OverviewStart Date: September 2026
Apprenticeship: Level 6 Cyber Security Apprenticeship with Gloucestershire College
Placement length: 4 years
Microsoft cyber security teams accelerate Microsoft’s mission and bold ambitions to ensure that our company and industry is securing digital technology platforms, devices, and clouds in our customers’ heterogeneous environments, as well as ensuring the security of our own internal estate.
Security represents the most critical priorities for our customers in a world awash in digital threats, regulatory scrutiny, and estate complexity. We aspire to make the world a safer place for all. We want to reshape security and empower every user, customer, and developer with a security cloud that protects them with end to end, simplified solutions.
Microsoft Security is responsible for defending Microsoft and our customers through the intersection of threat intelligence, cyber security expertise and innovation such as security graph research. Defending Microsoft and our customers’ complex environments provides a unique opportunity to research, build, and evaluate autonomous graph powered defence, including through emerging generative AI capabilities.
This role is designed for people early in their careers with strong curiosity, problem-solving ability, and an interest in how technology can be secured at scale. No prior professional experience in cybersecurity or software engineering is required.
ResponsibilitiesWhat will you be doing as an apprentice?
As an apprentice, you will learn how Microsoft detects, investigates, and disrupts cyber threats at cloud scale — and you’ll contribute to systems that help protect Microsoft and its customers worldwide.
You’ll work closely with experienced security engineers and researchers, with responsibilities that grow as your skills and confidence develop.
Learning how large-scale threat detection works
Working with data, signals, and evidence
Learn how “normal” behaviour is modelled for users, applications, and infrastructure, and how deviations from that baseline are identified.
From research ideas to production systems
Collaboration and communication
Throughout the apprenticeship, you’ll gain hands-on experience while building strong technical foundations and an understanding of how modern, cloud-scale security systems are designed and operated.
Skills you will learn
Development skills in a variety of languages, e.g., C#, Python, PowerShell, KQL.
Applicable AI and data science techniques, e.g. anomaly detection at cloud scale, baselining and “pattern-of-life” modelling, agent design.
Being a Microsoft Apprentice:
As a Microsoft Apprentice, you will have the opportunity to start your career early, earn while you learn, and gain valuable experience. Microsoft believe in providing real responsibility from the outset, with an employment contract for the full duration of your apprenticeship. You will be an integral part of the team, contributing to meaningful projects and initiatives to drive impact.
What to Expect:
Support and Guidance: You will be fully supported by an apprentice buddy, your manager, and fellow team members. Microsoft managers are trained and ready to support you throughout your apprenticeship programme.
Learning and Development: You will spend time away from your job training and growing your knowledge, which you will then apply to your day-to-day role. You will complete work-based assignments and participate in modules aligned with your job responsibilities.
Community and Inclusion: You will be part of a vibrant and inclusive apprentice community. You will have opportunities to give back through Microsoft's community programmes and Employee Resource Groups.
Career Growth: At Microsoft, they are committed to your growth and development. You will have access to industry-leading innovation and resources to help you succeed in your role and beyond.
Join Microsoft and develop skills that will pave the way for a successful career – Apply now!
QualificationsTo be eligible for this apprenticeship, you must not have a degree.
However, you should have:
Obtained suitable level 3 qualifications by 31st August 2026 (3 A-levels with grades A*-C, BTEC Nationals, T Levels, or equivalent). A-levels should include Maths, Further Maths, Physics, Chemistry, or Computer Science.
Controlled Technology: Citizenship & Citizenship Verification:
This role will require access to information that is controlled for export under export control regulations, potentially under the U.S. International Traffic in Arms Regulations or Export Administration Regulations, the EU Dual Use Regulation, and/or other export control regulations. As a condition of employment, the successful candidate will be required to provide either proof of their country of citizenship or proof of their U.S. permanent residency or other protected status (e.g., under 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3)) for assessment of eligibility to access the export-controlled information.
#EIP
This position will be open for a minimum of 5 days, with applications accepted on an ongoing basis until the position is filled.
Microsoft is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, ancestry, citizenship, color, family or medical care leave, gender identity or expression, genetic information, immigration status, marital status, medical condition, national origin, physical or mental disability, political affiliation, protected veteran or military status, race, ethnicity, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by applicable local laws, regulations and ordinances. If you need assistance with religious accommodations and/or a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application process, read more about requesting accommodations.
