How to Join

 

How to Join

Flic Bainbridge at RIAT with Czech fast jet

Joining NUAS

Northumbrian Universities Air Squadron recruits new Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve (RAFVR) members at the start of each academic year from the following universities:

University of Durham
University of Newcastle
Northumbria University
Sunderland University
Teesside University

Soon we will be recruiting for the academic years 2009/2010. If you are interested in membership and you meet the entry criteria, please find us at the following Freshers' Fairs in their respective Student Unions:

Northumbria: 14 - 15 Sep
Newcastle: 21 - 22 Sep
Durham: 5 - 6 Oct

If you are from Teesside or Sunderland you are welcome to come to the Durham, Newcastle or Northumbria Freshers' Fairs. At the recruitment stands in the above Freshers' Fairs you you will be able to talk to current student members (dressed in green flying suits) who will be able to answer any of your questions. In order to join you will be asked to complete a brief application form and proceed to an initial 10 minute informal interview with a serving RAF officer. Those who are awarded university bursaries from the Royal Air Force, either before or during their university degree, are given membership by right.

Basic Requirements for Membership

  • Full-time registered student studying for an approved degree course at a university or college affiliated to a Squadron.
  • At least 1 year remaining at university.
  • Be over 18 years of age upon joining.
  • Be British, Commonwealth (some conditions apply), Republic of Ireland or dual nationality (British/other) citizens at the time of application*
  • You should have lived in the UK for at least 5 years preceding your application.
  • You must be physically fit, and will be required to pass a basic fitness test.

* for further clarification, please contact your local Armed Forces Careers Office

Selection

Selection of NUAS applicants involves a short 10 minutes initial interview at the Freshers' Fair, after which successful candidates will be invited to attend a more formal 45 minute interview a few weeks later. This interview will cover your interests and activities, and your knowledge of current affairs and the RAF.

If selected for UAS training you are enlisted in the RAFVR with the status of Officer Cadet. You are not commisioned and UAS membership carriers no obligation for you to join the RAF nor for the RAF to offer you a commision. As an RAFVR member you are subject to Air Force Law and are expected to behave in a way that does not bring the RAF in disrepute. Your UAS membership can be terminated if you fail to make what your UAS Squadron Commander regards as satisfactory progress - or you can request it.

Commitments


As a NUAS member you are expected to show a level of commitment to the squadron. This can be in the form of flying, sports, adventurous training, or other squadron activities. You will have at least one week of flying and adventurous training camps during the summer which you must attend. You will also be required to attend one evening per week during term time of ground training. This usually takes place on Tuesday evenings at out Town Headquarters in central Newcastle.

NUAS members receive pay for all 'on duty' activities and travel costs can also be claimed for attending training. As a UAS member you are eligible to apply to attend RAF adventurous training courses and certain other schemes open to all RAF personnel.

If you are still at school


If you are still at school or sixth-form college and have set your sights on an RAF career, there is a Sixth Form Scholarship scheme available. If you are preparing to go to university you might be eligible for RAF sponsorship through your course in the form of a bursary. As an RAFVR members you can also apply for sponsorship. If you are considering going to a university not listed above, there are similar squadrons for other universities around the country, representatives of which will be at the Freshers' Fairs of their major universities.

The Royal Air Force is an equal opportunities employer under the Race Relations Act and welcome enquiries and applications from all ethnic groups.