AQA - Policy and External Affairs Graduate

Shape the future, starting with yours - Join AQA as a Policy and External Affairs Graduate and play your part in shaping the national conversation on education. Over this two-year programme, you'll work with our Policy and Communications teams, contributing to advocacy, partner engagement, and policy development that influence learners and educators across the UK.

What You'll Be Doing

As a Policy and External Affairs Graduate, you'll rotate through four key areas of the business - Policy, Public Affairs, Partnerships, and External Affairs Coordination - gaining insight into how we shape education policy, build strategic relationships, and communicate our purpose.

• Policy - Contribute to the development of AQA's positions on qualifications, assessment, and broader education issues. Analyse policy developments, draft briefings and consultation responses, and support engagement with government departments, think tanks, and education organisations.
• Public Affairs - Help build and maintain relationships with politicians, civil servants, and other decision-makers. Your work will include parliamentary monitoring, stakeholder mapping, and supporting engagement planning to ensure AQA's voice is heard in key conversations.
• Partnerships - Support the delivery of AQA's Purpose Driven Partnerships by coordinating with external organisations and running events alongside subject experts. You'll also help track the impact of these partnerships to ensure they align with our mission.
• External Affairs Coordination - Work closely with colleagues across Corporate Affairs and Strategy (CAS) and the External Affairs directorate to align policy and communications activity with organisational priorities, ensuring a consistent and strategic approach.

Who We're Looking For

We're looking for a politically aware, articulate graduate with a passion for education and public policy. You'll need strong writing skills, the ability to build relationships, and an undergraduate degree or equivalent in any field. Other qualities we'd like to see include:

• Clear and confident verbal communication skills.
• Strong attention to detail and a positive attitude towards learning
• The ability to collaborate effectively with teams across the business

We believe that everyone stands to benefit when we embrace and value the diversity of thoughts, ideas and ways of working that people from different backgrounds, experiences and identities bring.

What You'll Get Out of It

You'll be part of a structured graduate scheme with mentoring, buddy support, and accredited training in interpersonal skills. You'll gain experience across multiple teams, build confidence, and contribute to meaningful work in education.

Other benefits include:

• A starting salary of £26,000
• Mentoring from Senior Leadership
• Experience in both UK and International markets
• Accredited training in presenting, influencing and problem solving