Social researcher
Level 6 · DegreeBusiness and administration 3.5 yr typical
About this apprenticeship
What it involves
This Level 6 apprenticeship trains social researchers to design and conduct high-quality research that informs government policy and public service delivery. Apprentices use quantitative and qualitative methods to gather, analyse, and present evidence on social issues. It can lead to roles within the Government Social Research profession or research leadership positions in public bodies and think tanks.
On the job
What you’ll learn
Quantitative research methods including surveys and statistical analysis
Qualitative methods such as interviews, focus groups, and observation
Research design and ethical considerations in social research
Data analysis using tools such as SPSS, R, or Stata
Presenting research findings clearly to non-specialist audiences
Critical appraisal of existing research and evidence
Government Social Research professional standards and frameworks
On the job
What you’ll do day to day
Design research projects to answer specific policy questions
Conduct interviews, surveys, or focus groups with participants
Analyse quantitative datasets using statistical software
Write research reports and briefings for policy teams
Present findings at team meetings and stakeholder events
Review existing literature to contextualise new research
Work to ethical standards and data protection requirements
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.
Hear from employers
What it’s really like
No employer videos yet for this apprenticeship. Employers offering it can add one to show young people what the role is really like.