The economics pathway
Where economics graduates work as economists, when each route opens, and what the selection involves. Internships are usually for the penultimate year; graduate schemes for the final year.
For the economist assessment centres (technical questions, a written report and a presentation), see the Economist Interview Pack.
Government Economic Service · Economist careers
Opens Thu 1 October 2026 · Closes Fri 16 October 2026
Paid summer placements of 6-12 weeks. Salary and location vary by department
Who can apply: Penultimate-year undergraduates on course for 2:1/1st; economics ≥50% of joint degree; studied micro and macro; Civil Service nationality rules; no sponsorship
A paid role or placement.
Helps with: CV
Civil Service Fast Stream / GES · Economist careers
Opens Thu 8 October 2026, 12:00 · Closes Thu 5 November 2026, 12:00
Start 6 Sep or 4 Oct 2027. Tests: Fast Stream online tests (work-based scenarios + case study, untimed, 7 days), 'additional information' stage, then Economic Assessment Centre (technical report, 10 short-answer economics questions, presentation, interview) plus Fast Stream Assessment Centre
Who can apply: 1st or 2:1 in economics (or postgraduate economics degree); studied both micro and macro
Helps with: CV, Interview
Government Economic Service · Economist careers
Usually opens in February; we’ll confirm · Usually closes in March; we’ll confirm
Who can apply: 1st or 2:1 in economics, or postgraduate economics degree; studied micro and macro
Helps with: CV, Interview
Bank of England · Economist careers
Dates not confirmed yet; check the official page.
Who can apply: Penultimate- or final-year undergraduates (internships); placement students for industrial placements
A paid role or placement.
Helps with: CV
Bank of England · Economist careers
Dates not confirmed yet; check the official page.
Who can apply: Final-year students and graduates
A paid role or placement.
Helps with: CV, Interview
Institute for Fiscal Studies · Economist careers
Opens in October · Closes Sun 8 November 2026
Apply via BeApplied. Last cycle, first-round interviews were in mid-November and second-round in early December.
Who can apply: Very good 2:1 in economics-heavy degree or relevant master's; Skilled Worker visa eligible
Helps with: CV, Interview
Institute for Fiscal Studies · Economist careers
Closes Sun 17 January 2027
Apply via BeApplied
Who can apply: University students; see the official page for details.
A paid role or placement.
Helps with: CV, Interview
Resolution Foundation · Economist careers
Dates not confirmed yet; check the official page.
Who can apply: Research Training Programme: recent graduates who are Black, Asian or minority ethnic, or graduates with a disability
A paid role or placement.
Helps with: CV, Interview
NIESR · Economist careers
Dates not confirmed yet; check the official page.
Who can apply: MSc/MA economics or equivalent
A paid role or placement.
Helps with: CV, Interview
Competition and Markets Authority · Economist careers
Dates not confirmed yet; check the official page.
Who can apply: Graduates; economists typically via GES Assistant Economist route
A paid role or placement.
Helps with: CV, Interview
Ofcom · Economist careers
Dates not confirmed yet; check the official page.
Who can apply: Graduates
A paid role or placement.
Helps with: CV, Interview
Ofgem · Economist careers
Dates not confirmed yet; check the official page.
Who can apply: Graduates; CV + suitability statement
A paid role or placement.
Helps with: CV, Interview
Financial Conduct Authority · Economist careers
Usually opens in October; we’ll confirm
Who can apply: Graduate schemes: 2:1 in any discipline. Summer internships: current undergraduates
A paid role or placement.
Helps with: CV, Interview
Oxera · Economist careers
Dates not confirmed yet; check the official page.
Who can apply: Undergraduate degree essential; postgraduate economics/finance preferred (analyst); Stata/R
A paid role or placement.
Helps with: CV, Interview
Frontier Economics · Economist careers
Dates not confirmed yet; check the official page.
Who can apply: Interns: final or second-year economics undergraduates or postgraduate economics students. Analysts: typically MSc Economics or 2:1 with economics focus
A paid role or placement.
Helps with: CV, Interview
Compass Lexecon · Economist careers
Dates not confirmed yet; check the official page.
Who can apply: Bachelor's or master's in quantitative field (analyst); European interns join during final year, between courses or after degree
A paid role or placement.
Helps with: CV, Interview
NERA · Economist careers
Dates not confirmed yet; check the official page.
Who can apply: Summer internships for final-year undergrads, master's and PhD students
A paid role or placement.
Helps with: CV, Interview
Economic Insight · Economist careers
Dates not confirmed yet; check the official page.
Who can apply: Strong economics graduates
A paid role or placement.
Helps with: CV, Interview
KPMG UK · Economist careers
Dates not confirmed yet; check the official page.
Who can apply: 2:1; some roles 120 UCAS incl. A in Maths
A paid role or placement.
Helps with: CV, Interview
HSBC · Insight programme
Dates not confirmed yet; check the official page.
Who can apply: University students; 2026 Sheffield tech insight was for first-years of any degree
Helps with: CV
UBS · Insight programme
Closes Sat 31 October 2026
Week-long programme in 2027; participants can be considered for the 2028 summer internship
Who can apply: At university, graduating in 2029 (first-years on 3-yr degrees), on track for 2:1, any degree
Helps with: CV
Goldman Sachs, J.P. Morgan, Morgan Stanley, Barclays, HSBC, UBS, consultancies · Insight programme
Usually opens in October; we’ll confirm · Usually closes in November; we’ll confirm
Who can apply: Mainly first-year undergraduates (some take penultimate-year on 4-yr courses)
Cost: Usually paid / expenses
Helps with: CV
Banks and firms · Insight programme
Usually opens in October; we’ll confirm · Usually closes in November; we’ll confirm
Helps with: CV
J.P. Morgan · Internship
Dates not confirmed yet; check the official page.
Helps with: CV