Summer Intelligence Internship (GCHQ, MI5, MI6) - Registration of Interest Ref. 3271

Summer Intelligence Internships with GCHQ, MI5 or MI6

Locations: Cheltenham (GCHQ) and Central London (MI5 or MI6)

Salary: 
•    GCHQ: £4,972, plus accommodation assistance for duration of the Internship 
•    MI5: £6,159, plus accommodation assistance for duration of the Internship 
•    MI6: £6,363, plus accommodation assistance for duration of the Internship 
•    Some assistance with travel expenses may be available

Working pattern: Full-time for duration of Internship, plus five day’s leave

Date of Internships: 

•    GCHQ: 30th June to 5th September 2025
•    MI5: 16th June to 29th August 2025
•    MI6: 12th June to 29th August 2025

Bringing fresh perspectives to Intelligence.

Our Summer Intelligence Internship is an exciting opportunity to find out if a career in Intelligence could be right for you. It also represents one of the many things that GCHQ, MI5 and MI6 are doing to increase diversity among our teams.

People from an ethnic minority and socially or economically disadvantaged background are currently under-represented in the UK’s Intelligence Services. That’s why we offer this 10- to 11-week internship to university students in their penultimate or final year of study, specifically from those backgrounds*. 

What will I do?
GCHQ, MI5 and MI6 may be different organisations, but we share the same goal: to keep the UK safe. What we do is hugely varied, and bringing in fresh perspectives is essential to our success. 

Whichever agency you choose, you won’t be just an intern sitting on the sidelines – you’ll be part of the team. You’ll feed your curiosity, develop new skills and work on real-life projects. It’s an internship unlike any other. Where you’ll see how front-line operations are run, piece together intelligence and create a picture of possible threats. In short, you’ll be a part of our mission from your first day. And the work you do will help us keep the UK safe from harm.

Who can apply?
You’ll need to be a university student in your penultimate or final year of university (for the 2024/2025 academic year), studying any subject. And you’ll need to be from a Black, Asian, mixed heritage or other ethnic minority background, and from a socially or economically disadvantaged background. *You can find more information about the entry requirements for this role on our website here.

How do I pick which agency to join?

Whatever your skills and interests are, if you’re motivated, ready to learn and discover your potential, we want to hear from you. When it comes to picking the right agency for you, here’s a bit of insight:

• At GCHQ, we safeguard the UK’s digital homeland. Which means we deal with a lot of data. So, you’ll need a passion for analysing information and discovering what it can reveal.
• At MI5, we protect the UK’s national security. You’ll need to be an enthusiastic and inquisitive problem solver who’s interested in looking after the UK’s security at home.
• At MI6, we focus on threats from overseas. So you’ll be interested in different cultures, with a good sense of judgement and communication skills.

Where are the internships?
The internships are based in Cheltenham (GCHQ) and London (MI5 and MI6), but if you don’t live nearby – don’t let that stop you. If you need it, for the duration of the internship we’ll cover the cost of your accommodation. Mentors, managers and buddies will be on-hand to help you get the most out of your experience. And with our supportive teams encouraging your input and our growing range of affinity groups, you’ll find it easy to build bonds and support networks with your colleagues and fellow interns.

What happens after the internship finishes?
As the internship ends, you’ll get the chance to apply for a permanent role with your chosen agency. In fact, almost everyone who does this internship goes on to apply for another role with us. Please note, you’ll still have to go through an assessment process for the role you apply for.

When are the internships?
Depending on who you join, your internship will run on the following dates. It’s also worth noting we offer pro-rata annual leave during your time with us. So, you’ll get five days off.

• GCHQ: 30th June to 5th September 2025
• MI5: 16th June to 29th August 2025
• MI6: 12th June to 29th August 2025

Applications for the Summer Intelligence Internship open on 27th August 2024. In the meantime, you can register your interest. By doing this you’ll have the opportunity to attend an event. 

Event details
We’ll be running online insight events on Wednesday 21st August at 1pm or 5pm for anyone who’s eligible for and interested in applying for the internship. Once you register, we’ll send you an invitation to the events, and you can pick the time that suits you best. We’ll cover some more details about the internship and how it works, the application process, and the vetting process.

We’ll also be running an upskilling event on Thursday 22nd August at 1pm. This event will be full of tips and advice on how to make the most out of your application. 

Please note that a registration of interest does not constitute a job application, nor will such registration have any bearing upon the recruitment process itself. Any individuals who register their interest and who decide subsequently to apply to the Summer Intelligence Internship will need to complete an application form once the window for applications has opened.

Remember, these internships are only open to university students in their penultimate or final year of study, who are also from an ethnic minority and socially or economically disadvantaged background. If you aren’t eligible for this internship, we’d encourage you to visit our careers sites to explore the many other opportunities we have available throughout the year.