Professional Economist - Higher Apprenticeship (Hons) University of Kent

Overview

The Professional Economist - Higher Apprenticeship (Hons) programme at University of Kent is based on interactive e-learning, on and off-site academic support and one residential week at the University of Kent Canterbury campus. The degree apprenticeship will be delivered using a blended learning approach. This will include directed self-learning via the universities e-learning platform, and face to face teaching close to work places.

The work of a professional economist typically involves:

• identifying an issue that affects their organisation
• approaching it by analysing data
• drawing on their knowledge of economic theory to interpret the data or make informed predictions about the future
• communicating their findings with clarity to other economist and non-economists  

Professional economists are highly sought after in the graduate job market.

The development of the Professional Economist Degree Apprenticeship Programme was led by the GES. The programme is also open to private and public sector agencies and firms that employ economists.

The University of Kent was selected by the GES to be the sole provider, due to the strength of our economics courses and the support provided to apprentices.

Degree apprentices obtain both a university degree and an apprentice qualification. The Professional Economist Degree Apprenticeship is integrated in that the End Point Assessment for the apprenticeship qualification is part of the degree programme and is delivered and assessed by the School of Economics at Kent. The End Point Assessment tests the Knowledge, Skills and Behaviours required of a Professional Economist and as approved by the Institute for Apprenticeships. 

Degree apprentices receive a salary, have an employment contract, spend a minimum of 20% of their work time on off-job (academic) training and pay no tuition fees.  The off and on job training is designed to fit the roles apprentices will take on after completion of their two qualifications.

The University of Kent’s School of Economics developed the curriculum in consultation with a range of economists and the GES. The content and delivery is different from conventional UK economics degrees. It is geared to the needs of those working as economists in the private and public sectors. The curriculum takes an applied, data based and practical approach to the teaching and learning of economics, and includes the development of such important skills as planning, team working, adaptability and leadership.

Kent launched the Centre for Higher and Degree Apprenticeships in 2016 to build on this experience. The Centre works in partnership with regional and national employers to develop apprenticeships tailored to their needs. The Centre supports academic schools on all aspects of delivering apprenticeship training. 

Underpinned by excellent academic teaching and learning, the Centre has devised a number of programmes of study that relate closely to workplace roles.

The School of Economics is dedicated to excellence in applied research and teaching. The March 2019 Periodic Programme Review of Economics was very positive about the design and delivery of economics programmes. In particular, employability, placement programme, innovation in curriculum and assessment, approachability of staff, virtual learning environment and addressing problems were singled out for praise.  This excellence in teaching is reflected in consistently being in the top ten of economics departments for graduate prospects. 

Many of our staff have worked for or serve as expert advisers to UK, European and International agencies, including the World Bank, the GES, Bank of England, Competition and Markets Authority, various energy companies, OFGEM, NIESR, European Commission, the European Central Bank, OECD, Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Department for Transport, and other government departments. This experience enables our staff to bring real life examples of the use of economics into our teaching, and provide modules that develop the knowledge and skills required by professional economists.