Summer Academy Pioneering Potential Programme 2025

The Summer Academy Pioneering Potential Programme has been developed as an initiative for early years students to develop the skills needed to thrive in business consulting, with a particular focus on providing opportunities and support networks for students from under-represented backgrounds.

Therefore, we’d like to pave the way for students who may not have access to professional opportunities and networks of support to allow them to unleash their full potential and passion for consultancy. This opportunity is designed to help those who would like to kickstart a career in consulting but are yet to gain any experience in the field. The training aims to develop candidates possessing no relevant knowledge to a level at which they’d be able to contribute to and add value to consulting projects.

As a Pioneering Potential intern, you'll work on exciting projects and challenges in a supportive team. Right from the start, we're here to help you become an outstanding consultant by harnessing your skills and empowering you to make real change. You'll make a meaningful impact, going as deep as it takes to help our clients tackle some of the most complex challenges across the Public, Consumer, Defence & Infrastructure sectors. You'll work throughout the United Kingdom, partnering with exceptional people from a diverse range of backgrounds. You'll collaborate with talented people both inside and outside our team. Together, you'll analyse data, find important opportunities, and create and implement unexpected but effective solutions.

To be eligible for this particular opportunity, we will be accepting applications from those who meet one or more of the following criteria points:

• Free school meal eligible at some point during secondary education
• Attended a school that is above the regional average for Free School Meals
• First generation in immediate family to go to university (includes if sibling attended university, parents attended university abroad or parents attended university as mature students)
• Occupation of main household earner was considered lower socio-economic background at the age of 14, the classification of these occupations can be found here

Our eligibility criteria have been made in line with recommendations from the Social Mobility Foundation around the detection of working-class and lower socio-economic backgrounds in students. The classification of parental occupations has been created using the recommended guidance from the Government pertaining to measuring lower socio-economic backgrounds in the workforce.

For more information about the formulation of this index, please click here. We run an identical scheme that is open to all students in August. Should you not meet these eligibility requirements, please apply to our summer internship that welcomes all students - the Newton Summer Academy.

What you’ll do:

Over the four weeks, you’ll learn and apply our core methodology, learning about what it means to be a consultant at Newton and what this looks like in practice. During your first two weeks, you’ll be exposed to training that covers how our consultants solve some of the toughest and most challenging problems in the business world.

Following your two weeks of formative training, you’ll have the opportunity to apply what you’ve learned to a live consultancy project within the business. At Newton, we have a great feedback culture, meaning you’ll be sure to take away a clear understanding of where your personal strengths lie, and key lessons you’ll be able to apply to your future career. If you're successful, you'll be offered a Graduate Consultant role with us at the conclusion of your university degree.

About Newton:

Newton is a consultancy that helps organisations realise their strategic ambitions, translating them into real-world outcomes. Specialising in the defence, consumer and public sectors, Newton needs exceptional graduates to create bold, fresh thinking.

The Key Details:

• Location: Two weeks at our Oxfordshire Head office followed by two weeks on site for a live project. We’ll cover your expenses whilst you’re with us.
• When: 7th of July – 1st of August 2025
• Requirements: Any degree, Any year of study

What we look for

The Pioneering Potential Programme is an introduction to consulting, so there’s no prior experience required, and we assess everyone on their own merits. Whatever your background, it’s your analytical problem-solving skills and dedication to going the extra mile for our clients that will set you apart.

This is what helps us deliver the most creative and effective solutions for our clients. We are looking to see in you:

1. Analytical & Problem-Solving Capability - An analytical approach combined with the drive to get stuck into a complex challenge. You’ll always want to deliver above expectation and be ready to tackle difficult projects.
2. Drive & Resilience - You’ll seize opportunities, pursue excellence and develop rapidly - pushing the limits of what’s possible. You’ll navigate the highs and lows to deliver exceptional outcomes.
3. Curiosity - Fascinated by possibilities and opportunities, you’ll be drawn to new ideas and committed to unlocking your own potential.
4. Empathy & Self-Awareness - You’ll have EQ as well as IQ. You’ll demonstrate awareness of the differences in the world around you and show empathy and compassion. You’ll understand your own strengths and recognise where you can improve, giving and receiving feedback and support with care and consideration.
5. Team Spirit and Humility - You’ll value collaboration and recognise the importance of sharing skills and knowledge. You’ll know when to ask for help – and when to offer it.
6. Exceptional People Skills - Exceptional people with exceptional people skills – this will be the best team you’ve ever been part of. Your talent for simplifying complex issues and presenting them in a compelling way will mean you match right in. You’ll inspire others to aspire to more.
7. Agility & Adaptability - Pace, complexity and impact. You’ll need to be ready for them all. You’ll learn, adapt quickly, and always be ready for more. Things move and change fast at Newton, so you’ll need to recognise your own boundaries and manage your time to deliver.