Women in Tech

An opportunity to kick-start your tech career.

An opportunity for young women to kick-start their tech career at a market-leading high-tech global software business through both: University scholarship schemes and Summer internships.

What we're offering.

We are offering scholarships and internships aimed at encouraging young women to choose a career in technology. Our scholarships and internships will offer paid work opportunities at a high-tech North West software development organization, as well as the potential for a permanent position after graduation. Our scholarships also offer a tailored personal development program, alongside generous financial support throughout university.

Scholarship scheme

This scheme will involve the following minimum amounts of paid work:

  • 6+ weeks of work each year during university holidays.
  • 9-12 months' work placement during university (usually during the third year of a "sandwich" course).

Internships

This will involve the following minimum amounts of paid work:

  • 6+ weeks of work each year during holidays.
  • This is a great option if you'd like to supercharge your experience but your chosen university courses do not offer a placement year.

There is no obligation to work at PortSwigger following university. However, we hope that many scholars will want to join us as graduate developers on completion of the scheme.

Eligibility

Who can apply.

The scholarship scheme and our internships are open to women at school who are:

  • Currently studying for A-levels in year 13.
  • Considering a career in technology.
  • Aiming to study computer science or a related subject at a top university.
  • Living within commuting distance of Knutsford - this opportunity is currently only available in our Knutsford offices.
  • Expecting AAA grades or better at A-level.

Why this matters

Why this matters.

Based in Knutsford in Cheshire, PortSwigger is a global leader in the cybersecurity sector. Our cutting-edge software is used by over 80,000 customers in 163 countries to help them secure their websites. Our educational and research output is used by millions of people globally to learn about web security.

72%

of women in tech are regularly outnumbered by men in business meetings by at least a 2:1 ratio.

22%

Women were 22% more likely than men to experience impostor syndrome at work.

72%

of women in tech firms want more mentorship opportunities.

Source: TrustRadius 2021 Women in Tech Report

Compensation

What you'll earn.

Scholarship scheme

£10,000/year

We will pay a stipend of £10,000 that is split into 3 installments per year, for 3 years of full-time university study. In addition, you will receive a salary of £750 per week for all work carried out for us.

For a typical student who takes full advantage of work opportunities, total reward over the course of the scholarship would be in the region of £70,000.

Internships

£750/week

Interns will be paid a salary of £750, per week, for every week of work carried out for PortSwigger.

Day to day

What the work looks like.

Teams & challenges

While you're studying, the work you'll do with us will be as part of one of our software engineering teams — these are made up of six or seven people that you'll get to know very well. This is in part due to the way that work takes place at PortSwigger. Knowledge is shared, we work collaboratively, and you'll often have your thinking challenged. If you're already aiming to study computer science (or a related subject) at university, it's likely that you're the kind of person who relishes a challenge. PortSwigger people all thrive on working together on incredibly complex problems — tackling them both logically and mathematically — to help work toward a shared consensus on how best to solve the problem.

Technology & development

Our engineers work with a wide range of modern technologies, including databases and public cloud platforms. We use AI across every team as a professional default — not an optional extra, but a genuine part of how we approach work. During your time with us you'll get to see how we use these technologies to build our own implementations, which we often then deliberately break to ensure continued delivery of first-rate software to our customers.

You'll get hands-on experience, your opinions will count, and your ideas will be taken into consideration with exactly the same gravitas as our existing PortSwigger team members. While you're with us we'll work with you to create a tailored personal development plan, helping you to learn and grow in the areas where you show the most aptitude or interest.

Apply

How to apply.

Our applications are open to Women in Year 13. Applications are currently closed; however, we are planning on re-opening our applications in 2027. Any questions in the meantime, please email: careers@portswigger.net

Applications should include:

  • CV including full academic record and extracurricular activities.
  • A letter setting out: your reasons for pursuing a career in technology, your university applications (degree subject and institutions), whether any of our courses do not offer a placement year, whether you are applying for PortSwigger's scholarship scheme or an internship, and if you'd appreciate a call from us to discuss your application.
  • A reference from your school confirming your aptitude for the scheme and your expected A-level grades.

The interview process

  1. 1

    Online tests that assess your reasoning and problem-solving skills, among other traits.

  2. 2

    First stage conversation over Zoom.

  3. 3

    Final stage visit to our offices in Knutsford to meet our team and see how we work.

Offers will be conditional on A-level grades and successful entry onto a suitable university degree course. Note that offers will factor in your expected grades, and may be higher than AAA.

Our people

Hear from Swiggers who've been here.

We are a diverse group of people with a wide range of interests and backgrounds. What SwiggersWhat everyone at PortSwigger calls themselves. If you work here, you're a Swigger. have in common is that they all love their work and are exceptionally good at what they do.

“I cannot recommend PortSwigger and the Women in Tech program highly enough. If you meet the requirements for the program and it sounds up your street, we would love for you to apply. There really is nothing to lose and everything to gain from this program.”

Claire Cooper

Graduate Developer, Former Women in Tech Scholar

Get started

Applications re-opening in 2027.

Applications are currently closed. We are planning on re-opening in 2027. Get in touch if you have any questions in the meantime.

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Questions? Email us at careers@portswigger.net