Government Economic Service Assistant Economist Graduate Scheme 2026

Job summary

The Assistant Economist Graduate Scheme is a nationwide recruitment scheme for economics graduates. We are looking for economists to help us deliver relevant, high quality and high impact analysis which influences the day-to-day lives of every person in the UK.

As an Assistant Economist, you will be joining a community of over 3,500 GES members across more than 70 organisations, putting your economic learning to direct use by developing the best possible economic analysis. We are the largest employer of economists in the country

This is an exciting time to be joining the Civil Service and an opportunity to put your economics knowledge to direct use in a dynamic workplace. With continuous support you will produce analysis, prepare vital briefings for senior officials, ministers or the public, provide advice on policy options, and ensure the quality and appropriate use of economic statistics.

The Government Economic Service (GES) provides high quality, high impact economic analysis to inform government decisions. You can read more about the GES here and review the GES Technical Framework.

Join us, and you’ll be a valued member of the wider GES community, where people of all ages, cultures, and backgrounds can form lasting professional relationships with supportive networks. While these are full time roles, our flexible working arrangements will give you space to achieve a work life balance that works for you.

Q&A Session

Interested in finding out more about being an economist in government? Want to apply for this role but not sure if it’s for you?

Attend our Q&A session:Tuesday 10th February 2026 on Microsoft Teams from 16:30 - 17:30: Join the session here

We’ll give you:

• An outline of the recruitment process for the scheme

• Our tips on filling out the application form

• A chance to ask a current Assistant Economist more about their role in government

Job description

Are you interested in helping shape government policy by producing high quality economic analysis?

Do you want to develop a career developing technical expertise essential to decision making?

As an Assistant Economist, your analysis will play a vital role in a wide range of policy areas.

You will have 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. You will have the opportunity to improve the world you live in – 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?

• How can the government support regional growth?

For further details on the kinds of roles available at different government departments, please see the job descriptions.

Person specification

Applicants need to have, or be on track to receive, a first or upper second-class honours degree (or international equivalent) in economics, or a postgraduate degree in economics.

By August 2026 you must hold one of the following:

• An undergraduate degree in economics at a minimum of 2:1; or

• A joint economics degree at a minimum of 2:1, where at least 50% of the credit value of all modules studied is in economics; or

• A postgraduate degree in economics

All candidates must have studied both micro and macroeconomics to qualify.

If you graduated more than five years ago then you must give examples of how you have maintained your economic knowledge on the application form.

You are also required to satisfy both the Civil Service Nationality Rules and the Right to work in the UK requirements (please see below). Please note, we do not offer visa sponsorship.

If successful you must hold, or be willing to obtain, security clearance to CTC/SC/DV level. More information about the vetting process can be found at the following link Security Vetting and Clearance Guidance

In addition, some departments require candidates to have resided in the UK for the last 5 years having spent no period longer than 3 months outside of the UK to get security clearance.

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Making Effective Decisions
• Delivering at Pace
• Working Together

Benefits

We want you to take your skills and ambitions further so while you earn a competitive salary, you will get plenty of support to develop as an economist. You will broaden your subject knowledge and personal skills through time given to your continuous professional development. The Government Economic Service (GES) offers an excellent range of learning opportunities to help you develop key skills which include:

• Strong quantitative skills: you’ll become an expert in working with and presenting data
• Writing and presentation techniques: communicating economics clearly and succinctly to senior officials and ministers
• Applied economics skills: using economic insights and techniques to inform policy on anything from the environment to transport.
• Learning and development tailored to your role
• An environment with flexible working options
• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
• A focus on wellbeing with access to an Employee Assistance Programme
• Access to a suite of learning activities through Civil Service learning

Things you need to know

Artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Strengths, Ability and Experience.

The recruitment process comprises the following stages:

Stage 1: Register on VidCruiter website.

Stage 2: Fill out the application form.

Stage 3: Sit two online tests (verbal and numerical reasoning). Online tests will begin from 3 February 2026. Please note that your application and both online tests must be completed before the 27 February 2026, 16:00 deadline.

Stage 4: When the application window closes, based on the performance of all applicants, a final pass mark will be set for the online tests.

Stage 5 Candidates informed whether they have passed online tests.

Stage 6: If you pass both online tests, your application will be sent on to sifters, who will consider whether you have demonstrated that your degree contains sufficient economics content to make you eligible for the scheme.

Stage 7: If you pass the sift, you will be invited to a virtual Economics Assessment Centre (EAC). At the EAC, candidates’ knowledge of economics will be tested along with Civil Service strength and behaviour competences. Further information on what to expect at the EAC will be sent to candidates invited to attend.

Stage 8: Successful candidates will be offered the role of Assistant Economist, subject to meeting entry requirements, providing references, and passing security checks.

All candidates will be offered a role based on merit. Location preferences will be taken into consideration but are not guaranteed. Please take note that due to the limited number of posts available in specific locations, successful candidates may be offered roles in nearby towns. It is important for candidates to note that many of the roles are located outside of London.

Occasionally, a department may withdraw from the scheme before positions are offered, or we have more successful candidates than available placements. In such cases, applicants will be placed on a reserve list. The reserve list will be open for 9 months.

Recruitment Timeline:

Please note that this timeline may be subject to change.

3rd February 2026 - Registration and online tests

27th February at 16:00 - Scheme closes (all tests and application form must be completed by this date)

w/c 9th March – the recruitment team will set the pass mark for the online tests and successful candidates will be progressed to sift.

w/c 16th March – applications are sifted to decide who will be invited to the Economics Assessment Centre (EAC).

Economics Assessment Centre (EAC):

• w/c 27th April - Timed written assessment
• From w/c 18th May - Interview stage

Late June – Candidates informed of outcome and successful candidates assigned to a government department.

September / October 2026 – expected start date

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.

Diversity and Inclusion

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see theCivil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).

Apply and further information

This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Contact point for applicants

Job contact :

• Name : GESR Recruitment team
• Email : gesrrecruitment@hmtreasury.gov.uk

Recruitment team

• Email : GESRRecruitment@hmtreasury.gov.uk

Further information

Our recruitment process is underpinned by the principle of recruitment based on fair and open competition with decisions made on the basis of merit, as outlined in the Civil Service Commissioners’ Recruitment Principles.

If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with these principles and you wish to make a complaint, you should in the first instance contact us, the Government Economic and Social Research Team (GESR) by emailing gesrrecruitment@hmtreasury.gov.uk

If you are not satisfied with the response you receive, you may contact the Civil Service Commission, which regulates all Civil Service recruitment.

For further information on the Recruitment Principles, and bringing a complaint to the Civil Service Commission, please visit their website at: https://civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk