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  4. Data Science Internship 2025 (1-year placement)
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Contract: 1-year fixed-term 
Location: London Victoria or Newcastle City Centre
Salary: £27,133 in London and £24,477 in Newcastle 

We welcome applications to participate in our year-long Data Science Internship Scheme starting from September 2025. This is an entry-level position in our Analysis Hub, aimed at supporting and developing people looking to start a career in data science.

As part of the scheme, you’ll benefit from dedicated training to develop skills using R, SQL and Python mixed with the opportunity to put those skills into practice. For example, you will spend your time: 

  • applying your quantitative and qualitative skills to large messy datasets to derive new insights; 
  • building and implementing data tools to support our range of assurance work. For example, take a look at the Data Visualisations presented on our website - such as Waste Management, or Integrated Care Systems;
  • collaborating with our financial auditors to review high value, high risk quantitative models which underpin accounting estimates. For example, the value of the student loans book, the rate of fraud and error in tax credit and benefit payments, and the money needed in the future to compensate people who have experienced clinical negligence. 

No previous experience of audit is necessary, and training will be provided in key Data Science skills such as R and Python.

An interest in learning programming skills is required; previous programming experience is desirable but not essential.

Educational requirements

We do have some minimum criteria which you will need to meet:

  • 120 UCAS points from the 2017 tariff from your top 3 A-Level grades (or equivalent). General Studies does not count. If you have 104 UCAS points from the 2017 tariff (or equivalent) you may still be eligible to apply – please email HRServiceDesk@nao.org.uk for further details.
  • Have taken an undergraduate degree course with a substantive quantitative component such as data science, operational research, mathematics, statistics, physics, engineering, management science, economics. The data science internship is unlikely to be suitable for people studying accounting and finance degree courses.
  • You are in your second year of a sandwich degree course, or
  • You are in your final year and are expecting a 2:1 degree or better, or
  • You have completed your undergraduate degree course and achieved a 2:1 degree or better

Nationality requirements

  • UK Nationals;
  • Nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK;
  • Nationals from the EU, EEA or Switzerland with (or eligible for) status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)

Please note we are not able to sponsor work visas. Please contact HRServiceDesk@nao.org.uk if you have any queries on your eligibility.

For more information on the placement, please click on the apply link below where you will also find the candidate pack.

To apply you will need to submit a CV and complete the application form which you will find on the vacancy advert via the link.

The deadline for applications is Sunday 17 November 2024 (23:59)