Dstl
Delivering Mission Success
Dstl, the Ministry of Defence's science and technology laboratory, recruits apprentices from Level 3 to Level 7 in science, engineering, digital and business roles. Apprentices are 18+ and mostly based at Porton Down or Portsdown West, mixing classroom study with work in Dstl's labs, workshops and offices.
Programmes
- 2027 intakeBusiness Administration ApprenticeshipExpected, ~DecOpensCloses
- TBCOpensTBCClosesTBC
- Expected, ~DecOpensCloses
- 2027 intakeData Scientist Degree ApprenticeshipTBCOpensTBCClosesTBC
- 2027 intakeEmbedded Electronics Degree ApprenticeshipExpected, ~DecOpensCloses
- 2027 intakeEngineering Fitter ApprenticeshipTBCOpensTBCClosesTBC
- 2027 intakeLaboratory Technician ApprenticeshipExpected, ~DecOpensCloses
- 2027 intakeNetwork Engineering Degree ApprenticeshipTBCOpensTBCClosesTBC
- Expected, ~DecOpensCloses
- 2027 intakeSoftware Engineering ApprenticeshipExpected, ~DecOpensCloses
Apprenticeship types
Ordnance, Munitions and Explosives (OME) Degree Apprenticeship
Level 6DegreeSource for Ordnance, Munitions and Explosives (OME) Degree ApprenticeshipEmbedded Electronics Degree Apprenticeship
Level 6DegreeSource for Embedded Electronics Degree ApprenticeshipCyber Technologies & Solutions Degree Apprenticeship
Level 6DegreeSource for Cyber Technologies & Solutions Degree ApprenticeshipData Scientist Degree Apprenticeship
Level 6DegreeSource for Data Scientist Degree ApprenticeshipNetwork Engineering Degree Apprenticeship
Level 6DegreeSource for Network Engineering Degree ApprenticeshipSoftware Engineering Apprenticeship
Source for Software Engineering ApprenticeshipEngineering Fitter Apprenticeship
Level 3Source for Engineering Fitter ApprenticeshipLaboratory Technician Apprenticeship
Source for Laboratory Technician ApprenticeshipBusiness Administration Apprenticeship
Source for Business Administration ApprenticeshipBusiness Operations, Business Analyst and Facilities Supervisor Apprenticeships
Source for Business Operations, Business Analyst and Facilities Supervisor Apprenticeships
| Apprenticeship | Level | Discipline and duration |
|---|---|---|
| Ordnance, Munitions and Explosives (OME) Degree ApprenticeshipDegreeSource for Ordnance, Munitions and Explosives (OME) Degree Apprenticeship | Level 6 | Engineering / ScienceDuration not published |
| Embedded Electronics Degree ApprenticeshipDegreeSource for Embedded Electronics Degree Apprenticeship | Level 6 | Engineering (Electronics)Duration not published |
| Cyber Technologies & Solutions Degree ApprenticeshipDegreeSource for Cyber Technologies & Solutions Degree Apprenticeship | Level 6 | CyberDuration not published |
| Data Scientist Degree ApprenticeshipDegreeSource for Data Scientist Degree Apprenticeship | Level 6 | DataDuration not published |
| Network Engineering Degree ApprenticeshipDegreeSource for Network Engineering Degree Apprenticeship | Level 6 | Cyber / NetworksDuration not published |
| Software Engineering ApprenticeshipSource for Software Engineering Apprenticeship | Not published | Software EngineeringDuration not published |
| Engineering Fitter ApprenticeshipSource for Engineering Fitter Apprenticeship | Level 3 | EngineeringDuration not published |
| Laboratory Technician ApprenticeshipSource for Laboratory Technician Apprenticeship | Not published | ScienceDuration not published |
| Business Administration ApprenticeshipSource for Business Administration Apprenticeship | Not published | BusinessDuration not published |
| Business Operations, Business Analyst and Facilities Supervisor ApprenticeshipsSource for Business Operations, Business Analyst and Facilities Supervisor Apprenticeships | Not published | BusinessDuration not published |
Entry requirements
- A levels
- Not published
- UCAS points
- Not published
- GCSEs
- Not published
- Equivalents
- Not published
- Other
- All applicants must be aged 18 or over when starting. Requirements for each role are in the Civil Service Jobs advert.
Application process
- Apply on Civil Service JobsDecember to March
- Apply on Civil Service JobsDecember to March
- 1
Apply on Civil Service Jobs
Typical timeline
- Opens
- December
- Closes
- March
- Assessment
- Not published
- Offers
- Not published
- Starts
- September or October (sometimes January)
Windows for the 2027 intake, September 2026 to August 2027
Expected, ~Dec
Locations and universities
- Locations
- Porton Down (near Salisbury), Portsdown West (near Fareham)
- Universities and training providers
- Not published
Salary and benefits
- Starting salary
- Not published
- Progression
- Annual pay increases during the apprenticeship.
- Notes
- Starting salary depends on the apprenticeship level and is given in each job advert.
- Benefits
- Annual pay increases
- Option to progress to a second, higher-level apprenticeship
- Many apprentices move into permanent roles at Dstl
Cohort size and intakes
- Intake years
- 2026 intake
- Cohort 2027
- Not published
- Cohort 2026
- Not published
- Cohort 2025
- Not published
What stands out
Offers apprenticeships from Level 3 up to Level 7 (Masters), and many apprentices go on to a second, higher-level apprenticeship. At least 75% of time is on site or in a classroom.
Sources
- 1