A Political Advisor or Aide works closely with politicians, government ministers, or political parties to provide research, policy analysis, and strategic advice. Their main tasks include preparing briefings, drafting speeches, monitoring political developments, and advising on communication strategies. This career often involves fast-paced work, confidentiality, and the ability to respond quickly to changing circumstances. Political advisors need strong analytical and communication skills, as well as a good understanding of current affairs and government processes. The role can be demanding but is highly rewarding for those interested in shaping public policy and political outcomes.
Political advisors in the UK typically earn between £25,000 and £50,000 per year, with senior positions reaching up to £70,000 or more.
There are approximately 2,000 to 3,000 political aide positions in the UK, most concentrated in London and other political hubs.
Political advisors often work more than 40 hours per week, especially when Parliament is in session or during election periods.
Supports Members of Parliament by researching issues, preparing briefing notes, and helping draft speeches and questions.
Works with MPs to assist constituents with their problems, such as benefits, housing, and immigration issues.
Helps develop and analyse policy proposals for political parties, think tanks, or government departments.
Study subjects such as Politics, History, Economics, or International Relations at A-level or equivalent.
Taking relevant subjects at school will give you a solid understanding of political systems and current affairs. Consider courses that encourage debate, critical thinking, and analysis. Volunteering in school councils or student government can also provide valuable experience.
Pursue a degree in Politics, Public Policy, Law, or a related field.
A university degree is highly valued for political advisory roles. Undergraduate courses in Politics or related disciplines are commonly chosen. Some universities offer placements or internships with MPs or government bodies, which can be very helpful.
Join a political party, student political society, or campaign group to gain practical experience.
Active involvement in political groups helps you build a network, understand campaign work, and experience real-life political issues. Many MPs and local councillors welcome volunteers for their campaigns or constituency work.
Apply for internships with MPs, government departments, or think tanks.
Internships provide hands-on experience in research, policy analysis, and administrative support. Look out for advertised internships through Parliament, government websites, or political parties. These roles are competitive, so tailor your application and demonstrate a keen interest in politics.
Strengthen your writing, research, and public speaking skills.
Political advisors need to communicate clearly, both in writing and verbally. Practice drafting reports, policy briefs, and speeches. Take opportunities to present ideas and analyse complex issues in a concise way.
Look for entry-level roles such as Parliamentary Assistant, Caseworker, or Policy Researcher.
Entry-level positions can be found through MPs' offices, government websites, or political organisations. Tailor your CV and cover letter to highlight your political experience and skills. Networking and persistence are key in this competitive field.
Explore relevant apprenticeships that can help you kickstart your career in Political Advisor/Aide. Apprenticeships offer hands-on experience and training while earning a wage.
A Political Advisor/Aide often conducts research, analysis, and gathers information to support political strategies and communication efforts. Similarly, a Media researcher investigates and collects data related to media content and audience trends to inform media production and strategy.
You can get into this job through:
You can do a degree at university before applying for researcher jobs. Most subjects are acceptable, although some programme makers may look for expertise in a particular subject, depending on the show.
Subjects include:
You'll usually need:
You could do a college course, which would teach you some of the skills and knowledge you need in this role.
Courses include:
Entry requirements for these courses vary.
4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths for a T Level
You could apply to do a Broadcast Production Assistant Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship.
You would learn a wide range of skills on this apprenticeship. On completion, you could concentrate on the research side of programme production.
Employers will set their own entry requirements.
You could start as an administrator, runner or production assistant with a TV company and take on research duties, with the support of your employer.
Making contacts in the industry is a good way to find opportunities and work placements to develop your research skills. You could:
You can apply directly to employers if you've got relevant skills and knowledge needed for this job. Work experience, contacts and good research skills are highly valued.
You could also move into programme research if you've worked in journalism, or had a research job in a non-media field, such as social or political fact-finding and analysis.
You could take a training course through a professional body, like BECTU, the broadcast union, or ScreenSkills. These are open to new starters as well as existing staff looking to progress.
You'll need to get practical experience of media production, and develop a network of contacts in the industry.
Being able to solve a problem creatively can be very useful. It'll also be helpful if you have knowledge of current affairs and the media.
Some understanding of how artificial intelligence content creation tools work may be helpful in certain roles. While specialist subject knowledge may be needed for specific programmes and documentaries.
You can find out more about becoming a media researcher from ScreenSkills and organisations like:
Explore other careers or use our AI to discover personalised paths based on your interests.
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