Apprentice Economist - Policy Analysis
UNIVERSITIES UK
LONDON (WC1H 9HQ)
Closes in 14 days (Friday 10 July 2026 at 11:59pm)
Posted on 26 June 2026
Contents
Summary
We are looking for an inquisitive, data-driven individual to join the UUK policy team as an Apprentice Economist. This role is designed for someone looking to launch a career in policy and economics, combining high-impact work at the heart of the UK higher education sector with a formal degree-level apprenticeship delivered by the UoK.
- Wage
-
£26,936 a year
- Training course
- Professional economist (integrated degree) (level 6)
- Hours
-
Monday - Friday, hours to be confirmed by employer.
35 hours a week
- Start date
-
Monday 7 September 2026
- Duration
-
4 years
- Positions available
-
1
Work
Most of your apprenticeship is spent working. You’ll learn on the job by getting hands-on experience.
What you'll do at work
You will work within the UUK analysis team delivering robust, evidence-based insights that underpin UUK’s influencing work. This role is adapted from the responsibilities of the Policy Officer (Analysis) role, scaled for an Economics degree apprenticeship pathway with structured learning and supported delivery. You will gain practical experience in:
- Data analysis, visualisation, modelling and interpretation
- Data security, privacy, and ethics
- Problem-solving and analytical thinking
- Higher Education policy issues, with the chance to influence government decisions on economic growth, opportunity, industrial strategy and more.
- Communication and stakeholder collaboration
- Learning and continuous development
Main responsibilities include:
- Support Policy with Economic Evidence: Apply economic theory and analytical skills to address policy challenges, helping to explore issues affecting universities, staff, and students.
- Manipulate Data: Assist in gathering, interpreting, manipulating and modelling data to identify trends and generate insights that inform UUK’s policy positions.
- Communicate and Visualise: Help produce clear, accessible analysis and communicate this through accessible outputs - including data visualisations and briefings - for specialist and non-specialist audiences and media enquiries.
- Share Knowledge: Proactively share updates on new research methods and output or changes in data collections within the team as your expertise grows.
- Commit to Professional Development: Dedicate 25% of your time to your degree-level studies, ensuring that new techniques learned in your course are applied directly to UUK projects.
- Collaborate on a range of projects: Balance multiple priorities across different policy issues, working closely with colleagues to ensure a robust analytical foundation for our advocacy.
To find out more information, use the link provided: https://www.uukjobs.co.uk/UUK01726
Where you'll work
UNIVERSITIES UK
WOBURN HOUSE
20-24 TAVISTOCK SQUARE
LONDON
WC1H 9HQ
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Training provider
THE UNIVERSITY OF KENT
Training course
Professional economist (integrated degree) (level 6)
Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)
What you'll learn
Course contents
- Applied economic and data analysis: Rigorously analyse complex information and data, drawing on economics knowledge and applying it to questions of interest for the organisation, while being aware of the limitations of economic analysis and the available data. Demonstrate an excellent working knowledge of and effectively use appropriate statistical and spreadsheet software to deliver this analysis. Approach analysis as a practical problem solver: choose the appropriate approach from a range of economic and other analytical tools, use judgement where data is incomplete, consider the context, degree of uncertainty, time pressures, and the question that needs answering. Ensure analysis has impact: explain what is happening and why it matters, and propose solutions.
- Communication: Clearly communicate economic concepts, analysis or advice, risks and uncertainty. Do this in both written and oral forms, to both specialists and non-specialists. Communicate with clarity and conciseness, tailoring communication to the audience to have the maximum impact. Demonstrate an ability to listen to, interpret and understand stakeholders’ needs, to ensure that economic analysis is answering a question that will address those needs.
- Synthesise evidence: Use personal judgement in collating evidence from a wide range of sources, evaluating the relevance, quality and validity of research, and demonstrate an ability to distil this evidence so that it answers the question at hand.
- Quality Assurance: Review and quality assure the analysis of others to ensure it is of high quality. Provide appropriate challenge to methods and results, and continually evaluate the quality of analysis to ensure that the organisation is producing robust economic analysis which can stand up to scrutiny.
- Planning and Prioritisation: Work to tight deadlines and respond to changing priorities. Effectively plan and prioritise time and coordinate the input of others in order to meet deadlines, across multiple projects.
- Team Working & Collaboration: Work effectively in teams and with others, maintaining effective, professional working relationship both internally and externally across organisations.
Training schedule
Trimesters Schedule:
Each year has three 12-week trimesters starting in September, including 10 weeks of teaching and an exam period.
Online Learning:
Weekly online learning includes lecture recordings and assignments released on Monday, with a live webinar every Friday.
Face-to-Face Seminars:
Trimester 2 and 3 feature two face-to-face seminars in London, with the remaining content delivered via distance learning.
Requirements
Essential qualifications
GCSE in:
- English (grade 4/C)
- Maths (grade 6/B)
A Levels or equivalent in:
Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.
Skills
- Communication skills
- IT skills
- Attention to detail
- Organisation skills
- Problem solving skills
- Analytical skills
- Team working
About this employer
At Universities UK, we harness the power of the UK’s universities and create the conditions for them to thrive. We are the collective voice of 142 universities, bringing them together to pursue a common cause: thriving universities, serving society.
After this apprenticeship
Your earnings can increase over time with an apprenticeship. Find out about potential future pay (opens in new tab).
Possible permanent position on completion of apprenticeship.
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
THE UNIVERSITY OF KENT
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000039470.
Apply now
Closes in 14 days (Friday 10 July 2026 at 11:59pm)