How to join
The seven steps to joining the Royal Navy
Wondering what the Royal Navy entry requirements are – or how you go about joining the Royal Navy? The step-by-step guide will guide you through.
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1Get in touchx
1. Get in touch
A short chat or filling in a simple form is all it takes to find out if you’re eligible to apply to the Royal Navy. Call us on 08456 07 55 55 or fill in the form.
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2Meet usx
2. Meet us
If you’re eligible , we'll book you in for an initial careers presentation (ICP) at a careers office near you. It’s your chance to learn more about us and the job opportunities open to you.
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3Find out morex
3. Find out more
After the ICP, the Careers Adviser can help with any questions you might have. If you’re still interested in joining the Royal Navy, you can fill in a short application form – and let us know how quickly you want to move it along
Remember, this application doesn’t commit you to joining the Royal Navy.
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4Show us what you've gotx
4. Show us what you've got
We'll arrange for you to take the Royal Navy recruitment test (RT). It covers basic English, maths, problem solving skills and understanding of mechanics. It’s a good idea to work through some examples first before you sit the real thing. Now’s also the time to think about which job you’d like to do.
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5Your career pathx
5. Your career path
To help you find the best role for you we’ll take a look at your RT results alongside any existing qualifications. Then we can chat through the most suitable jobs. And if you don’t pass the RT first time around, don’t worry. You can take it again. Your Careers Adviser will tell you what the timescales are likely to be.
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6Fit to joinx
6. Fit to join
Once you’ve passed your RT and chosen your role, you will need to take a medical and eye test as well as the Royal Navy pre-joining fitness test. So get yourself in the best shape possible to have the greatest chance of passing. It will also help with basic training too. Want help getting fit? Take a look at our pre-joining fitness programme.
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7Time to get startedx
7. Time to get started
Once you’ve passed all the tests, if you want to join as a Rating you'll need to attend the Pre Royal Navy Course. This is your introduction to life in the Royal Navy and confirm you're ready for the challenge. You'll learn all about our ethos, the working environments, fitness standards and weapon handling. You'll need to pass this in order to be offered a place at HMS Raleigh. Once you've passed, don’t forget to stay in peak shape. Because basic training is physically as well as mentally demanding. So we suggest following our fitness programme.
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What next?
This step-by-step guide runs you through the general process for joining the Royal Navy. But for some jobs, like the Royal Marine Commandos, it’s slightly different. To see the specific steps, choose a position using the Role Finder or take a look at officer and rating roles.
Eligibility
Everyone joining the Royal Navy has to meet some basic entry requirements. These differ depending on the service you’d like to join, whether you want to be an officer or a rating – and whether you’d like to be a full time regular or a spare time Reserve. See if you’re eligible to join.
Get fit to join
If you’re thinking of joining the Royal Navy you’ll need to make sure you’re in great shape – and have the strength and stamina to survive, and make the most of, basic training. To help you get ready, we’ve put together a fitness programme which will get you in the zone.
Initial training
Now the real work begins with basic training at either HMS Raleigh or Britannia Royal Naval College. Have you got what it takes to make it through and join the ranks?
When can I join?
You can join most Royal Navy branches from 16, up to your 37th birthday. The age limit for becoming an officer is different – and you must be within it when you enter Britannia Royal Naval College. If you’re too young, we can put you on a waiting list.
Funding & scholarships
With the Royal Navy’s generous
funding and scholarships, we’ll help
you through your studies – whether
it’s A-levels or a university degree.
And you can earn money while you
do it too. Read on to learn about the
many funding opportunities.
Talk to us
Have questions about joining the Royal Navy? Or want to find out more about a role?
Give us a call on 08456 07 55 55.
How to join the Royal Marines
Becoming a Royal Marine involves a different process to the rest of the Royal Navy. Think you have what it takes? And interested in getting the Royal Marine state of mind? Take a look at what’s involved in our joining process.
