The Student Room Group

UAS, UOTC, or Direct Entry

Hi guys and girls - I'm sorry to the experienced ones amongst us for going over old ground here!

I’ve been trying to work out the next step towards the RAF for quite some time now, so I thought I’d come back for some of that good old fashioned advice stuff!

I’ve just turned 18 this week and I’m currently finishing a course expected to get me around 280 UCAS points, which will ( fingers crossed ) get me into Nottingham University in October to do a degree in Building Surveying ( yes I know its not engineering based, but I wanted a back up ).

When I get my results, should I go straight to the AFCO again to see them with my marks, asking them what they can do for me? Or should I just go to Uni and try my hardest to get into either the local UAS or UOTC? I’m concerned about the number that UAS’s are taking ( 20 30?! ). I don’t know how many people the Army UOTC take, but I would assume its around the same?

If I knew I could get in direct entry I would walk to Cranwell now, so should I try for this in the holidays before Uni? Or will it be too late to try direct entry or a bursary route? I would guess it would also be incredibly difficult to do a bursary, if that’s available, with this degree because its not engineering based?

Sorry about all the questions, I’m a little muddled here yet again, so if anyone could offer any advice or a simple kick up the back-side to get on with it and shut up that’ll do too. :smile:

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If you want it bad enough and have the right qualities you will get into a UAS. EMAUS is one of the larger UASs so I doubt you should have much to worry about if you are prepared for an OASC type interview and have the motivation.


OTC will still give you skills - but it's far easier to get into, requires a lot more time from you and doesn't put you in an airframe to get you flying.
Why not give DE a shot - as a bursar perhaps? You get 2 chances for aptitude.

Being on a UAS will help - they will write your report and cut out the middle man (AFCO) as well as being able to prep you to death (Other students will be preparing for OASC in your third year and the staff are always more than willing to grill you in an interview.

You seem quite underconfident with you abilities to get into a UAS - why not contact them, express your interest and ask if you could come and see what it is about first hand, meet the students and then you can find out what is required. And as I said in another thread, it ay well help you get your foot in the door!

I'm sorry of this is wrong but I'm confused about what branch you want to do? I'm assuming pilot because you are doing a non-eng based degree. There is never a late/wrong time for direct entry, and I have a feeling that the bursary deadline was April, however I think that was for people in their final year of uni (don't quote me). Still doesn't stop you applying! Bearing in mind, you get your results in August which will probably mean OASC in December time for DE... why don't you go to uni and get some life experience and some confidence within yourself. Try your dam hardist to get on the UAS and if not, there is always OTC and URNU. And you could always reapply in your second year. Hope that helps somewhat!
Reply 2
Quiet Mason
I'm currently in my final year at Nottingham and have been on the UAS (EMUAS) for two years.
Firstly, joining the UAS is not too difficult providing you put a lot of work in. Selection is through an interview broadly based on the OASC interviews, so make sure you know all about RAF, current affairs and yourself (?!). The first step for joining is to seek out our stand at the Fresher's Fair in your first week.
I would highly recommend joining a UAS, it offers you a chance to fly, go all over the world on exped (there was a dog-sledding exped to Sweden recently - I've been lucky enough to get on expeds skiing in France and hiking the Grand Canyon). On top of that, the Entertainments side is amazing, with a number of big formal events every year. You are expected to attend a Tuesday night 'Town Night' every week, in which all admin is sorted and you are given a lecture by someone connected with the RAF (FJ pilots etc are fairly common). Also, it gives you the chance to meet a whole load of like-minded people and EMUAS is based at Cranwell so you meet lots of officers who have just been through the IOT process.
In terms of selection, the UAS gives a lot of help with the application process, as Inaspin says it cuts out the middle-man.
I've had an amazing time on EMUAS and, as previously noted, would highly recommend the UAS system to anyone wanting to join the RAF who is prepared to put in a bit of time and effort.
Hope this helps!!
Reply 3
Typically most UASs take about 20 to 30 new student members per year.

Most OTCs - not including London(which has a larger intake) , take about 120 new members, so in theory your chance of getting in is significantly higher in the OTC then the UAS.

However as the previous posters have said if you are well motivated to joining the RAF and have prepared yourself well then there is every chance you will get into the UAS.

The UAS is pretty obviously specifically focused on people who are interested in joining the RAF and does give you the chance to get some free flying. If you are unsuccesful in joining the UAS, then the skills etc you would gain in the OTC would be equally relevent to a career in the RAF.
Reply 4
Cheers guys that's been a great help actually.

afrahams - what exactly was the interview like? And how much of a grilling did you get with the questions?!

To be honest I don’t think there’s a lot more I can ask here, its just a matter of going to the gym, reading up on the RAF and practicing puzzles and things by the looks of it!
Reply 5
It's exactly the same format as the OASC interviews - 40 mins about yourself, your upbringing, grades, hobbies etc before 40 mins about motivation - why you want to join, roles of an officer, service knowledge etc. If you look around the forums here you'll find more than enough stuff. Especially in the second part, it is designed to put you under pressure and to see how you'll react, but if you really learn your stuff then its not a problem (know exactly why you want to join up!!). My top tip would just be to try and come across as enthusiastic as possible about joining the RAF, which by the sound of it you are.
The UAS doesn't have an aptitude test to get in, you have to pass a VERY basic medical and a fitness test, although this is done after you've been accepted.
If you need any other tips etc, send a PM.
Reply 6
Thanks afrahams, appriciate it.
Just think of it as OASC (even though it's not) and you will be more than fine! Make sure you are able to show your motivation as well.
Reply 8
Yea that was my thinking too InaSpin. I was going to try and treat it like a practice run really, only problem is I can't screw up!
Reply 9
Without meaning to sound rude, If I were you I would be much more worried about OASC than UAS selection!

Equally you could be sly and apply to both the UOTC and the UAS, it has been done before but obviously don't let on that you've applied to the other until they accept you!

On a biased note UOTC is better particularly C Coy. WUOTC
Reply 10
To be frankly honest, if you show the slightest interest in joining one of the Armed Forces, let alone the RAF specifically, after you graduate, you should have little to worry about where UAS selection is concerned. The vast majority of people interviewed for selection have nearly no motivation towards joining, or knowledge of, the RAF.

If you've got any questions specifically regarding UAS selection, or EMUAS, then PM me -- I'm not there myself (I'm at a far superior UAS to the south) but I might be able to help.
Reply 11
"To be frankly honest, if you show the slightest interest in joining one of the Armed Forces, let alone the RAF specifically, after you graduate, you should have little to worry about where UAS selection is concerned."

Lol, says a lot about that "far superior UAS!!"
Reply 12
UAS selection: generic. Concerning any UAS in the UK

Far superior UAS: rather specific.

Any questions? :p:
Reply 13
Ianbelieve me I am "concerned" and currently preparing for OASC in every way I apparently should be doing, I'd just rather be worried enough to prepare myself, than casually walk into a UAS interview or a OASC interview not having any idea what the hells going on. - thats my general attitude really, I can't sit down and relax if something needs doing - * pile of coursework being ignored *.
Reply 14
yeah fair enough.

I've now seen the selection process from both sides now, If UAS selection is anything like OTC selection. what there looking for is someone with something about them, who's likely to stick around and not flake out. A knowledge of what's going on in the world, some opinions and the ability to express them and you'll be sorted.

Also you now have to pass the RRR (Risk Reduction Run) to prove that your not so unfit that you a liability to train (1.5miles in 15mins - a piece of piss), may not apply to UAS I honestly don't know
Reply 15
Yea I run 1.5miles in 8.47, I should be ok with 15 minutes. Just got back from the gym before my last post actually, GYM woooo!. - ANYWAY.
Reply 16
bleep test for uas mate - level 9.10 for men. The sticking around comment definitely applies though.
Lol, not getting drawn into the inter-UAS banter anonystude, its just immature :wink:
Reply 17
I love the bleep test, lol. :redface: :redface: :redface:
Anonystude....

You know who the superior UAS is... the one that has all the cool kids that are providing you with *the* coolest badge EVER. And you know it :wink:

And I would be concerned about applying for the UAS - it is tough competition. There are a lot of kids out there who don' want to join the forces but somehow talk the talk in the interview and make it in and the do next to 'eff all!
Reply 19
As undergraduates, your first priority is to study, get your degree and enjoy university life, with all the advantages that undergraduate status implies. Membership of the University Air Squadron falls into 3 categories:

a. Volunteer Reservists (VR’s).

b. University Bursars (UB’s).

c. University Cadets (UC’s) - Now only available for medical students.

Erm.....? Now only available for medical students?