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Government Economic Service: does its degree apprenticeship programme sponsor a UK visa?

NoGovernment Economic Service Degree Apprenticeship Programme (GESDAP), economics degree with the University of Kent

No. Government Economic Service does not sponsor its degree apprenticeship programme for international students who need a visa. The eligibility section requires the right to work in the UK, three years' UK residence before the start, and the Civil Service Nationality Rules, and says it does not offer sponsorship for this programme.

Sponsors grads?
No
Pay vs threshold
Not published
Opportunity
apprenticeship
2027 cycle
Closed as of 12 October 2026, no date published for the next round; the page's update history shows recent rounds opening in December.
Confidence
high

Government Economic Service Degree Apprenticeship Programme: at a glance

The Government Economic Service Degree Apprenticeship Programme (GESDAP) is a fee-free economics degree apprenticeship. Apprentices spend four days a week working alongside experienced economists in a government department or agency and one day on online study with the University of Kent, delivered through blended distance and face to face teaching. On completion they hold an economics degree and four years' Civil Service experience. The GOV.UK page currently says the programme is closed for applications. Source

Duration
Four years“On successful completion, you will gain an economics degree and four years’ experience of working in the Civil Service, setting you up to build a brilliant career as an economist.”Source
Who can apply
Resided in the UK for at least the previous 3 years before the apprenticeship starts (right to work in the UK and Civil Service Nationality Rules also apply)Source
Degree requirement
Five GCSEs including Maths at grade 6 and English Language at grade 4, plus 96 UCAS points“You must have, or expect to a gain, a minimum of 96 UCAS points under the 2017 tariff point system”Source
“We do not offer sponsorship for this programme.”
Government Economic Service, from its own careers pages
The catch: Maths GCSE has to be grade 6 (B), higher than most apprenticeships ask, and you may be placed in any department rather than one you choose.
Government Economic Service early careersVerify on gov.uk

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What Government Economic Service publishes about this programme

Checked against Government Economic Service's own careers pages on 2026-10-12. Anything not published is worth asking the early careers team before you apply.

  • Visa sponsorship policy: published
  • Application dates: published
  • Programme description: published
  • Duration and start date: published
  • Who can apply: published
  • Pay: not published
  • Locations: not published
  • Degree requirement: published
  • Recruitment stages: not published

More early careers programmes at Government Economic Service

Sources

Verdict last checked 2026-10-12. How we check programme verdicts

Common questions

Does Government Economic Service sponsor visas for its degree apprenticeship programme?

No. Government Economic Service does not sponsor its degree apprenticeship programme for international students who need a visa. The Government Economic Service Degree Apprenticeship Programme places apprentices with economists in a government department or agency four days a week, with one day of blended online and face to face study at the University of Kent, typically over four years. Apprentices finish with a fee free economics degree and four years of Civil Service experience. Roles are across England and salaries vary by department and location. Entry needs five GCSEs including Maths at grade 6 and English Language at grade 4, plus 96 UCAS points. The eligibility section requires the right to work in the UK, three years' UK residence before the start, and the Civil Service Nationality Rules, and says it does not offer sponsorship for this programme.

What is the Government Economic Service degree apprenticeship programme?

The Government Economic Service Degree Apprenticeship Programme (GESDAP) is a fee-free economics degree apprenticeship. Apprentices spend four days a week working alongside experienced economists in a government department or agency and one day on online study with the University of Kent, delivered through blended distance and face to face teaching. On completion they hold an economics degree and four years' Civil Service experience. The GOV.UK page currently says the programme is closed for applications.

Does the pay clear the UK Skilled Worker salary threshold?

The pay for this scheme is not published clearly enough to judge against the threshold.

What is the catch international students miss with Government Economic Service?

Maths GCSE has to be grade 6 (B), higher than most apprenticeships ask, and you may be placed in any department rather than one you choose.

When do applications open for the Government Economic Service degree apprenticeship programme?

Closed as of 12 October 2026, no date published for the next round; the page's update history shows recent rounds opening in December.. Checked on 2026-10-12 against Government Economic Service's own site.

How long is the Government Economic Service degree apprenticeship programme?

Four years, according to Government Economic Service's own careers information.

Who can apply for the Government Economic Service degree apprenticeship programme?

Resided in the UK for at least the previous 3 years before the apprenticeship starts (right to work in the UK and Civil Service Nationality Rules also apply), according to Government Economic Service's own careers information.

What degree do you need for the Government Economic Service degree apprenticeship programme?

Five GCSEs including Maths at grade 6 and English Language at grade 4, plus 96 UCAS points, according to Government Economic Service's own careers information.

How should I confirm Government Economic Service's sponsorship before applying?

Read the specific vacancy on Government Economic Service's careers site, ask its early-careers team directly, and check the employer on the gov.uk Register of Licensed Sponsors. Policies and thresholds change, so treat this page as a starting point and confirm for the exact role and cycle.

Related guides

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Sponsorship data: Home Office register + job ad wording. Not immigration advice, verify on gov.uk. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. How we check this data.