Paid UK Government Economics Student Placement
- Organization: Government Economic Service (recruitment run by the GESR team at HM Treasury)
- Type: Internship
- Location: United Kingdom
- Deadline: October 16, 2026
- Funding: Fully Funded
The Government Economic Service, the UK's largest employer of economists, places economics undergraduates in paid roles across UK government departments. Students choose either a summer placement of 6 to 12 weeks or a sandwich placement of up to a year out from their degree, working alongside government economists on real policy questions such as housing, climate and public spending. There are 36 places on each scheme for 2027. **What you get:** - A paid civil service contract at AO or EO grade, depending on the department - Summer scheme minimum salaries for 2027: £27,490 in London and £25,089 elsewhere - Sandwich scheme minimum salaries for 2027: £29,155 in London and £25,044 elsewhere - Sandwich students who complete their placement get an early access interview for a permanent role after graduating - Hands-on experience applying micro and macroeconomics to live government policy **What you'll do:** - Analyse data that informs government policy and compare policy trade-offs - Prepare briefings for decision makers, including ministers - Work in one of the participating departments in cities including London, Birmingham, Cardiff, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Leeds, Manchester and Newcastle - Be in the office at least 60 percent of the time, as is standard across the Civil Service **Key dates:** - Applications opened 1 October 2026 - Online candidate Q&A on Microsoft Teams, Tuesday 6 October 2026, 16:30 to 17:30 - Applications and the online numerical test close 16 October 2026 at 12pm (UK time) - Numerical test pass mark set week commencing 19 October 2026 - Sift week commencing 2 November 2026 - Virtual interviews 30 November to 16 December 2026 - Outcomes and department assignments mid-January 2027 **More information:** - Summer scheme details: https://ges-careers.hiringplatform.co.uk/list/Summer_Scheme - Sandwich scheme details: https://ges-careers.hiringplatform.co.uk/list/GES_Sandwich_Scheme - Civil Service Nationality Rules: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/nationality-rules - Questions: gesrrecruitment@hmtreasury.gov.uk
