Guidance

The Government Economic Service Degree Level Apprenticeship

The Government Economic Service Degree Apprenticeship is a unique opportunity to work on important issues our country faces, whilst studying an economics degree

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The Government Economic Service Degree Level Apprenticeship is now closed for applications. Please register to be notified when the scheme opens again in late 2024.

What is the Government Economic Service Degree Apprenticeship Programme (GESDAP)?

The Government Economic Service Degree Apprenticeship Programme (GESDAP) is the UK’s first economics degree apprenticeship. It gives students the opportunity to gain valuable experience whilst receiving a fee-free degree from The University of Kent. 

The programme offers a unique opportunity to work in a central government department or agency on some of the most important social, environmental, and economic issues our country faces, whilst studying for a degree in economics. You could be working on issues like:   

  • How can government support UK businesses to compete in a changing world?
  • How can government support people to kick-start their lives after prison?
  • How can government act to protect the environment?

Our apprentices usually spend four days per week working in their government department, and one day studying online with the University of Kent.  Our first cohort of apprentices graduated in 2023 and 97% achieved a 2:1 degree or above!

Why apply for the Economics Degree Apprenticeship Programme?

The GESDAP offers you a unique opportunity to earn while you learn. Our apprentices benefit from: 

  • A fee-free economics degree from The University of Kent
  • A paid government role
  • Opportunities across England
  • Meaningful work that makes a difference to society
  • An inclusive and diverse working environment
  • A permanent government role upon successful completion

Why study economics?

  • It teaches you the skills to make well informed decisions and solve problems
  • It is always relevant as it looks at the world around us
  • extremely varied and leads to a wide range of careers, such as journalism, analysis and policy advisory
  • It is one of the highest paid professions

What do your current Apprentice Economists have to say on the GESDAP?

Study with the University of Kent

The University of Kent was selected to deliver the programme because of the strength of their economics courses and the support they offer to apprentices throughout the programme. The programme is delivered via blended learning and a mixture of distance and face to face teaching, so there is no need to travel to the University regularly. On successful completion, you will gain an economics degree and four years’ experience of working in the Civil Service, setting you up to build a brilliant career as an economist.

Entry Requirements

  • Minimum of five GCSE (including Maths at grade B (6) or above and English Language at C (4) or above) or equivalent
  • Minimum of 96 UCAS points under the 2017 tariff point system (e.g. CCC at A Level or equivalent qualifications, not including General Studies)
  • We don’t expect you to have studied economics previously, but we are keen to know what interests you now

You can check how many UCAS points you have by using the UCAS Tariff Calculator at https://www.ucas.com/ucas/tariff-calculator.

Individuals will also need to demonstrate that they have resided in the UK for at least the previous three years before the start of the apprenticeship, meet the relevant immigration requirements and their eligibility under the Civil Service Nationality Rules (CSNRs). Nationality requirements are explained in more detail on the Civil Service nationality rules webpage.

Where will you work?

A range of central government departments and agencies provide apprenticeship placements through the programme. This year apprenticeships are available in Birmingham, Bristol, Coventry, Croydon, Darlington, Harwell (Oxfordshire), Leeds, Liverpool, London, Manchester, Newcastle, Nottingham, Salford, Sheffield, Titchfield (Fareham), Wolverhampton, York.

Locations vary according to government department. Please see individual job descriptions for details.

How much will you get paid?

Salaries vary according to department and locations. This is the minimum apprentices in the 2024 cohort would be paid:

London minimum £26,780

National minimum £24,000

Please see individual job descriptions for salary details.

Updates to this page

Published 3 December 2018
Last updated 23 September 2024 + show all updates
  1. GES DAP Job Description 2024 - file attachment removed.

  2. The Government Economic Service Degree Apprenticeship Programme (GESDAP) is now open for applications Updated information regarding the Government Economic Service Degree Apprenticeship Programme (GESDAP), has been added to the landing page. GESDAP Frequently Asked Questions - HTML attachment has been updated with the relevant information.

  3. Information for people to register their interest for the 2024 Government Economic Service Degree Apprenticeship Programme (GES DAP) that opens for applications in December 2023 was added.

  4. Web page and FAQs updated to confirm scheme closed for applications on 14 February 2023 and that the next scheme is due to be advertised Winter 2023.

  5. Q&A Session details added for Thursday 12th January 2023 and Wednesday 8th February 2023

  6. "Apply now" button added

  7. Application Link to vacancy 257568 on Civil Service Jobs Website added and new 2023 Candidate Pack and 2023 Job descriptions

  8. Registration link to a GES & Amazing Apprenticeships DAP Webinair on 7th December 2022 at 15.30pm added

  9. Dates changed in the FAQ document for 2023 GESDAP applications

  10. Added scheme dates

  11. Scheme closed on 17 February 2022 at 23.55 pm

  12. Scheme deadline extended from 14 February at 11.55 am to 17 February at 23.55pm

  13. Updated candidate pack. New GES DAP Blog added.

  14. Link to CSJ advert included and Frequently Asked Questions updated for 2022

  15. Date scheme opens added (17 January) Removed the "How to Apply" section, given the scheme opening date is known

  16. 2022 scheme due to open on 17 January 2022.

  17. Next scheme to be advertised in January 2022.

  18. Edited header - GES DAP for 2021 applications is now closed

  19. Edited How to apply section - link to Civil Service Jobs website

  20. Update on schemes open date

  21. 2020 scheme applications extended to 21 February 2020

  22. Applications for the 2020 scheme have now closed.

  23. Candidate Pack Attached

  24. Application deadline extended to 11 February 2020

  25. Link to GES-DAP Application Form added

  26. Applications for the 2020 scheme will open on 10 December 2019

  27. Entry requirements updated

  28. Please note information on page is for 2019 scheme.

  29. new contact email address to register interest in programme - GESRRecruitment@hmtreasury.gov.uk

  30. Applications open December 2019

  31. Social Media links added

  32. Applications are now closed on the first line and after "How to apply."

  33. Applications open and link to application form attached.

  34. First published.

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