Criminal intelligence analyst

You could do a degree in a subject that includes data analysis, for example:

• computing
• maths and statistics
• social science
• psychology
• criminology

Other subjects may be accepted.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree

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• equivalent entry requirements
• student finance for fees and living costs
• university courses and entry requirements

You can get into this job through an intelligence analyst, cyber intrusion analyst or cyber security technologist higher apprenticeship.

You could do a serious and complex crime degree apprenticeship.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship

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• equivalent entry requirements
• higher and degree apprenticeships

You may be able to start in a related job in the security services, for example as a researcher or language specialist, and apply to join an intelligence officer training programme.

You could also apply to become a police intelligence officer, if you're working in a police force. Each force sets its own application entry requirements.

You could apply for MI5's Intelligence and Data Analyst Development Programme if you have a degree or relevant work experience.

You may also be able to apply through the Civil Service Fast Stream.

Applications can take up to 9 months. As part of the process, you'll need to be prepared to answer questions about your personal life, relationships, family and finances.

Further information

You can find out more about a career in intelligence from the security agencies:

• GCHQ
• Secret Intelligence Service MI6
• Security Service MI5

You'll need:

• analytical thinking skills
• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• knowledge of English language
• legal knowledge including court procedures and government regulations
• the ability to use your initiative
• thinking and reasoning skills
• the ability to read English
• excellent verbal communication skills
• to be able to use a computer and the main software packages confidently

You'll need to:

• be over 18 years of age
• be a British citizen
• have lived in the UK for the last 3 years
• pass enhanced background checks
• have a good level of fitness
• pass a medical check

In this role, you'll:

• collect national and international data
• analyse data using specialist software
• build a picture of crime in an area by studying trends in data
• present your intelligence to managers and other agencies
• monitor the behaviour of individuals or groups
• update intelligence records on databases
• review the effectiveness of your analysis
• act as an expert witness in court
• keep up to date with security and confidentiality rules

You could work in an office or in a court.

Your working environment may be physically and emotionally demanding and you may spend nights away from home.