How To Get Work Experience For Economics as a Student

Considering how to get work experience for economics as a student, but don't know where to start? Many A Level students feel stuck trying to find relevant placements. It's frustrating because you know universities value work experience, and you know that it strengthens personal statements and CVs.

Don’t worry. Getting valuable economics experience is more achievable than you think. You don't need a formal internship at a prestigious bank to impress admissions tutors. There are dozens of creative, accessible ways to gain relevant experience, and this guide will show you how to find them.

Key Takeaways

• Work experience doesn't have to be formal. Universities value any activity that demonstrates curiosity about economics, whether it's a week shadowing a local business or creating your own research project.

• Start early and think creatively. Begin looking in Year 12, and consider virtual programmes, part-time jobs with financial elements, and volunteering. They can all provide valuable material for your personal statement.

• Reflection matters more than prestige. What you learned and how you connected it to economic concepts is far more important than the name of the organisation. 

Why Work Experience Matters for Economics Applicants

When admissions tutors read hundreds of personal statements, they're looking for students who've gone beyond textbooks to explore the subject in real-world contexts. Work experience is one of the best ways to show a genuine interest in economics. 

Work experience helps you understand how economic theories apply in practice. This gives you stronger material for:

• University personal statements

• Interview answers

• Cover letters for jobs

You'll be able to discuss real examples of: 

• The role of an accountant, consultant, or financial advisor

• Market behaviour

• Resource allocation

• Policy impacts 

More importantly, it shows motivation. Seeking out work experience demonstrates commitment to studying economics at university level. It signals that you're proactive, curious, and willing to invest time in developing your understanding. Even a few days of relevant experience can transform how you approach the subject, both in your A Level Economics class and in the future. 

What Counts as Work Experience in Economics?

Many students believe that work experience must be a formal internship at a major institution. This isn't true. Universities value a wide range of experiences that demonstrate engagement with economic concepts and develop relevant skills.

The key is showing how your experience connects to economics. If you’re keen to broaden your work experience options, you might find our sister article: How To Get Work Experience For Finance As a Student useful.

Direct Experience

Direct experience involves working or observing in settings with clear economic focus. 

Examples include:

• Shadowing at banks or building societies

• Placements at consultancy firms

• Time with local government economic development teams

• Assisting at economic research centres or think tanks

• Observing at accountancy practices

• Working with business analysts

• Spending time with local Members of Parliament focusing on economic policy

Indirect Experience

Indirect experience involves roles where you develop transferable skills or encounter economic concepts.

These experiences are valuable when you can articulate the economic lessons you learned.

Examples include:

• Retail jobs where you observe pricing strategies, customer behaviour, or stock management

• Volunteering for charities that manage budgets or fundraising targets

• Part-time roles involving financial responsibility or data analysis

• Starting an economics blog or podcast

• Creating personal research projects on economic issues

• Tutoring younger students in maths or economics

• Running a small business or selling items online

Crucially, you should demonstrate how these experiences helped you understand economic concepts, like: 

• Supply and demand

• Financial decision-making

• Trade

Where to Find Work Experience Opportunities

Finding work experience requires persistence and creativity. Don't be discouraged if your first few attempts don't succeed. Most students need to try multiple approaches before securing a placement.

Start by exploring formal programmes. But, don't overlook informal opportunities through personal networks and online platforms.

Formal Programmes and Internships

Several organisations run structured work experience programmes specifically for school students. These tend to have formal application processes and set dates.

You might want to take a look at:

• KPMG Programme (opens in a new tab): Offers a ‘Discovery Work Experience’ Programme for Year 13 students.

• EY (opens in a new tab): Offers work experience for A Level students interested in a financial career.

• NHS (opens in a new tab): Many local NHS trusts accept students for administrative placements.

• InvestIN Education (opens in a new tab): Offers investment banking experience programmes for 15-18 year olds.

Tip: Want something a little more local? Use Google to search for "sixth form work experience" or "Year 12 economics placement" with your region to find opportunities closer to home.

Family, Friends and Alumni Networks

Don't underestimate the value of personal connections. Many placements come through informal networks rather than formal applications.

Ask family members, teachers, and friends if they know anyone working in economics-related fields. Even a relative who runs a small business can offer valuable insights into: 

• Pricing

• Profit margins

• Market competition

Contact your school's alumni network. Many former students are willing to offer a few days of shadowing to current pupils.

Be specific when making requests. Don't ask vaguely about "work experience." Explain that you're studying economics and would value the chance to observe for even just a day or two.

Online and Virtual Work Experience

If you can’t find a real-life placement, all is not lost. Virtual work experience has expanded significantly in recent years, making opportunities accessible regardless of your location.

Recommended platforms include:

• Springpod (opens in a new tab): Provides virtual work experience in finance and business.

• Forage (opens in a new tab): Offers job simulations in finance and consulting with companies, like Bank of America.

• UCAS (opens in a new tab): Has a list of regularly updated virtual work placements to explore.

Virtual experiences might not feel as impressive as in-person placements. However, they're legitimate and valued by universities and future employers. What matters is how you engage with them and what insights you gain.

How to Apply For Economics Work Experience

If formal programmes don't suit your schedule, approach organisations directly. Many businesses and organisations are willing to accommodate students.

Here's how to write an effective speculative email in 6 simple steps:

1. Subject line: Keep it clear and specific, such as "Year 12 Student Seeking Economics Work Experience."

2. Introduction: Explain who you are, which school you attend, and what you're studying.

3. Why them: Show you've researched the organisation and explain why you're interested in learning from them.

4. What you're asking for: Be clear and reasonable. A week of shadowing or even just a day or two is often more realistic than asking for a month-long placement.

5. Flexibility: Emphasise that you're willing to work around their schedule.

6. Closing: Thank them for considering your request and provide your contact details.

Keep your email concise, professional, and friendly. And, don’t forget to check for spelling errors before sending.

Target a range of organisations including:

• Local businesses with economic elements (shops, cafes, estate agents).

• Council economic development departments.

• Regional branches of national charities with fundraising or finance teams.

• Accountancy and financial advice firms.

• Local branches of larger organisations.

Send multiple emails and don't be discouraged by rejection or silence. Some people won't respond, but it only takes one yes to secure some great work experience.

How to Make the Most of Your Experience

Securing work experience is the first step. What you do during and after the placement determines how valuable it becomes for your university or apprenticeship applications.

Approach every experience with curiosity and professionalism. Ask questions, take notes, and think critically about what you observe.

Reflecting on Your Work Experience

Keep a daily log during your placement. Note down:

• Specific tasks you completed or observed

• Economic concepts you recognised

  • Pricing decisions

  • Supply chain issues

  • Budget constraints

• Questions that arose about how things work

• Conversations that gave you new perspectives

• Moments when you saw theory connecting to practice

After your placement, review your notes and identify key themes. Ask yourself:

• What surprised me about how this organisation operates?

• Which economic theories did I see in action?

• What did I learn about this sector or industry?

• How did this experience change my understanding of economics?

• What skills did I develop?

These reflections form the foundation of what you'll write in your personal statement. Explore our comprehensive guide to personal statements to nail your university application.

Adding It to Your Personal Statement

Universities don't want a detailed account of everything you did. They want to know what you learned and why it matters.

When describing work experience in your personal statement:

Be specific but concise. Mention the organisation and your role in one sentence, then focus on insights and learning.

Connect to economic concepts. Link your observations to theories you've studied: market structures, elasticity, or opportunity cost.

Show development. Explain how the experience deepened your interest in particular areas of economics.

Demonstrate skills. Highlight relevant abilities you developed, such as data analysis, communication, or understanding complex information.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the Best Type of Work Experience for Economics?

There's no "best" type of work experience. Top universities value quality of reflection over prestige of placement.

However, experiences offering direct exposure to economic decision-making tend to provide richer material for personal statements. Consider placements at:

• Research institutions

• Government departments

• Financial organisations 

These environments give you access to people thinking about economic problems professionally.

But you don’t need a week at a prestigious institution. A thoughtful independent project where you engage with economic questions can be just as valuable.

How Early Should I Start Looking for Experience?

Start looking at the beginning of Year 12, if possible. This shows long-term planning. Plan to complete most work experience before you write your personal statement in early Year 13, giving you time to reflect on what you learned.

Do Universities Expect Economics Work Experience?

Expectations vary by university. More competitive institutions place greater value on demonstrated interest through work experience. If you can secure work experience, you are giving yourself a competitive edge over your peers.

Can Part-Time Jobs Count as Economics Experience?

Yes! Part-time jobs provide excellent material for personal statements when you frame them correctly.

The trick is identifying and articulating the economic dimensions of your role. For example:

• Retail work teaches you about:

  • Consumer behaviour

  • Inventory management

  • Pricing strategies

• Tutoring demonstrates: 

  • Understanding of how to explain complex concepts

  • Commitment to learning

• Administrative roles often involve: 

  • Data handling

  • Understanding organisational efficiency

• Hospitality work exposes you to: 

  • Supply and demand in real-time

  • Seasonal variations

  • Labour economics

Don't just mention that you have a part-time job. Explain what economic insights you gained from it, and how that you've thought about your experiences through an economics lens.

Final Thoughts

Getting work experience for economics doesn't require perfect connections or a formal summer placement with an elite banking institution. Virtual programmes, part-time jobs, and personal projects all offer valuable material for your application when you engage with them properly.

Remember that admissions tutors care more about what you learned than where you went. A thoughtful reflection on shadowing a local business for three days will impress far more than a placement where you gained no real insights.

Good luck with your economics journey.

References

KPMG - Discovery Work Experience Programme (opens in a new tab)

NHS - Work Experience (opens in a new tab)

EY - Work Experience (opens in a new tab)

InvestIN Education - Investment Banking (opens in a new tab)

Springpod - Virtual Finance Work Experience (opens in a new tab)

Forage - Bank of America Job Simulation (opens in a new tab)

UCAS - Virtual Work Experience Listings (opens in a new tab)