Your future in the Royal Air Force

We are inviting the best and brightest of your generation to join us – in return we offer high rewards and outstanding benefits.

We can give you a challenge, variety, travel, sport, adventure, in addition to responsibility and career development. As a member of the RAF you will be a skilled professional, a leader and a manager – and we will give you the opportunity to prove yourself sooner than your contemporaries in civilian jobs. In return, we will expect you to use your initiative, make decisions under pressure and lead by example.

We could provide a bursary of between £3,000 and £6,000 per year, plus up to £1,500 for 30 days of training, if you:

• 
  gain entry to a UK university for a degree course; and aim to join the RAF as a:
• Weapon Systems Operator
• Air Operations Officer Control
• Weapon Systems Operator (Linguist)
• Air Operations Officer Systems
• Personnel Training Officer
• Intelligence Analyst (Linguist)
• Medical Officer
• Logistics Officer
• Intelligence Officer
• RAF Regiment Officer
• Pilot
• People Operations Officer
• Musician
• Air Traffic and Weapons Controller
• Engineer Officer (CE)
• Engineer Officer (Aerosystems)
• RAF Police Officer
• Weapons Systems Officer

Depending on your course, we could sponsor you for between one to four years. For future Engineer/Cyberspace Officers see the DSUS scheme. In return we expect you to:

• join the University Air Squadron, where you will have the opportunity to undertake flying training and adventurous training;
• Interested students are encouraged to apply to join their local UAS on arrival at university, as this should allow them to be fast-tracked through selection.
• join the RAF after you graduate from university on a 12-year initial commission (although you can apply to leave the RAF 3 years after completing professional training if you so wish).
• attend Initial Officer Training at RAF College Cranwell followed by your professional training.

To apply

You do not have to already be a member of a UAS. You can apply from the 1st of September. You are strongly encouraged to apply by the previous Christmas to give you the best chance of completing selection in time. We will ask for an academic reference and you’ll be interviewed on-line, before attending a medical with a contracted GP in your area and a Fitness Test at a local gym. Selection involves a full day of exercises and interview at the Officers and Aircrew Selection Centre at the RAF College Cranwell in Lincolnshire.

Your university air squadron

Can offer you excitement, adventure, a great social life and free flying lessons. There’s a training session one evening a week and other RAF-led activities so you can familiarise yourself with life in the RAF. You won’t be expected to wear uniform in your day-to-day life as an undergraduate, but you will need to be able to manage your time to fit in both your academic studies and activities with the squadron.

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