Security Service personnel

To enter the Security Service with a degree, you'll need a pass at upper second class or higher. Relevant degree subjects include:

• history
• languages
• politics
• economics
• maths
• law

With a degree you can apply for job roles, like:

• intelligence analyst
• internet and computer technology specialist
• security exploitation officer
• foreign language analyst

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

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

More Information

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

You could enter some roles through an intelligence analyst higher 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

More Information

• equivalent entry requirements
• guide to apprenticeships
• GCHQ apprenticeships

For some roles within the Security Service, like foreign language analyst or security guard, you would not need any specific qualifications. Entry would be based on the experience and skills you could bring to the role, for instance fluency in a language like Russian or Mandarin.

There could also be opportunities for you if you have technical, vocational or professional qualifications in subjects like electronics or accountancy.

For support jobs such as business officer or administration assistant, you may need five GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) or equivalent including English and maths, or have relevant office-based experience.

Further information

You can find out more about careers and training in this field from the Security Service MI5.

You'll need:

• customer service skills
• knowledge of public safety and security
• the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
• patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
• legal knowledge including court procedures and government regulations
• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• the ability to work well with others
• the ability to use your initiative
• to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

You'll need to:

• be a British citizen
• be over 18 years of age

Due to the sensitive nature of the work, you would have background checks carried out, which could include detailed questions about your life. You would also have to provide work and character references. You can get more information about the vetting process and eligibility from the Security Service MI5.

Your day-to-day duties may include:

• collecting information on threats to national security
• watching and reporting on suspects’ movements and actions
• using specialist IT or electronics equipment to record and observe meetings, conversations or activities
• reading emails and letters and checking social media
• deciding if something poses a potential threat

You could work at a police station, in an office or in a control room.

Your working environment may be emotionally demanding, outdoors some of the time and you may spend nights away from home.

You may need to wear a uniform.