Intelligence analyst
Intelligence analysts use data to detect and prevent crime and protect UK security and the economy.
What you'll do
Day-to-day tasks
As an intelligence analyst you'll:
- collect and analyse national and international data using specialist software
- build a picture of activities in a specific area and monitor the behaviour of individuals and groups
- present information to managers and other agencies
- review the effectiveness of your analysis
- act as an expert witness in court
- update records and keep up to date with security and confidentiality rules
Working environment
You could work in an office or in a court.
Your working environment may be physically and emotionally demanding and you may spend nights away from home.
Career path and progression
With experience, you could work as a senior intelligence analyst. You would give specialist advice, assess trends and support managers to make decisions.
To get to senior intelligence analyst roles, you would usually follow an established career path created by the organisation you work for.
You could also move to a related area of work within your organisation, for example applying to become a police officer.
What it takes
Skills and knowledge
You'll need:
- analytical thinking skills
- to be thorough and pay attention to detail
- knowledge of English language
- legal knowledge including court procedures and government regulations
- the ability to use your initiative
- thinking and reasoning skills
- excellent verbal communication skills
- knowledge of public safety and security
- to be able to use a computer and the main software packages confidently
Restrictions and Requirements
You'll need to:
- be over 18 years of age
- be a British citizen
- have lived in the UK for the last 3 years
- pass enhanced background checks
- have a good level of fitness
- pass a medical check
How to become
You can get into this job through:
- a university course
- an apprenticeship
- working towards this role
- a graduate training scheme
You can become an intelligence analyst with a degree in a wide range of subjects. However, you could gain useful skills from a degree that includes data analysis, for example:
- computing
- maths and statistics
- social science
- psychology
- criminology
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
- 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree
More Information
You could do an apprenticeship such as:
- Intelligence Analyst Level 4 Higher Apprenticeship
- Cyber Security Technologist Level 4 Higher Apprenticeship
- Digital Forensic Technician Level 4 Higher Apprenticeship
- Serious and Complex Crime Investigator Level 6 Degree Apprenticeship
- Advanced Digital Forensic Professional Level 7 Degree Apprenticeship
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
- 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship
- a degree in a relevant subject
More Information
You might be able to start in a related job in the security services like researcher or language specialist. You could then apply to join an intelligence officer training programme.
If you work for the police, you could apply to become a police intelligence officer. Each police force sets its own entry requirements.
You could apply for MI5's Intelligence and Data Analyst Development Programme if you have a degree or relevant work experience.
You might also be able to apply through the Civil Service Fast Stream or to the National Crime Agency.
Applications can take up to 9 months. As part of the process, you'll need to be ready to answer questions about your personal life, relationships, family and finances.
Career tips
Summer internship schemes and student placements are a useful way to find out more about the role and the recruitment process.
In more specialist roles, you might find it useful to be able to speak a different language.
Further information
You can find out more about a career in intelligence from:
- Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ)
- Secret Intelligence Service, often known as MI6
- Security Service, often known as MI5
- National Crime Agency
- UK Cyber Security Council
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External links
This page contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.