Big 4 grad scheme with 2:2?

I think you'd struggle to get a graduate job at a big 4 company with a 2.2. Obviously there's more to a job application than just your degree classification, but what what I've seen it tends to only be 1st / high 2.1 candidates that are successful.

I'm confident I can graduate with at least a 2:1 but would have to apply for the grad schemes using my current grades as I'm 2nd year going into 3rd. Will this hinder my chances significantly?

Definitely try to get an internship. Even if the firm you intern at doesn’t offer you a grad job, you’ll be much more employable having done one. If you can’t get one between 2nd and 3rd year, you might find it easier to get one after graduating. This would obviously delay things slightly but you may find they’re willing to just keep you on or let you start as a grad in January or something.

In the current climate jobs will be ever-more scarce and experience is invaluable. As I said above, on the academic front, all that really matters is that you’re on track to get a 2:1 at the end of your degree (not necessarily what you got in second year) as this allows them to “tick the box”. They’ll be more interested in what you’ve gotten out of your studies and the extra things you’ve done rather than the grades, and will much sooner employ someone with a low-mid 2:1, relevant experience, a good personality and the right skills than someone with a high 2:1/1st and none of those other things.

Hi there! I got a 2:2 from a top 10 uni, didn't do an internship but got an offer from EY and will be starting in Sept I think EY is the only one from the Big 4 who don't have a minimum academic requirements at the moment, though the requirements do change from time to time so the others may follow.
Getting a 2:2 limited the graduate schemes I could apply for but there's still some decent places who accept a 2:2 (eg. Civil Service, NHS, BDO, Grant Thornton, etc). You haven't got a 2:2 (overall) yet so you can still apply for schemes requiring a 2:1 if you're confident you can get a 2:1.
As you're going into your final year, I don't think you'll be eligible for some internships as some of them require you to be in your pen-ultimate year so just check their requirements. Good luck!

Did you have no work experience at all?

Hi,
2nd year studying Physics at a top 10 uni.
Messed up S1 exams big time (35% average) but pulled my 2nd-year average up to 59% in S2.
How bad would this affect my chances of securing a grad scheme at one of the big 4?
Thanks

Hi,
2nd year studying Physics at a top 10 uni.
Messed up S1 exams big time (35% average) but pulled my 2nd-year average up to 59% in S2.
How bad would this affect my chances of securing a grad scheme at one of the big 4?
Thanks

Sorry to hijack this, I'm in a similar position to the thread starter however Ive graduated from my undergrad with a 2:2 (58%), I didn't perform the best in final year after my father passed away in an accident during the year. However,I have just completed a masters in management strategy graduating with a 2:1(68%). Would I have a chance with any of the big 4 graduate schemes or am I wasting my time even applying?

In my experience, all they ask for is the result you’re expected to achieve. Considering you’re sitting on 59, assuming you put in the work in third year, a 2:1 should be very achievable (especially if your third year is more heavily-weighted) so I’d put a 2:1 down as your expected result. Firms on the whole are moving away from stringent academic requirements. Getting a 2:1 is really just a “tick in the box“. Obviously if you got an offer and ended up failing to get a 2:1, I’d imagine they’d just rescind your offer at that point, but I doubt that’ll happen!