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Applications are now open
Applications for our Intelligence and Data Analyst Development Programme (IDADP) are now open. This programme attracts significant interest, so we may only be open for a very short time. To avoid disappointment, we recommend applying as soon as possible.
Apply now for the IDADP!The programme
The Intelligence and Data Analyst Development Programme (IDADP) is a five-and-a-half-year structured pathway designed to develop the skills, analytical foundations and real investigative experience you need to become a fully trained Intelligence and Data Analyst.
At MI5, we work with data that is complex and often incomplete. Making sense of this information is vital to the success of our operations, which is why our analysts play such an essential role in turning it into clear insight that shapes investigative decisions and helps colleagues understand threats, risks and opportunities.
Across the programme, you’ll receive intensive analytical training, rotate through different analyst postings to learn how intelligence is collected and used, and develop the technical skills you’ll need to succeed. You’ll work with a wide breadth of data, use tools you will not find anywhere else and collaborate closely with Intelligence Officers, operational colleagues and partner agencies. Everything you do will place you at the heart of real investigations and the mission to keep the UK safe.
Your five-and-a-half-year development pathway
The pathway below reflects the structure most people follow, though exact postings may vary depending on business need. While the programme usually includes three postings, some may be extended, meaning you complete two longer placements instead. As MI5’s analytical capability evolves, your pathway may adapt too, but every stage will be designed to build your skills and support your long-term development. Because postings are aligned to business need, they’re assigned for you rather than chosen, ensuring you gain the right experience at the right time. Over the course of the programme your postings may be based in either Central or West London, so you must be prepared and able to work at either location.
Starting salary and benefits
£40,428
Our starting salary is £40,428 rising to £43,705 after the first year. You will also enjoy 25 days annual leave, rising to 30 days after 5 years' service, alongside 8 bank holidays and 2.5 additional leave days (set dates through the year). We also offer an excellent pension scheme, an interest-free season ticket loan and lots more. Discover more about our full range of benefits.
Work-life balance
Flexible
You’ll work 36 hours per week, full-time, Monday to Friday. Throughout most of the programme, you’ll be able to benefit from flexitime and compressed hours, both subject to business need. During the initial four-month training period, you’ll need to follow fixed full-time hours. There may be times when investigations require additional hours, but you will receive time off in lieu to ensure that you do not work excessive hours. Due to the sensitive nature of our work, remote, hybrid and home working aren’t possible.
Location
Central and West London
Throughout the five-and-a-half year programme, you’ll be office based in London, working full-time from MI5’s secure offices. You must be willing and able to work across two London locations (one in Central London and one in West London, both Zones 1-2) at different points in the programme. This is a desk-based analytical role focused on interpreting data, making evidence-based decisions, working closely with other analysts, Intelligence Officers and operational teams.
What you'll bring
You don’t need to arrive as a trained analyst – nobody arrives with the full skillset. What matters is that you bring transferable experience, a willingness to learn and the mindset to adapt and grow. We value different perspectives and ways of thinking, because a diversity of experience helps us understand complex threats from angles others might miss.
You can be eligible for the Intelligence and Data Analyst Development Programme through either your professional experience or your academic background, but to join you must have either:
- at least one year of full-time experience in a role where you have developed and applied the core skills needed for analysis. This should include analysing data to draw conclusions, making evidence-based decisions, identifying patterns, managing competing priorities, communicating insight and collaborating effectively with others.
- a 2:1 degree (or equivalent) in any subject where your studies involved working with or interpreting data in a structured way. This might include analysing data to identify patterns or trends or to draw informed conclusions. What matters is that your degree required you to work with and analyse data to reach sound, reasoned decisions.
As much of the role involves analysing information to build a clear picture from incomplete or ambiguous details, an interest in problem solving and structured thinking is key. You’ll need to be comfortable working with different types of data, identifying patterns, asking questions and forming sound judgements based on evidence.
Just as important are strong communication skills and the ability to collaborate effectively with colleagues across MI5, as analysts work closely with Intelligence Officers, investigative teams and partners to develop insight and shape decisions. Combine these qualities with curiosity, adaptability and resilience, and you’ll have the foundations of a great Intelligence and Data Analyst. The technical skills required for the role are taught throughout the programme.
Hear from our people
If you’re wondering whether the IDADP is right for you, you’re not alone. You might be unsure about the workload, the training, the culture, or how people from different backgrounds find their place here. Scroll through the profiles below to hear first-hand from people who have been through the programme and can speak honestly about the role, the environment and their developmental journey.
Here are some frequently asked questions about the IDADP
No. This programme is office-based in London. After completing the training modules and posting, some teams may have limited regional opportunities. but these are not guaranteed.
No two days are the same. You'll analyse information, identify patterns, produce intelligence reports, brief colleagues, contribute to investigative decisions and work closely with partners across MI5
You'll need transferable skills such as analytical thinking, problem-solving, curiosity, strong communication and good judgement. The programme will teach you the rest of the technical skills you need.
Campaigns run periodically, but not on a fixed schedule. You can sign up for job alerts on our website to be notified when you can next apply.
This is an office-based role. Intelligence and Data Analysts do not carry out fieldwork themselves. You’ll work closely with teams who do, but your role is desk-based. Remote, hybrid or home working is not possible due to the secure nature of the work.
The Intelligence Data and Analysis Development Programme lasts five-and-a-half years, has a strong focus on analysis and you will be required to demonstrate some previous experience of analysing information or data to apply for this role. Analysts and Intelligence Officers work closely alongside one another.
The Intelligence Officer Development Programme lasts six years during which you will gain the experience and accreditations necessary to become an Intelligence Officer (IO). You will look at large amounts of intelligence and make informed assessments.
Joining this programme means committing to the five-and-a-half-year pathway. If you decide the role isn’t for you during the programme, you may not be able to explore other options within MI5.
Application process
Our application process is thorough and takes approximately 9 to 12 months, so if you’re currently employed, we recommend staying in your current role until you receive a final offer. Each stage of the process is important, and the checks we carry out are essential to ensure the role, and the organisation, are right for you.
Our other graduate offerings
As the country faces increased threats to national security, a role as an Intelligence Officer gives you the opportunity to have a tangible impact on the security of the UK.
Our Technology Graduate Development Programme offers an exciting opportunity to work in a unique and stimulating environment, where technology plays a crucial and increasingly frontline role.
Go from STEM graduate to fully trained Protective Security Specialist as you learn how to protect the UK from threats most people would never consider.
Our Business Enablers help keep the country safe by providing the vital services that MI5 needs to operate.