Tech Degree Apprentice Review

On a day to day basis, we’re doing the BSc in Computer Science at Uni of Birmingham. We’re generally like normal students, but have interactions and events with PwC on a regular basis. We also do two extra business modules compared to other students. In summer, our role will be an Associate at PwC

I’ve learnt a lot about Computer Science, including programming in Java, Logic, functional programming, Maths for Computer science, data structures and algorithms, and an introduction to AI. In business, we’ve learnt the basics of financial analysis and accounting, and we’ve learnt about the structure of businesses and how they’re managed

I very much enjoy my programme. While this degree is hard, the ability to learn and then have work placements suits me really well. Some of the modules have been slightly boring, but because I’m in first year I understand the main purpose of this year is to teach us the basics for the future

The programme is generally well structured. The degree has been split into two terms this year, with four modules last term (although I think Maths was too difficult for first term) and three this term. Doing business in first term made the first term slightly boring from a computer science perspective. The ability to do placements over summer and a degree the rest of the year is particularly well structured

We receive a lot of support even though we don’t have lots of physical contact as we’re at university. We receive regular emails keeping us up to date on things happening in the firm, and we have a buddy system at PwC where we can ask questions and for help if needed. We have a personal degree programme manager who we can email if we need advice or help too

We receive quite a bit of support from the university, we have a personal tutor who we can go to if we have any problems, and the lecturers have office hours where we can ask about content. Our deputy head of department is also very supportive, and always wants to make positive changes to the programme based on feedback

This will become more useful in the summer during our placement, but I can imagine that we will be using the skills and knowledge we have learnt in the degree on our placement, which will help us understand how to apply what we have learnt, in the workplace. Hopefully this will be the case come summer

We can’t get involved in some of the extra curricular activities until we’re working at the office in summer, but from what I’m aware of, there are sport teams and stuff like that to get involved in, and potential charity work to do as a team at work

Yes

From what I’ve experienced so far, it seems like a very professional and progressive company to work for, and I think the opportunities for progression seem very good. They also have a lot of offices so there’s the opportunity to work in other locations as well, which is something a lot of companies don’t offer

Just be yourself, but make sure you’re interested in business and keep up to date with things that are happening in the world. Just be the kind of person that takes part and grasps all opportunities given to you, and that will come across. PwC are looking for well rounded people who are interested to learn and enjoy being social