Everything you need to navigate an aviation career.

Global pilot training group with academies across Europe, Australia, the UAE and India.

Airways Aviation is an international training group with pilot academies in several countries. It also trains cabin crew, engineers and ground operations staff.

- Commercial pilot training (ATPL and CPL) - Bachelor's degrees and diplomas linked to training - Cabin crew, maintenance and ground operations courses - Academies in Italy, Portugal, Finland, Australia, the UAE, India and more

Its academies train to EASA, CASA and ICAO standards and have worked with airlines including Qatar Airways and Etihad. Check that any course gives you the licence you need to work in the UK.

Varies by academy. Usually 18 or over, secondary education and a Class 1 medical.

Varies by course and country.

Self-funded. Fees vary by location.

UK applicants should check whether a course leads to a UK CAA or EASA licence. Converting a foreign licence costs time and money.

Pilot

Paid air traffic controller training with the UK's main air traffic service.

NATS controls most UK airspace and many major airports. Its trainee air traffic controller scheme is a paid job: NATS pays you while it trains you, and you don't pay for the course.

- Online ability tests, situational judgement and listening tests - Assessment centre with interview and ATC knowledge tests - College training at Whiteley, Hampshire, or Global ATS at Gloucestershire Airport - Posting to an operational airport or area control centre - On-the-job training until you're fully validated

You train straight into a controller job. After college you're posted to a NATS unit, such as Heathrow, Gatwick, Manchester, Swanwick or Prestwick, and validated there.

18 or over, five GCSEs at grade 4 including English and Maths, indefinite right to work in the UK, able to pass SC security clearance and a Class 3 medical.

Around 12 to 15 months of basic training, then unit training. 1 to 2 years in total.

Free to you. 2026 trainee pay is about £34,600 a year including an accommodation allowance, rising to about £50,000 to £56,000 once fully validated.

Fail any selection stage and you wait for the next campaign. You can be posted anywhere in the UK, so be ready to move.

Air Traffic Control

Integrated airline pilot training in Jerez, Spain, trusted by major airlines.

FTEJerez is a residential flight training academy in southern Spain. It runs integrated airline pilot training with all ground school and flying on one campus, and trains cadets for several airlines.

- Airline First Officer Programme (integrated ATPL) - Modular CPL/IR and APS MCC - A320 type rating - Upset prevention and recovery training - Optional degree alongside the ATPL - Air traffic control training

FTEJerez is a training partner for programmes including British Airways and Jet2's funded pilot scheme, and lists Aer Lingus, easyJet, Iberia and others as partners.

Usually 18 or over, good secondary education including Maths and Physics, fluent English, and a Class 1 medical. Check FTEJerez's admissions pages.

Around 18 to 22 months.

Self-funded unless you're on an airline-funded scheme. Check FTEJerez for current fees.

The weather in Jerez means fewer cancelled flights, which keeps training on schedule.

Pilot

Aerospace and aviation engineering degrees in west London, near Heathrow.

Brunel runs aerospace and aviation engineering degrees in Uxbridge, close to Heathrow. Some courses add pilot studies alongside engineering.

- Aerospace engineering degrees - Aviation engineering, including a pilot studies option - Lab and design project work - Optional placement year

Engineering graduates move into aerospace design, maintenance and airline engineering roles. Being near Heathrow helps with placements at airlines and airport firms.

A-levels including Maths and usually Physics. Check Brunel's course pages for current grades.

3 years (BEng), 4 years (MEng), plus an optional placement year.

Standard UK undergraduate tuition fees, covered by Student Finance for eligible students. Pilot studies options can carry extra flying costs.

Check exactly what flying the pilot studies option includes. It's not the same as an airline training course.

Aerospace Engineering