Men jobs

You will need GCSEs at Grade C/4 or Scottish National 5 at Grade C in English Language, Maths/Application of Mathematics (Functional Skills Level 2 will be accepted) and at least three other subjects.

In addition a minimum of 64 UCAS points which can be accrued from A/AS Levels (or equivalent), T-Levels, or National Diplomas (e.g BTECs/NVQs). This must be made up from a maximum of 3 qualifications, minimum of 27 UCAS points for at least one qualification (excluding General Studies, Critical Thinking and Citizenship Studies).

If you hold a UK degree at Grade 2:2 or higher you only need Mathematics and English Language GCSEs (or acceptable alternatives) at a minimum of Grade 4 or Scottish National 5 Grade C in Mathematics and English Language.

If your qualifications are not listed, or you do not have any qualifications, please Contact Us to learn more about how you can join the Royal Air Force.

NATIONALITY

You must be a citizen of the United Kingdom or holder of dual UK/other nationality.

RESIDENCY

Whether or not you were born in the United Kingdom, you should have resided there for the 10 years immediately preceding your application, but candidates with a minimum of 7 years may be considered.

If you have resided abroad for a period due to work or study, you may still be eligible on a case by case basis. This will be established during the selection process.

You must be physically fit to complete both initial and specialist training, and to do your role effectively. Every candidate's fitness levels are tested as part of the application process.

The first of these is the Pre-Joining Fitness Test (PJFT) which takes place at a fitness centre local to you. This consists of a 2.4km (1.5m) run on a treadmill (set to zero incline)

How fit you need to be to pass this test varies on age and gender. The PJFT requirements are listed on the charts below (Male and Female).

See here for more information about a training plan

A second fitness test will take place at RAF Cranwell as part of your familiarisation visit. This includes the Multi-Stage Fitness Test (MSFT or Bleep test). Standards to achieve will be given during the visit.

A practical guide is available to help servicewomen prepare for the physical demands of arduous training and selection courses. Through scientific evidence and practical experience, this guide covers training for endurance and load carrying, performance nutrition and protecting your physical and mental health.

Read a guide for servicewomen preparing for arduous training (opens in new tab).

To train as aircrew in the RAF, you must be able to pass the RAF Swimming Test as follows: Swim 100 metres without rest, using any front or sidestroke. Tread water for 2 minutes. Get out of the deep end of the pool unassisted, without the use of steps or the bottom of the pool.

All personnel attempting the test must wear clothing commensurate with that worn for their normal operating activity, which for aircrew is a flying suit.

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.

Body Mass Index (BMI) Information

Why is BMI important?

One of the most common medical causes of delay to candidate’s applications, is falling outside the selection BMI limits. Candidates with a BMI outside the selection limitations are statistically at increased risk of injury during basic training and long-term ill health.

What is BMI?

BMI is calculated using your height and weight. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) classify a healthy BMI as being between 18.5 and 24.9. Some individuals have an elevated BMI due to a high muscle mass. To accommodate individuals with an elevated BMI (up to a maximum of 32) caused by high muscle mass, waist circumference measurements are used.

How to measure your waist circumference

Breathe normally and the waist measurement is to be taken at the end of a normal breath out. Position the tape measure midway between the bottom of the ribcage and the top of the pelvis. The tape should be snug but not compress the skin. If there is difficulty finding the bony landmarks, place the tape at the level of the tummy button.

Calculating your BMI

Calculate your BMI here

BMI Limitations for RAF Selection

Eyesight

Eyesight standards vary for different roles. Wearing glasses or contact lenses may be allowed, including for aircrew roles.

Health Criteria

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

During your application, the Medical Risk Assessment that all candidates undergo is there to make sure that you are healthy enough for the intense training required by the RAF. Your application will be rejected if you fail to meet the minimum acceptable medical standard for entry. Your medical history is confidential and is not disclosed to those not authorised to hold this information.

YOU MUST

• Declare any previous spent and unspent convictions
• Check if you qualify under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 through this summary
• Achieve the minimum Security Clearance of Developed Vetting (DV) for this role

YOU CAN'T APPLY FOR THE RAF IF YOU:

• Have been or are 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:

Serving personnel can wear a smart, neatly-trimmed, full-set beard. The length of acceptable beards is between Grade 1 (2.5mm) and Grade 8 (25.5mm).

Usually, candidates are to be clean shaven when being fitted for their respirators in Phase One training, however other methods of creating a clean seal can be advised if this is not possible due to religious reasons.

Phase one training

Read more

You will be trained and assessed over 4 six-week terms that will develop your fitness, leadership and academic skills over several indoor and outdoor exercises across the UK. The course is designed to bring out your natural talents for command, leadership and management that you will use for the rest of your life. You will make friends that will also last a lifetime.

You can find out more about what to expect in this booklet. This will allow you to prepare for MIOTC as well as the OASC assessment, which is also covered in this YouTube video.

Phase two training

Read more

Crewed-aircraft Pilots will then be streamed to fast jet, multi-engine or rotary (helicopter) flying training, whilst Pilot (ISR) RPAS progress to the Protector RG1.

Phase two training

Read more

After that you will be awarded your Pilot flying badge – known as ‘wings’. You will then go on to fly the Hawk T2 at RAF Valley and, after successful completion of the tactical weapons phase, you will go to an Operational Conversion Unit (OCU), where you will train on the specific aircraft that you will be flying in a front-line role (e.g. Typhoon).

Phase two training

Read more

You will then be awarded your Pilot ‘wings’ and go to an OCU to train on the aircraft that you will be flying operationally (e.g. C17).

Phase two training

Read more

After your training, you will be awarded your Pilot ‘wings’. You will then go to an OCU where you will train on the helicopter that you will be flying operationally (e g. Chinook).

Phase two training

Read more

If you are streamed RPAS you will spend 9 months flying Protector with 54 Sqn at RAF Waddington, on an Operational Conversion Course, prior to posting to a frontline Sqn.

First tour

Read more

You could fly on a training exercise in allied airspace.

Your career prospects

Read more

You will be selected to serve on a commission of 20 years’ service or to age 40, whichever is the later, when you are awarded 'Combat Ready' status. However, at any time during that commission, following the completion of your 6 years initial return of Service, you are free to leave on giving 12 months notice.

Promotion to the rank of Flight Lieutenant is on a time served/satisfactory service basis 2½ years after completing IOT. Further promotion to Squadron Leader and above is by competitive selection.

In-Service Degree

Read more

As well as training to fly different aircraft, there are opportunities for structured command and staff training as your career progresses.

An In-Service degree for RAF Pilots on completion of their flying training is currently being implemented and details and can be found via this publication.

Transferable skills

Read more

They can equip you for a number of civilian jobs upon completion of service, including: Commercial Pilot; Flying Instructor and various aviation management posts.

Alternatively, as a RPAS pilot in the RAF will equip you for a number of civilian jobs upon completion of service, including: civilian UAV pilot operator and instructor, systems specialist; simulator coordinator and management posts.