Flexible Working

There is the possibility of flexible working. The apprenticeship has a set timetable for academic modules with fixed leave periods and offers a mix of in-person and remote learning or working.

About Us

MI5 and MI6 are part of the UK’s Intelligence Services. We work together to safeguard Britain’s people, interests, and businesses from various threats at home, overseas and online, including cyber-attacks, espionage, terrorism, and organised crime. Working across our vital missions, you’ll deliver impact at the heart of national security, all within a supportive and inclusive environment that allows everyone to thrive.

The Role

Technology is at the core of MI5 and MI6, enabling us to counter serious threats to UK national security. We\'re seeking passionate individuals eager to learn and grow their skills in a supportive environment. Over three years, you’ll engage in exciting, practical work, helping to build and maintain some of the world’s most sophisticated electronic equipment, while being supported as you work towards a BSc Honours Degree in Digital and Technology Solutions (software engineering pathway). As a vital part of a team that ensures the UK Government can operate in cyberspace with confidence and stay ahead of the pace demanded by the evolving digital world, you’ll be contributing to the safety and security of the nation.

Working as a Software Engineering Apprentice, you’ll rotate through various product teams, working with product owners, business analysts, and agile delivery colleagues. This gives you a unique look into the intelligence agencies’ work and a chance to apply your new skills. You’ll team up with colleagues to build technology that helps catch criminals, expand our tech capabilities, and improve our national security efforts.

As our work constantly evolves, there will be opportunities to learn and work with some of the most advanced technology. Developing a broad range of skills, including teamwork, communication, and leadership, is a key part of the role. We use modern approaches and cloud technologies such as AWS and Azure. Our tech stacks vary between products (Java, C#, React.js, Oracle, Mongo, Elastic Search, and Hadoop), but don’t worry if these are new to you. There is plenty of support from our experienced engineers, along with certifications, training, and the degree programme to help you along the way. Additionally, there are opportunities to participate in technology events, develop soft skills, and collaborate with fellow apprentices.

About You

To join the apprenticeship, starting in Autumn 2026, you should have an interest in programming, problem-solving, or technology. You\'ll need to have or expect to have by September 2026 72 UCAS points, along with GCSE grade 4/C or above in English language and maths, or equivalent functional skills Level 2.

We encourage applications from individuals without previous technical experience – the most important qualities we look for are aptitude and the potential to learn.

You should not have completed or undertaken a Level 4 qualification or higher in a Software Engineering subject such as Computer Science prior to commencing the apprenticeship.

Training and Development

Learning and development are central to our engineering ethos, and we invest heavily in our staff. As part of your career, we’ll support you in broadening and deepening your technical and non-technical skills, such as time management and presenting skills. The Digital Data and Technology (DDaT) capability framework defines our Software Engineering profession. We use it as a compass to provide guidance, tools, and support to help you advance in your career, whether this means growing as a leader or developing deep technical knowledge and ability.

Your career with MI5 or MI6 offers a variety of technically skilled roles, many of which qualify for additional skills-based pay. As you develop, grow, and maintain your technical skills, you’ll have the opportunity to be rewarded for that and progress through assessed skills pay points.

You’ll take on real business tasks in software engineering and receive full training and support throughout the programme. The apprenticeship combines university accredited- classroom learning, both in person and virtually, with technical training, mentoring and job shadowing, research and development, and work-based placements and projects. In your first 6 months, you’ll experience a month-long induction alongside your peers in the same scheme. This will be followed by a period dedicated to your degree and an innovation project designed to help you develop your initial knowledge and skills.

We\'ll help you grow your skills and perform to the best of your abilities. With our collaborative learning environment, you\'ll soon be working on projects that contribute to the safety and well-being of Britain and align with British interests. At the end of your Apprenticeship, you could be considered for full-time employment.

MI5 and MI6 are proud of our inclusive and supportive working environment, designed to encourage open minds and attitudes. As organisations that value and nurture talent, we\'re committed to helping you fulfil your potential.

Rewards and Benefits

You’ll receive a starting salary of £29,150 for London or £27,213 for Greater Manchester, plus other benefits including:

• 25 days of annual leave, automatically rising to 30 days after 5 years\' service, plus an additional 10.5 days of public and privilege holidays.
• Opportunities to be recognised through our employee performance scheme.
• Personal learning budget.
• Interest-free season ticket loan.
• Excellent pension scheme.
• Facilities such as a gym, restaurant, and on-site coffee bars (at some locations).
• Paid parental and adoption leave.

Equal Opportunities

At MI5 and MI6 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, ages, ethnicities, gender identities, sexual orientations, ways of thinking, and those with disabilities or neurodivergent conditions. We therefore welcome and encourage applications from everyone, including those from groups that are under-represented in our workforce such as women, those from ethnic minority backgrounds, people with disabilities, and those from low socio-economic backgrounds.

Find out more about our culture, working environment and diversity on our website:

https://www.mi5.gov.uk/careers/working-at-mi5/diversity

https://www.sis.gov.uk/working-at-mi6/diversity-and-inclusion

We\u2019re Disability Confident

MI5 and MI6 are proud to have achieved Leader status within the DWP’s Disability Confident scheme. This is aimed at encouraging employers to think differently about disability and take action to improve how they recruit, retain, and develop disabled people. As a Disability Confident Leader, we aim to ensure that a fair and proportionate number of disabled applicants who best meet the essential minimum criteria for this position, will be offered an interview, if it is practical for us to do so. (this is known as Offer of an interview). To secure an interview for this role, the minimum criteria (in order of application process) are:

• Demonstrate a strong motivation and commitment to work for the UK intelligence agencies, assessed at application form sift.
• Demonstrate an interest in IT and new emerging technologies, either through work experience or self-taught, assessed at application form sift.
• Achieve a pass in the online codility aptitude test

There is a wide range of extra support available throughout the recruitment process to enable you to do your best; see our website for information on reasonable adjustments we can offer.

https://www.mi5.gov.uk/careers/applying-for-jobs/application-process

https://www.sis.gov.uk/how-to-apply

What to Expect

Our recruitment process is fair, transparent, and based on merit. Here is a brief overview of each stage, in order:

• Application sift, looking at your technical interests and general motivation for the role and organisation.
• Online codility test, examining your responses to different situations typical to the role.
• Motivational Fit and Competency Based Interview, exploring the skills you can offer and motivations for undertaking the role.
• Technical interview, exploring your aptitude for problem solving and technology.

If successful, you\'ll receive a conditional offer of employment, subject to vetting.

Please note, you must successfully pass each stage of the process to progress to the next. Your application may take around 6 to 9 months to process including vetting, so we advise you continue any current employment until you have received your final job offer.

Before You Apply

To work at MI5 and MI6, you need to be a British citizen or hold dual British nationality. You can read our full eligibility criteria here.

https://www.mi5.gov.uk/careers/applying-for-jobs

https://www.sis.gov.uk/how-to-apply/eligibility

This role requires the highest security clearance, known as Developed Vetting (DV).It\u2019s something everyone in the UK Intelligence Community undertakes. You can find out more about the vetting process here.

https://www.mi5.gov.uk/careers/applying-for-jobs/vetting

https://www.sis.gov.uk/how-to-apply/vetting

Please note we have a strict drugs policy, so once you start your application, you can\u2019t take any recreational drugs, and you\u2019ll need to declare your previous drug usage at the relevant stage.

The roles are based in London and Greater Manchester, so you\u2019ll need to live within a commutable distance. Please note that the roles are based in Greater Manchester and NOT Central Manchester. Please consider any financial implications and practicalities before submitting an application. An interest-free loan via our benevolent fund is available to assist with relocating into privately rented accommodation to take up the offer of employment.

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 our ability to progress your application. You should not discuss your application, other than with your partner or a close family member.

Right to Withdraw Statement

Please be aware that we reserve 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.

Before you apply, we advise you to consider setting up a separate email address for your contact with us, to ensure your personal and application correspondence remain separate. Try to avoid having identifying features in your email address, such as your first and/or surname and date of birth. This is good practice and will help you to manage your application with us more securely.