The Security Service – MI5

MI5 safeguards the UK against threats to national security including terrorism, espionage and the spread of weapons of mass destruction. We also advise the Government and critical national infrastructure on the threat level and protective security measures, to help them reduce their vulnerability.

People from a range of backgrounds join MI5 for demanding, stimulating and rewarding careers. Many join as Intelligence Officers, moving postings every few years to take on new challenges, gain different experience and expand their understanding of our work. Others join as Intelligence Analysts, Mobile Surveillance Officers, in our Language Unit or in IT roles.

Whatever your background, it’s likely we have something that suits your skills and abilities. We need highly capable, objective and analytical people with outstanding communication skills and finely-balanced judgement. You’ll be patient, discreet and a team player, with strong organisation skills and a good eye for detail. You’ll be able to recognise problems and suggest solutions in a collaborative working environment and you’ll have the confidence and resilience to handle a high level of responsibility early in your career. The culture here is professional, friendly and informal and you’ll be supported by managers, peers and mentors.

We welcome applicants from all degree disciplines and academic, vocational and professional backgrounds. Graduates who have read degrees ranging from Architecture to Zoology from 36 different universities across the UK have joined us as Intelligence Officers over the last two years. Almost half of the joiners in our graduate roles also have postgraduate qualifications such as Masters degrees and PhDs, as well as professional qualifications in subjects such as teaching, law, accountancy and journalism.

We provide extensive training and development opportunities through our training academy, personal and professional courses and work experience in a range of our departments to help you expand your skill set. We offer a wide range of training from IT and communication skills, leadership and management to investigative, analytical and covert operational techniques. There may also be opportunities to work in our regional offices and Northern Ireland.

On joining you’ll participate in an induction course to learn about our values, culture, history, legal frameworks we operate within, security, health and safety and our IT systems. You may get the opportunity to complete our management training programme relatively early in your career to manage other staff in your team.