Step out of the lecture hall and onto one of the most advanced aircrafts in the world. Become a part of the UK’s Air and Space Power, contributing to national and global defence.
Membership of UAS doesn’t carry any obligation on the part of the RAF or the individual for subsequent service in the RAF.
You won’t be a passenger, we’ll teach you to fly. We’ll give you the skills and confidence to fly solo, along with ground training opportunities. As a member of a University Air Squadron you’ll receive world-class training, setting you up with life-long transferable skills.
Working in teams you’ll develop how you communicate, making you an effective leader. Confidence will grow and you’ll learn many new things about yourself by stepping out of your comfort zone to face mental and physical challenges, all whilst getting paid.
You’ll have the opportunity to explore 21 commissioned branches and the wealth of career options available in the RAF. It’s not all work and study, you will also take part in numerous sports and adventure training such as rock climbing, skiing and sailing – both in the UK and abroad.
By joining the University Air Squadron you’re signing up to a university experience far beyond what you’ve imagined with no commitment to join after.
Please select your University to see which University Air Squadron is associated with it.
East Of Scotland Universities Air Squadron
Leuchars Station
Fife KY16 0JX
01334 857718
East Of Scotland Universities Air Squadron
Leuchars Station
Fife KY16 0JX
01334 857718
Universities of Wales Air Squadron
MoD St Athan
South Wales CF62 4WA
01446 798790
Cambridge University Air Squadron
RAF Wittering
Cambridgeshire PE8 6HB
01223 356942
University of London Air Squadron
Handel Street, WC1N 1NP
London WC1N 1NP
0208 833 8658
University of Birmingham Air Squadron
RAF Cosford
West Midlands WV7 3EX
01902 377603
Liverpool University Air Squadron
RAF Woodvale
Lancashire L37 7AD
01704 872287
Bristol University Air Squadron
Azimghur Barracks, Colerne
Wiltshire SN14 8QY
University of Birmingham Air Squadron
RAF Cosford
West Midlands WV7 3EX
01902 377603
University of Birmingham Air Squadron
RAF Cosford
West Midlands WV7 3EX
01902 377603
Southampton University Air Squadron
MoD Boscombe Down
Wiltshire SP4 0JF
01980 663261
University of London Air Squadron
Handel Street, WC1N 1NP
London WC1N 1NP
0208 833 8658
Yorkshire Universities Air Squadron
RAF Leeming
Yorkshire YO30 2AJ
01347 847619
Southampton University Air Squadron
MoD Boscombe Down
Wiltshire SP4 0JF
01980 663261
Bristol University Air Squadron
Azimghur Barracks, Colerne
Wiltshire SN14 8QY
01225 745307
University of London Air Squadron
Handel Street, WC1N 1NP
London WC1N 1NP
0208 833 8658
Oxford University Air Squadron
RAF Benson
Oxfordshire OX10 6AA
01491 837766 x 5227
Cambridge University Air Squadron
RAF Wittering
Cambridgeshire PE8 6HB
01223 356942
University of London Air Squadron
Handel Street, WC1N 1NP
London WC1N 1NP
0208 833 8658
Universities of Wales Air Squadron
MoD St Athan
South Wales CF62 4WA
01446 798790
Liverpool University Air Squadron
RAF Woodvale
Lancashire L37 7AD
01704 872287
Southampton University Air Squadron
MoD Boscombe Down
Wiltshire SP4 0JF
01980 663261
University of London Air Squadron
Handel Street, WC1N 1NP
London WC1N 1NP
0208 833 8658
University of Birmingham Air Squadron
RAF Cosford
West Midlands WV7 3EX
01902 377603
East Midlands Universities Air Squadron
Royal Air Force College Cranwell
Lincolnshire NG34 8HB
01400 266917
East Of Scotland Universities Air Squadron
Leuchars Station
Fife KY16 0JX
01334 857718
Northumbrian Universities Air Squadron
RAF Leeming
Northumbria DL7 9NJ
01677 457428
Cambridge University Air Squadron
RAF Wittering
Cambridgeshire PE8 6HB
01223 356942
East Of Scotland Universities Air Squadron
Leuchars Station
Fife KY16 0JX
01334 857718
Cambridge University Air Squadron
RAF Wittering
Cambridgeshire PE8 6HB
01223 356942
Bristol University Air Squadron
Azimghur Barracks, Colerne
Wiltshire SN14 8QY
Universities of Glasgow and Strathclyde Air Squadron
Glasgow Airport
Glasgow G3 6AX
0141 332 2548
Universities of Glasgow and Strathclyde Air Squadron
Glasgow Airport
Glasgow G3 6AX
0141 332 2548
Universities of Glasgow and Strathclyde Air Squadron
Glasgow Airport
Glasgow G3 6AX
0141 332 2548
University of London Air Squadron
Handel Street, WC1N 1NP
London WC1N 1NP
0208 833 8658
University of Birmingham Air Squadron
RAF Cosford
West Midlands WV7 3EX
01902 377603
East Of Scotland Universities Air Squadron
Leuchars Station
Fife KY16 0JX
01334 857718
University of London Air Squadron
Handel Street, WC1N 1NP
London WC1N 1NP
0208 833 8658
East Of Scotland Universities Air Squadron
Leuchars Station
Fife KY16 0JX
01334 857718
Yorkshire Universities Air Squadron
RAF Leeming
Yorkshire YO30 2AJ
01347 847619
Yorkshire Universities Air Squadron
RAF Leeming
Yorkshire YO30 2AJ
01347 847619
University of London Air Squadron
Handel Street, WC1N 1NP
London WC1N 1NP
0208 833 8658
University of Birmingham Air Squadron
RAF Cosford
West Midlands WV7 3EX
01902 377603
University of London Air Squadron
Handel Street, WC1N 1NP
London WC1N 1NP
0208 833 8658
University of London Air Squadron
Handel Street, WC1N 1NP
London WC1N 1NP
0208 833 8658
University of London Air Squadron
Handel Street, WC1N 1NP
London WC1N 1NP
0208 833 8658
Liverpool University Air Squadron
RAF Woodvale
Lancashire L37 7AD
01704 872287
Yorkshire Universities Air Squadron
RAF Leeming
Yorkshire YO30 2AJ
01347 847619
Yorkshire Universities Air Squadron
RAF Leeming
Yorkshire YO30 2AJ
01347 847619
East Midlands Universities Air Squadron
Royal Air Force College Cranwell
Lincolnshire NG34 8HB
01400 266917
East Midlands Universities Air Squadron
Royal Air Force College Cranwell
Lincolnshire NG34 8HB
01400 266917
Yorkshire Universities Air Squadron
RAF Leeming
Yorkshire YO30 2AJ
01347 847619
Liverpool University Air Squadron
RAF Woodvale
Lancashire L37 7AD
01704 872287
Liverpool University Air Squadron
RAF Woodvale
Lancashire L37 7AD
01704 872287
University of London Air Squadron
Handel Street, WC1N 1NP
London WC1N 1NP
0208 833 8658
University of London Air Squadron
Handel Street, WC1N 1NP
London WC1N 1NP
0208 833 8658
East Midlands Universities Air Squadron
Royal Air Force College Cranwell
Lincolnshire NG34 8HB
01400 266917
Manchester and Salford Universities Air Squadron
RAF Woodvale
Lancashire L37 7AD
01704 872287
Manchester and Salford Universities Air Squadron
RAF Woodvale
Lancashire L37 7AD
01704 872287
University of London Air Squadron
Handel Street, WC1N 1NP
London WC1N 1NP
0208 833 8658
East Of Scotland Universities Air Squadron
Leuchars Station
Fife KY16 0JX
01334 857718
Northumbrian Universities Air Squadron
RAF Leeming
Northumbria DL7 9NJ
01677 457428
Cambridge University Air Squadron
RAF Wittering
Cambridgeshire PE8 6HB
01223 356942
Northumbrian Universities Air Squadron
RAF Leeming
Northumbria DL7 9NJ
01677 457428
East Midlands Universities Air Squadron
Royal Air Force College Cranwell
Lincolnshire NG34 8HB
01400 266917
East Midlands Universities Air Squadron
Royal Air Force College Cranwell
Lincolnshire NG34 8HB
01400 266917
Oxford University Air Squadron
RAF Benson
Oxfordshire OX10 6AA
01491 837766 x 5227
Oxford University Air Squadron
RAF Benson
Oxfordshire OX10 6AA
01491 837766 x 5227
Bristol University Air Squadron
Azimghur Barracks, Colerne
Wiltshire SN14 8QY
01225 745307
Southampton University Air Squadron
MoD Boscombe Down
Wiltshire SP4 0JF
01980 663261
East Of Scotland Universities Air Squadron
Leuchars Station
Fife KY16 0JX
01334 857718
University of London Air Squadron
Handel Street, WC1N 1NP
London WC1N 1NP
0208 833 8658
Northern Ireland Universities Air Squadron
Aldergrove Flying Station
Co Antrim BT29 4AX
02894 455242
Oxford University Air Squadron
RAF Benson
Oxfordshire OX10 6AA
01491 837766 x 5227
East Of Scotland Universities Air Squadron
Leuchars Station
Fife KY16 0JX
01334 857718
University of London Air Squadron
Handel Street
London WC1N 1NP
0208 833 8658
University of London Air Squadron
Handel Street
London WC1N 1NP
0208 833 8658
University of London Air Squadron
Handel Street
London WC1N 1NP
0208 833 8658
University of London Air Squadron
Handel Street
London WC1N 1NP
0208 833 8658
Manchester and Salford Universities Air Squadron
RAF Woodvale
Lancashire L37 7AD
01704 872287
Yorkshire Universities Air Squadron
RAF Leeming
Yorkshire YO30 2AJ
01347 847619
Yorkshire Universities Air Squadron
RAF Leeming
Yorkshire YO30 2AJ
01347 847619
Universities of Wales Air Squadron
MoD St Athan
South Wales CF62 4WA
01446 798790
Southampton University Air Squadron
MoD Boscombe Down
Wiltshire SP4 0JF
01980 663261
Southampton University Air Squadron
MoD Boscombe Down
Wiltshire SP4 0JF
01980 663261
East Of Scotland Universities Air Squadron
Leuchars Station
Fife KY16 0JX
01334 857718
University of London Air Squadron
Handel Street
London WC1N 1NP
0208 833 8658
University of Birmingham Air Squadron
RAF Cosford
West Midlands WV7 3EX
01902 377603
Universities of Glasgow and Strathclyde Air Squadron
Glasgow Airport
Glasgow G3 6AX
0141 332 2548
Universities of Glasgow and Strathclyde Air Squadron
Glasgow Airport
Glasgow G3 6AX
0141 332 2548
Northumbrian Universities Air Squadron
RAF Leeming
Northumbria DL7 9NJ
01677 457428
Southampton University Air Squadron
MoD Boscombe Down
Wiltshire SP4 0JF
01980 663261
Universities of Wales Air Squadron
MoD St Athan
South Wales CF62 4WA
01446 798790
Universities of Wales Air Squadron
MoD St Athan
South Wales CF62 4WA
01446 798790
Northumbrian Universities Air Squadron
RAF Leeming
Northumbria DL7 9NJ
01677 457428
Universities of Glasgow and Strathclyde Air Squadron
Glasgow Airport
Glasgow G3 6AX
0141 332 2548
Northern Ireland Universities Air Squadron
Aldergrove Flying Station
Co Antrim BT29 4AX
02894 455242
University of London Air Squadron
Handel Street
London WC1N 1NP
0208 833 8658
Universities of Wales Air Squadron
MoD St Athan
South Wales CF62 4WA
01446 798790
University of Birmingham Air Squadron
RAF Cosford
West Midlands WV7 3EX
01902 377603
Bristol University Air Squadron
Azimghur Barracks, Colerne
Wiltshire SN14 8QY
01225 745307
University of London Air Squadron
Handel Street
London WC1N 1NP
0208 833 8658
Southampton University Air Squadron
MoD Boscombe Down
Wiltshire SP4 0JF
01980 663261
University of Birmingham Air Squadron
RAF Cosford
West Midlands WV7 3EX
01902 377603
University of Birmingham Air Squadron
RAF Cosford
West Midlands WV7 3EX
01902 377603
Yorkshire Universities Air Squadron
RAF Leeming
Yorkshire YO30 2AJ
01347 847619
University of London Air Squadron
Handel Street
London WC1N 1NP
0208 833 8658
University of London Air Squadron
Handel Street
London WC1N 1NP
0208 833 8658
University of London Air Squadron
Handel Street
London WC1N 1NP
0208 833 8658
University of London Air Squadron
Handel Street
London WC1N 1NP
0208 833 8658
University of London Air Squadron
Handel Street
London WC1N 1NP
0208 833 8658
University of London Air Squadron
Handel Street
London WC1N 1NP
0208 833 8658
To apply to join a University Air Squadron, please download and complete the application form and medical screening leaflet. Once complete, please email the application to the appropriate contact for that University Air Squadron (see table at bottom of application form) and medical screening leaflet to the email address within the form. We will contact you once processed.
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:
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
You must be physically fit to join the University air squadron.
UAS Fitness tests are conducted locally by an RAF Physical Training Instructor, either pre or post attestation. This comprises of the following:
How fit you need to be to pass these tests can vary depending on age and gender. The requirements are listed on the charts below (Male and Female).
| MEN - 100% pass rates: | |||
| AGE | Multi-Stage Fitness Test | Press-ups | Sit-ups |
| (Score) | (No.) | (No.) | |
| 15-16 | 9.03 | 20 | 35 |
| 17-29 | 9.10 | 20 | 35 |
| 30-34 | 9.04 | 19 | 32 |
| 35-39 | 8.09 | 18 | 29 |
| 40-44 | 8.03 | 17 | 26 |
| WOMEN - 100% pass rates: | |||
| AGE | Multi-Stage Fitness Test | Press-ups | Sit-ups |
| (Score) | (No.) | (No.) | |
| 15-16 | 6.07 | 10 | 32 |
| 17-29 | 7.02 | 10 | 32 |
| 30-34 | 6.08 | 9 | 29 |
| 35-39 | 6.04 | 8 | 26 |
| 40-44 | 5.08 | 7 | 23 |
You can see the standards for Press Ups & Sit Ups here:
You can download an MP3 file of the Multi-Stage Fitness Test (MSFT) below, listen to the introduction file first:
RAF MSFT: Intro
RAF MSFT: Bleep Test
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.
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.
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.
Applicants are ineligible if they have any unspent convictions or ASBO still in effect.
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 |
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:
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.
YOU CAN'T APPLY FOR THE RAF IF YOU:
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).
