2027 Apprentice - Human Insight Social Research - London

Location: London, gb Department: Early careers Employment Type: {'id': 'permanent', 'label': 'Full-time'}

Company Description

We believe in the power of ingenuity to build a positive human future.

As strategies, technologies, and innovation collide, we create opportunity from complexity.

Our teams of interdisciplinary experts combine innovative thinking and breakthrough technologies to progress further, faster. Our clients adapt and transform, and together we achieve enduring results.

We are over 4,000 strategists, innovators, designers, consultants, digital experts, scientists, engineers, and technologists. And we have deep expertise in consumer and manufacturing, defence and security, energy and utilities, financial services, government and public services, health and life sciences, and transport.

Our teams operate globally from offices across the UK, Ireland, US, Nordics, and Netherlands.

PA. Bringing Ingenuity to Life.

Job Description

Considering joining us?

We’re not a traditional consulting firm — we do things differently here.

The impactful work we do for our clients is underpinned by the strengths of our people. You would be joining our Human Insight capability, a team of 70+ mixed-method researchers, working with well-known brands and government departments to deliver strategic insight for design, innovation and better customer and citizen experiences. We are just one team in PA; there are also strategists, technologists, digital experts, designers, scientists, engineers — we all bring real-world experience to our work and apply it at pace. We all make an impact at PA.

Joining us as an apprentice is a big step. We can offer you unique opportunities to develop your skills and gain hands on experience working on real-life client projects, building your social research and market research skills.

What to expect from PA

Project work

When you join as an apprentice you’ll work on real-life client projects within your first few months. You’ll gain the knowledge and experience you need to build a successful career in research and human insight for design, innovation and customer or citizen experience, and contribute meaningfully to vital projects.

No two days are alike. You might be helping to design qualitative or quantitative research projects to help clients gain deeper insights into their customer or citizens needs and behaviours, to inspire innovation, service or policy design.  Or perhaps you’ll be writing survey questionnaires or discussion guides, conducting interviews or focus groups, or developing AI prompts to analyse the findings. You could be crafting compelling presentations; presenting these insights to clients at their offices; or participating in PA learning and development sessions to expand your knowledge and skills. Each day offers a dynamic blend of opportunities to engage, learn, and make a real impact.

Support

You will be coached and guided by human insight and social research experts, and receive support from the University of Kent, the apprenticeship provider.

We will assign you a dedicated line manager, who will be there to support you and to provide regular feedback to you, and the University of Kent. And, you’ll be given a ‘buddy’, another team member you can go to for help and support.

You will join alongside one other Social Research Degree Apprentice, and a wider cohort of apprentices from various teams across PA, studying different subjects.

The learning approach

You will be enrolled on to the L6 Social Research Degree Apprenticeship delivered by the University of Kent. On successful completion of the 4-year course, you will gain L6  Bachelor of Arts (Hons) Applied Social Research (Social Researcher) degree. You will not pay any tuition fees for this course. Instead, you’ll earn a salary while learning.

The course blends theoretical learning with practical application. You will attend an annual five-day in-person intensive teaching block at the university (transport and accommodation provided) and in-person workshops and practical sessions held in London three times per year. More regularly, you’ll attend weekly online classes, complete guided self-study and have individual tutorials, all while completing university assignments too.

PA Assessment process

First stage assessments

Application form answering three questions

Online assessments

Shortlisting and/or technical assessments

Final stage assessments

Assessment centre in London

Final stage interviews

Adjustments or accommodations - Should you need any adjustments or accommodations to the recruitment process, at either application or interview, please contact us on [email protected]

Qualifications

Requirements

Qualification: Applicants should have at least five GCSEs (grade 4 or above in Maths and English) or equivalent qualifications. Applicants should have at least 96 UCAS points (three C’s at A level/T level core pass C) or an equivalent academic or professional qualification. If you’re unsure if you qualify or have an alternative educational background, apply and we can discuss at a later date.

Knowledge of research methods is a plus, but not essential

If you already have a degree, take a look at our Graduate roles instead.

Who we’re looking for

We know you might not have had the chance to take part in work experience – that’s okay. You might display the characteristics and strengths we’ve listed below in other parts of your life; from school and college to hobbies and family life.

Driven and curious — driven to succeed, hungry for new challenges, and eager to broaden your understanding of the world with a passion for understanding people, culture, technology and trends, to shape policy, design and decision making

Collaborative and supportive — a dependable team-player, an ability to build strong relationships with people, and support others to succeed.

Credible and communicative — strong communication skills, both written and verbal.  You are