Royal Air Force - Regular & Reserve

SPONSORSHIP

At the Royal Air Force we offer sponsorship to support outstanding candidates like you, to get the education you need for your career to take off.

UNIVERSITY AIR SQUADRON BURSARY SCHEME:

Students selected for the University Air Squadron Bursary Scheme (UAS BS) for Air Operations Officer (Controller & Systems), Non-Commissioned Controller, Weapons System Operator or Weapon System Operator (Linguist) could receive a bursary of £6000 per year.

The UAS Bursary scheme is now open to students studying a musical degree at a university or conservatoire and selected students could receive a bursary of £3000 per year, in the penultimate and final years of study.  This will be dependent on vacancies for your instrument.

 

STUDENTS AND UNDERGRADS

If you think you’ve got what it takes to be an Officer in the RAF, you could receive sponsorship through university. Competition is tough, so you’ll need to show a real commitment to your studies and a potential future in the RAF. You can find out full details in this booklet.

MEDICAL SPONSORSHIP

If you’re studying at or applying for medical school, we could sponsor your medical training. As part of this sponsorship you could receive a Bursary or a Cadetship leading to a career as a Royal Air Force Medical Officer. The Cadetship attracts additional benefits including a grant to cover tuition fees. More details can be found on this document.

ENGINEER/CYBERSPACE OFFICER SPONSORSHIP

The Defence STEM Undergraduate Sponsorship (DSUS) scheme opens up for applications from Sep 2022, for those students who graduate from University from Summer 2025.  Applicants must already be at University; the first students will enter the scheme in Sep 2023 and the intent is to pay a Bursary of £5000 and tuition fees of up to £9250, where applicable. 

DSUS will be open to applicants studying a suitable Engineering/Cyberspace course (see eligibility criteria under Engineer Officer AeroSystems and Engineer Officer Communications/Electronics).  All selected DSUS students will become a member of their local University Air Squadron (UAS); you are encouraged to apply to join your local UAS on arrival at University, as being a UAS member allows  you to be fast tracked through the RAF Bursary selection process.  You can find more details in this booklet.

APPLY FOR SPONSORSHIP

After registering on the below link, please follow one of these routes:

CYBERSPACE OFFICER: Cyberspace then DSUS Cyberspace Officer
ENGINEERING (AS) OFFICER: Engineering & Technical then DSUS Eng(AS) Officer

APPLY NOW

MEDICAL SPONSORSHIP

BURSARY

Medical Officer Sponsorship is available from year 3 of Medical School. Applications are accepted from year 2 but no bursary is payable until year 3 of study at university/medical school, or year 2
of a Post-Graduate 4-year course. The bursary is worth £3,000.

POSTINGS AND CAREER

All postings are coordinated by the Royal Air Force with input by the Cadet. Cadets will undertake their Foundation Years training through the Defence Foundation Programme. Following FY and Specialist Officer Initial Training, General Duties Medical Officers (GDMOs) are posted to a RAF Station GP Training Practice until their professional training begins. During this time, GDMOs will experience life on a working RAF station first hand.

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MEDICAL SPONSORSHIP

Discover Flight Lieutenant Lucy Nell's journey

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MEDICAL SPONSORSHIP

See how Squadron Leader Phil Pearce progressed to surgical consultant

FIND YOUR ROLE

Whether you want to fly a fast jet, gather intelligence or cater for our personnel, we have the role for you.

FIND YOUR ROLE

PAY AND BENEFITS

We offer bonuses and benefits going from subsidised living to gym memberships and discounts for you and your partner. 

PAY AND BENEFITS

CAREER PROGRESSION

There are plenty of opportunities for development throughout your career in the RAF.

TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT

FIND YOUR ROLE

Whether you want to fly a fast jet, gather intelligence or cater for our personnel, we have the role for you.

FIND YOUR ROLE

PAY AND BENEFITS

We offer bonuses and benefits going from subsidised living to gym memberships and discounts for you and your partner. 

PAY AND BENEFITS

CAREER PROGRESSION

There are plenty of opportunities for development throughout your career in the RAF.

TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT

GOT WHAT IT TAKES?

FIND YOUR ROLE