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 three internships:

Technical Internship

What will you do?

On this 11-week programme, you’ll be working alongside some of the UK’s best tech minds and contributing to a range of unique projects that help to protect UK communities. We offer internships in our Business Analysis, Covert Technical Operations (CTOS), Software Engineering, Data Architecture and UX (User Experience) design teams. As a valued member of the team, you’ll be encouraged to express your views, put forward ideas and simply be yourself. In short, you’ll discover a place where you truly belong. 

Who do we look for?

You’ll need to be in your penultimate year of a STEM-related degree, on track for a 2:2 (or higher). You’ll be a good communicator, with a passion for tech, basic computer skills and an aptitude for solving problems. You’ll need to be able to travel to Central London for the 11-week internship, where you’ll enjoy the scope to prove your abilities in an atmosphere designed to bring out the best in you. 

Your future at MI5

If you’re a success on the internship, we may offer you a full-time role on our Technology Graduate Development Programme (TGPD) after you’ve completed your degree. 

 

Apply now

 

UX Design

If you have a creative flair and a passion for designing and improving the usability of products, you can help us incorporate design into every stage of product development. Providing unique insight into prioritising areas for change, focusing on the way users interact with products, or developing captivating visual concepts, you are at the heart of designing MI5’s future mission capabilities.

Software Engineering

If you have basic programming experience in any language, preferable in Java, C# .NET or JavaScript and a passion for solving problems using technology, you could help us to drive our investigations and intelligence collection operations forward.

Business Analysis

If you have a desire to solve problems, a logical approach and great communication skills (both verbally and written), you could help us build the technology that MI5 needs to keep the country safe today and tomorrow.

Data Architecture

If you have an interest in the ethical, sociological and political dimensions of the digital age and some understanding of how a computer system organises information, you could help us to make recommendations for how better to organise, distribute, protect and control information that supports our national security work.

Covert Technical Operations

If you are studying computer science, computer security, engineering, digital forensics or another similar subject, and have a good understanding of networking and operating systems, and an interest in security, forensics and/or penetration testing, you could help us deploy a wide range of advanced MI5 technical capability to enable intelligence collection in fast-paced and high profile investigations.

Summer Diversity Intelligence Internship

What will you do?

Over 11 weeks, you will 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 create 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 will understand how we protect national security.

Who do we look for?

We are 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.

For more information on the eligibility criteria for the Internship, please see below.

Your future at MI5

When you complete your Internship, you will be able to apply for a permanent position with us as an Intelligence Officer on our Intelligence Officer Development Programme (IODP). The competitive selection process will take place after the Internship.

 

To be eligible to apply for the Summer Diversity 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.

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.