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Studying at uni and applying to NATS as an Air Traffic Controller (ATC)

Looking for some advice and info regarding the NATS ATC application.

A bit of info about me:
I’m a 25 year old uni student currently starting year 2 in September ‘23. I’m studying Aerospace Engineering MEng (Hons) it’s an integrated masters course in the UK, meaning I would be 28 when graduating from my course. After doing some research about air traffic controllers, I came across Eurocontrol they state that you must be a maximum of 27 years old before starting phase 1 of training. NATS do not have an age limit (not one that I could find apart from being 18+ on applying).

Question:
Would I be able to apply as an air traffic controller and complete all the stages while studying full time at university and continuing with my degree? (Either with NATS or Eurocontrol)

Notes:
- NATS have stated that they are actively recruiting ATC’s again and that all tests and phases will be held virtually.
- I do not have family in the UK willing to support me financially or provide accommodation so I’m hoping I can just go straight from uni to working full time.

Last paragraph I swear:
I would also like to say that I have passed the ATC requirements during RAF Officer Selection, however due to covid I decided to go to university instead of waiting. I would happily drop university to become an air traffic controller as this was my goal from the start.

Reply 1

Prefrontal

I'm in interested in this too, does anyone have any advice on this?

Reply 2

kandy30493

Original post by Lucky70

Looking for some advice and info regarding the NATS ATC application.
A bit of info about me:
I’m a 25 year old uni student currently starting year 2 in September ‘23. I’m studying Aerospace Engineering MEng (Hons) it’s an integrated masters course in the UK, meaning I would be 28 when graduating from my course. After doing some research about air traffic controllers, I came across Eurocontrol they state that you must be a maximum of 27 years old before starting phase 1 of training. NATS do not have an age limit (not one that I could find apart from being 18+ on applying).
Question:
Would I be able to apply as an air traffic controller and complete all the stages while studying full time at university and continuing with my degree? (Either with NATS or Eurocontrol)
Notes:
- NATS have stated that they are actively recruiting ATC’s again and that all tests and phases will be held virtually.
- I do not have family in the UK willing to support me financially or provide accommodation so I’m hoping I can just go straight from uni to working full time.
Last paragraph I swear:
I would also like to say that I have passed the ATC requirements during RAF Officer Selection, however due to covid I decided to go to university instead of waiting. I would happily drop university to become an air traffic controller as this was my goal from the start.

Hi, if I were you I would complete my degree and then apply for Nats as a lot of people are saying that the college part is a bit stressful and you can be dropped off the course for failing exams. if you had a degree to fall back on this wouldn't be a problem even though you must be pretty smart to have got into aerospace engineering its always great to have a safety net.