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R.A.F After University.
Ive always wanted to join the RAF, as a pilot, but im currently studying as levels, and i dont think i'll be ready to join when I leave college. So i decided to go to university and study a degree in Geography (BA), before i apply to join.
Do the R.A.F, accept this degree? And do they offer bursaries for people studying Geography? Or do they want people studying subjects like engineering, or physics etc?
Thanks for your time.
Do the R.A.F, accept this degree? And do they offer bursaries for people studying Geography? Or do they want people studying subjects like engineering, or physics etc?
Thanks for your time.
As far as Pilot is concerned a degree is not essential. The RAF require that you have 2 A levels (adding up to a minimum of 140 UCAS points) and 5 GCSEs Grade A-C, including English Language and Maths. It is true that the majority of RAF Officers are graduates, although the specific degree you choose to study is not relevant for Pilot.
For Pilot entry the RAF do not mind what degree you have, Geography is fine. Graduates have a higher success rate in training than Direct Entrants, but that is not to say that a degree is vital to your success. As RAF entry is getting increasingly competitive, you would do well to read up as much about it as you can, and make sure that you are using your time wisely before you officially start the application process. Check out the advice given here in TSR for example, and visit your AFCO to get detailed advice.
The reason I was thinking of going to university before i join the R.A.F, is because im not a member of any sports group, or the air cadets, so i havent really got anything to prove to the R.A.F, im the guy there looking for. Im taking my sports leadership award soon, and joining a gliding club in summer. Would this help at all? I also have a part time job at Mcdonalds :P, so would this be enough proof to say im capable of working in a team?
Because my friend went for an interview for the R.A.F, and he got turned down, because he didnt participate in any adventerous sports outside of college, and he didnt have any knowledge on current affairs .
Thanks for your time, and sorry for boring you with questions
Because my friend went for an interview for the R.A.F, and he got turned down, because he didnt participate in any adventerous sports outside of college, and he didnt have any knowledge on current affairs .
Thanks for your time, and sorry for boring you with questions
It's good that you're thinking of how to improve youself before an application. The RAF look for well rounded people and this includes team sports, academic potential and activities. As people have said, a degree is not essential, but you're wise to look at it the way you are. A degree will give you three or four more years to think about exactly what you want from a career in the forces. You can join a University Air Squadron and get a bit of a look in to what service life can be like, you can broaden your horizons with activites, sports and volunteer work. Most importantly, you will have a degree behind you. You will have an extra 3/4 years of learning and studying and if you ever change your mind about your career you have something to fall back on. Not to mention the fact that you will get faster promotion and more pay with a degree.
Someone I've spoken to (or rather, he spoke to me ) that's serving as an Officer in the RAF, made the point that yes, graduates get faster promotion, but they're also expected to make less mistakes during their first tour due to their higher rank.
Direct entrants start off as Pilot Officers, and so are expected to be inexperienced and not really know a lot about how things work, but Flying Officers on the other hand, are given a lot more responsibility, and have a lot less room for learning from their mistakes. Just something I've heard.
) that's serving as an Officer in the RAF, made the point that yes, graduates get faster promotion, but they're also expected to make less mistakes during their first tour due to their higher rank.Direct entrants start off as Pilot Officers, and so are expected to be inexperienced and not really know a lot about how things work, but Flying Officers on the other hand, are given a lot more responsibility, and have a lot less room for learning from their mistakes. Just something I've heard.
BlackHawk
...you have something to fall back on... .
If you mentioned this as a reason for wanting a degree, do you think they would take it as self-doubt, or would they just think you were being sensible? Any ideas anyone? Got about 20 days till OASC and starting to get paranoid about the little things
I dont think that you saying that having a degree to fall back on would count as self doubt. It makes common sense, not everyone, even if they are totally committed to joining, is cut out for the armed forces. A degree as a back up will open up plenty of other graduate level jobs if the armed forces one is not an option. Plus it gives you 3/4 years to mature build up extra curricular activities/skills whihc the RAF considers useful, hence the initial quicker promotion and pay rise as they take into account your time spent at uni as a positive.
Kaiser
If you mentioned this as a reason for wanting a degree, do you think they would take it as self-doubt, or would they just think you were being sensible? Any ideas anyone? Got about 20 days till OASC and starting to get paranoid about the little things
No, it shows forward planning and that you have an interest in your career plans. Everyone needs to have a second option, especially at OASC level. During your interview they will ask you what, if any other things have you applied to, and also what you will do if you don't get into the RAF. They will be perfectly happy that you're wise enough to get a degree in case things don't work out.
DavidJas
Well, why not apply and let the professionals decide?
If you want a bursary, you'd need to pass the full selection procedure anyway. Your best bet is to go to uni, join a UAS, and apply when you think you have a chance of succeeding for either sponsorship or direct entry.
Graduates do indeed tend to do better through training.
KSpin
Someone I've spoken to (or rather, he spoke to me ) that's serving as an Officer in the RAF, made the point that yes, graduates get faster promotion, but they're also expected to make less mistakes during their first tour due to their higher rank.
Direct entrants start off as Pilot Officers, and so are expected to be inexperienced and not really know a lot about how things work, but Flying Officers on the other hand, are given a lot more responsibility, and have a lot less room for learning from their mistakes. Just something I've heard.
) that's serving as an Officer in the RAF, made the point that yes, graduates get faster promotion, but they're also expected to make less mistakes during their first tour due to their higher rank.Direct entrants start off as Pilot Officers, and so are expected to be inexperienced and not really know a lot about how things work, but Flying Officers on the other hand, are given a lot more responsibility, and have a lot less room for learning from their mistakes. Just something I've heard.
... which is pretty much nonsense. Most people will expect you to be competent in your job when you're a Flight Lieutenant, but only because you could be one at 22 or you could be one at 38!
Anyone with one stripe is assumed to be within the first couple of years of their commission. More importantly, anyone you're going to work directly with will know your background; people in your section will know you're a first tourist, and your senior NCOs will look after you. For aircrew, it doesn't matter a jot; I've seen plenty of Fg Off Creamie QFIs teaching Flt Lts and Lts anything up to 5-odd years older than them.
So no, I wouldn't expect a Fg Off to be given a harder ride in a post than a Plt Off.
Top_Cat
As far as Pilot is concerned a degree is not essential. The RAF require that you have 2 A levels (adding up to a minimum of 140 UCAS points) and 5 GCSEs Grade A-C, including English Language and Maths. It is true that the majority of RAF Officers are graduates, although the specific degree you choose to study is not relevant for Pilot.
Just a side note, 2 A-Levels isn't actually 140 points; it's A - C: 160 - 240 resptively. And the requirement is for 140, which means you can have 3 D's. Just if that helps anyone. Also - scottish reuirements for 140 is either 3 higher C's/2 A's which both give 144.
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