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Internships

MI5 and GCHQ Summer Intelligence Internships 

Applications for the 2027 Summer Intelligence Internship with MI5 are now closed. You can create a job alert to be notified of future opportunities.

You could choose to apply for the Summer Intelligence Internship here at MI5, or with our partner agency GCHQ. Whichever agency you join, your fresh perspective will be welcomed and truly valued by our friendly teams operating at the heart of national security. You won’t just be sitting on the sidelines. This is your opportunity to gain unique insight to our operations, build valuable experience, and make meaningful contributions to real projects. 

For the 2026/27 academic year, if you’re in your final or penultimate year of university, from a Black, Asian, mixed heritage 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. We’re confining the applications for this internship to those within this demographic due to a current underrepresentation in our workforce. Not sure if that’s you? Scroll through the banner below for a full breakdown.

You are from one of the following Black, Asian, mixed heritage or other ethnic minority backgrounds:

  • Asian or Asian British: Indian, Pakistani, Bangladeshi, Chinese or other Asian background
  • Black, Black British: Caribbean, African or any other Black background
  • Mixed-heritage: White and Black Caribbean, White and Black African, White and Asian or any other mixed heritage
  • Other ethnic minority group
  • White other (for example, Romany Gypsy, Scottish Travellers or Irish Travellers)

At age 14, the main/highest income earner in your household was not self-employed and not in senior management and employed in one of the following categories:

  • Technical and craft occupations (for example: motor mechanic, fitter, inspector, plumber, printer, tool maker, electrician, gardener, train driver.
  • Routine, semi-routine manual and service occupations (for example: postal worker, machine operative, security guard, caretaker, farm worker, catering assistant (eg. restaurant/takeaway), sales assistant (eg. retail), 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)

You are currently in the penultimate or final year of studies at university

It doesn’t matter what subjects you’re studying, 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, and meet the other criteria, you can apply.

You are a British citizen or hold dual British nationality

To be eligible to apply, you must be a British citizen. If you hold dual nationality, of which one component is British, you will nonetheless be considered. Candidates must normally have been resident in the UK for seven out of the last ten years. This is particularly important if you were born outside the UK. Further information on our eligibility criteria is available.

What will you 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 employment if you wish to do so. Should you choose to apply you'll go through a competitive selection process.

You can only apply to one internship, so make sure you read about each one and think carefully about which is right for you.

Thames House over River Thames

The internship with MI5

As an Intelligence Intern with with MI5, you will be placed in one of our investigative teams where you’ll experience what life as an Intelligence Officer is like. 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 experience being part of a close-knit, multidisciplinary team. By the end of the internship, you’ll understand how we keep the UK safe. When you complete your internship you’ll have the opportunity to apply for employment with MI5, for example as an Intelligence Officer on our Intelligence Officer Development Programme (IODP). Although please note, should you choose to apply, you’ll still have to go through a competitive selection process to secure a place.

The internship with MI5 is expected to run from Monday 28 June to Friday 20 August 2027. Please note that these dates are indicative only and may be subject to change.

GCHQ HQ

The internship with GCHQ

As an Intelligence Intern with GCHQ, you’ll immerse yourself in one of our intelligence mission teams. You don’t need a technical background; your passion for puzzles and interest in new technologies will be welcomed and encouraged by friendly, supportive teams. With access to genuine case studies and briefings by various Operational Intelligence teams, you’ll experience our organisation and get involved with real projects. And after your internship, you will be eligible to apply for employment with us. This internship is your opportunity to discover if a career in intelligence is right for you.

The internship with ​GCHQ is expected to take place during one of the following periods, subject to confirmation:

  • Monday 21 June to Friday 27 August 2027
  • Monday 28 June to Friday 3 September 2027
  • Monday 5 July to Friday 3 September 2027

Please note that these dates are indicative only and may be subject to change.

Who do we look for? 

For the 2026/27 academic year, you’ll need to be in your penultimate or final year of university, from a Black, Asian, mixed-heritage or ethnic minority background, and from a socially or economically disadvantaged background. 

 

You’ll share our values – integrity, respect, creativity, professionalism, and the desire to have a positive impact on the UK. It’s also worth considering what you’re passionate about, and what you enjoy, when you’re choosing which agency to apply for an internship with.

 

We both look for naturally inquisitive people who thrive in a team and bring real enthusiasm. People who enjoy making sense of unique information to solve complex challenges, are collaborative, and are passionate about contributing to keeping the country safe.

 

Our operations are hugely varied, which is why increasing diversity in our agencies is needed more than ever before. Having a diverse organisation is vital to ensure we have diverse insights, perspectives, innovative ideas, and different skills to keep the country safe. More importantly, a diverse organisation makes for an enjoyable, fulfilling working environment. And you could be exactly who we need to help us achieve our mission. 

 

Do I have to get security clearance?

Everyone who is involved with us needs to go through a security clearance process that we call vetting. It means you’ll have to tell us a bit about you and your family. But don’t worry if you can’t answer every question. We understand families come in all forms so if you're unable to answer certain questions, that’s okay. You can find out more about vetting, and watch a video explaining it, on our Vetting page.

 

What will you get? 

As well as an experience you won’t get anywhere else, you’ll receive an internship payment as outlined below.

 

  • MI5: an internship payment of £4,849 in London 

  • GCHQ: an internship payment of up to £5,530 in Cheltenham depending on the duration

…plus, you'll be entitled to take paid leave during the placement period depending on the duration of the internship. This consists of up to four days at MI5 and up to four or five days at GCHQ.  

For successful candidates who don’t live within a reasonable commutable distance, we’ll also provide you with free accommodation for the duration of your internship, so you don’t need to live nearby to consider applying to us. 

What happens at the end? 

At the end of the internship with MI5, you’ll have the opportunity to apply to join the organisation as an employee on our Intelligence Officer Development Programme (IODP). If you choose to apply, then you’ll need to go through a competitive selection process.

 

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