Software Engineering Apprenticeship

Manchester, Lancashire - £26,199 to £28,066 Full Time Posted by: MI5 & MI6 Posted: Tuesday, 20 October 2026

Applicants must be eligible to work in the specified location

Flexible Working

This apprenticeship combines academic study with practical experience, helping develop your skills throughout the programme. Most learning takes place on site, giving you the opportunity to learn directly from colleagues and gain valuable experience in our working environment.

About Us

MI5 and MI6 are part of the UK s Intelligence Services. We work together to safeguard the UK 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.

Career Focus and No Prior Experience Required

Curious about programming or problem-solving, but think you need previous experience to explore a career in technology? On our Software Engineering Apprenticeship, we don't expect you to be an expert. In fact, you don’t need any previous technical experience to apply.

Program Duration and Learning Outcomes

This three-year apprenticeship is focused on unlocking your potential and growing your skills in a supportive environment. You'll gain fascinating insights into our software operations through various product teams, collaborating closely with friendly product owners, business analysts and Agile delivery colleagues. With each rotation, you'll get unique exposure to our work and apply your new skills to meaningful projects. You'll help to build technology that makes a real difference to national security outcomes, while expanding innovative AI capabilities that strengthen our effectiveness in this area.

Degree and Practical Experience

Plus, you'll have our support as you work towards a BSc (Honours) Degree in Digital and Technology Solutions. It’s a great opportunity to gain unique practical experience, exposure to work you won't find anywhere else, and a recognised degree qualification.

Training and Development

You'll combine academic study with practical experience, supported by technical training, mentoring and opportunities to learn from experienced colleagues. Upon joining, you'll complete an induction alongside fellow apprentices before developing your skills through a series of rotations across different product teams. You'll have dedicated time for study throughout the programme, enabling you to balance your learning with valuable workplace experience. Due to the secure nature of our work, most learning and working will take place on site, although there will be limited opportunities for remote study where appropriate. You'll also have opportunities to travel to our training sites in London and Greater Manchester.

Qualifications and Skills

You don’t need 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 have, or be expecting to obtain, 96 UCAS points by September 2027, plus GCSE English language and Maths at Grade C/4 or above (or the equivalent Functional Skills Level 2 qualifications).

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).

Compensation and Benefits

In addition to the dedicated training and development package, you'll receive a starting salary of £26,199 to £28,066, depending on location, as well as a host of other benefits including 25 days annual leave, rising to 30 after five years service, an interest-free season ticket loan, and access to our on-site facilities at some of our sites.

Work Environment and Inclusion

We are proud of our inclusive and supportive working environment. Our workplace encourages open-mindedness and respect for different perspectives, creating an environment where everyone can thrive. As organisations committed to providing equitable opportunities, we value and nurture your wellbeing and talent, supporting you to reach your full potential. Additionally, we have a range of thriving staff-led affinity networks that champion awareness of gender, ethnicity, disability, neurodiversity, LGBTQ+ communities and more.

Application and Eligibility

To find out more and apply, visit our website.

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: people with different backgrounds, ages, ethnicities, gender identities, sexual orientations, ways of thinking, as well as those with disabilities or neurodivergent conditions. We therefore welcome and encourage applications from everyone, including people 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 and inclusion on our website & information on how to apply.

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible to apply, you must be a British Citizen. If you hold dual nationality, one component of which is British, you'll still 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; however, if successful, you'll not be offered a start date prior to your 18th birthday. Full eligibility details can be found on our website & information on how to apply.

#s1-Gen

Curious about programming or problem-solving, but think you need previous experience to explore a career in technology? On our Software Engineering Apprenticeship, we don t expect you to be an expert. In fact, you don t need any previous technical experience to apply.

This three-year apprenticeship is focused on unlocking your potential and growing your skills in a supportive environment. you'll gain fascinating insights into our software operations through various product teams, collaborating closely with friendly product owners, business analysts and Agile delivery colleagues. With each rotation, you'll get unique exposure to our work and apply your new skills to meaningful projects . you'll help to build technology that makes a real difference to national security outcomes, while expanding innovative AI capabilities that strengthen our effectiveness in this area.

Plus, you'll have our support as you work towards a BSc (Honours) Degree in Digital and Technology Solutions. It s a great opportunity to gain unique practical experience, exposure to work you won t find anywhere else, and a recognised degree qualification.

you'll combine academic study with practical experience, supported by technical training, mentoring and opportunities to learn from experienced colleagues. Upon joining, you'll complete an induction alongside fellow apprentices before developing your skills through a series of rotations across different product teams. you'll have dedicated time for study throughout the programme, enabling you to balance your learning with valuable workplace experience. Due to the secure nature of our work, most learning and working will take place on site, although there will be limited opportunities for remote study where appropriate. you'll also have opportunities to travel to our training sites in London and Greater Manchester.

You don t need 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 have, or be expecting to obtain, 96 UCAS points by September 2027, plus GCSE English language and Maths at Grade C/4 or above (or the equivalent Functional Skills Level 2 qualifications).

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., To be eligible to apply, you must be a British Citizen. If you hold dual nationality, one component of which is British, you'll still 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; however, if successful, you'll not be offered a start date prior to your 18th birthday. Full eligibility details can be found on our website & information on how to apply.
Location Manchester, Lancashire, UK

MI5 and MI6 are part of the UK s Intelligence Services. We work together to safeguard the UK 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.

In addition to the dedicated training and development package, you'll receive a starting salary of £26,199 to £28,066, depending on location, as well as a host of other benefits including 25 days annual leave, rising to 30 after five years service, an interest-free season ticket loan, and access to our on-site facilities at some of our sites.

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