Design, implement and lead programmes of economic analysis to support decision-making.
Apprentices develop the advanced economic knowledge and analytical skills needed to design and lead programmes of analysis that support major policy and business decisions. The training covers econometrics, data science, cost-benefit analysis, business case development, and evaluation methodology. Apprentices learn to select the most appropriate analytical approach for a given situation, whether that involves building economic models, assessing regulatory impacts, or evaluating mergers and acquisitions. They also develop project management, stakeholder communication, and leadership skills needed to operate in complex political and commercial environments.
Working across projects that may span competition policy, environmental valuation, infrastructure investment, or regulatory reform, apprentices carry out desk-based economic analysis, build and interpret models, and contribute to written submissions or business cases. They interact regularly with lawyers, statisticians, social researchers, and senior stakeholders up to Board level. Week-to-week work includes commissioning or reviewing analysis from others, managing client relationships, attending client meetings, and presenting findings in a form tailored to the audience, whether that is a minister, a regulator, or a commercial decision-maker.
Completion typically leads to senior economist or economic adviser roles. Many go on to specialise in areas such as environmental economics, labour markets, competition policy, energy, or financial regulation. Employers span government departments, economic regulators such as Ofgem or Ofcom, management consultancies, banks, law firms, and think tanks. The qualification sits at master's degree level, which opens routes into principal economist or director-level positions, particularly in public sector analytical functions or specialist economic consultancies.
Sorted by achievement rate.
No training providers currently listed for this standard.
Completers typically move into roles such as Senior Economist, Economic Adviser, or Economic Consultant, often specialising immediately in an area such as environmental economics, energy economics, labour economics, or competition analysis. Some take on titles like Industrial Economist, Financial Economist, or Trade Economist depending on the sector. The integrated degree component means graduates enter at a level where they can lead analytical workstreams and manage client relationships from day one, rather than joining as junior analysts.
Within three to five years, Senior Economists commonly progress to Principal Economist, Lead Consultant, or Deputy Director (Economics) in government settings. In consultancies, the path typically runs toward Associate Director or Partner. Two distinct tracks tend to emerge: a leadership track focused on managing teams, winning work, and advising at Board or Ministerial level, and a deep-specialist track where economists build recognised expertise in areas such as econometrics, environmental valuation, or competition policy. Either track can lead to Chief Economist positions in large organisations or regulators.
The main hiring sectors in the UK are central government departments and agencies, economic regulators such as those overseeing energy, telecoms, and water, and management or economic consultancies. Banks, investment firms, and large corporates with in-house economics functions also recruit at this level. Demand is present across public and private sectors, with regulators and government typically the largest employers, followed by specialist consultancy practices.
Because this is an integrated degree apprenticeship, academic study and workplace practice develop together throughout the programme. The apprentice builds knowledge, skills and behaviours on the job while working towards a Level 7 degree qualification. Before final assessment can begin, both the employer and training provider must confirm the apprentice is ready, a checkpoint commonly called the gateway. Final assessment then establishes whether the apprentice can perform at the level expected of a senior economist in practice. Assessment models across many standards are currently being updated as part of ongoing reforms, so check the standard's gov.uk page for the current specification.
Building strong workplace evidence from the start makes a significant difference. Apprentices should keep records of analytical projects, client interactions, leadership contributions and research work as they arise, rather than trying to reconstruct them later. Working closely with both the employer and the training provider to track progress against the required knowledge, skills and behaviours gives a clearer picture of readiness well before the gateway. Documenting the full range of work, including technical analysis and stakeholder communication, will support a stronger case at the point of final assessment.
Look for providers with an achievement rate above 65% on their FATP profile, bearing in mind that small cohort sizes at Level 7 can make this figure volatile. Strong providers will have clear links to government economics networks (such as the Government Economic Service) or sector-specific employer partnerships in regulation, finance or consultancy. Check that teaching staff have practised economics in policy or commercial settings, not just academia. Learner reviews mentioning real project work, exposure to econometrics and data science tools, and support for end-point assessment are all positive signs.
Be cautious of providers who cannot describe how off-the-job learning maps to live analytical work. If a provider delivers this standard in large generic cohorts alongside unrelated postgraduate programmes, the context specific depth required here, particularly around applied microeconomics, regulation, competition analysis or environmental valuation, may be missing. Vague answers about employer engagement in curriculum design, or a lack of any visible alumni in economist roles across government or regulated industries, suggest the programme may not carry professional weight where it counts.
Applicants must be employed in a role where they can apply senior-level economic analysis as part of their day-to-day work. A strong prior grounding in economics is expected, typically at undergraduate level, though employers set their own entry criteria. The programme is an integrated degree at Level 7, so providers will have specific academic entry requirements. Employers should check individual provider entry criteria before recruiting, as these vary.
The typical duration is 24 months. The apprentice remains employed throughout and applies learning directly to their role, working across projects such as policy analysis, business cases or regulatory work. A portion of working time must be dedicated to off-the-job learning, though the exact percentage is subject to current policy reforms. Check the current apprenticeship standard on gov.uk for the latest requirement before planning a training schedule.
Apprentices must meet a gateway before end-point assessment, demonstrating they have developed the required knowledge, skills and behaviours. Assessment models for many Level 7 standards are being reviewed as part of ongoing Skills England reforms, so the specific assessment methods may change. For the current end-point assessment specification, refer to the standard details on gov.uk. In broad terms, the apprentice must show they can lead economic analysis, communicate findings to senior stakeholders and apply appropriate methodologies independently.
The funding band for this standard is £11,000, which is the maximum that can be drawn from the apprenticeship levy or claimed through government co-investment. Large employers with a levy account use those funds directly. Smaller employers who do not pay the levy contribute 5% of training costs, with the government covering the remaining 95%. Employers with fewer than 50 staff taking on an apprentice aged 16 to 18 pay nothing; the government funds the full cost.
Daily work involves producing and overseeing economic analysis that informs policy or business decisions, building models to show relationships between key variables, writing reports and business cases for senior audiences, and presenting findings to stakeholders including lawyers, finance teams and board-level leaders. Apprentices also manage client relationships, commission work from specialist colleagues such as statisticians or data scientists, and take a leadership role on project delivery. Work can span areas including competition, regulation, environmental economics or macroeconomic policy.
Completers are well positioned for senior economist roles across government departments, regulators, consultancies, financial institutions and international organisations. Typical job titles include economic adviser, senior economist or specialist roles such as environmental, competition or labour economist. Those in government may progress through senior advisory grades. In the private sector, progression can lead to principal or director-level consultancy positions. Some graduates move into academic research or take on leadership of economics functions within their organisation.
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Curated by Alex Lockey, FATP founder and editor. Last reviewed: .
Sources include the apprenticeship's official specification on apprenticeships.gov.uk, Skills England guidance, IfATE archive records, DWP funding bands, and provider data sourced directly from the public Apprenticeship Provider and Assessment Register (APAR). Standard reference: 531.
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