Pilot after Sixth Form

Hi,

I want to be a commercial pilot. I am currently in Year 12 doing 4 A Levels (Maths, Further Maths, Physics, History) and achieving A grades in all. I am financially limited in training through means of a flight school. I also want to look for degrees as a backup option, however, I'm very stuck on what to do. I have looked at BA's Speedbird Academy and even military routes and will apply for that after schools but they are very competitive. I have seen other pilots who haven't even completed Sixth Form and who have gotten into competitive programmes so I feel disincentivised to work hard in school now. I really enjoy maths so I may do it as a degree. What should I do?

Reply 1

University of Bath

Official Rep

Original post

by gustavo_96

Hi,
I want to be a commercial pilot. I am currently in Year 12 doing 4 A Levels (Maths, Further Maths, Physics, History) and achieving A grades in all. I am financially limited in training through means of a flight school. I also want to look for degrees as a backup option, however, I'm very stuck on what to do. I have looked at BA's Speedbird Academy and even military routes and will apply for that after schools but they are very competitive. I have seen other pilots who haven't even completed Sixth Form and who have gotten into competitive programmes so I feel disincentivised to work hard in school now. I really enjoy maths so I may do it as a degree. What should I do?

Hi there!

Its great to hear you're already thinking about your future.

You sounds like you've already got a good plan to apply for flight training (just to make you aware, there are flying scholarships you can apply for to help you with this if it sounds like its for you), but if you wanted to consider doing a degree first, then have you considered Aerospace Engineering? Some unis offer these degrees with pilot studies, such as Sheffield and Liverpool (both very good unis for Aerospace!). This is a good degree to have if you enjoy maths and physics as they have a high level of mathematical application. Perhaps if you chose this route you could work part-time (for example as a student ambassador) to help you save up some money if you wanted to do further training or go to flight school after this.

If you didn't wish to do a degree however, have you considered doing a gap year to do some volunteering/work experience/air cadet training and/or working part time to help you save up some money and get some experience for flight school?

You might also find this UCAS page helpful which lists a few other options you can take to becoming a pilot.

I hope this helps, and best of luck!

University of Bath

(edited 9 months ago)

Reply 2