Cyber Apprenticeship Ref. 2026

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

Apprentices and Interns
Central London
£22,677

The UK Intelligence Agencies help keep the UK safe. You can contribute towards this. This apprenticeship gives you the opportunity to learn and apply new skills in the fascinating covert world of MI5 and MI6.

Our cyber teams utilise technology in a way you’d never thought possible. Our staff lead in developing and using a wide range of advanced technical capability, allowing us to collect and analyse intelligence for fast paced and high profile investigations. Our specialists enable 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 us to stay ahead of the game. We solve problems that you don’t see elsewhere, in a unique context that comes with 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 skill, working in the Intelligence Agencies will give you the chance to have a direct and rewarding impact.

We’ll support you in completing the Cyber Security Technologist Level 4 Apprenticeship, delivered with our outstanding apprentice training provider. We will pay for your training, as well as paying you a salary.

Your work-life balance is important to us, as you will only give your best if you are happy. You’ll learn and work with advanced technology, and you’ll develop a broad range of competencies including problem solving, teamwork, communication and leadership skills.

We will support you to develop technical skills with on the job training and 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.

On this apprenticeship you will learn about protecting the public from harm by managing and dealing with Cyber threats. You will be working alongside the World’s best Cyber security professionals.

The following topics will be covered during the apprenticeship:

•    Cyber Security
•    Open Source Intelligence
•    Network and Digital Communications Theory
•    Cryptography
•    IT Security
•    Penetration Testing

How you will learn

80% of the time you will be working in one of MI5’s or MI6’s cyber teams, putting your newly acquired skills into practise to keep the country safe. Throughout the apprenticeship you will undertake placements in a variety of friendly, inclusive teams, supported by your own mentor. You will be actively engaged in the vital work our cyber teams do to protect the country.

The rest of your time, you will be paid to learn relevant technical skills and study the technical background to cyber security. You will build up knowledge and skills that you can apply immediately to your work, under the watchful eye of superb trainers. What makes this apprenticeship unique is the opportunity to learn and apply these skills in the fascinating, covert world of MI5 and MI6.

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.

Ideally we would welcome applications if you 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.

We also 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 2020.

Training and Development

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, in state-of-the-art facilities with technical training, mentoring and job shadowing, research and development and work-based placements and projects. The programme combines a mix of classroom based learning and work placements.

This is a fixed term contract for two years. However, on successful completion of the apprenticeship it is likely we will be in a position to consider you for a permanent role within the Intelligence Agencies. 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 will 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 will then ask you to begin an application.

You will 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 will then be invited to complete an online application form, which will consist of basic eligibility questions, sections for you to list your qualifications and work experience. As well as exploring your motivation to work for the Intelligence Agencies. Once complete, our recruitment team will conduct a sift of your application.

If successful, you will then conduct an online test, which will test your suitability for the role you have applied for.

If you are successful, you will be invited to an assessment centre in London to explore your suitability for one of the Apprenticeship Infrastructure Services roles on offer. If you successfully pass this stage you will be made 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 an 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 when you apply.

Equal Opportunities

The UK Intelligence Agencies (MI5 / MI6 / GCHQ) are Equal Opportunities employers, committed to reflecting the society we protect. Our recruitment process is fair, transparent and based on merit. We particularly welcome applications from diverse and under-represented groups.

Disability Confident: Offer of Interview (GIS)

As part of our commitment to being a “Disability Confident Leader” we offer an interview to all candidates with a disability who meet our minimum criteria for the role that they are applying for. To secure an interview for this vacancy, the minimum criteria (in order of application process) are:

•    Eligibility Questions: You will be asked a series of questions relating to this vacancy. If you meet the criteria you will be directed to the initial application form.
•    Online Test: You will be required to reach the pass mark set for our online test for our Cyber Apprenticeship.

On successful completion of the application form sift and our online test, you will be invited to interview. This is our offer of interview.

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible to apply, you must meet the following criteria:

•  You must have been resident in the UK for 9 out of 10 years
•  You must be a born or naturalised British citizen
•  One of your parents must be a British citizen or have substantial ties to the UK. This is particularly important if you were born outside of the UK.
•  You will be considered if you have, for example, served overseas with HM Forces or in some other official capacity as a representative of Her Majesty’s Government, studied abroad, or lived overseas with your parents.
•  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 the UK will impact on our ability to progress your application. Further information on our eligibility criteria can be found on the How to Apply section.

This Program / Vacancy is closed to applications.