Finding politics jobs outside of London

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There are plenty of opportunities for politics graduates in the UK outside of London. Here are some suggestions for where to find politics-related jobs across the country:

Local Government

  • Local Authorities: Many local councils across the UK hire political science graduates for policy, research, and public affairs roles. Roles can range from policy advisors to community engagement officers.
  • Council Offices: Cities and regions often require political advisors or roles dealing with local legislation and public policies.

Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs)

  • Charities & Advocacy Groups: There are many NGOs working on political advocacy, human rights, environmental policy, and more, based outside London. Examples include:
    • The Joseph Rowntree Foundation (York)
    • Oxfam (Oxford)
    • Greenpeace (various locations)
    • The National Trust (various locations)

Political Parties and Campaigning

  • Regional Party Offices: Many political parties (e.g., Labour, Conservative, Liberal Democrats, SNP, Green Party) have regional offices outside London. They offer roles in campaigning, policy, communications, and organizing.
  • Election Campaigns: Positions are available for political campaign management or outreach during election cycles in various regions.

Public Policy Think Tanks

  • While many large think tanks are based in London, some have regional offices or work on national policy issues that require research across the UK. Examples:
    • The Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) – They have offices in the North.
    • The Centre for Cities (Sheffield, Manchester, or other northern cities)
    • The New Economics Foundation (based in Manchester and London)

Media & Journalism

  • Regional newspapers, local broadcasters, and political publications often seek political journalists, reporters, and editors to cover political stories and campaigns.
    • BBC: BBC regions around the UK hire political reporters.
    • Local news outlets like Manchester Evening News, Liverpool Echo, and regional TV stations.

Civil Service and Public Sector

  • There are roles within government agencies and civil service departments located outside London, especially in cities like Manchester, Edinburgh, Cardiff, Birmingham, and Leeds.
    • You can check Civil Service Jobs (www.civilservicejobs.service.gov.uk) for openings across the UK.
    • Government Departments: Many have regional offices in cities like Birmingham, Cardiff, and Edinburgh, such as the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), the Home Office, and HMRC.

Universities & Academia

  • Research Roles: Many universities outside of London have political science and international relations departments offering research assistant roles, lectureships, and policy development positions.
    • University of Manchester, University of Edinburgh, University of Glasgow, University of Birmingham, and others often offer politics-related positions in research or teaching.

International Organizations

  • Some international organizations and NGOs may have offices in cities outside of London.
    • United Nations offices, depending on the type of work, may have roles in international development, policy analysis, or human rights outside London.

Public Affairs and Lobbying Firms

  • Many firms outside London are dedicated to political consultancy, public affairs, and lobbying. Examples of agencies that have regional offices include:
    • Burson-Marsteller (Manchester)
    • Grayling (Bristol, Manchester)
    • Deloitte has public affairs roles outside London as well.

Research and Data Analysis

  • Politics graduates are often employed by research organizations or companies that specialize in polling, public opinion, and policy research, often with roles in cities like Leeds, Manchester, or Edinburgh.
  • Ipsos MORI and YouGov have offices outside of London and offer research-based roles.

Job Search Tips:

  • Use specialized job boards like Indeed, Guardian Jobs, or Totaljobs to filter for roles in your field and desired location.
  • Public Sector Jobs websites often have positions in regional government offices.
  • LinkedIn and networking with professionals in your field can be valuable for learning about opportunities in the regions.
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