Applications for this job open on 24 Aug 2026
Summer Intelligence Internships with GCHQ or MI5
Locations: Cheltenham (GCHQ) or London (MI5), with time potentially split across two London sites in Central and West London (Zones 1 and 2).
Internship payment:
- GCHQ: £5,530 plus accommodation, if required
- MI5: £6,773 plus accommodation, if required
Hours of internship: full-time (36 hours per week with MI5 or 37 hours per week with GCHQ), office-based for the duration of the internship
Bringing fresh perspectives to intelligence.
Ever wondered if a career in intelligence could be right for you? Or is it something you’ve never considered, but could get curious about? Our Summer Intelligence Internships are a great opportunity to spend some time exploring the day-to-day activities of the UK’s Intelligence Services. Discover how we keep the UK safe. And find out if you could see yourself building a career with us.
People from a Black, Asian, mixed-heritage or other ethnic minority background and who are also from a socially or economically disadvantaged background are currently under-represented in the UK’s Intelligence Services. That’s why we invite applications to this 10-to-11-week internship from university students in their penultimate or final year of study (for the 2026/2027 academic year), who are specifically from these backgrounds.
Dates of internships:
- GCHQ: 28 June to 3 September 2027 (10 weeks)
- MI5: 14 June to 27 August 2027 (11 weeks)
As part of the internship, you’ll have up to five paid days off during the periods above, though you will need to attend the first two weeks for training and the final day.
About us
GCHQ and MI5 are the UK’s Intelligence Services. We safeguard the UK’s people, interests and businesses from various threats at home, overseas and online, including cyber-attacks, espionage, terrorism, and organised crime. Through the ingenuity of our people, we gather secret intelligence and collaborate closely with our partners in the UK and overseas to detect threats and work out ways to stop them.
About the internships
We’re running two internships in our intelligence teams at either GCHQ or MI5 during the summer of 2027. As part of a cohort of fellow interns, you’ll gain unique insights into your chosen organisation, along with access to specialist training and lots of support from a dedicated internship manager, mentors and the wider team. It’s a great way to build new skills and develop your abilities, as well as figure out if a career in intelligence is something you want to pursue after your degree. If it is, you’ll have the opportunity to apply for employment with your chosen agency once the internship is over. Please note, should you choose to apply, you will still need to go through the usual competitive application and selection process to secure a place.
Am I eligible to apply?
For the 2026/2027 academic year, you’ll need to be in your penultimate or final year of university studying any degree, and come from a Black, Asian, mixed-heritage or other ethnic minority background. You’ll also need to be from a socially or economically disadvantaged background and a British national. Not sure if that’s you? For more details about the eligibility criteria, visit MI5’s Internships page.
What skills do I need?
We 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, who like collaborating with others and are passionate about contributing to keeping the country safe.
You don’t need any specific skills, or to be studying a certain kind of degree. But it’s worth thinking about what you’re interested in when you’re choosing which agency to apply to (you can only apply for one). We provide free accommodation if you need it, so don’t let our locations stop you from applying.
Here’s some insight into what we look for at each agency:
- 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.
Internship payment and accommodation
As well as an experience you won’t get anywhere else, while you’re with us you’ll receive an internship payment and five days’ paid time off to use throughout the internship. Plus, we offer free accommodation for the duration of your time with us, if you need it. And of course, you’ll be able to enjoy organisation-wide events, as well as our clubs and societies, where you can learn and network. What’s more, you’ll have an experience you’ll never forget.
Please note that you’ll need to pass security checks – your placement will depend on this. For more details, please see the applying for jobs pages on the MI5 website.
Equal opportunities
At GCHQ and MI5 diversity and inclusion are critical to our mission. To protect the UK, we need a truly diverse organisation that reflects the society we serve. This includes diversity in every sense of the word: those with different backgrounds, ages, ethnicities, gender identities, sexual orientations, ways of thinking and those with disabilities or neurodivergent conditions. Find out more about our culture, working environment and diversity on our websites: Diversity and inclusion at GCHQ and Diversity at MI5.
To be eligible to apply, you must meet the criteria above and 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. You can apply at the age of 17 years, if successful you will not be offered a start date prior to your 18th birthday. Full eligibility details can be found on our websites: How to apply for GCHQ and Applying for jobs at MI5.
Take your first steps toward an unforgettable summer, click the Apply button, and find out more.
