Essex Q-Step Centre

An exclusive opportunity for students of Essex

Q-Step originally started as a £19.5 million programme funded by the Nuffield Foundation, the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) and the Office for Students (OfS) It was developed specifically to help social science graduates gain the quantitative skills to evaluate evidence, analyse data, and design and commission research –all of which are essential skills to employers across all sectors.

The programme is now funded internally by the University of Essex.

Why take part in Q-Step?

Quantitative skills are highly desired by employers across all sectors. The skills you'll learn during your Q-Step modules will equip you for a range of well-paid careers. Q-Step will help you learn all the skills a 21st century social scientist requires to help tackle the big questions facing society.

The Q-Step pathway emphasises the practical rather than theoretical – you’ll use the latest datasets and software – so when you graduate you’ll be ready to enter the workplace straight away. Achieving a Q-Step award will also open doors to postgraduate study in a range of disciplines.

Who can become a Q-Step student?

If you're studying qualifying degrees in the Department of Government, Department of History, Department of Sociology, Department of Language and Linguistics or Essex Business School, you have the opportunity to follow a specialised pathway that embeds a substantial amount of quantitative methods in your degree.

The successful completion of the specified modules will entitle you to receive the qualifier ‘(Applied Quantitative Methods)’ at the end of your degree title, for example BA Sociology (Applied Quantitative Methods) and this will appear on your transcript and degree certificate. This will signal to employers that you are highly skilled in quantitative methods.

You will automatically be enrolled for the Applied Quantitative Methods qualifier if you are taking the appropriate modules to make you eligible. This will be awarded to you at the end of your degree at the Final Board of Examiners, as long as you have taken the correct modules.

Paid work internships for Q-Step students

As part of your degree, we offer you the opportunity to apply for a limited number of paid internships. Internships can last up to 8 weeks in an external organisation and will take place over the summer between your second and third year. They will enable you to utilise quantitative skills and methods in a real-world working environment.

Whilst on your Q-Step internship, you will receive a bursary equivalent of £300 per week (full-time). Payments will be made in two instalments with the first payment being made prior to, or at the start of your internship.

Nervous about applying for internships? The Careers Services team will help you with the application process. Visit the Career Services team and discover how they can help with your Q-Step application. You can also email them at careersinfo@essex.ac.uk.
 
Previously successful Essex Q-Step graduates have undertaken internships at Colchester Borough Council, Sage Publications, World Land Trust, YouGov, Profusion and Essex Community Rehabilitation Company. For more information on internships, please email internships@essex.ac.uk.

Still have questions about Q-Step and your academic Department?

Please contact your Q-Step Department lead listed below: