Government Economic Service Summer Placement Scheme 2026 (Paid Internship 6–12 weeks)

The Government Economic Service Summer Placement Scheme 2026 offers paid summer internships for penultimate-year economics undergraduates. Successful applicants will join UK government departments for 6 to 12 weeks and support applied economics work.

Interns may work on data analysis, policy trade-offs, and briefing decision-makers. In addition, the scheme gives students practical Civil Service experience and exposure to economics roles across government.

Application Deadline:

October 16, 2026 (Applications are open from October 1, 2026 to October 16, 2026)

Tell Me About The Opportunity:

The Government Economic Service (GES) Summer Scheme is a prestigious 6 to 12-week paid placement designed for undergraduate economics students considering a career as an economist in the UK Civil Service after graduation. Participants work directly within various UK Government departments, tackling real-world economic issues—such as housing, climate policy, and public spending—by crunching data, evaluating policy trade-offs, and briefing decision-makers.

Which Fields are Eligible?:

An undergraduate degree in economics (BA or BSc).

An undergraduate economics joint degree where economics comprises at least 50% of the credit value over the full course of study.

A Philosophy, Politics, and Economics (PPE) honours degree where at least 50% of the credit value is in economics.

Note: All candidates must have studied both microeconomics and macroeconomics.

Type:

Paid Summer Placement / Internship Programme (6–12 weeks)

Who can Apply?:

Undergraduate students currently in their penultimate year of study (the year before their final year, meaning you have one more year at university to complete after the placement; students graduating who plan to continue with a Master’s are not eligible).

Students on course for a 2:1 or 1st class degree outcome based on current results.

Candidates who meet the relevant UK immigration requirements and the Civil Service Nationality Rules (the scheme does not offer visa sponsorships).

How are Applicants Selected?:

Selection involves a formal civil service application and assessment process evaluating academic performance in required economics modules, analytical capabilities, and alignment with GES competencies.

Which Countries Are Eligible?:

Candidates must meet the Civil Service Nationality Rules and relevant UK immigration requirements (no visa sponsorship provided).

Where will the Role be Taken?:

Various UK Government departments across different locations in the United Kingdom.

How Many Openings?:

Unspecified cohort size across participating government departments.

What is the Benefit of the Programme?:

Paid practical economic work experience within the UK Civil Service.

Direct involvement in high-level policy analysis, data crunching, and briefing government officials.

Opportunity to network with professional economists, with many placement students returning as permanent economists after graduation.

Flexible arrangements to balance work with ongoing studies.

How Long Will the Programme Last?:

6 to 12 weeks over the summer period.

How to Apply:

Eligible candidates can apply online directly through the official UK Government application portal during the active application window.

👉 Visit the Application Webpage for Details