Early careers FAQs

When do applications open for our roles?

Our Graduate, Internship, Placement and Insight programme vacancies will go live early October. Our Apprenticeship opportunities will open slightly later – usually around December/January.

When do applications close?

We recruit on a rolling basis, and some roles can close quickly due to their popularity.

When do the 2026 cohorts start?

• PA Futures – April 2026 
• Summer internship – June 2026
• Industrial placement – July 2026
• Apprenticeships – September 2026
• Graduate programme – October 2026

When will I hear back regarding the next stages of my application?

The team will always keep you updated regarding your next stages and expected timelines. We aim to confirm next steps within two to three weeks of each stage. If you are looking for an update and have not heard from us, please email earlycareers@paconsulting.com.

Do you need to hold a certain degree for the graduate programme?

Some of our roles have no specific academic requirements. Some of our specialised roles in digital, design, engineering and science require a relevant degree, and you can see full details of what these are on the individual job description.

Do you need to have obtained certain qualifications to be eligible for our apprenticeships?

As our apprenticeship is a degree-level opportunity, there are certain eligibility requirements: a level 3 qualification in a relevant area, in any grade. Other acceptable qualifications include:

• Two A levels in one or more similar subject*
• Level 3 apprenticeship in a similar subject 
• International Baccalaureate at level 3 in a similar subject
• BTEC Extended Diploma in a similar subject
• A work experience route (two to three years) in a similar subject-related role.

*’Similar subject’ relates to areas directly relevant to, or commensurate with, ‘digital and technology solutions’. Typically, this would be areas such as, but not limited to, Level 3 digital apprenticeships, A-Level/BTEC Computer Science, Information Technology, Networking, Software Engineering, etc. Please note: learners must not hold an existing qualification at the same or higher level than this apprenticeship in a similar subject.

Do you need to have graduated to apply for a graduate programme?

No, you can be working towards your degree. As long as you will have graduated by the start of the programme and hold a degree, you are eligible to apply.

If I don’t have the right to work in the UK, will you be able to provide sponsorship?

Unfortunately, PA are unable to provide sponsorship for those who do not have the right to work in the UK.

I have travelled out of the country for 29 consecutive days or more. Am I still eligible to apply?

Due to the sensitive nature of our work and the clients we work with, we require all candidates to obtain security clearance. There are a number of factors that can impact you obtaining this, one of which is travelling out of the country for 29 days or more. 

This does not necessarily mean you won’t receive clearance, but it could have an impact. It is therefore best to be as honest as you can on our application form to ensure we can advise you as soon as possible. If you only share these details with us later, at the point of offer, it could result in your offer being withdrawn.

In the last five years, I have resided outside of the UK for more than six months. Am I still eligible to apply?

Due to the sensitive nature of our work and the clients we work with, we require all candidates to obtain security clearance. There are a number of factors that can impact you obtaining this. One of these is if you have lived outside of the UK for more than six months in the past five years. 

This does not necessarily mean you won’t receive clearance, but it could have an impact. It is therefore best to be as honest as you can on our application form to ensure we can advise you as soon as possible. If you only share these details with us later, at the point of offer, it could result in your offer being withdrawn.

Can I apply for multiple roles?

No. You can apply for one role within our early careers offering across all our programmes. We want candidates to apply to the programme that interests them the most and where they can demonstrate this throughout the recruitment process. If you are unsuccessful at any stage of the recruitment process, you will need to wait six months before applying for another role

What is your application and assessment process?

All our early careers roles follow the same process:

• First stages: Application form and online assessments
  Our application form will require you to provide information about your academic background, as well as your motivation for the role you have applied to. You will then be invited to complete our online assessments. These assessments are task-based. Whilst not timed, some of the tasks require you to respond quickly by tapping on your keyboard
• Second-stage assessment
  This next stage will vary depending on the role you have applied to. It could be an application review by areas of our business, a technical assessment or we may ask you to prepare a presentation on a particular topic. We will provide further details when you move through to this stage.
• Final-stage assessment
  You will be invited to attend an assessment event and final interview as part of the final stage. Some of our events will be virtual, with a final face-to-face interview. Others will be face-to-face assessment events and interviews combined. It will vary depending on the role you have applied to. We will provide you with further detail once you reach this stage.

Details around these assessments will be shared with you nearer to the time if you are successful in being invited, and will typically include one-to-one interviews, group exercises, presentations, and case studies. Some of our roles will require specific technical assessments (such as coding assessments and technical interviews)

Can I use Chat GPT or other generative AI tools to support my application?

At PA, we use AI tools on a daily basis; however, we value transparency and authenticity above all in our hiring process. We want to get know you, your skills, and experience in our interview process.

As such, we ask that no AI tools (including AI note takers, meeting assistants, and similar tools) are used by candidates during interview sessions. If AI tools are used during an interview, it could influence the outcome of your application.

What if I require adjustments to the assessment process?

We can make many adjustments to any of the stages above, such as additional time or providing certain materials in advance, so please be assured we will work with you to make sure you are supported. Please ensure if/when you receive the invite to the different stages that you contact earlycareers@paconsulting.com to discuss any adjustments you might need. We are more than happy to help you.

I’ve made it to the shortlisting stage. Does this mean I will be invited to a final stage?

Unfortunately, we cannot guarantee everyone will get a place on our assessment centres. Our roles are competitive, and we receive a high volume of applications. At the shortlisting stage, we will look at your application and assessment results as a whole and take this into account when shortlisting.

If you have any further questions, please email us at earlycareers@paconsulting.com.