Internships like nowhere else 

An internship at MI5 is like no other. It is a challenge that calls for individuals from a range of backgrounds with different skills and knowledge. With the support and guidance from colleagues across the organisation, the work you do will develop these skills and contribute to keeping the country safe. Our internships are designed to give you an amazing insight to how we work.

While you are with us, we offer pro-rata annual leave, plus a competitive salary. And of course you'll be free to enjoy organisation-wide events where you can learn and network.

Take this opportunity - and make the first step towards an exciting fulltime career.

We offer two internships:

Summer Intelligence Internship

What is it? 

For the 2023/24 academic year, if you’re in your final or penultimate year of university and from a Black, Asian or ethnic minority background and from a socially or economically disadvantaged background, this Internship will help you discover if a career in intelligence is right for you. You won’t just be sitting on the sidelines - this is your opportunity to get unique access to our operations, gain experience, and make key contributions to real projects. 

We’re confining the applications for this Internship to those within this demographic due to a current underrepresentation in our workforce. You could choose to work here at MI5, or with our partner agencies GCHQ or MI6 – your fresh perspective will be welcomed and truly valued by our friendly teams operating at the heart of national security. 

What will you do? 

Over 11 weeks at MI5, you’ll help us investigate and disrupt international terrorism. You’ll learn how front-line operations are run, piece together intelligence and create a picture of possible threats. There will also be the chance to contribute to setting strategies, explain risks to a range of audiences and work as part of a close-knit, multi-disciplinary team. By the end of the Internship, you’ll understand how we keep the UK safe. 

No matter which organisation you choose, you’re not just there to shadow. From day one, you’ll be welcomed in and treated like members of our organisation with real work to do. With unprecedented exposure to the way we work, as well as our social societies, mentors, and affinity groups, you’ll get a realistic view of life at a UK intelligence service. And at the end, you’ll have the opportunity to apply for a permanent role if you wish to do so.  

Who do we look for? 

You don’t need to be studying for a particular degree, or even predicted a certain grade. We’re after inquisitive problem solvers with real enthusiasm, team spirit and a love of learning; individuals who enjoy working collaboratively and want to make a positive impact. 

Whatever your background, you’ll find a place for your skills. You’ll be encouraged to get involved, share your insights and help us see things differently. If you’re worried about the vetting process, there’s no need – we understand families come in all forms so if you can’t answer certain questions, that’s okay. For more information on the eligibility criteria for this Internship, please see below. 

What will you get? 

As well as an experience you won’t get anywhere else, you’ll receive a salary of £5,701 in London (for their 11-week Internship), £4,165 in Cheltenham (for their 10-week Internship), five days’ annual leave, and access to our on-site facilities including cafes and restaurants.  

Additionally, we’ll cover the costs of your accommodation for the duration of the Internship. You’ll be offered a single en-suite room in a flat with fully equipped, shared kitchens. All accommodation is located close to local amenities and includes free Wi-Fi as well as a bedding and linen change service once a week.  

What happens at the end? 

When you complete your Internship, you’ll be invited to apply for a permanent position with us. At MI5 you can apply to become an Intelligence Officer on our Intelligence Officer Development Programme (IODP). Please note, you’ll still have to go through a competitive selection process to secure a place on this programme.

If you choose to do the Internship at MI6, you’ll be encouraged to apply for a full-time Intelligence Officer (IO) role. Again, you’ll need to go through the assessment process – slots are reserved in advance for September-November. And at GCHQ, you'll be invited to apply for a permanent role as an Intelligence Data Analyst.

 

To be eligible to apply for the Summer Intelligence Internship, you must answer yes to the below questions:

-             Bangladeshi, Indian, Pakistani, Chinese or any other Asian background.

-             African, Caribbean or any other Black background.

-             White and Asian, White and Black African, White and Black Caribbean or any other mixed ethnic background.

-             Other minority ethnic group.

Not self-employed and not in senior management and employed in one of the following categories:

-             Technical and craft occupations

Such as: motor mechanic, fitter, inspector, plumber, printer, tool maker, electrician, gardener, train driver.

-          Routine, semi-routine manual and service occupations

Such as: postal worker, machine operative, security guard, caretaker, farm worker, catering assistant (eg. restaurant/takeway), sales assistant (eg. retail/shop), HGV/bus/taxi/minicab driver, cleaner, porter, packer, labourer, waiter/waitress, bar staff.

-          Unemployed, but seeking work

Or

-          If you finished school after 1980, were you eligible for Free School Meals as a statutory benefit at any point during your school years? (Does not include meals received through other means, eg. boarding school)

It doesn’t matter what subjects you’re studying for, we’re looking for people from a range of backgrounds and degree disciplines. As long as you are in your penultimate or final year of studies at University you can apply.

I wasn’t treated like an intern - I was part of the team

Procurement Internship

What will you do?

During your 12-month internship, you will be helping us to deliver mission-critical products and services. You’ll receive tailored training within our friendly and inclusive procurement function to gain an excellent insight into the world of the intelligence agencies and acquire invaluable skills and experiences relevant to your studies.

You’ll rotate into a new team after 6-months, where you could be covering a variety of tasks from contract management to establishing new procedures and adding value to help us to work more effectively.  

Who do we look for?

We don’t ask for any specific degree areas, but you’ll be interested in the constantly changing procurement environment and be prepared to challenge our processes and express your ideas. You’ll be in the penultimate or final year of your degree studies and we will be looking for you to show us how your unique, individual skills will help us to carry out our critical mission.

Your future at MI5

On successful completion of your internship, you may be invited to interview for a permanent position as a Procurement Officer once you graduate. We may also offer you the chance to earn as you learn during your final year and stay with us on a part time basis.

 

To find out more, please visit the jobs portal.

You can’t tell your friends what you do which is a shame as some of the stuff is pretty cool

Why join MI5?

A career at MI5 is like no other.  Not only is it rewarding and unique but the variety here is like no-where else.  It is this variety that means most people stay at MI5 as they are able to fulfil all their career ambitions here without ever having to leave.  We are also committed to rewarding the people who work for us and demonstrating our appreciation for their vital contribution by offering an excellent range of benefits.  And due to the nature of our work it means you can’t take it home with you, so when you leave the office you really do leave your work behind you, providing you with an excellent work-life balance. Whatever role you perform, you will be directly contributing to keeping the country safe.