Department for Education (DfE)

Locations: London, Sheffield, Manchester, Bristol, Darlington, Coventry, Nottingham (Please note – most of our Economists are based in London, Sheffield, Manchester and Bristol.  We do have analysts and some economists in the other locations listed)

Number of positions available: 10 

Salary: National £37,635, London £41,751 (2024 figures, exact pay for 2025 TBA)

About: The Department for Education is the lead department for the Government’s mission to break down the barriers to opportunity. We work to provide children’s services, education and skills training that ensures opportunity is equal for all, no matter background, family circumstances, or need.

We are the department for opportunity. We work to deliver better life chances for all – breaking the link between background and success. We do this by protecting children and ensuring the delivery of higher standards of education, training and care. We create opportunities for children and learners to achieve and thrive today, so they have the freedom to succeed and flourish tomorrow, strengthening our society, powering our economy, and enabling equality.

We are responsible for:

• teaching and learning for children in the early years and in primary schools

• teaching and learning for young people in secondary schools

• teaching, learning and training for young people and adults in apprenticeships, traineeships and further education

• teaching and learning for young people and adults in higher education

• supporting professionals who work with children, young people and adult learners

• helping disadvantaged children and young people to achieve more

• making sure that local services protect and support children

Overview of work areas  

Economists at DfE can work on a wide range of high-profile areas of education, providing analysis and evidence which informs, shapes and supports policy development and delivery as well as wider strategy.

The nature of the work is equally varied and can include: 

• Economic appraisal of new policy, funding and regulatory proposals  

• Producing impact assessments, business cases and equality analyses 

• Commissioning evaluation and research on education interventions 

• Publishing official statistics on education and children 

• Modelling the impact of government funding to the education sector 

• Horizon scanning future patterns and developments in education and learning 

• Briefing senior officials and Ministers 

• Answering Parliamentary Questions and Freedom of Information requests 

DfE Economist community 

The DfE has a strong and inclusive economist community comprising over 100 economists, working at many locations across England. The apprentices and assistant economists regular meet to discuss areas of common interest and concern and there are opportunities to attend seminar events and listen to key speakers and experts on different aspects of education policy. DfE economists also arrange away days and annual conferences which are great opportunities to network.

There is a strong and inclusive economist community with apprentices and assistant economists meeting monthly to discuss issues of common interest and present the work they are doing. We also arrange seminar events, away days and annual conferences which are a great opportunity for everyone to meet up, hear presentations from speakers on different areas of education and discuss some of the bigger topics and issues facing us as education economists. 

Opportunities for Development  

We aim to develop all our staff to enable them to make a full contribution to meeting the Department’s objectives and to fulfil their potential. The DfE offers lots of opportunities for learning and development and you can expect to be supported by your line manager as you develop and grow as an economist in the GES. There is a mentoring scheme for DfE apprentices and assistant economists who would value additional guidance and support as they start their career.

There are wide-ranging roles and opportunities open to assistant economists in DfE. The department runs an internal managed move process whereby assistant economists can rotate into another post in order to gain broader skills and experience and there are SEO opportunities for those who wish to progress to the next step in their career.  

Contact point for further details:  

For further information contact ACRecruitment.SPECIALIST@education.gov.uk