For our upcoming Maths and Cryptography Internship we’ll be running two online question and answer sessions on Wednesday 23 September 17:00 to 17:30 and Thursday 24 September 12:00 to 12:30. We're running two sessions to give people more flexibility, but you only need to attend one.
The application window for the Internship will open on Thursday 24 September from 3pm. In the meantime, we encourage all those:
to register their interest and attend our question-and-answer online events. Please note that we’re confining registrations of interest to the above groups only, due to their current under-representation in our workforce.
Are you a maths undergraduate looking for an exciting first step in your career? Do you have a passion for maths and a love of learning? Are you curious about how your skills could help GCHQ protect the UK?
Our Maths and Cryptography teams solve an incredible range of interesting problems every day. From evaluating existing theorems and developing new ones, to using cutting-edge technology to contribute to security projects, the work they do is fascinating, rewarding, and impactful. And you could spend your summer being part of it.
On our Maths and Cryptography Internship, you’ll spend nine-weeks getting involved in real operational projects that have a direct impact on our work. Working closely with, and learning from, technical experts, you’ll complete research on multiple technical projects, grow your skills and confidence, and get an idea of what a role with us could look like once you graduate.
You’ll need to be studying for your undergraduate degree (Bachelor's, Integrated Master's or equivalent) in mathematics, or a Joint Honours subject with mathematics as the main component. By the beginning of the internship (June 2027), you’ll have completed a minimum of two taught years of your degree (or equivalent for part-time courses). Please note that a Scottish foundation year doesn’t count towards the minimum two years of study. You’ll also be on track to receive a 2:1 by the end of your degree, and you’ll have achieved at least an ‘A’ in A-level maths (or equivalent).
Monday 21 June until Friday 20 August 2027, full-time (37 hours a week, Monday to Friday). For the first two weeks, you’ll need to attend 9am to 5pm, after that, flexitime may be available, subject to agreement and depending on events taking place on certain days. Please note that this is office-based for the duration of the internship – remote or home working is not available.
£5,528 over nine weeks (£31,937 pro-rata). Accommodation close to GCHQ can be provided, and the cost paid in arrears from your payment. You’ll also have 4.5 paid days off to use throughout the internship.
Applications for the Internship will open on Thursday 24 September from 3pm. In the meantime, we encourage people from an ethnic minority background and women from any ethnic background, to register their interest*, and to attend our upcoming online events.
*Please note that we’re confining registrations of interest to the above groups only, due to their current under-representation in our workforce.
Any individuals who register their interest and who decide subsequently to apply for our maths and cryptography opportunities will need to complete an application form once the window for applications has opened.
Once the application window has opened, we will welcome applications from all candidates who meet the eligibility criteria, regardless of their ethnic background, gender, disability and/or any other characteristic(s). All applications will be assessed solely on merit.
At GCHQ 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: those with different backgrounds, ages, ethnicities, gender identities, sexual orientations, ways of thinking and those with 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 an ethnic minority background, people with disabilities and those from low socio-economic backgrounds.
To be eligible to apply, you must be a British Citizen. If you hold dual nationality, of which one component is British, you will nonetheless be considered. You can apply at the age of 17 years, if successful you will not be offered a start date prior to your 18th birthday.
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