Political and Social Research and Think Tanks

Every employer is different so there are no definitive lists here.  These are meant as a guide and should be considered in addition to fully exploring role requirements outlined in person specification, job description and advert for each role you consider applying for. 

• A strong interest in public policy.
• Networking skills
• Research skills
• Teamworking skills
• The ability to communicate complex ideas to a range of audiences

Prospects have noted some additional skills in their Social Researcher  job profile and Government Social Researcher job profile.  

In order to develop these skills, remember Career Zone also offers a range of Personal and Professional Development sessions which are available to book on Handshake and run at least once per term.  Please also read through the sections about Gaining Experience and Further Study and Professional Development to discover how you can develop your skills through experience and by gaining further knowledge or qualifications.   

All experiences ranging from volunteering, active involvement in clubs/societies can help you to develop relevant and transferable skills. You may wish to consider involvement in: 

Volunteering 

• Centre is a centrist think tank which offers a range of voluntary positions including regular writer opportunities.  
• Volunteering with Citizens Advice can help you gain work experience in a range of areas like advice and administration. There may also be the opportunity to get involved with research or campaigning. 

University of Exeter Employability Schemes 

• Career Zone Internship schemes: Internships can be extremely useful, so try and get relevant vacation work or placements. 
• The Exeter Award will help you stand out from the crowd and give you the confidence to shout about the experiences you've had at university.
• The Exeter Leaders Award is for students who are keen to develop their leadership skills. It will help you reflect on your leadership style and techniques, and set clear, achievable goals for self-development.
• The Global Leaders Experience is a unique opportunity to develop your intercultural skills as part of a short, outbound mobility experience.
• Green Consultants is an award-winning programme designed to provide students with additional skills and experience required to work in the highly competitive environmental and sustainability sector.

Speculative applications and where to find opportunities 

Undertaking relevant work experience will also allow you to develop new skills and gain a valuable insight into the sector. As jobs and opportunities are not always advertised, it can be useful to develop your networking skills and apply speculatively. Before visiting the sites below you may find it useful to read our Researching employers page. 

• Use the Open Think Tank Directory to find organisations you’d be interested in working for. Some may explicitly indicate whether they accept speculative applications.  
• If you’re interested in working with a particular political party, you may wish to send a speculative application to an MP to gain further experience. You can find a list of MPs here. 

Finding part time work  

• Consider seeking out practical experience in research or market research interviewing. Use the MRS Research Job Finder and NatCen websites to find opportunities.  
• General job sites such as Find a Job, Indeed and LinkedIn advertise part-time work.
• You could also have a look at Handshake, our vacancy database with employers who are targeting University of Exeter students.
• Employers looking for part-time and casual staff attend events such as careers fairs on campus.
• Attend the ‘Finding a Part-Time Job’ advice session which explores the benefits of gaining part-time work, where you can find these opportunities and top tips for your applications. This session will be listed on Handshake. 
• Listen to this episode of the Career Zone podcast for more advice about finding a part-time job.  

Competition can be strong, especially for entry-level positions. Use the following resources to find advertised vacancies and research employers.  

• Use the Open Think Tank Directory to find organisations you’d be interested in working for, then explore their vacancy pages.
• Smart Thinking lists policy and think tank job opportunities in the UK.
• Discover vacancies by using the MRS Research Job Finder.
• Find opportunities in social research listed by the SRA (Social Research Association)  

For general information about finding graduate opportunities, please visit our Graduate Jobs page.

Graduate schemes and internships 

• The Civil Service Fast Stream offers a range of schemes including the Government Social Research Scheme.  
• The YouGov graduate programme offers opportunities for those interested in global market research and analytics.
• The Houses of Parliament Graduate Development Programme enables you to work with politicians from across the political spectrum.
• The HM Treasury Graduate Scheme is designed to give you the knowledge, skills and behaviours you need to be an expert professional Policy Adviser.
• The Henry Jackson Society is a think tank and policy-shaping force that fights for the principles and alliances which keep societies free. The Henry Jackson Society offers voluntary internships.
• The Adam Smith Institute offers short, two-week unpaid internships to university students and recent graduates who are interested in politics, economics and policy work.
• Chatham House is an independent policy institute that provides research, analysis and dialogue on global issues. Chatham House offers a small number of paid internships annually.
• Civitas (Institute for the Study of Civil Society) offer a small number of paid internships lasting between three and six months.
• Gain an insight into working in the Civil Service by completing the Fast Stream Summer Internship Programme (SIP).
• Operation Black Vote (OBV) pairs participants – called parliamentary shadows - with members of the House of Commons and Lords. The scheme aims to increase the number of minority ethnic MPs in Parliament.
• W4MP advertises internships and job vacancies in politics, social research, and think thanks.
• Search Handshake for internships 

Placements  

If you are interested in finding out more about work placements, you can also access the Work Placements SharePoint via Single Sign-On. This resource covers all aspects of credit-bearing work experiences as part of your degree, including what a placement is, how to apply for them, and bespoke information for international students or those interested in working abroad.  

• The Government Economic and Social Research (GESR) Team run a 12-month sandwich student placement scheme aimed at students interested in the Government Social Research (GSR) profession.
• The Government Economic Service summer placement scheme is aimed at economics students who are considering a career in the GES after graduation. 
• Explore the Sandwich Student Scheme offered by the House of Commons.
• Search for placements on Civil Service Jobs.
• Find out more about Industrial Placements with HMRC.
• Join the Office for Product Safety and Standards on their year in industry programme.
• The Government Operational Research Service (GORS) summer placement scheme is open to students studying a numerate degree and interested in a career in government analysis.
• The Government Operational Research Service (GORS) sandwich placement scheme is open to students who are looking to complete a year in industry during their degree course and interested in a career in government analysis.

Further sources of support 

If you are an international student, visit our international webpages for help finding opportunities both in the UK and globally. 

To find opportunities outside the UK use GoinGlobal.

For help with making speculative applications you may find it useful to read our Researching employers page. 

Some individuals decide to undertake further study to develop their skills and knowledge of the sector and related occupations. Not all roles or employers will require this, so it is important to research entry requirements and employer preferences before committing to additional training or qualifications. Use the sites below to research your further study options.  

• Use the Prospects website to search for postgraduate courses in fields such as social research  and policy.
• FindAMasters.com and mastersavenue.com offer comprehensive databases of postgraduate Masters courses, featuring a wide range of Master’s degree programmes from universities in the UK and across the globe.
• Find further information about Choosing Postgraduate Study on the Career Zone website.
• For more information on continuing onto further study (taught programmes and research degrees) visit the Prospects website, or the Target Postgraduate site. 

Advice

If you are considering postgraduate or doctoral level study before entering your chosen sector, please visit our Postgraduate Study page for more information about choosing further study.

Information and links from professional bodies 

If you have studied a related degree, check if your course is accredited by one of the professional bodies. Being a member of a professional body is voluntary; however, it can be valuable for developing networks, continuing your professional development, and generally keeping up to date with what's happening in the sector.  

• The Social Research Association (SRA) is the membership organisation for social researchers in the UK and beyond.
• The Royal Statistical Society (RSS) is a professional body for statisticians and data analysts.
• The Royal Economic Society (RES) is the professional membership body and learned society for the study and application of economics.
• The Political Studies Association (PSA) aims to promote the development of political studies and to encourage education and the advancement of learning in the art and science of government and in other branches of the political sciences.
• The Academy of Social Sciences champions the role social sciences play in education, government and business.
• The UK Evaluation Society seeks to empower evaluators by promoting and improving the theory, practice, understanding and utilisation of evaluation.
• The British International Studies Association (BISA) develops and promotes International Studies through their publications, research, academic networks and funding opportunities. 
• The Institute of Economic Development (IED) represents economic development and regeneration practitioners working for local and regional communities.