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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Support high-quality research and evaluation of public policies, conducting interviews and analysing data.
- Company: Join a leading global market research company shaping public policy with impactful insights.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 days holiday, flexible working, and a chance to study for a BSc honours degree.
- Other info: Diverse and inclusive workplace with excellent career growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on society while developing your skills in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: GCSEs and A Levels required; analytical mindset and effective communication skills are essential.
The predicted salary is between 18000 - 25000 £ per year.
Are you driven by data and passionate about insights? We are a leading global market research company, enabling organisations to make smarter, bolder, and faster decisions. Ipsos Public Affairs is a world-leading social research team of approximately 300 dedicated professionals in the UK, bridging the gap between government and the public to provide robust evidence that shapes public policy. We partner with a wide array of high-profile decision-makers, including UK central and devolved government departments, local public services, universities, and NGOs. Our work spans all major areas of public life, giving you the opportunity to explore diverse sectors such as health and social care, education, transport, energy and environment, the economy, welfare and social cohesion.
The Role
As a Social Research Apprentice, you’ll support us in delivering high-quality research and evaluation of policy for our clients. You’ll work on studies that bring public, workforce and stakeholder views, experiences, preferences and needs to our clients, helping to ensure their policies and decisions are informed by the people most affected by them. You will also help clients assess the effectiveness and impact of policies and programmes and improve the delivery of public services. Your role will mainly focus on research and project coordination.
- Supporting the day-to-day running of projects
- Conducting desk research
- Conducting quantitative and qualitative research
- Supporting design of interview guides and questionnaires
- Doing interviews and focus groups
- Running surveys and analysing data
- Writing and presenting findings
- Contributing to business development and proposal writing
About You
We encourage diversity of thought so we look for candidates who are as diverse as the societies, markets and people we work with. Therefore we are looking for:
- An analytical and problem-solver mindset, focused on not only interpreting data but also understanding the "why" behind insights
- Effective communication and storytelling skills, the ability to derive actionable insights from data and present them in a clear and engaging way for diverse audiences
- Commercial awareness and client-focused mindset, with a genuine passion in understanding client needs and delivering impactful, value-driven solutions
- A curiosity and learning agility that fosters exploration of new ideas and openness to understanding changing trends
- Creativity and innovation to think outside the box and bring fresh, impactful ideas to life
- Embraces collaboration and teamwork, working effectively with others and valuing diverse perspectives to build on colleagues' strengths
- Strong organisational skills and the ability to multi-task and work towards multiple deadlines
- Exceptional attention to detail, with a meticulous approach to working with data and commitment to accuracy and integrity in every task
- A focus on self-awareness and a growth mindset, driven to succeed and make a real impact, with a willingness to reflect, learn, and grow
- An aptitude for leveraging AI tools and techniques to enhance research and insights, in line with Ipsos' standards and policies
- Motivated by delivering research that will have a real impact
Requirements
- The unrestricted right to work in the UK
- A minimum of five GCSEs (including Maths at grade C (4) or above and English Language at C (4) or above) and a minimum of CCC at A Level or equivalent (not including General Studies)
Why Ipsos
As a Social Research Apprentice at Ipsos the majority of your time will be spent on work, with the remainder focused on study. You will study the Level 6 applied social research standard, leading to a BSc honours degree with The University of Kent at the end of the four years. Alongside work, your part-time university study will equip you with the knowledge, skills and behaviours to become a professional social researcher by the end of the 4-year programme. You will have the chance to meet apprentices and graduates across the business and work on projects together, building a global network and fostering teamwork and innovation.
Benefits
- 25 days holiday that increases to 30 days over time, plus an extra day off for your birthday
- Flexible working and inclusive bank holiday options, recognising the diversity of our workforce and that people may celebrate different events
- Interest-free Future Talent Loan of up to £1,000, providing optional support for unexpected costs so you can focus on starting your career
- Work anywhere for up to four weeks within a rolling 12-month period (subject to relevant Right to Work requirements)
- Bupa Well+ Health and Wellbeing Services for ongoing health and wellness support
- Comprehensive benefits including pension contributions, income protection, winter flu jabs, eye care vouchers, and many others
- Company-paid Curiosity & ESG Days
- Diversity and Inclusion Belong Networks, bringing together people with shared identities and interests to foster a welcoming and supportive workplace
We are committed to equality, treating people fairly, promoting a positive and inclusive working environment and ensuring we have diversity of people and views. We recognise that this is important for our business success – a more diverse workforce will enable us to better reflect and understand the world we research and ultimately deliver better research and insight to our clients. We are looking for candidates to start in August 2026.
Social Research Apprentice - Public Affairs employer: Ipsos
Contact Detail:
Ipsos Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Social Research Apprentice - Public Affairs
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees on LinkedIn, and don’t be shy about asking for a chat. They can give you insider tips on the application process and what it’s really like to work at Ipsos.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by diving deep into Ipsos’ recent projects and publications. Show us that you’re not just interested in the role but also in how our research impacts public policy. Bring your A-game with examples of how you’ve tackled data challenges before!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your storytelling skills! We want to see how you can turn data into compelling narratives. Try explaining a complex dataset to a friend or family member – if they get it, you’re on the right track!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows us you’re serious about joining our team at Ipsos.
We think you need these skills to ace Social Research Apprentice - Public Affairs
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Data: When writing your application, let your enthusiasm for data and insights shine through. Share any relevant experiences or projects that highlight your analytical skills and curiosity about understanding the 'why' behind the numbers.
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to reflect the specific requirements of the Social Research Apprentice role. Use keywords from the job description to demonstrate that you understand what we're looking for and how you fit into our team.
Be Clear and Engaging: Effective communication is key! Present your ideas in a clear and engaging way, just like you would when sharing insights with clients. This will show us that you can convey complex information simply and effectively.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us quickly and efficiently. Plus, it shows you're keen to join our team at Ipsos!
How to prepare for a job interview at Ipsos
✨Know Your Data
As a Social Research Apprentice, you'll be working with data daily. Brush up on your analytical skills and be prepared to discuss how you interpret data and the 'why' behind insights. Familiarise yourself with recent trends in public policy and social research to show your passion for the field.
✨Master Your Communication Skills
Effective communication is key in this role. Practice presenting findings clearly and engagingly. You might even want to prepare a short presentation on a relevant topic to showcase your storytelling abilities during the interview. Remember, it's all about making complex information accessible!
✨Show Your Curiosity
Demonstrate your curiosity and eagerness to learn. Be ready to discuss how you've explored new ideas or adapted to changing trends in your previous experiences. This will highlight your learning agility and willingness to grow, which are essential traits for this apprenticeship.
✨Emphasise Teamwork and Collaboration
Since this role involves working closely with others, be prepared to share examples of how you've successfully collaborated in the past. Highlight your ability to value diverse perspectives and how you contribute to a team environment. This will show that you're not just a lone wolf but a team player who can thrive in a collaborative setting.