Submarine Engineering Rating - Degree Top Up Scheme

If you’re passionate about engineering and looking for a challenge within the Submarine Service, the Degree Top Up Scheme could be for you.  You will join as a Leading Hand and commence training as a Marine or Weapons Engineer, with a clear route for promotion to Petty Officer, unlocking a fully funded BEng (Hons) Degree in Mechanical or Electronic Engineering whilst serving and being paid.

• Find a solution to whatever problem comes your way, leading your team in challenging environments and high-pressure situations.
• Operate at the highest levels of the industry as you complete a pathway to become a nuclear or weapons engineer, with guaranteed promotion to Petty Officer and enrolment onto a fully funded BEng (Hons) degree course.
• Be a key part of the immense engineering effort that goes into operating and maintaining our submarines, keeping every operation on track, and making some essential missions possible.
• You will develop your engineering, leadership and management skills, achieving accredited qualifications throughout your career.
• Work on board a Vanguard Class submarine, ensuring the nation’s nuclear deterrent is operational, or an Astute Class submarine where you’ll be part of some highly classified Hunter-Killer operations. 

• You need to be aged 17 to 39 (You can start your application from 16.5 years old however you must be at least 17 years old on day of entry to basic training and hold educational certificates detailed below)
• A minimum of five GCSEs (or equivalent) at grade 4 or above including Mathematics, English language and at least one Science.
• A minimum of 64 UCAS points gained from Level 3 STEM qualifications (BTEC, A/A2/AS, T-Level or equivalents) in an engineering discipline, or maths and at least one in physical science, or computing subject.
• Successful completion of the DTS Admission Interview
• British National (or hold Dual Nationality iaw UKSV policy)
• You need to be a minimum height of 157cm
• A Body Mass Index (BMI) between 18 and 28 (between 17 and 27 if under 18)

• Initial Pay of £41,772
• An excellent non-contributory pension scheme – we pay into it for you, so you don’t have to sacrifice any salary
• Six weeks of paid holiday every year
• Free gym and sports, including Adventurous Training activities such as Scuba Diving and Kite-Surfing.
• Forces Help to Buy Scheme – a 0% loan to get you on, or further up, the housing ladder
• Subsidised travel, accommodation and food
• Unlocking Nuclear Skills Pay, ranging from £5 per day to £32.50 per day of additional pay
• Extra Submariner benefits can be found here
• Enrolment onto a fully funded BEng(Hons) course relevant to your role, providing education qualifications and vocational experience to your portfolio.

Qualifications you’ll gain

• Level 3 Diploma (Maritime Mechanical Fitter or Maritime Electrical Fitter depending on your career stream)
• Foundation Degree in Mechanical or Electronic Engineering depending on your career stream.
• CMI Level 5 Certificate in Leadership and Management.
• Fully paid BEng(Hons) in Mechanical or Electronic Engineering once qualified and experienced in your role.

Skills you’ll develop

• Gain a deep understanding of all submarine systems, including electrical and mechanical engineering principles.
• You’ll learn to operate and maintain some of the most advanced equipment in a complex and exciting environment.
• You’ll develop your management experience to lead engineering teams to deliver results within elite engineering departments.

You will need to be:

• A quick thinker, with a keen interest in mechanical and electrical engineering
• A problem-solver who can work well as part of a team

You will need to have:

• A real sense of adventure, with a high level of physical and mental fitness
• A proven academic ability and motivation to gain vocational engineering experience and further qualifications