Cyber Apprenticeship Ref. 2400

Stonewall Top Employer AwardSocial Mobility Foundation AwardThe Times Top 100Disability confident leader

Apprentices and Interns
Central London
£24,385

Equal Opportunities Statement

At MI5 diversity and inclusion are critical to our mission. To protect the UK, we need a truly diverse workforce that reflects the society we serve. This includes diversity in every sense of the word: those with different backgrounds, ethnicities, gender identities, sexual orientations, ways of thinking and those with disabilities or neurodiverse conditions. We therefore welcome and encourage applications from everyone, including those from groups that are under-represented in our workforce.

MI5 helps keep the UK safe. You can contribute towards this. This 2-year fixed term apprenticeship gives you the opportunity to learn and apply new skills in the fascinating covert world of MI5.

MI5’s cyber teams utilise technology in ways you would never have thought possible. Working closely with colleagues you’ll help to develop and use a wide range of advanced MI5 technical capability, allowing us to collect and review intelligence for fast paced and high-profile investigations. Our specialists can provide a unique insight into the complex and evolving threats to national security, utilising their skills to help us disrupt the technical activities of our adversaries.

Technology is advancing at a rapid pace and it’s vital for MI5 to stay ahead of the game. We solve problems that you don’t see elsewhere, in a unique context that comes with job satisfaction that nobody else can offer. If you have a passion for technology, an interest in solving difficult problems and the willingness to learn new skills, working in MI5 will give you the chance to have a direct and rewarding impact.

You do not need to have any prior technical knowledge to join us. You just need an interest in technology and an aptitude for problem solving and we will teach you the rest.  We will support you to complete the Cyber Security Technologist Level 4 Apprenticeship, delivered in partnership with our outstanding apprentice training provider. This will give you the opportunity to obtain industry recognised accreditation in the form of the apprenticeship as well as five other level 4* certificates from the British Computing Society.

The following topics will be covered during the apprenticeship:
• Cyber Security
• Open-Source Intelligence
• Network and Digital Communications Theory
• Cryptography
• IT Security
• Penetration Testing

At the same time, you’ll be working alongside the world’s best cyber security professionals, being supported to develop your technical skills whilst protecting the public from harm. We’ll provide you with the opportunity to learn and work with advanced technology, as well as to develop a broad range of skills including problem solving, teamwork, communication, and management skills.

How you will learn

We want enthusiastic and highly organised individuals, 80% of your time will be spent working in one of MI5’s cyber teams, putting your newly acquired skills into practise to keep the country safe. Throughout the apprenticeship you’ll undertake placements in a variety of friendly, inclusive teams, supported by your own mentor. You will be proactively engaged in the vital work our cyber teams do to prevent threats to national security.

The rest of the time, you’ll be paid to learn relevant technical skills and study the technical background to cyber security. You’ll build up knowledge and skills that you can apply immediately to your work, throughout the apprenticeship you’ll be part of a close-knit active network, providing opportunities for support and learning. What makes this apprenticeship unique is the opportunity to learn and apply these skills in the fascinating, covert world of MI5.

Person Description

We are keen to hear from you, whatever your background. We want to hear from people with many different views and experience of the world. We believe that diverse teams get the best results. We celebrate open minds and attitudes.

You’ll need to have Maths and English GCSE at grade C/4, and ideally you should have or expect to gain the equivalent of three A levels at grades B, B and C (112 UCAS tariff points). However, we understand that due to life experiences this might not have been possible therefore we are open minded with regards to grades. What we consider most important is an aptitude and enthusiasm for learning new skills.

We encourage applications from both those about to leave education and those who have already started a career and are looking to re-train. You can apply if you are 17 years of age and will be 18 years old by 31 August 2022.

Training and Development

MI5 is a great place to work, and your work-life balance is important to us. We know that you will only give us your best if you are happy.  We are proud of our inclusive and supportive working environment. As an organisation that values and nurtures talent, we’re committed to helping you fulfil your potential throughout your career. This apprenticeship programme combines accredited classroom and lab education, with technical training, mentoring, job shadowing, research & development, and work-based placements & projects. The programme combines a mix of classroom-based learning and work placements.

Upon successful completion of the apprenticeship, it is likely we will be able to consider you for a permanent role within MI5. Beyond this, there is an attractive career structure, with continual training, promotion opportunities and a strong culture of flexible working.

Recruitment Process

The first thing we’ll ask you to do is complete our pre-screening questions to find out if you meet our initial criteria. If you do meet these criteria, we’ll then ask you to begin your online application.

You’ll need to create a log in and provide your full name, email address and a memorable password. Once you have successfully created a personal account, you will be required to complete an initial registration form, providing contact details and equal opportunities monitoring information.

You’ll then complete an online application form, which will consist of basic eligibility questions, sections for you to list your qualifications and work experience, and an opportunity for us to explore your motivation to work for MI5.

Applicants who pass this stage of the selection process will then be required to take part in an online test, designed to test your aptitude and suitability for the role you have applied for.

If you are successful, you’ll be invited to an assessment centre in London to explore your suitability for this apprenticeship scheme. If you successfully pass this stage, you’ll receive a conditional offer of employment. This offer is made on the condition that you pass the Developed Vetting (DV) stages of the process, which will include a security interview with one of our vetting officers.

You should read about the vetting process and satisfy yourself that you meet the criteria outlined in the vetting pages of the How to Apply section, prior to submitting your application. Giving misleading information or omitting or concealing information during the recruitment and vetting process is viewed very seriously. You should ensure that you follow our guidance from the minute you apply.

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible to apply, you must be a British Citizen. One of your parents must be a British Citizen or must have the nationality or citizenship from our approved list of countries (for more info link to website / JD). If you hold dual nationality, of which one component is British, you will nonetheless be considered. (For more info link to website / JD). 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. You can apply at the age of 17 years and 6 months, if successful you will not be offered a start date prior to your 18th birthday. Discretion is vital. You should not discuss your application, other than with your partner or a close family member. Please note, you should only launch your application from within the UK. If you are based overseas, you should wait until you visit the UK to launch an application. Applying from outside of the UK will impact on our ability to progress your application. Further information on our eligibility criteria can be found on the Applying section.

Offer of an Interview (OOI)

As a Disability Confident leader, we will ensure that a fair and proportionate number of disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for this position will be offered an interview. This is known as Offer of an Interview. To secure an interview for this role, candidates applying under this scheme must meet the following minimum criteria. The minimum criteria (in order of application process) are:

  • Eligibility Questions – You will be asked a series of questions relating to the role and working for this organisation. If you meet the criteria here, you will be directed to the initial application form.
  • Online Tests – You will be required to reach the pass mark set for our online test.
  • On successful completion of this test, and passing an application form sift, you will be invited to interview. This could be either a telephone, video, or face to face interview. If you successfully complete the required stages, and are successful at interview, you will receive a job offer conditional on you completing our developed vetting (DV) process, which enables you to obtain the level of security clearance required to undertake this role.


Please be aware that we withhold the right to bring forward the closing date for this role from the original closing date once a certain number of applications have been received. Please be mindful of this and submit your application at your earliest convenience to avoid disappointment.


This Program / Vacancy is closed to applications.