Careers Guidance/Progression

Hi,

I've done some research on this via the RN website but can't find much information regarding career guidance and progression besides monetary contributions to study being available.

Just wondering if there is career guidance available to those serving - as in advice on the best qualification routes to take to meet our personal academic aims?

I ask this because it will be a goal of mine to improve my academic qualifcations (didn't try as hard for my GCSE's as I should have - regretting it now!)
Eventually my aim would be to study for a degree (if time would allow whilst serving) and potentially transfer from a rating to an officer.

I've already went to college for 3 years achieving a BTEC Level 3 National Diploma and a Level 2 City & Guilds, which leaves me just short of the UCAS point entry requirements for an officer (I'd still need a few more A-C GCSE's anyway!)

So this leads me to the next question - if I were to study for A levels whilst serving, would this negate the need for 5 A-C GCSE's since they are of a higher level? Would my current btec level 3 ( A level equiv) have any sway - or would I need to rebuild my qualifications from bottom up, per say?

Thanks

 

Hi we seem to be in a fairly similar position. I liked the idea of joining as an officer but was missing A-C in English and maths GCSE and 40 UCAS points. I knew I wanted to join whatever the role so applied as a rating, suits me. Decided to go to college evening classes last year and bagged an A in English and C in Maths. Navy chef I know said you'll need them so go do them now to save time.

Situation now is GCSE's fine 5+ A-C's including maths and English.
140 UCAS points
degree worth 360 UCAS!
So not really sure of my options now, I've just been passed medically fit so should be taking the fitness ASAP and was going to speak to the careers office at the interview?

I'm intending on doing further qualifications when I'm in but my advice would be get as much done as you can prior to joining, remember the application is a long process, I used the time to get the extra grades.

As for officer I know you can get commission but its difficult from what I understand, not impossible but difficult. The pay scales for rating have a big gap between the lower and higher end and I'm unclear on how they actually grade your pay!

It'd be good to hear what others think about this. Either way good luck and I admire you bettering yourself academically.

 

For me atleast it is the confusion on what are the "actual" requirements for entry - as these seem to vary throughout different organisations.

For example, I know that my BTEC Level 3 ND would allow me to enrol on certain A level courses (as it is equivalent, I guess it shows you're capable of understanding level 3) that otherwise would require an A-C in a relevant subject.

But I wonder what the RN's stance on this is. Are GCSE's actually the foundations for any hope of commision - or would higher level qualifications negate the need for GCSE's further down the line?

Thanks
Ash

PS: Just looked into local college GCSE courses, the next intake is late this year with exams early 2014. I guess i'll see when the expected HMS Raleigh date would be (assuming the interview goes well!) to establish whether I would have time. I guess I could always look at the private learning providers (distance/home learning etc).

 

Yes. You must have those 5 A-C grades, including maths and English, in addition to the UCAS points. If you don't have those basic GCSEs then you can't join as an officer.

 

Do you know about graduate and non-graduate? I know the GCSE'S are a must that's why I did them when I did but depending on how you read it I've got the requirements as my degree is work 360 UCAS?

 

Welcome to Rum Ration, BRussell.

What do you have in total in the way of qualifications now?

 

The Officer UCAS Point calculation is based on A Levels/BTECs/Bac etc - that level.

Degrees aren't taken into account.

 

The difference between a graduate entry Officer and a non-graduate entry Officer used to have an influence on pay scales and initial seniority, but that has all been evened out by the AFPRB.

 

Ash, BRussell

There are two schemes for promotion to Officer from within the Service called the Upper Yardman and Senior Upper Yardman schemes.

 

I've got the 5 GCSE'S now including maths and english.
140 UCAS points
2:1 degree

Ive got my application for rating, just been passed fit after a year TMU wait and just not sure if I have any options open now. Do you know how the pay scales for able are worked, anywhere between 17 - 28 odd, does education ect have anything to do with that?

 

Thanks!

Time to get studying then! I have a few level 2 qualifications (city & guilds/cert in digital applications) which I studied for alongside my GCSE's. I wonder whether these count towards the 5 A-C's?

Could you please tell me more about these schemes?

 

How old are you, Ash?

 

What are your UCAS Points derived from?

 

20, not far off 21!

 

A-levels
history at E
graphics at E
law at D

not good I know but I do have plans to do a psychology a level once in.

 

The Upper Yardman (UY) Scheme - designed to provide opportunities for the promotion of young ratings (i.e. up to age 26) to commissioned rank. For older and more experienced ratings (i.e. over the age of 26), there is the Senior Upper Yardman (SUY) scheme. Personnel seeking promotion to the Officer Corps via these schemes will be in competition with non-Service candidates.

All officer candidates must pass selection by the Admiralty Interview Board (AIB); those UY candidates recommended by the AIB are subsequently considered for selection to enter Britannia Royal Naval College (BRNC) Dartmouth by a Final Selection Board (FSB) chaired by the Captain Naval Recruiting (CNR).

Selection is subject to the requirements of the Service. The probability of selection to BRNC will vary depending upon branch/arm/specialisation.

Ratings may apply to be considered for any officer branch and, where appropriate, arm and specialisation, providing that they are able to satisfy the entry requirements. Their first choice of branch/arm/specialisation does not preclude them from being assessed for alternatives when appearing before the AIB. There are no guarantees that successful candidates will be offered the branch, arm or specialisation of their choice.

Candidates for UY(X) Warfare, Aircrew and Air Traffic Control, Logistics, RM or QARNNS must be aged over 17 and below the age of 26 on the first day of the month that initial officer training commences. Candidates for UY(E) must be aged over 17 and below the age of 30 on the first day of the month that initial officer training commences.

Commissions and Warrant (CW) papers are only raised for Upper Yardman (UY) candidates who meet, or expect to meet, the educational criteria of five GCSE grades A*-C (or equivalent) in non-overlapping subjects, including Mathematics and English Language. The educational requirement for Senior Upper Yardman SUY candidates to have CW papers raised is two GCSEs Grade A*-C (or equivalent), one of which must be Mathematics or English Language. To be eligible for the Final Selection Board, SUY candidates are required to have GCSE Grade A*-C in Mathematics, English Language and two other non-overlapping subjects (or equivalent), a total of four GCSEs. Common equivalent qualifications that may be accepted in lieu of the GCSE are:

a. Scottish Certificate of Education Ordinary Grade (grade A, B or C) or Standard Grade (1 or 2).

b. GCE Ordinary level (grade A, B or C).

c. Grade l of the Certificate of Secondary Education (CSE) on a subject for subject basis.

There are other factors relating to how the scheme is administered and things which are required, but you don't need to know about them at this stage.

 

Good to know - thank you.

I'm just looking over my current qualifcations at the moment. Just discovered my Level 2 CiDa (cert in digital applications) is worth 2 GCSE's (achieved merit). So along with my English C, Science C and CiDa Merit I would need only 2 more A-C's (assuming the CiDa is overlapping - since it is one subject).

I'm closer to the academic requirements than I originally thought. Re-doing my Maths GCSE is definitely something I want to do in the near future.

Is it common for people to take on GCSE study whilst serving?

Thanks
Ash

 

The only acceptable alternative to GCSEs for the Naval Service are IGCSE's or SCE's.

A Levels passed below grade D are not accepted.

To become an officer, from within the service, under age 26, only 5 GCSE's are required, the A levels are not required.

 

If you feel confident in maths somewhat you can just take the exams and its not all that expensive. Just do the lower paper rather than the higher (unless you predict you will get an a* or a then it makes life alot harder doing the higher paper, its alot easier to get a b in the lower paper). Just an idea maybe

 

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