UNIVERSITY AIR SQUADRONS

Experience life in the RAF while you study - challenge yourself and make the most of your time at university.

BE PART OF THE RAF AND STUDY TOO

Step out of the lecture hall to begin your journey towards the cockpit of some of the world's most advanced aircraft. Become part of the UK's Air and Space Power, contributing to national and global defence. Membership of a University Air Squadron carries no commitment to join the RAF after graduation.

No ordinary summer

Earn, learn, and make your summer count as part of our University Air Squadrons.

GRADUATE TO THE SKY

Experience the Royal Air Force first-hand while getting paid. Through flying opportunities and ground training, you can develop skills, confidence and resilience while gaining experiences to set you apart. As a member of a University Air Squadron, you will receive world-class training and be given the chance to develop valuable lifelong transferable skills.

Working as part of a team, you can strengthen your communication and leadership abilities. We intend to help you grow in confidence as you step outside your comfort zone and take on mental and physical challenges; all with the support of an amazing friendship network.

Explore the RAF's Officer roles in the commissioned professions and discover where your skills and ambitions could take you. Alongside your studies, you can take part in sport, adventure training and personal development activities, such as sailing, skiing, rock climbing and kayaking, in the UK and overseas.

Join a University Air Squadron and experience more than just university. Build confidence, develop lifelong skills and friendships whilst creating unforgettable memories, all with no obligation to join the RAF after graduation.

The Royal Air Force is proud to be ranked in The Times Top 100 Graduate Employers

FIND YOUR NEAREST SQUADRON

Please select your University to see which University Air Squadron is associated with it.

Aberystwyth University

Anglia Ruskin University

Aston University

Bangor University

Birkbeck, University of London

Birmingham City University

Bournemouth University

BPP University

Brunel University

Bucks New University

Canterbury College

Cardiff Metropolitan University

Cardiff University

City University

Courtauld Institute of Art

Coventry University

De Montfort University

Derby

Durham University

Glasgow Caledonian University

Glasgow School of Art

Harper Adams University

Heriot-Watt University

Imperial College

Keele University

King's College London

Kingston University

Lancaster University

Leeds Beckett

Leeds Metropolitan University

Leeds Trinity

Liverpool John Moores University

London School of Economics

Loughborough University

Manchester Metropolitan University

Middlesex University

Napier University

Newcastle University

Nottingham Trent University

Oxford Brookes University

Queen Margaret University College

Queen Mary, University of London

Queens' University Belfast

Robert Gordon University

Royal Academy of Music

Royal College of Music

Royal Holloway, University of London

Royal Veterinary College

Sheffield Hallam University

SOAS, University of London

Southampton Solent University

St George's University

Staffordshire University

Swansea Metropolitan University

Swansea University

The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama

Ulster University

University College London

University of Aberdeen

University of Abertay Dundee

University of Arts London

University of Bath

University of Birmingham

University of Bradford

University of Brighton

University of Bristol

University of Cambridge

University of Central Lancashire

University of Chichester

University of Dundee

University of East Anglia

University of Edinburgh

University of Essex

University of Exeter

University of Glasgow

University of Greenwich

University of Hertfordshire

University of Huddersfield

University of Hull

University of Kent

University of Leeds

University of Leicester

University of Lincoln

University of Lincoln (Hull campus)

University of Liverpool

University of London Goldsmiths

University of Manchester

University Of Northampton‎

University of Northumbria

University of Nottingham

University of Oxford

University of Plymouth

University of Portsmouth

University of Reading

University of Roehampton

University of Salford, Manchester

University of Sheffield

University of South Wales

University of Southampton

University of St Andrews

University of Stirling

University of Strathclyde

University of Sunderland

University of Surrey

University of Sussex

University of Teesside

University of the Highlands and Islands

University of the West of England

University of the West of Scotland

University of Wales

University of Warwick

University of Westminster

University of Winchester

University of Wolverhampton

University of Worcester

University of York

York St John

WHY JOIN A UNIVERSITY AIR SQUADRON?

Leadership

Training

Flying

Pay

World travel

APPLY NOW

To apply to join a University Air Squadron (UAS), please click Apply Here to access the UAS application form. You can also download our Medical Screening Leaflet and find out more information about the RAF and Sickle Cell Trait.

Apply Here

Download Medical Questionnaire

Sickle Cell Leaflet

UAS SELECTION PROCESS

These are the steps you will go through to join a University Air Squadron

Application Submission

Interview

Medical Screening

Face to Face Medical

Fitness Test

Training

Application Submission

Stage 1 of 6

You’ll submit an application form and medical screening leaflet via email.

Your suitability to join the University Air Squadron (UAS) as an RAF Volunteer Reserve (UAS) will then be assessed on the following topics:

Reasons for wanting to join the UAS and your motivation to do so
Personal achievements and ambitions
Teamwork attributes
Volunteering and Charity Work
Sports and Fitness
Employment

If you have a previously applied to the UAS, and were unsuccessful, you will also be assessed on your personal development since your last application.

Interview

Stage 2 of 6

Your interview will assess your potential to join the UAS.
The interview may be held face to face or via Microsoft Teams.

Your potential will be assessed by questions on your Motivation, Military Awareness, Knowledge of the RAF and UAS, and Knowledge of current affairs.

Medical Screening

Stage 3 of 6

If successful at interview, you will receive the Adoption & Family Origin Questionnaire that will assess you on your risk for Exertional Collapse Associated with Sickle Cell Trait (ECAST). You may be required to attend a blood test at a Nuffield Health Clinic local to you.

You can still join the RAF with a positive blood test. However, you will be subject to a structured and progressive conditioning period before conducting the RAF Fitness test.

Additionally, you will require a medical risk assessment by an RAF Doctor before enrolling into any activity with high exertion, extreme environmental weather or high altitude.

Face to Face Medical

Stage 4 of 6

A medical assessment is required to assess your ability to cope with the rigors of military training.

All applicants are legally required to meet certain medical standards, and must pass an occupational health assessment to show they’re fit for military duty.

As part of this assessment we’ll check your overall health, focusing on areas like your hearing, eyesight and Body Mass Index. We’ll also investigate any past illnesses and screen for health issues that may prevent you from carrying out your role.

Fitness Test

Stage 5 of 6

If your application is successful, you will complete a fitness test, conducted locally to your unit, by an RAF Physical Training Instructor. This will comprise of a Multi-Stage Fitness Test (MSFT), grip test and broad jump test.

Full details are in the FAQs below.

Training

Stage 6 of 6

Once you've joined, before you commence flying training you will be assigned a Joint Medical Employment Standard (JMES). This ensures you meet the minimum standards to receive flying tuition.

More details can be found below.

UNIVERSITY AIR SQUADRON FAQS

Education Requirements

Applicants should be a full-time registered student at an affiliated university, studying for a full first degree and have at least 5 academic terms remaining to complete their studies.

You are also required to have a minimum of GCSE at grade C/4 or Scottish National 5 at grade C (or equivalent) in English Language and Maths.

FITNESS REQUIREMENTS

You must be physically fit to join a University Air Squadron (UAS).

On entry into the UAS, individuals must achieve a minimum Multi Stage Fitness Test (MSFT) score within 10% of the RAF Fitness Test (RAFFT) standard as detailed below:

ON ENTRY STANDARD: MULTI-STAGE FITNESS TEST
AGE	MALE	FEMALE
17-29	7.2	4.9

You will also undertake a Grip Strength Test and a Standing Broad Jump Test.

Following recruitment, to retain their place on a squadron, individuals must attain the full RAFFT pass.marks as below

RETAINING STANDARD: MULTI-STAGE FITNESS TEST
AGE	MALE	FEMALE
17-29	8.6	6.1

DO I GET PAID?

Yes, the University Air Squadron pays you to be a member. UAS Officer Cadets get up to 35 days per year pay, starting at £44 per day. If you achieve a set criteria of training, you could receive a bounty of up to £150 on top of that. You will receive a pay rise the following year, which is currently £52 per day.

HOW ARE THE RAF APPROACHING DIVERSITY?

The RAF’s diversity and inclusion policy treats all personnel fairly, irrespective of race, ethnic origin, religion or faith, age, disability, gender identity/reassignment, sexual orientation, marriage/civil partnership, pregnancy or social background. The policy goes further than the mere elimination of unlawful discrimination. It recognises and values the fresh ideas, perceptions, skills and attributes that individuals from diverse backgrounds bring.

Nationality and Residency

Be a citizen of the United Kingdom or the Republic of Ireland, holder of dual UK/other nationality or have been a Commonwealth citizen since birth (with ‘right to work’ immigration status).

Whether or not you were born in the United Kingdom, you should have resided there for the 5 years immediately preceding your application. However, candidates with a minimum of 3 years may be considered.

Background Checks

Applicants are ineligible if they have any unspent convictions or ASBO still in effect.

Health Requirements

Candidates joining the RAF must be medically fully fit, both physically and psychologically, to meet the challenges of military service, during which they will be expected to deploy, potentially at short notice, to locations world-wide that are remote from established medical care.

Certain medical conditions could preclude entry to the RAF. Further details can be found in this document.

Before your application, please note that Body Mass Index Requirements are as follows:

Age	Male and female minimum	Male and female maximum	Male maximum with additional assessment	Female maximum with additional assessment
18 +	18	30	32	32
16 to < 18	17	27	27	27

Calculate your BMI here

Eyesight requirements vary for different roles. A requirement to wear glasses or contact lenses may be allowed for aircrew.

If you are unsure about any health criteria, please continue your application and your eligibility will be assessed at the medical examination stage.

Upon joining, before commencing flying training, you will be assigned a Joint Medical Employment Standard (JMES) to ensure you meet the minimum standards to receive flying training:

Fit as UAS flying member
Fit to fly with Corrective Flying Spectacles (CFS).
Not fit as UAS flying member. Whilst you cannot receive flying syllabus training, you may have the opportunity to experience flights as a passenger, and can enjoy all other aspects of the UAS experience that your medical status allows.
Not fit for UAS membership.

Your UAS Management team will support you through this process, and have an open door policy to discuss your situation, including appealing any decision, in complete confidence.

Disqualifying Factors

YOU CAN'T APPLY FOR THE RAF IF YOU:

Have been or are a member of a group that stirs up racial hatred and violence
Are waiting to appear in court, or have unspent convictions. You may also have to declare spent convictions for certain roles
Misuse drugs, solvents and anabolic steroids. But each case is considered upon its own merits
Have tattoos, brands or bead implants that are obscene or offensive.
Any permanent or temporary tattoos, whether ordinarily visible or not, must not be obscene or offensive (eg, racist, anti-religion or belief, crude, overtly sexist, homophobic, drug related or of an extreme political nature). Tattoos may be worn on the side and back of the neck but tattoos on the back of the neck must not extend above the natural hairline (scalp tattoos are not permitted).
Have body piercing which causes holes that do not close up
Declare yourself to be an 'undischarged' bankrupt

Beard Policy:

A revised facial hair policy has been agreed by the Air Force Board which will allow serving personnel to wear a smart, neatly-trimmed, full-set beard whilst maintaining high standards of appearance. The length of acceptable beards is between Grade 1 (2.5mm) and Grade 8 (25.5mm).