Digital Fast Stream 2027

Digital Fast Stream 2027

The Digital Fast Stream 2027 offers graduates and eligible candidates the opportunity to develop a career in Government Digital & Data while working on projects that can impact millions of people across the UK.

The programme is delivered through the Fast Stream and Emerging Talent scheme and includes opportunities across technical and non-technical digital roles.

Job Overview

• Job title: Digital Fast Stream 2027
• Employer: Fast Stream and Emerging Talent
• Reference: 482996
• Salary: £31,554 per year
• Grade: Higher Executive Officer
• Contract: Permanent
• Working pattern: Full-time
• Number of vacancies: 102
• Location: National
• Business area: FSET – Centrally Managed Scheme
• Closing date: 5 November 2026 at 12 noon

About the Digital Fast Stream

Digital Fast Streamers work across the UK Civil Service and gain experience through a number of postings. The programme is designed to develop leadership, management and specialist skills in a fast-paced, learner-driven environment.

Postings can vary depending on the department and its office locations. Recent locations have included the East of England, Greater London, North West, Scotland, South West, Wales, West Midlands, and Yorkshire and the Humber.

Candidates may need to move location during the programme. Preferences will be considered where possible, but business requirements determine final postings. Fast Streamers cannot choose their department or specific role.

Digital Roles Available

The Digital Fast Stream includes four non-technical pathways:

• Product Manager – Manage products throughout their lifecycle while developing product management skills.
• Delivery Manager – Support team performance, remove obstacles and prioritise work for product and service delivery.
• Business Analyst – Analyse business problems and opportunities and research how people, processes and technology operate.
• User Researcher – Conduct research to help design government services around user needs and policy goals.

Two technical pathways were introduced from 2026:

• Software Developer – Develop and implement software solutions and contribute to efficient, user-friendly applications.
• Data Scientist – Analyse complex data, produce actionable insights and develop predictive models to support strategic decisions.

Candidates choosing a technical pathway must obtain Security Check (SC) clearance before starting the technical role. The Civil Service aims to put successful candidates through the required security clearance process.

If a candidate is not eligible for SC clearance, they may still apply because non-technical roles are available that require standard Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) checks.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must:

• Be eligible to work in the UK.
• Have, or be on track to receive, a 2:2 degree, degree apprenticeship or postgraduate degree in any subject.
• Existing Civil Service employees can apply without a degree.
• Candidates pursuing a technical role must obtain SC clearance before starting the scheme.

Important for international applicants: the advert states that applicants must be eligible to work in the UK. It does not advertise Skilled Worker visa sponsorship, so candidates who require new UK visa sponsorship should not assume sponsorship is available.

Behaviours Assessed

Candidates will be assessed against the following Civil Service behaviours:

• Making Effective Decisions
• Seeing the Big Picture
• Changing and Improving
• Communicating and Influencing
• Working Together
• Developing Self and Others

Salary and Benefits

The salary is £31,554 per year.

The Fast Stream and Emerging Talent programme contributes £9,141 towards membership of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension Scheme, with an employer pension contribution of 28.97%.

Other benefits include:

• Civil Service Pension Scheme
• Professional qualifications
• Flexible working arrangements
• Season ticket loans
• Sports and social activities
• Childcare assistance
• Specialist learning and development opportunities

Application and Selection Process

The Fast Stream application process consists of several stages.

At the initial application stage, candidates provide background information, complete diversity monitoring questions and identify their preferences for Fast Stream schemes. Applicants can select up to three schemes.

Candidates are advised to register using a personal email address rather than a work or university email address.

The assessment process includes:

Work-Based Scenarios: An online assessment using video-based scenarios to assess interpersonal skills and responses to workplace situations.

Case Study Assessment: Candidates respond to work-based scenarios involving challenges, decisions and changing circumstances.

Depending on the schemes selected, candidates may also need to provide additional information or complete an intermediate sift.

Candidates who pass the earlier stages may be invited to the Fast Stream Assessment Centre (FSAC), which is conducted virtually and includes a written exercise, oral briefing exercise and personal development conversation.

Most schemes then require a Final Selection Board for candidates who reach the required standard at FSAC.

Reasonable adjustments are available throughout the application process.

Security and Nationality Requirements

Successful candidates must undergo the required security checks, including a basic or equivalent criminal record check and BPSS checks where applicable.

The vacancy is broadly open to eligible:

• UK nationals
• Republic of Ireland nationals
• Commonwealth nationals with the right to work in the UK
• Eligible EU, Swiss, Norwegian, Icelandic and Liechtenstein nationals and qualifying family members with settled or pre-settled status
• Certain individuals with limited or indefinite leave to remain
• Turkish nationals and certain qualifying family members who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Artificial Intelligence

The employer states that AI can be used to support an application, but all examples and statements must be truthful, factually accurate and based on the applicant’s own experience.

Applications may be withdrawn where plagiarism or inappropriate use of AI is identified.

Application Deadline

Apply before 12 noon on Thursday, 5 November 2026.

How to Apply

Applications are made through the official Civil Service Fast Stream application system.

Reference: 482996

Source: Civil Service Jobs