No degree, No problem: Leading multinational company removes degree classification for job entry

By Sheila Kimani (@sheilakimm)

With the number of graduates increasing annually, job prospects seem to be dwindling for many.

However, it comes as a shock to many that Ernst & Young, one of the UK’s biggest graduate recruiters, recently announced that it will be removing the degree classification from its entry criteria. According to the firm there is “no evidence” linking success at university with achievement in later life.

In line with its research and announcement, the accountancy firm is scrapping its policy of requiring a 2:1 and the equivalent of three B grades at A-level in order to open opportunities for talented individuals “regardless of their background”.

The managing partner for talent said that the company would use online assessments to judge the potential of applicants and that educational qualification would no longer act as a barrier to getting jobs with the organization.

“Academic qualifications will still be taken into account and indeed remain an important consideration when assessing candidates as a whole, but will no longer act as a barrier to getting a foot in the door,” she said.

“Our own internal research of over 400 graduates found that screening students based on academic performance alone was too blunt an approach to recruitment.

“It found no evidence to conclude that previous success in higher education correlated with future success in subsequent professional qualifications undertaken.” She pointed out.

The company offers 200 graduate-level jobs each year, making it the fifth largest recruiter of graduates in the UK. According to their announcement, the changes will come into force in 2016.

Seeing as most corporate trends spread from the developed countries across the board, it shall then not comes as a surprise when the same conditions are applied within local organizations that are often scouting for, and recruiting talent.