Civil service administrator

hi, i’m looking into becoming a civil service administrator however they do prefer degrees now due to helping with skills and i was wondering if a sociology with criminology degree would be any help and if not what kind of degree should i look into?

Reply 1

Stiffy Byng

You could study pretty much any subject before applying to join the civil service, unless seeking a role in a technical part of the service.

(edited 8 months ago)

Reply 2

Marcus133

I've been in the civil service - for a AO admin role you won't need any particular degree. The main thing to succeed is to be able to successfully write and have good civil service behaviour examples for application and interview - lots of resources out there, I found www.civilservicesuccess.co.uk particularly helpful myself if you have any other questions happy to help.

Reply 3

Quady

Original post by mollygkgh

Do they prefer degrees for admin roles...?

How does that get assessed?

Reply 4

Stiffy Byng

Original post by Quady

Do they prefer degrees for admin roles...?
How does that get assessed?

Are you thinking of Exec Officer, or Admin Officer?

https://nationalcareers.service.gov.uk/job-profiles/civil-service-executive-officer

https://nationalcareers.service.gov.uk/job-profiles/civil-service-administrative-officer

(edited 8 months ago)

Reply 5

Quady

Original post by Stiffy Byng

Are you thinking of Exec Officer, or Admin Officer?
https://nationalcareers.service.gov.uk/job-profiles/civil-service-executive-officer
https://nationalcareers.service.gov.uk/job-profiles/civil-service-administrative-officer

I was thinking of AA/AO as the OP referenced administrator.

The question stands for most grades, other than HEO(D), do the civil service prefer those with degrees and how is that assessed?

Reply 6

Stiffy Byng

How is what assessed?

Reply 7

Quady

Original post by Stiffy Byng

How is what assessed?

That a candidate is a degree holder or not.

At what part of the assessment/recruitment process is it taken into account in scoring that a candidate has a degree?

Reply 8

University of Sheffield Students

Official Rep

Original post by mollygkgh

Hi there,

I'm a second year sociology with social policy student at the University of Sheffield. I would definitely recommend a sociology degree to get into the civil service. Through my experience of attending career and employability events at my university they have had opportunities to look into civil service work, and explain more about what it is, tailored for social science students. So I would suggest going into the social sciences to follow this line of work. :grin:

Let me know if you have anymore questions - Trudie :smile:

Reply 9

SharonMoxon

Original post by Quady

Do they prefer degrees for admin roles...?
How does that get assessed?

No they don't, having a degree will just get listed on the application as a qualification however will not form part of the assessment or sit (unless a requirement of the job)

Reply 10

SharonMoxon

Original post by Quady

That a candidate is a degree holder or not.
At what part of the assessment/recruitment process is it taken into account in scoring that a candidate has a degree?

It isn't, unless specifically asked for in the job spec

Reply 11

SharonMoxon

Original post by Quady

I was thinking of AA/AO as the OP referenced administrator.
The question stands for most grades, other than HEO(D), do the civil service prefer those with degrees and how is that assessed?

They have no preference unless a requirement of the role, you are assessed across a number of methods but having a degree or not will not form part of it

Reply 12

Quady

Original post by SharonMoxon

No they don't, having a degree will just get listed on the application as a qualification however will not form part of the assessment or sit (unless a requirement of the job)

Must've changed in the last six months I guess then.

Reply 13

SharonMoxon

Original post by Quady

Must've changed in the last six months I guess then.

I worked there for 30 years and can say for sure that it was this way for the past 15-20 years at least

Reply 14

Quady

Original post by SharonMoxon

I worked there for 30 years and can say for sure that it was this way for the past 15-20 years at least

You worked as a civil service administrator for 30 years?

How come @mollygkgh says they do prefer degrees now due to helping with skills? [seven months ago]

Reply 15

SharonMoxon

Original post by Quady

You worked as a civil service administrator for 30 years?
How come @mollygkgh says they do prefer degrees now due to helping with skills? [seven months ago]

Firstly, you do come across as very challenging or possibly disbeleiving-there is no shame in holding down a job for 30 years, no sick leave for the final 10 years despite working a second job on Saturdays too for 19 of those years. I worked in DWP Operations for 30 years, starting as AO and ending as HEO. We had a complete recruitment/promotion ban for 5-10 years in the 2000's otherwise I'd have got to a higher grade if at all possible. I led many teams, mentored many people and for my final 18 months I was evaluation & insight lead in the Leadership Development Team. They don't 'prefer' graduates (unless you are meaning in fast-stream) but a graduate may find that they score well on things like SJT if they have developed those skills through their time at Uni. But similarly, someone without a degree may also have those skills. My stepson started as Work Coach in a Jobcentre (EO) post-uni in 2020 and the degree was no help at all, as he didn't at that point understand how to sell himself in applications, however he is only young and a quick learner. He rtook a sideways move to Home Office in london and last year was promoted to HEO in the Cabinet Office. The sifters and interviewers woiuld have no knowledge of his degree but it's possible that the skills he learnt whilst doing his degree helped him