Professional economist (integrated degree)
Level 6 · DegreeLegal, finance and accounting 3.5 yr typical
About this apprenticeship
What it involves
This Level 6 integrated degree apprenticeship qualifies you as a professional economist, combining academic study in economics with applied analytical work in a public sector, research, or commercial organisation. You will use economic theory, modelling, and evidence to provide policy analysis and business insights. It can lead to economist roles in government departments, the Bank of England, consultancy, or regulatory bodies.
On the job
What you’ll learn
Micro and macroeconomic theory and how it applies to policy and business decisions
Quantitative methods including econometrics, statistical analysis, and modelling
Cost-benefit analysis, impact evaluation, and appraisal methods
Behavioural economics and how insights about human behaviour inform policy
Economics of public services, regulation, and market failures
Communicating economic evidence clearly to non-specialist audiences
Using statistical software such as Stata, R, or Python for economic analysis
On the job
What you’ll do day to day
Conduct economic research and analysis to inform policy or business decisions
Build and use economic models to assess the impact of different scenarios
Prepare economic briefings, reports, and presentations for senior stakeholders
Carry out literature reviews and synthesise economic evidence
Analyse datasets using statistical and econometric methods
Contribute to cost-benefit analyses and value-for-money assessments
Present findings clearly to economists and non-economists alike
The deal
How this apprenticeship works
You earn a wage from day one. You are a paid employee, not a student. There are no tuition fees - the training is funded by your employer and the government.
About 20% is “off-the-job” training. Roughly a day a week is spent learning away from your normal duties - at a college, training provider, or online - working towards a recognised qualification.
It ends with an end-point assessment (EPA). Near the end, an independent assessor checks you can do the job to the national standard - through tests, a project, a portfolio or an interview. Pass it and you are fully qualified.
How to get there
What you need to start
Level 6 (Degree) - roughly Bachelor’s-degree level. Usually needs A-levels or a Level 3 qualification (employers set UCAS-point targets). You earn a full degree while you work - with no tuition fees to pay.
What’s next: Leads into professional roles, sometimes with a Level 7 (Master’s) apprenticeship after.
Entry requirements are set by each employer and can vary - always check the specific vacancy.
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What it’s really like
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