2026 UK Graduate Economist Career Path

Please note you may only submit one application for our graduate opportunities. Once submitted, changes or new applications cannot be made — unless new vacancies open in the new year.  

To avoid missing out on your preferred role, we recommend applying as early as possible, as positions will close once filled. 

Turn your ambition into action - apply now and shape your future with us.  

Job Description: 

At Mott MacDonald, we believe in creating lasting, positive impact through collaboration, integrity, and innovation. Our economics team is at the heart of this mission - supporting clients and colleagues across the business with insightful analysis, strategic advisory services, and evidence-based decision-making that helps shape policy and transform communities. 

As our team continues to grow rapidly, we’re looking for a curious, analytical, and results-driven individual who is passionate about achieving meaningful results.  

What You’ll Be Doing 

You’ll work on a diverse portfolio of UK projects that influence infrastructure investment. From assessing economic impact to shaping infrastructure projects, your work will help deliver real-world change. 

Key areas of focus include: 

• Economic appraisals and cost benefit analysis 

• Five-case model business cases 

• Green Finance 

• Economic Modelling  

Your responsibilities will grow with you and may include: 

• Supporting and eventually leading projects, with guidance from experienced mentors 

• Learning the commercial and technical aspects of consultancy 

• Contributing to business development and identifying new opportunities 

• Collaborating across disciplines and teams to deliver impactful solutions 

Why Join Us? 

• Growth & Development: We invest in your potential. You’ll gain hands-on experience, receive tailored support, and have access to continuous learning opportunities. 

• Teamwork & Inclusion: We celebrate diversity and foster a culture of respect, collaboration, and belonging. Your voice matters here. 

• Trust & Integrity: We uphold the highest standards of professionalism and ethics in everything we do. 

• Wellbeing & Support: Your wellbeing is our priority. We offer flexible working, mental health support, and a caring environment. 

• Purpose & Impact: Your work will help shape better outcomes for society -supporting sustainable development, inclusive growth, and resilient communities.  

Candidate Specification: 

At Mott MacDonald, we’re looking for curious, motivated graduates who want to stretch their learning beyond their degree to tackle real world economic problems.  Join our purpose-driven teams where your ideas matter, your growth is supported, and your work enhances the world we live in.  

To be eligible for this opportunity, you will have less than 12 months’ relevant experience (excluding placements) and have a minimum of a bachelor’s degree (obtained no earlier than 2024) or expected to achieve one of the following degree disciplines:  

• Economics 

• Mathematics 

• Economic development 

• Accounting 

• Finance 

• Geography

We are ideally looking for candidates with the following knowledge or experience: 

• Studied a module on economic appraisal/business cases/cost benefit analysis or have specifically studied an accounting module. 

• Experience in using excel or another IT application to model an economic or financial problem. 

In your application, you should aim to demonstrate your genuine interest in both the opportunity and in joining Mott MacDonald. You can do this by highlighting any relevant experience or interests - such as modules you've studied, previous work experience, or any research you've undertaken about our company, values, and projects. 

We personally review every completed application we receive as our selection process is entirely human led – we do not use AI tools and kindly expect you not to either. We want you to answer each application question with authenticity so we can get to know the real you. Joining us as a graduate is your opportunity to shape your own story. 

We are looking for graduates with the following strengths: 

• Proactively takes initiative to complete tasks efficiently and independently. 

• Communicates effectively and clearly with clients and colleagues. 

• Delivers high quality written work with strong attention to detail and clarity. 

• Demonstrates a structured and analytical approach to problem solving. 

This opportunity may require you to be eligible to achieve security clearance.  Security clearance is dictated by the types of projects we work on and normally requires you to be a UK British national or lived in the UK for five years or more.  Security clearance is desirable but not critical for this role.  

As we want the best people for the role, we support flexible working.  Please ask us at interview stage about any flexibility you may need. 

Mott MacDonald Ltd. is not currently offering sponsorship to candidates under the Skilled Worker visa route in the UK. This decision is as a consequence of the changes made to the Skilled Worker route by the UK Government in April 2024.  

Our ethos is to develop, train and retain our graduates and therefore we are looking for a long-term relationship with our graduates. For this reason, we cannot accept applications from candidates who would be working under the Graduate visa route or other time-limited visas, (irrespective of visa duration), due to their temporary nature and the requirement for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker route in future. 

We continue to welcome applications from candidates who are eligible for alternative immigration routes in the UK, that do not require sponsorship as a Skilled Worker now or in future. 

About your development 

A graduate position should be more than just a job. We know this and so do you. That’s why with our graduate roles we aim to give you the experience and technical knowledge you need to progress your career.  From the moment you join us, you’ll receive the training you need. You will be assigned a senior economist, who will guide you to meet the objectives of your professional training needs.  

You will join our three-year early careers soft skills development programme – Accelerating your Future, which is designed to give you the skills and tools necessary for a long-lasting successful career here at Mott MacDonald. 

You will have the opportunity to make a difference; learn more about our  Social Outcomes and the difference we can make!