Security and intelligence
A career in security and intelligence offers the chance to play a vital role in protecting national interests at home and abroad. This field combines analytical thinking, problem-solving, and a commitment to public service, opening pathways into dynamic roles across government, law enforcement, and the private sector.
The labour market for security and intelligence roles in the UK remains steady and competitive, with continued demand across government agencies, defence organisations, cybersecurity firms, and global security consultancies. Employers typically look for degrees in fields such as international relations, politics, computer science, cybersecurity, criminology, psychology, and modern languages, though many also value diverse academic backgrounds paired with strong analytical and communication skills.
What does an intelligence analyst or those working in security do?
An intelligence analyst is responsible for the UK’s national security and economic wellbeing, through obtaining, evaluating, and analysing intelligence. Secret intelligence can come in various forms and can aid in the prevention of serious organised crime such as cybercrime, human and drug trafficking, and terrorist attacks.
Roles within security work to protect people, assets, infrastructure and data from threats. This could entail defending networks from malware, the safety of personnel, responding to security breaches or attacks and risk assessments.
It is important to note that a career in security and intelligence is not limited to law enforcement, an intelligence analyst can work in areas such as technology and the environment. The civil service has information on the range of job areas. You must be a UK citizen to be able to work for British intelligence services. If you are an international student, you may be able to work for UK private intelligence agencies with relevant experience in your home country.
What types of organisations/employers employ security and intelligence analysts?
Security and intelligence primarily sits within the public sector. This would include the three government intelligence agencies: MI5, SIS (MI6) and GCHQ. Alternatively, you can work in the Army, Ministry of Defence, the Police, the National Crime Agency, or Interpol. There are various technical, military, air and naval intelligence roles within the British Army, the Royal Navy and the Royal Air Force with training provided, suitable for graduates. See our career path page on the Armed forces to find out more.
Within cybersecurity, there are often roles available in the public and private sector. Read our career paths page on cybersecurity to learn more.
How do the government intelligence services differ?
- The MI5 is the British security service, focusing on threats within the UK such as terrorism and counterinsurgency.
- The SIS (Secret Intelligence Service), also known as the MI6, is the UK’s foreign intelligence service. The SIS primarily carries out covert overseas collection and analysis of intelligence to protect national security.
- GCHQ (Government Communications Headquarters) defines themselves as the “UK’s Intelligence security and cyber agency”. They handle overseas communications intelligence, keeping the UK’s digital national security intact.
- The National Crime Agency (NCA) work to prevent serious and organised crime within the UK such as fraud, kidnap and extortion and modern slavery.
Working for the police
The police offer various graduate roles that can lead to careers in intelligence. To progress to intelligence, you will usually have to first qualify as a neighbourhood officer or detective. The College of Policing offer an insight into intelligence career pathways, with information on career development and types of roles available.
Working for security and intelligence in the private sector
Private intelligence agencies lie within the private sector and carry out the collection and analysis of intelligence for paying clients. Governments and corporations may outsource to private intelligence agencies for certain tasks. Roles within the private sector will often require previous experience and so may be an option further into a career journey.
Examples of UK and international private intelligence agencies include the following, but is not exhaustive:
What are the future developments or current hot topics within this area of work?
Intelligence agencies across the globe are often faced with international challenges. British tensions between Russia and China are especially prominent. This BBC News article on tensions with China gives an insight into the current situation.
More recently, developments within the Home Office will introduce laws that will enable the UK to ban state-based groups that pose a threat to UK security. The Independent share an article about the banning of an Iranian state group. Internally, the rise of radicalisation poses a threat to national security, the Crime and Policing Bill 2025 expands on this.
Additionally, an increase in aggressive cyber-attacks and activity has posed a threat to national security, a large priority for GCHQ, as written by the National Cyber Security Centre. Alongside the prominence of AI and its role within cybersecurity and threats, MI5, SIS and GCHQ have received increased funding, according to questions for the home office.
What roles are available and what skills are desired?
There are a variety of roles available within the security and intelligence sector. Within organisations such as the Armed forces or SIS, there will potentially be more groundwork and intelligence gathering alongside analysis. Within the MI5 or GCHQ, roles could be more office based. You can find more detailed information about the below roles through The College of Policing, Royal Air Force, British Army, and the Royal Navy websites.
- Intelligence consulting
- Intelligence analyst
- Senior analyst
- Intelligence officer
- Intelligence support officer
- Intelligence researcher
- Intelligence unit supervisor
- Intelligence manager
- Operator military/technical intelligence
- Warfare officer
- Security advisor
Roles in security and intelligence will require a core list of skills, however where roles vary, such as within cybersecurity or the SIS, mores specific skills will be required such as languages and technical proficiency.
You’ll need…
- critical thinking skills
- analytical and problem-solving skills
- report drafting skills
- the ability to work under pressure
- languages (depending on role), including but not limited to: Russian, Mandarin, Arabic, and Persian
- ability to work in a team and independently
- cultural and commercial awareness
Alternative routes related to security and intelligence can include roles in HMRC, consultancy, research, think tanks and political risk.
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What're the entry routes into these roles?
There are various graduate entry routes into Intelligence, including:
If you study a PhD, there will be many transferable skills you possess that can be relevant. For example, critical thinking, research, analysis, sector specific insight and understanding and data interpretation
What are the opportunities to gain work experience in this or related areas?
To gain experience in Security and Intelligence, you may want to consider an internship or placement year. Tech related opportunities can be found on GradCracker. See below for various internships available for experience in intelligence.
Additionally, you can often volunteer with the Police. This will entail supporting officers to ensure they have the time to carry out core policing duties. See Nottinghamshire Police’s website to learn more about police support volunteers.
You could also consider choosing a dissertation topic that is relevant, as this can be something you can add to your CV when applying to roles.
What are my further study options?
A masters may be useful in some areas of security and intelligence. The university offers an MA in International Security and Terrorism, International Relations and Social Science Research (Political Science and International Relations) which will help you develop useful knowledge if you wish to further your understanding of this sector.
It is worth researching if a master’s is a requirement when researching roles within this sector. You can speak to a careers advisor to discuss your further study options
What can I do at Nottingham?