• Three Foundation Year students earn EY Scholarship
  • Scholarship provides financial support on BSc Accounting & Finance course
  • Silvia Bonku-Ephraim and Dan Walker will have two work placements at EY
  • Foundation Year has provided a stepping stone to BSc Accounting & Finance

Three former Foundation Year students have earned an EY Scholarship as part of a group of seven WBS students in total to receive the award.

Two of them, Dan Walker and Silvia Bonku-Ephraim, graduated last year from the ground-breaking entry route, which allows youngsters from disadvantaged backgrounds who, through no fault of their own, lack the academic qualifications for direct entry.   

Silvia remembers discovering the EY scholarship just after being offered a place on the Foundation Year programme.

“Little did I know a year later I would actually be awarded a place on the scheme,” said the first-year BSc Accounting & Finance student

“Working for EY has been my dream since I first attended an insight day at their More London office back in 2014. Three years later I can proudly say I will be working in one for their offices during the summer.”

Related course: BSc Accounting & Finance

The Foundation Year paves the way for students who have been unable to reach the qualification required for direct entry, something Silvia is glad to have been offered the opportunity to do. 

Silvia Bonku-Ehpraim
Overjoyed: Silvia Bonku-Ephraim, BSc Accounting & Finance student and EY Scholar

“Being on the Foundation Year last year allowed me to rebuild my confidence in my abilities and, essentially, it was a stepping stone that allowed me to fulfil my dream despite not having the requirements for direct entry onto the Accounting and Finance degree.  

“The combined experience of studying at university and having two placements with EY will allow me to understand what I like and dislike for the future, meaning I will have a greater understanding of the avenues I could potentially take after graduating. 

“The best thing about being awarded the scholarship was telling my parents and hearing the joy in their hearts when they told me how proud of me they are. That made the entire application process worthwhile.” 

How does the EY Scholarship help students?

Dan Walker, also a first-year BSc Accounting & Finance student, added: “Being awarded a place on the EY Scholarship is a great opportunity to kick-start my professional career. From the online application, to the strengths tests to the assessment centre, every part of the process has been incredibly beneficial. 

“Both of the placement opportunities will cement the knowledge learned in the university environment, thereby improving upon my quality of work.

"To prepare for the application process, there was a lot of support from the WBS careers team. I feel that without this I would've found it significantly more difficult, and there were many websites for strengths tests and workshops to practice the skills needed for the assessment centre.”

Dan Walker
Great opportunity: Dan Walker, BSc Accounting & Finance student and EY Scholar

The EY Scholarship programme has been running at the University of Warwick since 2015, and is billed by EY as a step towards helping them to achieve their global strategy of doubling the size of their business by 2020.

Marie Murphy, Senior Recruitment Advisor (Talent – UK & Ireland) at EY, said: “We believe that the scholarship programme provides a strong start to a student’s career, as alongside studying for their university degree in Accounting and Finance, the scholarship includes invaluable work experience across two paid placements during the degree course, as well as vital financial support in the form of scholarship payments of £15,000 across their time at university.

“The EY Scholarship programme was created to help EY in achieving our ambitious global strategy of doubling the size of our business by the year 2020. To do this, we require bright, curious minds - people who are ready to contribute to a globally growing business - and we believe that the scholarship is a fantastic way for us to reach these people.

Why has EY created a scholarship for undergraduates?

“Across the scholarship, students on the programme not only receive vital financial support, but also benefit from paid work experience in one of our offices across the UK.

"Students will get the opportunity to work directly with clients as well as some of our most senior people, allowing them to build lasting professional networks.

"With this work experience, comes the chance to pick up invaluable business skills, such as teamwork, self-discipline and time management; aiding the employability of individuals on the scheme. Also, our EY Scholars get a head start in working towards a chartered accountancy qualification.”

Find out more about the BSc Accounting & Finance course here.