Government Economic Service Summer Scheme
The GES summer placement scheme is aimed at economics students who are considering a career in the GES after graduation.
The Government Economic Service Summer Placement Scheme is open for applications from 1 October 2026 - 16 October 2026.
Are you an economics undergraduate in your penultimate year on track for a 2:1 or above? Do you want to gain practical professional experience and use your economics skills to make a difference? Join the UK Government for a paid summer placement.
Summer placements last 6-12 weeks over the summer period and are paid. The scheme offers a unique opportunity to gain practical experience working in the Civil Service, applying economics to issues that matter.
Placements take place in a variety of UK Government departments across the UK. You will dive straight into the work that shapes policy. You’ll crunch data that informs government direction, compare policy trade-offs, and brief the people making choices that affect millions.
This is not your every-day work experience. You’ll tackle the economic issues that matter—from housing markets to climate policy to public spending. Many of our placement students return as permanent economists after graduating.
What’s in it for you? Work that actually makes a difference, hands-on economics experience in the real world, a supportive and inclusive team, and the flexibility to balance work with your studies.
For further information, please visit our application website.
Salary
Salary varies according to government department and differs from year-to-year. Please see the job descriptions which are included on the application page during the application window for salary details.
Where will I work?
Opportunities are available in a range of government departments across the UK. Locations vary according to government department and differ from year-to-year. Please see the job descriptions which are included on the application page during the application window.
Eligibility Requirements
This scheme is only open to students in their penultimate year of undergraduate study (i.e. the year before their final year).
You must be on course for a 2:1 or 1st class outcome, as indicated by your results so far.
You must be studying for one of the following:
- An undergraduate degree in economics (BA or BSc)
- An undergraduate economics joint degree, economics must comprise at least 50% of the credit value of modules studied and to be studied over the full course of your degree (typically 3 years in England, Wales and Northern Ireland and 4 years in Scotland)
- An undergraduate Philosophy Politics and Economics (PPE) honours degree where at least 50% of the credit value of the modules studied and to be studied over the full course of your degree must be in economics.
Please note: All candidates must have studied both microeconomics and macroeconomics to qualify.
You will also need to demonstrate that you meet the relevant immigration requirements and that you are eligible under the Civil Service Nationality Rules.
We do not offer sponsorships for our schemes.
Please note:
‘Penultimate’ means that you have one more year at university to complete your undergraduate degree after this placement. You will not be eligible if you are due to graduate in the Summer, but plan to continue your studies with a post undergraduate degree, such as a Masters.
Contact point for applicants
GESR Recruitment Team: GESRRecruitment@hmtreasury.gov.uk
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