

    • What degree do I need to join the graduate programme?

      All Graduate Programmes at EY are open to Graduates with an honour’s degree in any subject. 

    • What are your academic requirements? If I don't meet them, can I still apply?

      The minimum academic requirement to apply for an EY Graduate or Internship programme is a 2.1 honours degree (or equivalent), or if you have not yet completed your studies, that you are on track for achieving your 2.1.

      If you do not meet this requirement, we still welcome you to apply and all applications will be reviewed on an individual basis. 

    • I finished my studies a few years ago, can I still apply?

      We’re more than happy to accept applications from people who have already graduated.

    • Can I apply for an undergraduate position in Ireland if I need a visa?

      If you currently obtain a student visa in Ireland and you are in full time education here, then yes, you are more than welcome to apply.

      Unfortunately, if you are a non-EEA student who is not studying full time in Ireland, we are unable to provide visa sponsorship for our undergraduate programmes.

    • Can I apply for a graduate position in Ireland if I need a work permit?

      Yes, you can. We welcome applications from non-EEA nationals on our Graduate programmes. 

      However, there are some restrictions you’ll need to know about when you apply. First, you need to make sure you meet the visa eligibility criteria for people looking to work in Ireland before you start on a Graduate programme. You can find out more about working visas from the Irish Immigration Service website.

      If you require visa sponsorship, only some graduate programmes in can support all the conditions set out by the Irish Immigration Service. They are:

      Assurance Graduate Programme

      Consulting and Technology Graduate Programme

      Strategy and Transactions Graduate Programme

      Unfortunately, we can’t support any applications for programmes other than those listed above as of the conditions set out by the Irish government.

      Please note that having a valid right to work status in place in time for the start of the graduate programme is a mandatory condition of you being able to start work with EY.

      If you’re unsure about your eligibility to work in Ireland, please visit the Irish Immigration Service website.

How do you see yourself?

  • Creative Mind

    Creativity is crucial in business today and is often the source of innovation and inspiration in the creation of new opportunities. Coupled with cutting-edge technology, creativity is now recognised as the catalyst that fuels big ideas, challenges traditional ways of thinking and opens the door to new and better ways of working and succeeding.  

    Some of our highest flyers come from under the radar and if you have a creative mind, we want you to bring your imagination and flair to the table. Your personal and business interests don’t have to be mutually exclusive and we believe that it all adds value whether you have a passion for music, writing, performing, technology or any area of creativity.

    Creative collaboration is part of our company culture and we’re known to champion creative minds. Our world-class coaching and career development encourage you to customise your career and express yourself as you pursue what you want to professionally. We’ll support you to work, live and thrive with a healthy and flexible work-life balance as you carve out the cornerstones of your career.

    If you have a creative mind, why not come and develop your skills further in one of our six graduate programmes. We like to call it out of this world thinking - from down to earth people!

  • A Teammate

    Sports strategy and skills work brilliantly when it comes to business. Continuous development deserves continuous support and we recognise that the skills you have learned through sport are a massive asset to the workplace. 

    Consistency carries over into many aspects of the business world. Communication skills, judgement, timing and knowing your role in a team are equally important when it comes to the world of work. It takes a strong work ethic to stay physically fit and at EY we respect this as it speaks volumes about the commitment you’re willing to make. 

    Strategy, all-important timing and being competitive are big when it comes to areas like IT, law, finance and engineering as they also require an ability to modify along with flexibility and relationship building. We offer world-class coaching and a mentoring mindset and we aim to be #1 in the areas that matter for your career. If you’re a capable team player, play to your strengths and join one of our six graduate programmes.

  • An Inspirational Ideator

    Are you inspired by creating productive ideas? If you’re a conceptualist and have a mindset that’s all about idea generation then you’ll fit right in at EY. In business, it’s crucial to ask the right questions at the right time and that’s how great ideas can be sparked and refined. At EY, we encourage the time to create space to investigate variables and approaches and here’s where you’ll have time to collaborate and be at your best and ideate out of this world thinking with a group of down to earth people.

    Idea management is hugely important in business strategy. Top management globally demands innovation when it comes to better outcomes and building bold businesses. Whether your skills are in your thought processes or technical - we’d like to explore them with you and offer you the potential to excel in your area of choice, bringing your flair to consulting, finance or whatever your chosen sector of interest. Some of our highest flyers come from under the radar. We’ll give you world-class coaching and at EY enable you to customise your career development. With instant integration, you’ll have a place to bring your ideas to life. If you have a talent for forming ideas, why not investigate one of our six graduate programmes.

  • A Detail Dynamo

    Noticing little things is a big deal and attention to detail is a huge asset when it comes to business. If you’re a detail dynamo, that’s a huge plus as an employee and team member. We’re looking for graduates with no borders on their ambitions. Being detail-driven means that you can offer important on-the-job skills, from observation and organisation to focus and conscientiousness. Understanding and managing details around data with accuracy and focus, particularly when meeting deadlines is a crucial skill that is really valued at EY.

    We’ve seen that detail lovers excel in areas like law and IT which require examination of information, solution building and logical thinking. If you’re thorough, accurate, and love paying attention to the specifics while still seeing the big picture, then why not use these strengths to shine? We have a mentoring mindset and our world-class coaching and career development support offer detailed advice in helping you to customise your career and gain all those professional qualifications that you’re ambitious about. Come and turn your love of detail into an asset in one of our six graduate programmes.

  • A Solution Seeker

    It’s often said that the best leaders are the best problem solvers and a solution-seeking mindset has become one of the go-to skills valued by employers. Are you a natural solution seeker when it comes to maths, coding, design, technology, languages or working with your hands? In business there will always be potentially critical issues, conflicts, and problems to solve and here’s where you come in. We’re looking for graduates with no borders on their ambitions and can help you to tailor your skills to your work through collaboration, coaching and career development support. If you’re interested in bringing your problem-solving skills into your career, why not look further at one of our six graduate programmes.

  • An Active Mind

    Curiosity is said to be one of the great secrets of happiness and curiosity in business is a huge attribute.

    A curious mind in business normally means the person is open-minded about learning new things without any preconceptions clouding your understanding. An active mind has great power to deliver results and solutions and is a winning attribute when it comes to business when combined with other corporate values, skills and teamwork. 

    Curiosity has been identified as one of the key leadership traits and can be particularly useful in finance and law where information needs to be analysed and solutions need to be created. Some of our highest flyers come from under the radar if this sounds like you then check out one of our six graduate programmes.