Starting your career in the Civil Service
The Civil Service provides a wide range of roles and opportunities for you to develop your career. As a Civil Servant, you’ll contribute to supporting the lives of UK citizens — whether as a Customer Service Advisor, a Policy Maker, or even a Content Creator.
There are many routes into the Civil Service. From the age of 16, you can apply for an apprenticeship. If you’re currently at university you may be eligible for an internship programme. After graduation, you might consider joining the Fast Stream Scheme.
However, you don’t need to participate in a talent development programme to start your journey — you can browse and apply for current vacancies anytime through the Civil Service jobs portal.
Find out more information about the routes into the Civil Service
Apprenticeships
An apprenticeship puts you in a paid position whilst allowing you to study for professional accreditation. Once you complete your apprenticeship you will have all the relevant knowledge to progress in your chosen field.
Fast Stream
Offering access to roles in just about every government department, the Fast Stream opens up a huge range of opportunities for graduates of any age.
Internships
The Summer Internships Programme (SIP) is designed for university students who are from a lower socio-economic background. It offers valuable experience and insight into the career opportunities available within the Civil Service.
Apply Directly
Explore available Civil Service vacancies in your area by browsing the jobs portal, you can also create job alerts to stay informed about new opportunities.
“I chose to take on the Level 4 tax technician apprenticeship as I was new into HMRC and had no working knowledge of tax. By undergoing a structured learning programme while carrying out my day to day work activities I was quickly able to gain a wealth of knowledge and experience. In addition to the apprenticeship I have been able to utilise other means in which to develop my leadership. Notably I looked to join my regional apprenticeship network where I was able to take on the role of lead for the area. I would thoroughly recommend taking on an apprenticeship as you are able to gain a nationally recognised qualification while earning a competitive salary. Furthermore I would equally encourage colleagues to get involved in their local departmental networks/groups as these provide great places in which to build up both your personal and career skills/competencies.”
Enoch – Tax Apprentice
What is the Civil Service?
The Civil Service is politically impartial and independent of government.
We’re accountable to the public so need to meet the highest possible standards in all that we do.
What you could do
The work civil servants do touches all aspects of life in the UK.
You could work as a vet, a customer service adviser, a weapons engineer, a marine biologist or a web developer, to name a few.
Entry Routes
There are so many ways to join the Civil Service.
Join as an apprentice, a graduate recruit or by applying for jobs directly.
All our vacancies are advertised on Civil Service Jobs, explore the opportunities today.
Application Guidance
Applying for jobs can be scary.
We’ve put together some guidance to help you through the standard Civil Service recruitment processes.
