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Social Research Degree Apprenticeship
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
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 14 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 online 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.
The exact learning schedule will be finalised at a later date.
Where will I be working?
Apprentices could be placed in any one of the following 14 government departments, each with their own unique and important mission which helps make the UK a better place to live:
- Department for Education
- Department of Health and Social Care
- Department for Work and Pensions
- His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs
- Home Office
- Ministry of Justice
- Office for National Statistics
- College of Policing
- His Majesty’s Treasury
- Cabinet Office
- Department for Energy Security and Net Zero
- Department for Business and Trade
- Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
- Department for Culture, Media and Sport
Who can apply?
The GSRDAP is open to a wide variety of candidates from school leavers to career changers, and lots of people in between. Prospective apprentices can apply from as early as their last year of school. You will need a minimum of five GCSEs (including Maths at grade C (4) or above and English Language at C (4) or above) or equivalent.
You will need 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). You can check how many UCAS points you have by using the UCAS Tariff Calculator.
We don’t expect you to have studied any Social Research or social sciences previously, but we are keen to know what interests you about the subject.
This apprenticeship is open to applicants from all backgrounds and demographics.
Where will apprentices be located?
Government Social Research apprentices will be located at Government departments across the UK. Locations include Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff, Croydon, Darlington, Leeds, Liverpool, London, Manchester, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Nottingham, Salford, Sheffield, Titchfield (Fareham) and York.
What’s the salary?
The minimum salary will be £26k in London, £24k nationally or £22,309 in Harrogate. Salaries vary according to department and location. Please see individual job descriptions for details.
About Government Social Research
We are Government Social Research (GSR), the professional body for Social Researchers in the Civil Service. Our Social Researchers study and analyse various aspects of society, like peopleʼs behaviour, opinions, and needs. This then helps the government make informed decisions. Social researchers in government work on a huge variety of programmes and projects and are at the heart of building better policy that can improve peopleʼs lives.
Social research helps make society better and fairer by using data and research to guide government decisions.
We recruit student, graduate, and apprentice Social Researchers to work in over 30 government departments across the UK.
Our members are civil servants who support the government in implementing its commitments and deliver high-quality services for the public. Our core values are integrity, honesty, impartiality and objectivity, and we are committed to recruiting people from a range of different backgrounds.
How to apply
To apply for this role and to find out more, please click on the apply button below.
Please note that applications may close before the application deadline, so apply early to avoid disappointment.
