Social science students looking for a placement year may find this particularly interesting. The Government Economic and Social Research (GESR) are offering placement years to students who wish to pursue a career in conducting research for the government, to better understand social, societal and economic trends.
Your tasks would be gathering data and information, analysing the collected data, discovering and communicating the impact of relevant policy and advising on shaping policy to have the best possible ultimate impact.
Eligibility Requirements
This scheme is only open to students in their penultimate year of undergraduate study (i.e., year before the final year of study) and who are on track for a 2:1 or 1st class degree, as indicated by exam results of your first year.
To be eligible applicants must be studying for a degree which contains a minimum of 30% in social research methods in your overall degree content, your degree must include quantitative research methods (i.e., research design, data collection (i.e., questionnaire design, sampling, weighting), and data analysis (e.g., statistical analysis, interpretation)) as well as three out of the following five areas:
- qualitative methods, including research design, data collection (i.e., interviewing, focus groups, ethnographic), data analysis (e.g., thematic analysis)
- study design, hypothesis formation, testing and evaluation
- systematic/literature review
- interpretation of data (qualitative & quantitative), presentation of results, provision of recommendations/ conclusions
- application of ethics to research
To find out more: How to apply for a Government Social Research sandwich student placement - GOV.UK