Civil servants are employees of the Crown (though not employed in the Royal Household) or those employed by Parliament. They work impartially for the Government, the devolved assemblies or the EU.
The UK Civil Service employs staff from all disciplines; including specialists in science, law, economics, business, and many other fields. Graduates interested in a leadership career in the Civil Service can apply to the Civil Service Fast Stream, or to graduate programmes run by individual Government departments.
The EU Civil Service employs staff to carry out the day-to-day decisions made by the European Union. This includes the Commission, the EU Council of Ministers, the European Council and the European Parliament.
This guide covers recruitment for the Civil Service Fast Stream and EU Civil Service. See our Public sector guide for information on working in local government
Most people who work in the Civil Service find work outside of the large and well-publicised graduate schemes
Here are some sites you can use to look for work in this sector:
Other Government departments run their own graduate schemes
The Civil Service runs a Direct Appointment Scheme for candidates who have progressed through several stages of the Fast Stream application process, but who have not been successful. Candidates may be contacted by the Direct Appointment Team and offered an Executive Officer and Higher Executive Officer role. See the FAQs for more info
Chloe Lianos (Chemistry, 2012)
Chloe is a Sussex graduate on the Civil Service Fast Stream Programme. She has worked on a policing data programme at the Home Office, EU exit farming policy at DEFRA and is currently managing the development of emergency temporary accommodation in London.
Chloe was diagnosed with Crohn's disease shortly before joining Sussex and took advantage of the Civil Service's Guaranteed Interview Scheme when applying for the Fast Stream by disclosing her disability. The Civil Service is a Disability Confident Employer and Chloe's colleagues have supported her to excel at work.
Various schemes exist to help increase diversity and give you an insight into working in the Civil Service