Welcome to the Government Economic Service (GES)
A career in economics can touch on virtually any aspect of life and business. Being a government economist in the Government Economic Service is not just a question of analysing figures. It is work that sees you closely involved in important current issues and helping shape government policy.
Latest news
Fast Stream Assistant Economist Appointments
Round 2 opened on 1 February 2010 and closes on 30 April 2010. All applications must be made online via the Fast Stream Website.
Banking EACs
If you were successful at the Economic Assessment Centre (EAC) between November 2008 and July 2009 but were then unsuccessful at FSAC, you may be thinking about re-applying. Do make sure you requested feedback from your FSAC so that you know what areas you need to work on. If you do re-apply in the 2010 rounds you will be able to bank your EAC. This means that you will not need to re-sit EAC. You will however have to complete, and pass, all other stages of the recruitment process on merit, including completing the application form and being sifted in to the process. Just because you passed EAC last year does not mean you will be automatically pass the manual sift this year. Applications to the Government Economic service have increased by 50% so do please take some time to complete the application form (checking against the GES sift criteria) to ensure your form fully reflects your skills and experience.
GES Spring Open Day - Friday 5th March 2010
For more information and to register, please see our events page.
HMRC Sandwich Student Programme 2010/11
The HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) sandwich student programme for 2010/11 is now open. The closing date for applications is Friday 12th February 2010. More information, including how to apply, can be found on the Sandwich Student Placements page.
Are you an ex-GES member? Are you interested in coming back to work in the GES?
If you were a permanent member of staff and have maintained your professional development as an economist, then you may be eligible for re-instatement in the GES. If you would like to discuss options please send your CV with a short note explaining why you left the GES and why you are now considering returning to: Alison.Cookson-Hall@hmtreasury.gsi.gov.uk
Fast Stream Assistant Economist appointments
These appointments are at graduate entry level or for those with less than 3 years work experience as a professional economist.
To apply for a Fast Stream Assistant Economist post, you should already have, or hope to obtain in 2010, a first or upper second class honours degree in economics, or a postgraduate degree in economics. At least 50% of the course modules must be in economics. You must have studied both macro and microeconomics to qualify. If you graduated more than 5 years ago, you must give examples in the competency section of the application form, of economic articles you have read in depth to demonstrate that you have maintained competency in economics.
For more information see Assistant Economist.
Please note:
- 2010 Round 1 closed on 2 November 2009.
- 2010 Round 2 opened on 1 February 2010 and will close on 30 April 2010.
Economic Adviser appointments
As well as 2.1 or a MSc in Economics, you will need to demonstrate substantial current experience in your career as a professional economist.
We run three centralised schemes a year on behalf of a number of government departments. These schemes are usually held in January to February, May to June and October to November. The next centralised direct entrant Economic Adviser scheme will be advertised here in the New Year.
For more information and to find out how to apply go to our Economic Adviser section.
Student placements
As a student you would provide support to professional economists dealing with a range of issues affecting Government policy.
We offer two types of placements
- 12 month sandwich student placements
- 6-12 week summer vacation placements.
To apply for either of these placements, students must be studying for a degree in economics or, if it is a joint degree, economics must comprise at least 50% of the total course.
For more information see Student placements.
Nationality requirements for GES appointments
Applicants for GES posts must be UK nationals, Commonwealth citizens, members of the European Economic Area (EEA), or Swiss nationals who have the right to live and work in the United Kingdom. There are further restrictions for the Diplomatic Service Options.
Immigration
Please note that it is possible to meet the above nationality requirements and still not be legally entitled to work in the UK. The UK Border Agency operate a points-based immigration policy which applies to the migrants from outside the European Economic Area, Switzerland and Turkey.
It is your responsibility to check whether this policy applies to you. Departments are under no obligation to sponsor work permits under the UK Border Agency's points-based immigration policy. Therefore, if you require a permit to work in the UK, there is no guarantee that you will be offered a place even if you pass the Fast Stream selection process. In these circumstances the decision to apply, which might involve travel to the UK two or more times to complete the selection process, is yours alone. We can take no responsibility if no place is available for you in the Fast Stream on immigration grounds.
You can find further information about this and the other nationality requirements in Fast Stream.
