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Foundation Year

Experience the Royal Navy without a long-term commitment. Spend 12 months getting paid for exciting work and gain a broad insight into service life.

Royal Navy personnel onboard an aircraft carrier with a drone

Gain valuable experience while getting paid

Experience 12 months with the Royal Navy and gain a broad, exciting insight into service life. Successful applicants will be working on ship alongside Royal Navy personnel assisting in their day-to-day roles and responsibilities.

You'll get to:

  • Work on cutting edge technology whilst travelling the world
  • Experience adventure with everything paid for
  • Gain work experience and valuable skills
  • Stay fit with a varied, active and healthy lifestyle
  • Make friends with like-minded people
  • Kickstart your career with an option to continue and specialise into general service at the end of the foundation year

You will be paid a minimum of £24,149 with service benefits available to you:

  • Expensed travel between home and work*
  • Full medical and dental care
  • Entitlement to subsidised meals & accomodation
  • Minimum 28 days leave
  • Additional pay while at sea

What you could do on a Royal Navy Foundation Year

During your year you'll get a full understanding of the lifestyle and opportunity available in the Royal Navy. You can choose to work in any of our professions.

Royal Navy Personnel in Engineering

Engineering

Engineering is what powers the Royal Navy. You could work on cutting-edge ships, submarines, aircraft, weapons and comms, that are all vital to global operations.

Royal Navy personnel in Logistics

Logistics & Personnel

Logistics & Personnel is the backbone of the Royal Navy, ensuring the delivery of essential food, supplies, HR, and hospitality. By being part of a global team, you‘ll have the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on the lives of others. 


Royal Navy personnel in Medical

Healthcare & Medical

Combine medicine and adventure by providing expert care in NHS hospitals, on ships at sea, and in war zones. You can serve as a Medic, a Biomedical Scientist, or a GP. That means there are many different opportunities for you to challenge yourself and develop your skills.

Royal Navy personnel in Warfare

Warfare

The Warfare branch is about expert seamanship and expert aviation. Whether you choose meteorology, mine clearance or another specialist discipline, you’ll use advanced weapons and systems, on combat or humanitarian missions around the world.

Foundation Year

How to apply

We welcome applications from anyone who meets the criteria and wants to get a taste of a career in the Royal Navy

Royal Navy personnel

Application & eligibility

The application process is the same as general service:

  1. Register your interest
  2. Complete your application
  3. Defence Aptitude Assessment
  4. Interview
  5. Candidate Preparation Course (CPC)
  6. Start Training

You will need to meet the following criteria to be eligible to apply:

  • Aged 18-44
  • No qualifications required
  • UK National. Dual Nationality restrictions do apply
  • Resident in the UK for the last 5 years
  • BMI between 18 and 28

Although straightforward, each application is considered on its own merit. Any offer of service will reflect your individual circumstances. 

Your application will be reviewed and an offer made based on:

Your questions answered

You can leave at any point in the year with a 2 week notice & a minimum 28 days service.

Yes, you can apply to transfer to general service subject to eligibility and service requirement.

You will conduct 10 weeks of Phase 1 training at HMS Raleigh and a 5 day Basic Sea Safety Course.

You are entitled to 28 days of leave with an additional 1 day extra each 30 calendar days at sea.

Start your application

Find your place in the Royal Navy. Make friends for life, learn new skills and experience the world.

Register Interest

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