Student jobs

Summer Intelligence Internship with GCHQ

Location: Cheltenham

Internship payment: Up to £5,530 (depending on the duration of the internship), plus accommodation, if required.

Hours of internship: full-time (37 hours per week), office-based for the duration of the internship.

Bringing fresh perspectives to intelligence.

Ever wondered if a career in intelligence could be right for you? Or is it something you’ve never considered, but could get curious about? Our Summer Intelligence Internships are a great opportunity to spend some time exploring the day-to-day activities of the UK’s Intelligence Services. Discover how we keep the UK safe. And find out if you could see yourself building a career with us.

People from a Black, Asian, mixed-heritage or other ethnic minority background and who are also from a socially or economically disadvantaged background are currently under-represented in the UK’s Intelligence Services. That’s why we invite applications to this internship from university students in their penultimate or final year of study (for the 2026/2027 academic year), who are specifically from these backgrounds.

Dates of internships (subject to confirmation):

The internship is expected to take place during one of the following periods, subject to confirmation:

• 21 June to 27 August 2027 (10 weeks)
• 28 June to 3 September 2027 (10 weeks)
• 5 July to 3 September 2027 (9 weeks)

As part of the internship, you'll be entitled to paid leave during the placement period with up to five days available depending on the duration of the internship. Please note that you will be required to attend the first two weeks of training and the final day of the internship.

About us

GCHQ is part of the UK’s Intelligence Services. We safeguard the UK’s people, interests and businesses from various threats at home, overseas and online, including cyber-attacks, espionage, terrorism, and organised crime. Through the ingenuity of our people, we gather secret intelligence and collaborate closely with our partners in the UK and overseas to detect threats and work out ways to stop them.

About the internship

The Summer Intelligence Internship is currently open for applications to GCHQ during the summer of 2027. As part of a cohort of fellow interns, you’ll gain unique insights into GCHQ, along with access to specialist training and lots of support from a dedicated internship manager, mentors and the wider team. It’s a great way to build new skills and develop your abilities, as well as figure out if a career in intelligence is something you want to pursue after your degree. If it is, you’ll have the opportunity to apply for employment us once the internship is over. Please note, should you choose to apply, you will still need to go through the usual competitive application and selection process to secure a place.

Am I eligible to apply?

For the 2026/2027 academic year, you’ll need to be in your penultimate or final year of university studying any degree, and come from a Black, Asian, mixed-heritage or other ethnic minority background. You’ll also need to be from a socially or economically disadvantaged background and a British national. Not sure if that’s you? For more details about the eligibility criteria, visit MI5’s Internships page.

What skills do I need?

At GCHQ, we safeguard the UK’s digital homeland. Which means we deal with a lot of data. So, you’ll need a passion for analysing information and discovering what it can reveal. We look for naturally inquisitive people who thrive in a team and bring real enthusiasm. People who enjoy making sense of unique information to solve complex challenges, who like collaborating with others and are passionate about contributing to keeping the country safe.

We provide free accommodation if you need it, so don’t let the location stop you from applying.

Internship payment and accommodation

As well as an experience you won’t get anywhere else, you’ll receive an internship payment and up to five days’ paid leave to use during your internship, depending on the duration of the placement. Plus, we offer free accommodation for the duration of your time with us, if you need it. And of course, you’ll be able to enjoy organisation-wide events, as well as our clubs and societies, where you can learn and network. What’s more, you’ll have an experience you’ll never forget.

Please note that you’ll need to pass security checks – your placement will depend on this. For more details, please see the applying for jobs pages on the MI5 website.

Equal opportunities

At GCHQ diversity and inclusion are critical to our mission. To protect the UK, we need a truly diverse organisation 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. Find out more about our culture, working environment and diversity on our website.

To be eligible to apply, you must meet the criteria above and be a British Citizen. If you hold dual nationality, of which one component is British, you will nonetheless be considered. Candidates must normally have been resident in the UK for seven out of the last ten years. This is particularly important if you were born outside the UK. You can apply at the age of 17 years, if successful you will not be offered a start date prior to your 18th birthday. Full eligibility details can be found on our website.

Take your first steps toward an unforgettable summer, click the Apply button, and find out more.

Pay: £553.00 per week

Benefits:

• Canteen
• Casual dress
• Company events
• Free parking
• Housing allowance
• On-site gym
• On-site parking
• Relocation assistance

Work Location: In person