Maths and Cryptography Internship

On our Maths and Cryptography Internship, you'll work on projects which are of real, operational interest to our organisation. Throughout our 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 will 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
• Programming high performance computers
• Doing cutting-edge mathematical research
The 2025 Maths and Cryptography Internship will run from Monday 30th June until Friday 29th August 2025. 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 salary. Please consider any financial implications and practicalities before submitting an application.

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, 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 at the end of your degree. 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., GCHQ are proud to have achieved Leader status within the DWP's Disability Confident scheme. This is aimed at encouraging employers to think differently about disability and take action to improve how they recruit, retain and develop disabled people. Being Disability Confident, we aim to offer an interview to any candidate who self-identifies as disabled and meets the essential criteria for the role. This is our 'Offer of Interview' (OOI). To secure an interview for this vacancy, the essential criteria (in order of application process) are:
• You will have at least a grade 'A' in Maths at A-Level (or equivalent)
• You will currently be 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, you must have completed a minimum of two taught years of your degree (or equivalent for part-time courses). Note that the Scottish Foundation year does not count towards the minimum two taught years.
• You must be on track to achieve a 2:1 qualification at the end of your degree
  
  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., To work at GCHQ, you need to be a British citizen or hold dual British nationality. You can read our full eligibility criteria here.
This role requires the highest security clearance, known as Developed Vetting (DV). It's something everyone in the UK Intelligence Community undertakes. You can find out more about the vetting process here. Please note we have a strict drugs policy, so once you start your application, you can't take any recreational drugs and you'll need to declare your previous drug usage at the relevant stage. Before you apply, we advise you to consider setting up a separate email address for your contact with us, to ensure your personal and application correspondence remain separate. Try to avoid having identifying features in your email address, such as your first and/or surname and date of birth. This is good practice and will help you to manage your application with us more discretely. Please note, you should only launch your application from within the UK. If you are based overseas, you should wait until you visit the UK to launch an application. Applying from outside the UK will impact on our ability to progress your application. You should not discuss your application, other than with your partner or a close family member. Right to Withdraw Statement: Please be aware that we withhold the right to bring forward the closing date for this role from the original closing date once a certain number of applications have been received. Please be mindful of this and submit your application at your earliest convenience to avoid disappointment.

You'll receive a salary of £29,279 (pro-rata, over the 9-week internship; this equates to £5,068) plus other benefits including: - 4.5 Days Annual Leave - Flexible working hours for most of the summer - Facilities such as a subsidised gym and restaurant, and on-site coffee bars