Maths and Cryptography Internship

Attendance payment: £5,528 over nine weeks (£31,937 pro-rata)

Dates of Internship:
Monday 21 June until Friday 20 August 2027

Hours of Internship: 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 an office-based role for the duration of the internship – remote or home working is not available.

GCHQ is an intelligence, cyber and security agency with a mission to keep the UK safe. We use cutting-edge technology, ingenuity and partnerships to identify, analyse and disrupt threats. Working with our intelligence partners MI5 and MI6, we protect the UK from terrorism, cyber-attacks and espionage. At GCHQ you’ll do varied and fascinating work in a supportive and inclusive environment that puts the emphasis on teamwork.

On our Maths and Cryptography Internship, you’ll work on projects which are of real, operational interest to our organisation. Throughout this nine-week paid internship you’ll work with other undergraduate students to collaboratively conduct innovative research, supported by technical experts in their fields.

GCHQ is keen to invest in enhancing your maths and programming skills. You’ll have the opportunity to work on multiple technical projects, which in the past have included:

• assessing cryptographic algorithms
• analysing complex data sets
• developing new statistical tools
• applied machine learning and machine learning research
• programming high-performance computers
• doing cutting-edge mathematical research

The 2027 Maths and Cryptography Internship will run from Monday 21 June until Friday 20 August 2027. The role is based in Cheltenham. We can arrange temporary accommodation for you close to GCHQ and with other interns, which would be paid in arrears from your internship payment. Please consider any financial implications and practicalities before submitting an application.

At the end of the internship, you’ll have the opportunity to apply to join the organisation through the next Maths and Cryptography Roles recruitment campaign. If you choose to make an application to GCHQ following the internship, then you’ll need to go through the same competitive selection process for this scheme as external candidates in order to join.

You need to be currently studying for an undergraduate degree (Bachelors, Integrated Masters, or equivalent) in mathematics, or a Joint Honours subject with mathematics as the main component. By the start date of the placement (June 2027), you’ll have completed a minimum of two taught years of your degree (or equivalent for part-time courses) and should be on track to achieve a 2:1 qualification.

Please note that the Scottish foundation year does not count towards the minimum two taught years.

You’ll already have at least an A in A-level maths (or equivalent).

We’ll look for evidence of sound mathematical grounding and ability, although we don’t require specialisation in any particular areas. Previous programming experience is useful but not essential, as training will be provided. You’ll also have a love for solving problems and an interest in developing new skills.

At GCHQ we’re proud of our inclusive and supportive working environment. Due to the nature of our work, the projects you’ll be working on may include technical areas where you have little existing knowledge. However, our training programme will cover all the relevant mathematical topics and programming skills required and will give you plenty of opportunities to develop. Additionally, each project will be supported by experienced members of our technical community…