Funding and scholarships

Life as a student is more expensive than ever, with tuition fees rising and the cost of living increasing. However, the Royal Navy can assist financially at the important stages of education from A-level to degree. There are a range of funding options available through the Royal Navy that mean you can get paid to study and have a full-time job waiting at the end.

See how you can get the qualifications you need to start a truly unique career, complete with great prospects, global travel and the opportunity to deliver a real difference to Defence.

Ready to get skills for life, not debt for life? Read on.

Supporting your development

Want to be a leader in your field? Choose a Royal Navy scholarship or supported degree scheme and you’ll get to work at the leading-edge of your profession as soon as you’re qualified.

We offer the chance to get financial support while you study because we want officers from diverse backgrounds, and for our potential leaders to have the opportunity to gain the right qualifications.

It’s also important to us that those joining through a degree-level scholarship schemes have the necessary Royal Navy knowledge before they start their career. That’s why we provide evening, weekend and Summer Naval training courses that run alongside academic studies. This extra-curricular activity is designed to challenge you and to be fun while preparing you for your Naval career in a non-academic way.

Please note that funding and scholarships are not available for entry as a Royal Marines Commando Officer.

Discover our schemes

A-level scholarships

If you’re in the last two years of secondary school and intend to go on to study at A-level or equivalent before joining the Royal Navy, you can apply for £1,500 a year in funding. Places are awarded based on predicted GCSE or equivalent grades.

University Cadetship Entry

The highest calibre year 12/13 students, with the appropriate GCSEs or equivalent, who are predicted to achieve 144 UCAS points can enter the Royal Navy under the University Cadetship Entry scheme. They will conduct basic training at BRNC before completing their degree at university while getting paid an appropriate salary and having tuition fees paid throughout.

Engineer Defence Undergraduate Schemes

Year 12/13 students with the appropriate GCSEs or equivalent and predicted UCAS grades can apply for generous annual bursary payments as well as having tuition fees covered throughout an approved and relevant engineering degree.

In-service degree

High-calibre students who have completed A-levels or equivalent can apply for specific roles, where they will be paid a full salary for completing a degree alongside their Royal Navy career. These include a number of specialised medical disciplines as well as roles within our Warfare, Aviation and Logistics branches.

Medical and dental cadetships

If you’re studying for A-levels that include a science-based course, you can apply for a cadetship, which leads to Medical Officer and Dental Officer careers. Providing you are able to gain a place at Medical or Dental School, you’ll get your tuition fees paid and receive a salary for the final three years of your course.

Student Medical Technicians and Nurses

The Royal Navy offers an incredible opportunity for fully paid sponsorship through university as an Adult Nurse, Mental Health Nurse, Operating Department Practitioner, Biomedical Scientist and Radiographer.

University Royal Naval Unit

The University Royal Naval Unit (URNU), under the command of Britannia Royal Naval College (BRNC), aims to broaden the understanding of the Royal Navy among university students of all ages. Students are given the chance to participate in naval exercises designed to develop Communication, Leadership, and Management Skills whilst at university. Students get paid and maximise their university experience. Units are based across the UK.

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