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 a fee-free economics degree

Documents

GESDAP 2025 Candidate Information Pack

Request an accessible format.
If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email digital.communications@hmtreasury.gov.uk. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

GESDAP 2025 Job Descriptions

Details

The Government Economic Service Degree Level Apprenticeship is now open for applications until 2 January 2025.

Apply now

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

The Government Economic Service Degree Apprenticeship Programme (GESDAP) was the UK’s first economics degree apprenticeship. It gives students the opportunity to gain valuable work 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?

Our Economics Degree Apprenticeship 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
  • It is 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

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

Academic requirements:​

  • You must have a minimum of five GCSE (including Maths at grade B (Level 6) or above and English Language at C (Level 4) or above. Or equivalent. 

  • You must have, or expect to a gain a minimum of 96 UCAS points under the 2017 tariff point system (e.g. CCC at A Level or equivalent qualifications, not including General Studies). Calculate your UCAS Tariff Points. ​ 

Eligibility requirements:​

  • You need to have the right to work in the UK.​ 

  • You need to have resided in the UK for at least the previous 3 years before the start of the apprenticeship.​ 

  • You need to meet the Civil Service Nationality Rules. ​ 

  • We do not offer sponsorship for this programme.​ Please click here for more information

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, Darlington, Didcot, Leeds, Liverpool, London, Manchester, Newcastle, Salford, Sheffield and Titchfield (Fareham). 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. Please see job descriptions for details. This is the minimum apprentices in the 2025 cohort would be paid: 

  • London minimum £28,120 

  • National minimum £26,337

Join our virtual candidate Q&A session 

We will be holding a Q&A session for anyone considering applying. You will be able to hear from current apprentices and ask any questions about the programme and the application process. Joining details are below: 

Wednesday 18 December, 4.30-5.30pm, Microsoft Teams – click to join the meeting

Contact point for applicants  

GESR Recruitment Team: GESRRecruitment@hmtreasury.gov.uk 

Social media  

Please follow our social media accounts to keep up to date with relevant information.   

Twitter LinkedIn Facebook Instagram

Updates to this page

Published 3 December 2018
Last updated 9 December 2024 + show all updates
  1. The Government Economic Service Degree Level Apprenticeship is now open for applications.

  2. Information has been updated for the The Government Economic Service Degree Level Apprenticeship.

  3. GES DAP Job Description 2024 - file attachment removed.

  4. 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.

  5. 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.

  6. 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.

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

  8. "Apply now" button added

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

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

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

  12. Added scheme dates

  13. Scheme closed on 17 February 2022 at 23.55 pm

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

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

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

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

  18. 2022 scheme due to open on 17 January 2022.

  19. Next scheme to be advertised in January 2022.

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

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

  22. Update on schemes open date

  23. 2020 scheme applications extended to 21 February 2020

  24. Applications for the 2020 scheme have now closed.

  25. Candidate Pack Attached

  26. Application deadline extended to 11 February 2020

  27. Link to GES-DAP Application Form added

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

  29. Entry requirements updated

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

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

  32. Applications open December 2019

  33. Social Media links added

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

  35. Applications open and link to application form attached.

  36. First published.

Sign up for emails or print this page