National Graduate Programme – Counter Terrorism

For every ambition. Every action. Every change.

If you’re ready to step into a role where your decisions make a real difference to people’s lives and the communities you serve, this is where your journey begins.

As a Times Top 100 Graduate Employer, our two-year programme is designed to train and develop graduates from any degree discipline who are committed to building public trust and confidence in policing, reducing crime, and creating a lasting positive change in communities.

You don’t need any prior policing knowledge or experience to join us. What matters most is that your motivations align with our mission and your drive to make a meaningful impact.

The Role

Being a detective in counter terrorism is about interpreting intelligence, connecting subtle details and recognising threats others may miss. As society evolves, so do the risks it faces and the responsibility to protect our communities has never been greater. You’ll work closely with partners across policing and security agencies, combining intelligence, analysis and evidence to identify terrorist threats and bring offenders to justice. Your work will help protect the public and critical places from attack, while preventing vulnerable individuals from being drawn into extremism.

We’re looking for people from diverse backgrounds who can bring fresh perspectives and use their analytical and investigative skills to contribute to work that keeps people safe and strengthens national security.

Why Police Now?

• Earn a starting salary of £42,210 paid from day one at your residential training academy.

• Receive dedicated support from a Performance and Development Coach throughout the two years.

• Receive guidance on promotion and career progression, beyond the programme.

• Gain access to a national peer network of over 3,700 officers across police forces in England and Wales.

Benefits

• Annual leave: Start with 22 days per year, plus public holidays, rising to 30 days with length of service.

• Work/life balance: Policing isn’t a typical 9–5. Varied shift patterns can offer adaptability and the freedom to make the most of your time outside work.

• Job security: Policing offers long-term stability with a permanent contract of employment.

• Pension: Automatic enrolment in the Police Pension Scheme, recognising and rewarding long-term service and dedication to the public.

Eligibility

To apply for our programme, you must:

• Be over 17 years of age or older on application, (and 18 by the time of appointment).

• Hold a First, 2:1 or 2.2 in any undergraduate degree from a UK university (or equivalent from a non-UK university) and have completed all education by the programme start date (March 2027). This includes part-time or distance learning.

• Hold UK Level 3 qualifications, equivalent to at least two A-Levels in any subject, or an international equivalent if you studied outside the UK.

• Be a UK National. In approved circumstances dual nationals (of which one element is British) may also be considered.

• Have been resident in the UK for the past 10 years (some exemptions allowed).

Application Process

• Online application

• Online immersive assessment

• Virtual assessment centre

If successful across these stages, you will receive a conditional offer and be allocated a dedicated Recruitment Officer to assist with your onboarding and pre-employment checks. These include:

• A face-to-face Professionalism in Policing meeting, focused on values.

• A fitness test and medical assessment.

• Vetting – when applying to work in Counter Terrorism, you’ll be subject to Advanced Vetting, or Developed Vetting (DV), which is the highest government security clearance and required for handling sensitive information.

Police Forces

• The Metropolitan Police Service (London)

Programme start date: March 2027