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Applying to Fast Stream

The Civil Service Fast Stream is a popular choice for students and graduates and is very competitive.

About the Fast Stream

The Civil Service Fast Stream is an accelerated leadership development programme.

There are a wide range opportunities available. These include roles in areas like Finance, Diplomacy, Human Resources, Digital, Data and Technology.

Fast Stream is usually 3 or 4 year scheme (with a few exceptions).

The Civil Service mission is to keep the UK prosperous and secure, supporting the government in implementing their commitments and delivering high quality public services.

Fast Stream facts

  • you don't always have to be based in London. Many civil servants, including some in senior positions, work outside the South East. The majority of Fast Streamers are currently based in London, but opportunities are available in different parts of the UK. Flexibility and mobility is preferred but you can express a location preference when being assigned postings. Most Fast Streamers will need to relocate at least once during the scheme
  • you don't need a 2:1 or a first to apply. Many streams accept a 2:2 degree
  • applications are welcome from any university and many streams don’t ask for a specific degree
  • there is no upper age limit to apply
  • most streams have a £31,000 starting salary
  • you don't need a politics background

You can find out more about Fast Stream by reading graduate case studies and on the Civil Service Fast Stream Blog.

Summer Internship Programme

You can apply for the SIP from your second year of university. You will spend two months working in a departmental team, doing project work.

During the internship you will learn about the Civil Service and the range of opportunities. You could also be fast tracked through the early stages of the application for the Fast Stream.

Applications usually open in September to October. For more information see the Fast Stream website.

Applying for the graduate Fast Stream Programme

There are 15 streams to choose from - these are:

You can select up to four schemes that you’re eligible for. Specify your preferences in the order you want them to be considered. You will not be able to change your preference order later so choose carefully.

You are able to withdraw from a scheme selection before you are invited to the Fast Stream Assessment Centre. Once you have been invited to the Assessment Centre you are unable to withdraw from any scheme.

Assessment phases

You will complete an initial online application before moving on to the following stages:

  • online tests - work style questionnaires and multimedia situational judgement questionnaires and a numerical test. These are multiple-choice. You have five days to complete the online tests, which are not timed
  • work based scenarios - an online case study and learning assessments. Both use multimedia and both are multiple-choice. You have five days to complete the work-based scenarios
  • additional information – for some schemes you might need to complete additional information or complete an intermediate sift process. You would have 7 days to complete this
  • Fast Stream Assessment Centre (FSAC) - if you pass the above stages you’ll be invited to a half day assessment centre which will take place online. The FSAC reflects some of the key elements of a Fast Stream role. It consists of a leadership exercise, a group exercise and a written scenario. Information is presented via an app that you will access remotely (alternative formats are available)
  • final selection board - most schemes will then require a final selection board (Government Policy, Human Resources, Digital, Data, Technology and Cyber schemes). You will be asked to attend this final assessment if you reach the required standard at FSAC

You are assessed at each stage on the Civil Service Behaviours and Civil Service Strengths - apart from on the application form, which only asks for your basic details.

Fast Stream describe behaviours as the actions and activities that people do which result in effective performance in a job and strengths as the things we find energising and that motivate us.

Key behaviours they assess are:

  • seeing the big picture - understanding how your role fits with and supports organisational objectives. Recognising the wider organisational priorities and ensuring work is in the national interest
  • changing and improving - seeking out opportunities to create effective change and suggesting innovative ideas for improvement. Reviewing ways of working, including seeking and providing feedback
  • making effective decisions - using evidence and knowledge to support accurate, expert decisions and advice. Carefully considering alternative options, implications and risks of decisions
  • communicating and influencing - communicating purpose and direction with clarity, integrity and enthusiasm. Respecting the needs, responses and opinions of others
  • working together - forming effective partnerships and relationships with people both internally and externally, from a range of diverse backgrounds, sharing information, resources and support.
  • developing self and others - focussing on continuous learning and development for self, others and the organisation as a whole
Fast Stream FAQs

Online tests

After completing your initial application you’ll be invited by email to complete the online tests.

The tests take up to two hours to complete but they are not timed. There are three multiple choice elements:

Test 1: work style questionnaire

Fast Stream believe the work style questionnaire is not something you need to practise. 

When completing the questionnaire:

  • think about your personal qualities in relation to the Civil Service Behaviours and Civil Service Strengths
  • respond honestly about your preferred style of working, when you are at your best and operating professionally
  • work quickly rather than thinking too long about any of the statements

Find more about behavioural questionnaires and find example personality tests at Recruitment Tests. 

Test 2: situational judgement questionnaire

This tests judgement in situations requiring interpersonal skills. For example, emotional intelligence, collaborative working, empathy and supportive working.

Before you do the Situational Judgement questionnaire try out practice questions.

When completing the questionnaire you should:

  • carefully read the given scenarios and options - every detail is there for a reason
  • consider the best option in identifying the most and least effective responses – not what might happen in reality
  • the best option is not necessarily the ‘ideal’ but should be the most effective from the presented choices
  • consider facts rather than opinions
  • avoid bringing in outside knowledge
  • think about the 'least risky' option, financially, commercially and to people
  • avoid simply being a 'people pleaser'. Do consider others' views but your choices need to be based on logic
  • when answering questions, be careful about decisions that have already been made by more senior managers - they will have been made for a reason

Find more Situational Judgement test examples at Recruitment Tests.

Test 3: numerical test

This tests candidate ability to calculate, evaluate and interpret numerical information to solve problems.

You will be presented with graphs, tables or other numerical information, followed by a multiple choice question. You must identify which answer is correct.

The GOV.UK website includes guidance on the numerical tests, including an information video and practice tests. 

Work based scenarios

Work based scenarios consist of an online case study and learning assessments.

  • Both use multimedia
  • Both are multiple-choice
  • You have 5 days to complete the work based scenarios

For the case study you will be presented with a single scenario, with video-based information. You will assume the (fictitious) role of a Fast Streamer and review the issues.

In the learning assessment your learning agility will be tested against a range of challenges. Using video-based scenarios you will learn and respond to changes in situations over the course of two fictitious Fast Stream postings.

Tips for candidates 

  • Pay very close attention to the background material provided
  • Consider what your role in the team is in the exercises, how you fit in to the team overall, and what the overall goal of the work based scenario is 
  • Take the opportunity to delegate up and down – as a Fast Streamer you will be managing others
  • Note down where things are, there is a lot of information to process
  • Don’t guess - use the information provided
  • Don’t focus too much on small details
  • You can’t always be a 'people pleaser'; you'll need to make a logical decision
  • Think about a constructive response but don’t always take the middle ground
  • Manage your time

Questions to ask yourself when responding to the scenario: 

  • in the real world, how would you deal with this?
  • what can you do to resolve this issue, now or in the future?
  • should you delegate this or take ownership of it yourself?
  • what colleagues, or third parties can help you resolve this?
  • what colleagues, or third parties need to be made aware of this?

Additional resources 

  • For more information on case studies see - Assessment Centres
  • You can try practice case study exercises on the Graduates First platform. Choose 'Assessment Exercises' in the menu
  • In the exercise there will be a LOT to read. Freereadingtest.com helps you to practice reading complex texts quickly whilst maintaining comprehension.

The following links are not Civil Service specific, but outline general good practice for project management, handling stakeholders and leading people:

Also see Recruitment Tests for more help. 

 

Fast Stream Assessment Centre (FSAC)

The FSAC is a half day event. You will receive a briefing email before the assessment centre with key information for the day.

The Fast Stream have produced a 2024 PDF guide to their assessment centre. This includes:

  • detailed advice on how to prepare for the team, leadership and written scenarios
  • tips on how to perform well at the exercises
  • example scenarios to practice

It’s recommended that you research the role of civil servants and Fast Streamers using the Fast Stream website and have a good nights sleep the day before.

General tips
  • be yourself. The Civil Service promotes diversity, so there is no such thing as a typical Fast Streamer
  • it is hard to do well in every scenario. If one scenario doesn’t go so well, be positive and don’t give up – you have a chance to do better in the next one
  • all scenarios move relatively quickly. This is to reflect the demands of the Fast Stream. Keep a check on time and be efficient
Behaviours assessed

The assessor will be evaluating your performance against six of the Civil Service Behaviours:

  • Seeing the Big Picture: understand how your role fits with and supports organisational objectives. Recognise the wider organisational priorities and ensure work is in the national interest.
  • Changing and Improving: seek out opportunities to create effective change and suggest innovative ideas for improvement. Review ways of working, including seeking and providing feedback.
  • Making Effective Decisions: use evidence and knowledge to support accurate, expert decisions and advice. Carefully consider alternative options, implications and risks of decisions.
  • Communicating and Influencing: communicate purpose and direction with clarity, integrity and enthusiasm. Respect the needs, responses and opinions of others.
  • Working Together: form effective partnerships and relationships with people both internally and externally, from a range of diverse backgrounds, sharing information, resources and support.
  • Developing Self and Others: focus on continuous learning and development for self, others and the organisation as a whole.
Team scenario

You will work in a team to form a task group advising on a government objective or commitment. You will be given several options, typically in the form of different proposals or projects. The group will work to agree which of these options should be recommended.

Tips

  • you will need to listen to the other candidates and contribute to the discussion on all of the options
  • keep to the information in the brief and base your discussions on the materials that have been provided to you
  • you are not competing with other members of your group. Try to build a rapport and collaborate with your other group members
  • group members are regarded as equal; do not to appoint someone to chair the meeting
  • you will be expected to present a strong case but you will also need to listen to what the other candidates have to say - and then negotiate to come to an agreed position
  • all members of the group are expected to contribute to the discussion on all of the projects
  • set criteria for how to assess each option – consider how the group can come to a decision and which criteria you should prioritise
  • do not spend disproportionate time on one option - it's important that the group doesn't run out of time
  • present your ideas on preferred options – you need to speak so you can be assessed
  • come to a reasonable conclusion - your option doesn't have to come first – you don't want to appear to be inflexible
  • summarise – restate the criteria before deciding which option to go with and give reasons for the choice. Discuss what you will do next – the next 3 - 4 steps 

Interpersonal skills in the group task

During the group task, the assessors will be evaluating how you interact with the rest of your team. We've included some tips below on how you can demonstrate strong interpersonal skills: 

  • remember the names of people on your team
  • demonstrate active listening
  • engage everybody – encourage and include
  • don't talk over people
  • be aware of your body language

The FSAC Guide 2024 includes an example of a team scenario. 

Written scenario

The written task will test your ability to develop ideas, relating to a government initiative. You will receive a brief summarising a government initiative with two options. You will need to choose one of the options and identify practical issues around implementation.

You will have 50 minutes to read background information before responding to the scenario. 

Tips

  • choose the option that you feel most comfortable developing. The assessment does not depend on which of the two options you choose
  • you are not expected to show specialist knowledge about the subject area
  • your ideas can be creative and innovative, but you should also be practical and realistic
  • you should use the information in the brief and explain any other factors that have influenced your proposals
  • your written work should be clear and succinct – you may use bullet points but they should be full sentences and also grammatical

The FSAC Guide 2024 includes an example of a written scenario.

Leadership scenario

This is a role play scenario. You will have 25 minutes to review materials followed by 25 minutes to meet with an assessor. 

You play the part of a manager in a UK government department who has responsibility for leading on an important initiative, task or project. You will review various documents and videos relating to the progress of this initiative. You will then meet with the assessor who will play the role of someone with a particular interest in its success.

The scenario will test your ability to take on a leadership role by dealing with team members, stakeholders and the issues they present, including handling unexpected problems. You may need to identify actions to meet delivery of strategic objectives. 

Assessment criteria

Your assessor will be evaluating your performance against the following Civil Service assessment criteria:

  • seeing the bigger picture
  • changing and improving
  • working together
  • developing self and others
  • communicating and influencing

What are the key challenges in this exercise?

  • Digesting information on the scenario
  • Time management during preparation and the oral presentation
  • Structuring the briefing and presenting ideas clearly
  • Making decisions and dealing with questions and challenges from the assessor
  • Project planning and risk management
  • Building and managing strategic relationships with stakeholders
  • Team leadership and line management

Tips

  • make an initial skim through the materials. This will give you an idea of how much you have to read in your allocated time
  • be ready to think on your feet, prepare for the unexpected and think creatively if necessary
  • for more information to help you prepare, see the Assessment Centres section of our website

Final selection board

Most schemes will then require a final selection board (with the exception of the Government Policy, Human Resources, Digital, Data, Technology and Cyber schemes).

Fast Stream will ask you to attend this final assessment if you reach the required standard at Fast Stream Assessment Centre. You will need to show evidence of further skills and particular strengths. Further information regarding these specialist assessments will be provided to candidates in advance.

For more advice and information on how to prepare and practice for interviews, see our Interviews and Assessment Centres page.

Diversity and inclusion

Fast Stream are committed to recruiting people from a range of different backgrounds.

Fast Stream is a Disability Confident Employer and is committed to supporting candidates with a disability who want additional support.

It’s recommended to ask for adjustments on your initial application form. The Fast Stream recruitment team may contact you to discuss the adjustments.

Phases 1 and 2 are not timed. Adjustments can be made for timings for the Fast Stream Assessment Centre.

If you need adjustments for the Final Selection Board stage, you will need to agree these separately with the team who lead that scheme assessment, as any agreed adjustments are not carried over to that phase.

Further information on disability support is provided here: Civil Service Fast Stream: Promoting diversity and inclusion