Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
- 2 to 3 A levels for a degree
Criminal intelligence analyst
Alternative titles for this job include Intelligence officer, criminologist
Criminal intelligence analysts use data to detect and prevent crime and protect UK security.
Average salary (a year)
£20,000 Starter
to£52,000 Experienced
Typical hours (a week)
37 to 40 a week
You could work
evenings / weekends / bank holidays at short notice
How to become a Criminal intelligence analyst
You can get into this job through:
- a university course
- an apprenticeship
- working towards this role
- a graduate training scheme
University
For some jobs you'll need a degree, usually in any subject.
Apprenticeship
You could apply through Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ) for a higher apprenticeship in cyber security or software engineering.
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
- 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and college qualifications like A levels for a higher or a degree apprenticeship
- 3 A levels at grade C or above
More information
Work
If you don't have a degree, in order to work your way up into this job you'll need work experience in research and analysis. You may also find it useful to have foreign language skills.
Other routes
If you have a degree or relevant work experience, you could apply for MI5's Intelligence and Data Analyst Development Programme (I&DADP).
You may also be able to apply through the Civil Service Fast Stream if you have a degree.
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, like relationships, family and finances.
You can find out more from the 3 main intelligence and security agencies:
What it takes
Skills and knowledge
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
- you will be expected to use a computer confidently as part of this job.
Restrictions and requirements
You'll need to:
- be over 18 years of age
- pass enhanced background checks
- be a British Citizen
- have lived in the UK for the last 3 years
- have a good level of fitness
- pass a medical check
What you'll do
Day-to-day tasks
In this role you could be:
- collecting national and international data
- analysing data using specialist software
- building a picture of crime in an area by studying trends in data
- presenting your intelligence to managers and other agencies
- monitoring the behaviour of individuals or groups
- updating intelligence records on databases
- reviewing the effectiveness of your analysis
- acting as an expert witness in court
- keeping up-to-date on security and confidentiality rules
Working environment
You could work in an office or in a court.
Your working environment may be you'll travel often and spend nights away from home and physically and emotionally demanding.
Career path and progression
With experience, you could work as a senior analyst, giving specialist advice and assessing trends to work with managers on future priorities.
Employers usually offer clear career paths to more senior roles.
You might also move to related areas of work within your organisation, for example applying to become a police officer.
Training opportunities
Apprenticeships In England
GSK Cyber Security Apprenticeship
- Wage : £16,500.00 Annually
- Location: Brentford TW8 9GS
Cyber Intrusion Analyst Apprentice - 17032
- Wage : £18,000.00 Annually
- Location: Oxford OX4 2JY
Courses In England
Level 3 IT Cyber Security and Security Administration
- Provider: WALSALL COLLEGE
- Start date: 09 September 2019
- Location: WALSALL
AQA L3 FOUNDATION TECHICAL LEVEL IT: CYBER SECURITY (L3 LE)
- Provider: CHESTERFIELD COLLEGE
- Start date: 09 September 2019
- Location: CHESTERFIELD