Graduate Policy Programme

Shape the UK from Darlington. Become a Policy Adviser. Our work touches every aspect of everyday life. As the Government’s economic and finance ministry, we influence policy across every government department. You don’t need to be an economist or have studied a particular subject to make a difference here. What matters is your curiosity, your ability to think differently and your motivation to improve the lives of others. Based in Darlington, you’ll be part of a growing government community while working on issues that matter across the whole of the UK. Whatever your degree subject, skills or life experience, we’ll give you the training and support to help you make a real, positive and lasting impact on millions of people across the country. It all begins here.

Making an impact for your nation

Our responsibilities include maintaining control over public spending, deciding how money is raised from taxpayers and ensuring that it’s spent responsibly. We ensure value for money, set the direction of the UK’s economic policy and work to achieve strong and sustainable economic growth. We’re also working to create a simpler, fairer tax system and, by making them easier to access and use, make financial services work for more people. Being based in Darlington doesn’t mean thinking locally; your work will help shape government decisions that affect millions of people across the UK every day. You could contribute to policy across a wide range of areas, including health, education, local government, banking and insurance, the criminal justice system and much more. To ensure our advice reflects the needs of all our communities, it’s important that our graduates come from the widest possible range of backgrounds. That’s why we’re committed to equality and diversity, creating an open and inclusive department where people bring different perspectives, experiences and ways of thinking, while supporting and developing one another. Join us if you want to make a real difference for your country. You can build a career with national impact from Darlington, with real responsibility and invaluable learning opportunities from the start. We’ll give you the support and training you need to become a Policy Adviser and make the most of your potential.

Becoming a Policy Adviser in Darlington

Building your career in Darlington means you can make a national impact while staying connected to your local community. You’ll be part of a growing government hub, working on important policy issues that affect millions of people across the UK, while developing your skills and experience close to home. Our three-year Graduate Policy Programme is designed to help you grow quickly, build confidence and develop the skills you need for a successful career in policy, with no previous policy experience required. You’ll start with a week of training covering how Parliament works, policy making and the legal framework, and developing skills such as project coordination and workplace communication. You’ll continue your learning on policy skills throughout your time on the programme. Your work will include discussing ideas and coordinating work with colleagues, writing, researching and analysing information to develop or enhance policy ideas. You’ll gain real expertise in your specific policy area – which could be anything from higher education or international tax avoidance to public health or infrastructure spending. As part of the programme, you’ll have access to a dedicated progression opportunity that supports your career development. After approximately two years, you’ll be given the opportunity to demonstrate your readiness for promotion to Senior Executive Officer (SEO) through a competitive assessment process. Whichever policy area you work in, you'll take on meaningful responsibility early in your career. You'll be supported every step of the way to make the most of your potential and progress your career. In return, we offer a stimulating and encouraging environment, working with forward-thinking people who want to make a real difference throughout the UK. Our competitive benefits package reflects the important contribution you'll make and supports you throughout your career with us.

Great policy starts with different perspectives. To ensure we reflect the needs of all our communities, we must bring together people with a variety of perspectives to help us understand complex issues from different angles. We value your expertise alongside your life experience as we navigate an ever-changing landscape and work to provide the best advice and policy on some of the most pressing issues this country faces.

We’re looking for innovative thinkers who are proactive and feel comfortable in a fast-paced and dynamic environment. We therefore welcome applications from all academic backgrounds and universities. As the cohort will be starting in September 2027, you will need to already hold an undergraduate degree by this point. To apply, you’ll need:

• A 2:2 undergraduate degree in any discipline.
• The right to work in the UK as a British citizen or an eligible EEA, Commonwealth, Swiss or Turkish national; all applicants will also need to pass security clearance.

For full eligibility and nationality requirements, visit our website.

We encourage you to apply if you have:

• The ability to communicate complex ideas clearly and concisely, in writing and in person.
• The ability to look at problems from different angles.
• An interest in improving lives through public policy.
• The ability to think flexibly and cope with changes to situations and priorities.

It all begins here.

About HM Treasury and the impact you can make with us.

Our responsibilities include maintaining control over public spending, deciding how money is raised from taxpayers and ensuring that it’s spent responsibly. We ensure value for money, set the direction of the UK’s economic policy and work to achieve strong and sustainable economic growth. We’re also working to create a simpler, fairer tax system and, by making them easier to access and use, make financial services work for more people. HMT graduates make an impact on millions of people’s lives, all over the UK every day. They’re involved in policy work that drives government decisions across a whole range of areas, from health, education and local government, to banking and insurance, the criminal justice system and more.

HM Treasury has a strong commitment to equality and diversity. Our aim is to be an open and inclusive department, recruiting and retaining hard‑working people from a diversity of backgrounds, who support and develop one another.

Join us, and we’ll give you the support and training you need to become a Policy Adviser too. It’s a captivating role that offers real responsibility and invaluable learning experiences from the start.

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