Government Social Research Degree Apprenticeship Programme
Government Social Research
London, SW1A 2EG
Closes in 13 days (Friday 31 January)
Posted on 17 January 2025
Contents
Summary
The Government Social Research Degree Apprenticeship Programme (GSR DAP) is a four-year apprenticeship programme which offers an opportunity to gain real-life experience working on some of the Government’s most impactful projects, while gaining an undergraduate degree in social research.
- Annual wage
-
£26,337 a year
Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)
The minimum salary will be £26,337 nationally, or £28,576 in London. Salaries vary according to department and location. Please see individual job descriptions for details.
- Training course
- Social researcher (level 6)
- Hours
-
37 Hour week, with 20% of this time spent on studying
The apprenticeship typically lasts 4 years.
37 hours a week
- Possible start date
-
Monday 1 September
- Duration
-
3 years 6 months
- Positions available
-
20
Work
As an apprentice, you’ll work at a company and get hands-on experience. You’ll gain new skills and work alongside experienced staff.
What you’ll do at work
This is the UK’s first ever bespoke applied social research undergraduate degree apprenticeship. The course will cover a broad range of contemporary quantitative and qualitative social research methods and skills, alongside how they can be applied to bring about real-world change and help government and organisations make better decisions.
This includes, but is not limited to: how to collect and use data for analysis in a range of different social contexts; how to design impactful research projects that could inform some of society’s most pressing questions; how to make use of modern social research software that will also bring you transferrable skills in coding; and you will have the opportunity to undertake an independent research project in an area of relevant interest to you.
Apprenticeships are offered at a variety of different government departments across England. A full list can be found in the job descriptions on the application page.
Apprentices will typically spend four days a week working in their government department, and one day a week being taught by some of the world’s foremost social research experts at the University of Kent. On successful completion of the programme, apprentices will receive an honours degree in Applied Social Research from this university. Most learning will take place virtually.
Apprentices will work closely with academic methods experts and peers remotely through weekly online live lectures and seminars, and face-to-face through an annual residential on campus. These are occasions for both in depth learning and socialising with fellow apprentices. Throughout the degree, apprentices will have access to one-to-one coaching and guidance from a dedicated course tutor.
During the course, apprentices will also be fully registered as students at the university, giving them all the benefits that come with this.
On successful completion of the apprenticeship, you will gain an Applied Social Research degree (with no tuition fees to pay back) four years’ work experience in the Civil Service, and a permanent government role. This sets you up to build a brilliant career as a social researcher.
Government Social Research apprentices will be located at Government departments across England. Locations include Birmingham, Bristol, Croydon, Darlington, Leeds, Liverpool, London, Manchester, Newcastle, Newport (Gwent), Nottingham Salford, Sheffield; Titchfield (Fareham).
Where you’ll work
22 Whitehall
London
SW1A 2EG
Training
An apprenticeship includes regular training with a college or other training organisation. At least 20% of your working hours will be spent training or studying.
College or training organisation
THE UNIVERSITY OF KENT
Your training course
Social researcher (level 6)
Equal to degree
Course contents
- Interpret research objectives and recommend which research methods are the most appropriate to meet objectives.
- Lead on the design of smaller research or evaluation studies and collaborate with others to design larger studies.
- Lead and design data collection tools such as topic guides and questionnaires.
- Undertake data collection using qualitative and quantitative research techniques.
- Design research projects with consideration of sustainability best practice including reducing carbon emissions.
- Undertake quality assurance and checks to avoid data errors.
- Work with commercial teams and contractors to commission and deliver social research.
- Project manage smaller research projects and manage discrete workstreams within larger studies.
- Interpret and apply relevant legislation, Regulations, Codes of Practice, and ethical guidance where appropriate to their work.
- Clean, analyse, and manipulate qualitative and quantitative data, including descriptive and inferential statistical analysis.
- Evaluate and bring together evidence from a range of sources to inform decisions.
- Interpret and derive insights from quantitative, qualitative, and secondary analytical and research outputs.
- Collaborate with stakeholders and research customers to design research projects.
- Use influencing and negotiation skills and techniques to design and deliver research projects.
- Develop and deliver analytical or professional training teach-ins or documents for others.
- Report and present on research findings, adapting the approach for different audiences.
- Organise and lead meetings, using digital collaboration tools to work with colleagues.
- Use software to clean, manage, manipulate, and analyse qualitative and quantitative research data and identify solutions to research questions.
- Interpret research objectives and recommend which research methods are the most appropriate to meet objectives.
- Lead on the design of smaller research or evaluation studies and collaborate with others to design larger studies.
- Lead and design data collection tools such as topic guides and questionnaires.
- Undertake data collection using qualitative and quantitative research techniques.
- Design research projects with consideration of sustainability best practice including reducing carbon emissions.
- Undertake quality assurance and checks to avoid data errors.
- Work with commercial teams and contractors to commission and deliver social research.
- Project manage smaller research projects and manage discrete workstreams within larger studies.
- Interpret and apply relevant legislation, Regulations, Codes of Practice, and ethical guidance where appropriate to their work.
- Clean, analyse, and manipulate qualitative and quantitative data, including descriptive and inferential statistical analysis.
- Evaluate and bring together evidence from a range of sources to inform decisions.
- Interpret and derive insights from quantitative, qualitative, and secondary analytical and research outputs.
- Collaborate with stakeholders and research customers to design research projects.
- Use influencing and negotiation skills and techniques to design and deliver research projects.
- Develop and deliver analytical or professional training teach-ins or documents for others.
- Report and present on research findings, adapting the approach for different audiences.
- Organise and lead meetings, using digital collaboration tools to work with colleagues.
- Use software to clean, manage, manipulate, and analyse qualitative and quantitative research data and identify solutions to research questions.
Your training plan
- Tasks vary by government department. You can read indicative job descriptions here: https://bit.ly/GSRDAP
- Typically, our apprentices will spend 4 days per week working in their government department, and 1 day studying online with the University of Kent.
Requirements
Essential qualifications
GCSE in:
- 3 other or equivalent qualifications (grade C (Level 4))
- English (grade C (Level 4))
- Maths (grade C (Level 4))
Other in:
- Any (grade 96 UCAS points)
Let the company know about other relevant qualifications and industry experience you have. They can adjust the apprenticeship to reflect what you already know.
Skills
- Communication skills
- IT skills
- Attention to detail
- Organisation skills
- Problem solving skills
- Number skills
- Analytical skills
- Logical
- Team working
- Initiative
Other requirements
Individuals will need to demonstrate that they have resided in the UK for at least the previous 3 years before the start of the apprenticeship, meet the relevant immigration requirements and their eligibility under the Civil Service Nationality Rules. Nationality requirements are explained on the Civil Service nationality rules webpage.
About this company
Government Social Research (GSR) is the organisation running the recruitment scheme, however successful applicants will receive an offer of employment from a government department or organisation, not GSR.
After this apprenticeship
The range of opportunities open to you through the GSRDAP programme is huge – working in government departments responsible for things like finance, business, energy, justice, education, and the environment. There are also lots of opportunities outside government, in research institutes, academia, and charities, to name a few.
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
THE UNIVERSITY OF KENT
GESRRecruitment@hmtreasury.gov.uk
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC1000295016.
Apply now
Closes in 13 days (Friday 31 January)
When you apply, you’ll be asked to sign in with a GOV.UK One Login. You can create one at the same time as applying for this apprenticeship.
After signing in, you’ll apply for this apprenticeship on the company's website.