One in three of PwC’s new graduate intake graduated in 2008 and 2009, according to the professional services firm.

The firm says most of the intake for the 209 available places were from graduates who graduated last year.

PwC received 5,877 applications for the places, amounting to a 446% increase in applications to the spring entry on 2009 applications, and a 192% increase on last year.

Richard Irwin, PwC head of student recruitment, says: “PwC is committed to recruiting graduate talent with a diverse range of experience, and the firm’s spring intake provides a compelling opportunity for students who don’t want to wait until September to begin their careers.

“Only a quarter of the new spring trainees studied accounting, banking and finance degrees, while over a quarter studied science and engineering. This is just one aspect of the kind of diversity we value so highly in our graduate recruits.”