Royal Navy officer | Average UK Salary & Outlook

You can get into this job through:

• a university course
• applying directly

If you have a degree, you can apply through direct Graduate Entry route.

For some officer roles you'll need specific qualifications and experience, for example:

• as an air engineering officer, you'll need an engineering degree
• to join the medical support services as a doctor, you need to have or be working towards an approved degree in medicine
• to be a chaplain you must be ordained with 3 years' experience and have a theological degree

You can start applying before you finish your studies, as the process can take up to 6 months. If you're accepted, you'll attend Britannia Royal Naval College in Dartmouth to begin officer training.

You can apply directly for officer training.

You'll need a minimum of:

• 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths
• 2 A levels or equivalent

Age limits vary depending on which officer role you're interested in.

You'll need:

• leadership skills to manage and motivate personnel
• excellent verbal communication skills
• thinking and reasoning skills for making quick decisions
• persistence and determination
• patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
• concentration skills
• the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
• the ability to work well with others
• to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

Restrictions and Requirements. You'll need to:

• be a UK, Republic of Ireland or Commonwealth citizen
• be at least 151.5cm tall
• have a good level of fitness
• pass a medical check
• pass security checks
• pass enhanced background checks