APP First Officer - Entry Requirements

For APP First Officer

Applicants for the APP First Officer course must be a minimum of 17 years of age to attend the Skills Assessment and must be 18 years or over to commence training. You must have a minimum of five GCSEs at grade C or above and these must include English language, mathematics and either physics or double science. Overseas applicants must have at least the non-UK equivalent of the above. International GCSEs (IGCSEs) are considered equivalent. The International Baccalaureate and French Baccalaureate exceed GCSE level if you achieve passing grades in the required subjects listed above. In general, most secondary school exams taken at age 16, 17 or 18 will be considered equivalent or superior to UK GCSEs.

UK A-levels are not required; however, since you can’t start the course until age 18, Oxford Aviation Academy are of the opinion that all UK students would benefit from obtaining at least two A-levels. The two most relevant topics for those who wish to train as a pilot are mathematics and physics. Neither OAA nor any of the airlines require applicants to have university degrees.

For Airline Cadet Programmes

OAA works in partnership with several airlines who pre-select applicants for First Officer positions before training commences. Applicants must apply online to these programmes, which are invariably notified through the OAA web site and in Flight International magazine. We publish the requirements for each scheme when the application is open, but they generally require either two A-levels or university entrance eligibility in your home country. Most of the schemes require an A-level in mathematics as well as an A-level in a science subject. A university degree and previous flying experience, though not required, is frequently advantageous. In the case of Flybe, no more than 60 hours of powered flight experience is allowed.