Software Engineering Apprenticeship Ref. 3867

Flexible Working: The apprenticeship follows a structured timetable for academic modules, with set leave periods throughout the programme. Due to the secure nature of our work, most of your learning and working will be undertaken in person. However, some remote learning opportunities may be available, depending on the requirements of the programme and your academic studies.

About us
MI5 and MI6 are part of the UK’s Intelligence Services. We work together to safeguard Britain’s people, interests, and businesses from various threats at home, overseas and online, including cyber-attacks, espionage, terrorism, and organised crime. Working across our vital missions, you’ll deliver impact at the heart of national security, all within a supportive and inclusive environment that allows everyone to thrive.

The role
If you’re passionate about technology and looking for a meaningful way to start your career in software engineering, our Software Engineering Apprenticeship could be the opportunity for you.

On this three-year programme, you’ll develop skills and gain practical experience working alongside teams that design, build and maintain software solutions that support our national security mission.

We’re looking for potential, curiosity and a logical approach to problem-solving. You don’t need a formal technical background to apply, but you should have a genuine interest in technology and a desire to learn. We’ll provide the training and support needed to help you develop your skills throughout the apprenticeship.

You’ll start with comprehensive training before rotating through various product teams, collaborating closely with friendly product owners, business analysts, and Agile delivery colleagues keen to answer your questions and share their knowledge. With each rotation, you’ll gain unique exposure to our work and apply your new skills to real-world situations, helping to design, develop and test software solutions that support our national security mission.

You’ll help build technology that makes a real difference to national security outcomes, developing modern cloud-based solutions across platforms such as AWS and Azure, while expanding innovative AI capabilities that strengthen our effectiveness in this area.

You’ll also gain experience working with a range of technologies and tools used in software engineering, including languages such as Java, C#, Python and TypeScript, alongside technologies such as PostgreSQL, MongoDB, GraphQL, Elasticsearch and Oracle. Throughout the programme, experienced engineers will be on hand to answer your questions, share their knowledge and support your development.

Alongside developing your technical expertise, you’ll build valuable professional skills, including teamwork, communication and leadership.

Through dedicated training and development, you’ll have the opportunity to attend industry events, earn professional certifications, and learn alongside your fellow apprentices. In addition to your technical growth, you’ll have access to employee networks, mentoring, and communities dedicated to increasing representation across the technology profession, including specific support for women in tech. Plus, as part of the programme, you’ll have our support as you work towards a BSc (Hons) Degree in Digital and Technology Solutions. Annual leave is scheduled to match your academic timetable. Due to the secure nature of our work, most of your learning and working will take place on site. There may be limited opportunities for remote study where appropriate. You’ll also have opportunities to travel to our training sites in London and Greater Manchester.

Successful completion of the programme may lead to further career opportunities within MI5 or MI6, subject to meeting the required academic and behavioural standards, organisational need, and the maintenance of the necessary security clearances.

In short, this is an exciting opportunity to earn a degree, gain unique practical experience, and unlock a meaningful career contributing to the safety and security of the nation.

About you
You don’t need any previous technical experience or qualifications to apply. We’re looking for aptitude, curiosity and a willingness to learn, together with a genuine interest in technology, programming or problem-solving.

You’ll need to have, or expect to obtain by August 2027, 96 UCAS tariff points from Level 3 qualifications (such as A Levels, BTECs, T Levels, apprenticeships, or equivalent), together with GCSE English Language and Mathematics at Grade 4/C or above (or Functional Skills Level 2 equivalents).

You must not have completed, or be due to complete before starting the apprenticeship, a Level 4 qualification (or higher) in Software Engineering or a related subject, such as Computer Science.

Training and development
MI5 and MI6 are proud of our inclusive and supportive working environment, designed to encourage open minds and attitudes. As organisations that value and nurture talent, we're committed to helping you fulfil your potential. We don’t expect you to have extensive technical knowledge or experience using programming languages. On this apprenticeship, we’ll teach you everything you need to know through full training and dedicated support.

You’ll combine university-accredited classroom learning (in-person and virtual) with technical training, mentoring, job shadowing, research and development, and work-based placements and projects.

You’ll have our full support from day one. We’ll provide training across technical and non-technical abilities such as time management and presenting. Our Software Engineering profession is aligned to the Government Digital and Data Profession Capability Framework (GDDPCF), which provides guidance , tools and support to help you develop throughout your career. Whether you aspire to become a leader or deepen your technical knowledge and expertise, the framework will help you identify and achieve your professional goals. You can find out more about the Government Digital and Data Profession Capability framework here:

In our collaborative learning environment, you'll soon be working on projects that contribute to the safety and well-being of the UK. At the end of your apprenticeship, you could be considered for full-time employment. Your career with MI5 or MI6 offers a variety of technically skilled roles, many of which qualify for additional skills-based pay. As you develop, grow, and maintain your technical skills, you’ll have the opportunity to be rewarded for your progress through assessed skills pay points.

Rewards and benefits

You’ll receive a starting salary of £28,556 to £31,154 (depending on organisation) in London or £29,081 in Greater Manchester, plus other benefits including:

• 25 days of annual leave, automatically rising to 30 days after 5 years' service, plus an additional 10.5 days of public and privilege holidays.
• Opportunities to be recognised through our employee performance scheme.
• Personal learning budget (Mi5 only)
• Interest-free season ticket loan.
• Excellent pension scheme.
• Facilities such as a subsidised gym, restaurant, and on-site coffee bars (at some locations).
• Paid parental and adoption leave.

Equal opportunities

At MI5 and MI6 diversity and inclusion are critical to our mission. To protect the UK, we need a truly diverse workforce that reflects the society we serve. This includes diversity in every sense of the word, including people with different backgrounds, ages, ethnicities, gender identities, sexual orientations, ways of thinking, and disabilities or neurodivergent conditions. We therefore welcome and encourage applications from everyone, including those from groups that are under-represented in our workforce such as women, those from ethnic minority backgrounds, people with disabilities, and those from low socio-economic backgrounds.

Find out more about our culture, working environment and diversity on our websites:

https://www.mi5.gov.uk/careers/working-at-mi5/diversity

https://www.sis.gov.uk/working-at-mi6/diversity-and-inclusion

Offer of Interview

We are committed to providing equitable opportunities throughout the recruitment process to support candidates with disabilities. As part of this, we aim to ensure that a fair and proportionate number of disabled applicants who best meet the essential minimum criteria for this position, will be offered an interview, if it is practical for us to do so. This is known as the Offer of an Interview.

To secure an interview for this role, the minimum criteria are:

1. You will be required to reach the minimum pass mark for the online Situational Judgement Test (SJT), which assesses criteria important for all roles in our organisation.
2. Achieve a pass in the online aptitude test
3. Demonstrate a foundational interest in technology and a proactive attitude to learning and development – to be assessed at application sift.

There is a wide range of extra support available throughout the recruitment process to help you perform at your best. Visit our How to Apply pages for information on reasonable adjustments we can offer:

MI5

MI6

What to expect

Our application process for the Software Engineering Apprenticeship is as follows:

1. Initial application form – you’ll be asked to provide some basic personal details and answer eligibility questions.
2. Online Situational Judgement Test (SJT) in which you rate the appropriateness of responses to a series of short scenarios
3. Online Aptitude Test – you’ll be asked to provide your education details and work history, and to answer some questions exploring your strengths and skills in relation to the apprenticeship.
4. An interview to explore your motivation for a role within our Organisation, your aptitude for problem solving and your technical interests.

If successful, you’ll receive a conditional offer of employment, subject to vetting.

Please note, you must successfully pass each stage of the process to progress to the next. Your application may take around six to nine months to process, including vetting, so we advise that you continue in any current employment until you have received your final job offer.

Before you apply

To work at MI5 and MI6, you need to be a British citizen or hold dual British nationality. You can read our full eligibility criteria here.

https://www.mi5.gov.uk/careers/applying-for-jobs

https://www.sis.gov.uk/how-to-apply/eligibility

This role requires the highest security clearance, known as Developed Vetting (DV). It’s something everyone in the UK Intelligence Community undertakes. You can find out more about the vetting process here.

https://www.mi5.gov.uk/careers/applying-for-jobs/vetting

https://www.sis.gov.uk/how-to-apply/vetting

Please note we have a strict drugs policy. Once you start your application, you must not take any recreational drugs, and you’ll need to declare your previous drug use at the relevant stage of the process

Before you apply, we advise you to consider setting up a separate email address for your contact with us to ensure that your personal and application correspondence remain separate. Try to avoid using identifying information in your email address, such as your first name, surname, and/or date of birth. This is good practice and will help you to manage your application more securely.

The roles are based in London and Greater Manchester, so you’ll need to live within a commutable distance. Please note that the roles are based in Greater Manchester and not central Manchester. Please consider any financial implications and practicalities before submitting an application. An interest-free loan via our benevolent fund is available to assist with relocating into privately rented accommodation to take up the offer of employment.

We offer reasonable reimbursement of travel costs for candidates attending in-person interviews or assessments during the recruitment and vetting process. Full details will be provided with your interview or assessment invitation.

Reimbursement is discretionary and will only be made in line with the Candidate Expenses Policy, as amended from time to time. Candidates must book their own travel, using the most economical option, and provide original hard copy receipts for reimbursement.

Please note you should only launch your application from within the UK. If you are based overseas, you should wait until you are in the UK before submitting an application. Applying from outside the UK will impact our ability to progress your application. You should not discuss your application with anyone other than your partner or a close family member.

Right to close applications early :

Please be aware that we reserve the right to close applications once a certain number have been received. Please submit your application as soon as possible to avoid missing out. If you have a disability (as defined under the “Equality Act 2010) and need additional time to complete your application, please submit your initial application. Then, contact us via the email provided as soon as possible, using the subject line “Reasonable Adjustments Extension” and briefly outline the support you require.