Economic Sandwich Students Placement Scheme

Every year, the FCO offers a one-year placement opportunity to four Economics under-graduates. The successful candidates will work in our Economics Unit, the Commercial and Economic Diplomacy Department or the EU Directorate. This is an excellent opportunity for students to gain valuable work experience, using their economic skills to support the FCO’s work across a range of foreign policy issues. Students will be based at the FCO’s Headquarters in Whitehall, at the heart of British Government.  

What will I be doing?

Students will be involved in a range of activities encompassing economic, policy and corporate work.  These are likely to include:

• providing briefing for Ministers or Ambassadors
• working on political lobbying and supporting political processes
• compiling economic reports (e.g. on international development, trade and EU issues)
• providing research support for economists, including statistical analysis
• maintaining and editing the FCO’s economics website
• contributing to foreign policy papers requiring economic input/analysis  
• taking responsibility for an area of corporate activity (e.g. first aider or fire marshal).

Have I got what you’re looking for?

We are looking for economic students with an interest in current and foreign affairs. Students will need to have a very good knowledge of economics and a good awareness of economic issues in a foreign policy context. The successful candidate will have good communication skills (written and oral), be able to deliver results and have strong inter-personal skills.    

When do placements take place?

Placements start in the summer (June/July) and last for 12 months. Precise start dates will be negotiated with successful candidates.

Will I get paid?

Yes. Successful candidates will be paid £18,525 plus a London Location Allowance of £3,000. Placement students will also qualify (after three months employment) for an advance of salary to meet the costs of travel fares. The FCO offers a loan to students who are interested in purchasing a bike for home to office travel.  

What are the eligibility criteria?

To be eligible you must:

• be an undergraduate between your penultimate and final year of study at the time of the placement.
• have three A’ level passes grades A-C (or equivalent)    
• be on a degree course where at least half of the course is economics-based  
• be available to start work in June/July 2012 for twelve months.  
• be a British Citizen and have been resident in the UK for at least 2 of the previous 10 years, at least 1 year of which must have been a consecutive 12-month period.

Security clearance

Successful candidates must undergo security clearance before being formally appointed.  All applicants should be aware that a lack of sufficient background information may preclude an applicant from being granted clearance.

How do I apply?

Applications are now closed. Please check the website in summer 2012 for the details of future possibilities.