EY Law has introduced a legal training contract which is open to all students with a degree – no matter what class they achieve.

The scheme follows the Big Four accountant offshoot’s new graduate recruitment policy, which uses online assessments and numerical tests rather than grades to assess potential applicants.

This means students will not need a minimum of three Bs at A level or a 2:1 classification to make an application. The firm said the move is intended to ‘help improve access to the profession and find top talent’.

Philip Goodstone, head of EY’s legal services practice in the UK, said: ‘We want to give every candidate the opportunity to demonstrate their strengths and their potential in our selection process. We want people who will embrace change and want to be at the forefront of developing a new multi-service legal business in the UK and globally.’

EY is initially recruiting eight trainee solicitors in the UK, with four places available for September 2016, and four in 2017.

Trainees will be paid £39,000 in their first year, £44,000 in their second year and a maintenance grant of £7,000 inside London or £6,000 outside. The firm will also cover the costs of the Graduate Diploma in Law or Legal Practice Course.

They will work across corporate, commercial and employment law at the firm, and may have the opportunity to take an overseas secondment.

Applications close on 30 November.