Security Service Personnel

Typical Salary

£18,000 To £35,000

Typical Hours

37 to 39 a week

evenings / weekends / bank holidays on shifts

How To Become a Security Service Personnel

You can get into this job through:

a university course
an apprenticeship
applying directly

College / University

To enter the Security Service with a degree, you'll need a pass at upper second class or higher. Relevant degree subjects include:

history
languages
politics
economics
maths
law

2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree

Apprenticeship

You could enter some roles through an intelligence analyst higher apprenticeship.

4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship

Routes into this Career

Routes into this Career are not listed for this job.

For some roles within the Security Service, like foreign language analyst or security guard, you would not need any specific qualifications. Entry would be based on the experience and skills you could bring to the role, for instance fluency in a language like Russian or Mandarin.

There could also be opportunities for you if you have technical, vocational or professional qualifications in subjects like electronics or accountancy.

For support jobs such as business officer or administration assistant, you may need five GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) or equivalent including English and maths, or have relevant office-based experience.

Other Routes

Other Routes are not listed for this job.

Skills And Knowledge

You'll need:

customer service skills
knowledge of public safety and security
the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
legal knowledge including court procedures and government regulations
to be thorough and pay attention to detail
the ability to work well with others
the ability to use your initiative
to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

Day To Day Tasks

Your day-to-day duties may include:

collecting information on threats to national security
watching and reporting on suspects’ movements and actions
using specialist IT or electronics equipment to record and observe meetings, conversations or activities
reading emails and letters and checking social media
deciding if something poses a potential threat

Working Environment

You could work at a police station, in an office or in a control room.

Your working environment may be emotionally demanding, outdoors some of the time and you may spend nights away from home.

You may need to wear a uniform.

Career Path & Progression

Career Path & Progression are not listed for this job.

Volunteering Opportunities

Volunteering Opportunities are not listed for this job.

Tips & Information

Further information

You can find out more about careers and training in this field from the Security Service MI5.

Restrictions & Requirements

You'll need to:

be a British citizen
be over 18 years of age

Due to the sensitive nature of the work, you would have background checks carried out, which could include detailed questions about your life. You would also have to provide work and character references. You can get more information about the vetting process and eligibility from the Security Service MI5.