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Government Economic Service

Public Sector1 apprenticeship type
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The Government Economic Service (GES), the Civil Service profession for economists, runs the GES Degree Apprenticeship Programme (GESDAP), the UK's first economics degree apprenticeship. Apprentices work four days a week as economists in a central government department or agency and study one day a week online with the University of Kent, earning a fee-free economics degree over about four years.

Programmes

1 tracked · status for the next intake that is recruiting

Apprenticeship types

1 offered · degree apprenticeships first

  • GES Degree Apprenticeship Programme (GESDAP)

    Level 6Degree

    Economics · Typically 4 years

    More about this programme: GES Degree Apprenticeship Programme (GESDAP)
    Qualification
    Economics degree (University of Kent)
    University or provider
    University of Kent
    Business areas
    Economics in central government departments and agencies (e.g. HMRC, HM Treasury, DWP, Defra, Home Office, DfE, DfT)
    Locations
    Birmingham, Bristol, Coventry, Croydon, Darlington, Harwell, Leeds, Liverpool, London, Manchester, Newcastle, Nottingham, Salford, Sheffield, Titchfield, Wolverhampton, York

    37-hour week, 80% GES work and 20% learning; blended distance and face-to-face teaching. Locations are those listed for the latest published intake on Civil Service Careers. Level 6 inferred from 'degree apprenticeship'. Closed for applications.

    Source for GES Degree Apprenticeship Programme (GESDAP)

Government Economic Service does not publish the standard for any of these.

Entry requirements

Accepts UCAS pointsFrom 96 UCAS pointsA levels from CCC
A levels
Minimum 96 UCAS points (e.g. CCC at A level), excluding General Studies
UCAS points
96 (2017 tariff)
GCSEs
Minimum of five GCSEs including Maths at grade B (6) or above and English Language at C (4) or above, or equivalent
Equivalents
Equivalent and comparable overseas qualifications accepted (evidence via UK ENIC at pre-appointment checks)
Other
Right to work in the UK; resident in the UK for at least 3 years before the start; Civil Service Nationality Rules; no sponsorship; graduates eligible unless their degree is (50%+) economics; some departments need a 5-year UK footprint for security clearance; one application per campaign

As Government Economic Service publishes them; requirements differ between programmes, so check the advert before you apply.

Application process

  1. Apply on Civil Service Jobs
  2. Offer from a government department
  3. StartSeptember each year
  1. 1

    Apply on Civil Service Jobs

    When: December to January/February (past cycles)

    One application per campaign; reapplication welcome

  2. 2

    Offer from a government department

    Employment is with a department, not the GES

  3. 3

    Start

    When: September each year

Typical timeline

Opens
December (opened 13 Dec 2023 and 9 Dec 2024; dates added 8 Dec 2025)
Closes
January to mid-February (closed 14 Feb 2023 and 13 Jan 2025)
Assessment
Not published
Offers
Not published
Starts
September

Windows for the 2027 intake, September 2026 to August 2027

  • Expected, ~DecGES Degree Apprenticeship Programme (GESDAP)

Locations and universities

Locations
England
Universities and training providers
University of Kent

Salary and benefits

Starting salary
Varies by department and location (2024 cohort minimum: £26,780 London, £24,000 national)
Progression
Completing the End Point Assessment confers permanent employment at Assistant Economist entry level
Notes
See individual job descriptions when applications open
Benefits
  • Fee-free degree
  • 25 days' annual leave rising to 30 after 5 years, plus 8 public holidays and the King's Birthday privilege day
  • Civil Service contributory pension
  • Flexible working patterns
  • Enhanced maternity and paternity leave
  • Interest-free season ticket and bicycle loans

Cohort size and intakes

Intake years
2026 intake

What stands out

The UK's first economics degree apprenticeship: its first cohort graduated in 2023 and 97% achieved a 2:1 or above. Completers move into permanent Assistant Economist roles.

Sources

Where every fact above comes from
  1. 1
    gov.uk/government/publications/the-government-economic-service-degree-level-apprenticeship

    Accessed · GESDAP overview, University of Kent, entry and eligibility, closed for applications, page history of open/close dates (2022-2025)

  2. 2
    gov.uk/government/publications/the-government-economic-service-degree-level-apprenticeship/gesdap-frequently-asked-questions

    Accessed · FAQ (updated 9 Dec 2025): 4 years, 37 hours with 20% learning, benefits, departments, eligibility, September start, Assistant Economist on completion

  3. 3
    civil-service-careers.gov.uk/ges-how-to-apply-for-our-apprenticeship-programme

    Accessed · Locations for the latest intake, 2024 minimum salaries, 97% 2:1 or above.

Apprentice Atlas is not affiliated with Government Economic Service. This information comes from Government Economic Service’s own pages and job feeds, linked under Sources. Report an error or ask for a takedown.