•Must be in your penultimate year of undergraduate study (or final year if you have secured a confirmed place on a master's degree starting after the placement)

•Must be studying an undergraduate degree in economics or a joint degree where economics makes up at least 50% of the total course modules

•Must be on course to achieve at least a 2:1 degree classification

•Must meet the Civil Service nationality rules (UK national, dual UK nationality, Commonwealth citizen, or EEA national with settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme)

•Must satisfy Civil Service security vetting and clearance requirements (Baseline Personnel Security Standard)

The Government Economic Service (GES) Summer Vacation Placement is a 6 to 12-week paid placement offering university students first-hand experience of working as a government economist. Placements are hosted across various UK central government departments and ministerial agencies.

Participants work on high-profile public policy challenges, conducting economic analysis, modeling, data appraisal, and preparing briefings for ministers and senior officials. The selection process typically includes an online application on Civil Service Jobs, the Civil Service Numerical Test, a GES technical economic knowledge multiple-choice test, and a structured competency/technical interview. Successful participants who perform well during the placement may be fast-tracked or nominated for direct permanent entry routes into the GES after graduating.

•Competitive paid monthly salary pro-rated to the placement duration (typically aligned with Civil Service Executive Officer pay rates, approximately £24,000 to £28,000 per annum pro-rata depending on location)

•Paid annual leave allowance on a pro-rata basis

•Access to Civil Service workplace pension arrangements and employee benefits for the placement duration

•Fast-track progression opportunities towards permanent graduate economist roles and the GES Fast Stream