Meet - British Army

Being a Soldier is just the start. From day one, you’ll have the chance to build valuable skills, gain recognised qualifications and learn a trade that can shape your future.
With a wide range of roles across seven career paths – Combat, Logistics and Support, Engineering, Medical, Intelligence and Communications, Music, and HR and Finance – there’s a place where your interests and strengths can fit.
You can choose from more than 40 apprenticeship programmes, from Level 2 to Level 4. Your apprenticeship is matched to your role, so you’ll earn, learn and gain qualifications while doing a job that matters.

Skills Apprenticeship Details Locations How to apply What our apprentices do Behind the scenes Related Resources Where to go next

Skills we look for

What makes us a great employer

Competitive Salary

This year, all Soldiers and Officers received a 4.5% pay rise!

Current rates of pay for Soldiers just starting out in these ranks are:

Recruits & Privates: £26,334 a year
Lance Corporal: £34,083 a year
Corporal: £39,565 a year
Sergeant: £44,423 a year

You’ll receive an annual review to ensure that you’re able to progress through the ranks – and this means that you’ll unlock higher pay as you progress.

Adventure Training

Travel across the globe and learn new skills!

Adventurous Training is designed to push you beyond your usual limits. Its goal is to enhance leadership skills, build resilience, foster effective coping strategies, improve decision-making, promote teamwork, boost physical fitness, and cultivate courage.

The opportunities for adventure are limitless. Imagine engaging in activities you never dreamed you could, whether it’s exploring shipwrecks along the shores of New Zealand, navigating the thrilling rapids of the Sjoa River in Norway, or hitting the slopes in the stunning landscapes of Greenland.

Sports & Fitness

Staying fit and healthy is key to Army life.

Keeping fit is a big part of your Army career, you will spend part of your working day on fitness, typically in group sessions with the Army Physical Training Instructor (PTI), and have access to gyms and sports teams during your free time.

The British Army offers a variety of options, from team sports like football and rugby to adventurous activities like mountain climbing and skiing, with expert coaches and extensive facilities to enhance your skills.

Work Life Balance

Every day is different and it is what you make it.

Work-life balance is key in life and the Army makes sure you have a good balance. After training, your work-life balance will be similar to civilian life, typically working from 08:00 to 17:00 with breaks and time for sports. Your evenings and weekends are free, allowing you to visit friends and family or stay and socialise with others.

Apprenticeships Details

Apprenticeship Opportunities

Earn as you learn, an apprenticeship is only the start.

In October 2023, the Army celebrated a century of apprenticeships and was named the UK’s top apprenticeship provider for the fourth year running in 2024. Offering more than 40 different apprenticeships from level 2 to level 4, the Army has a range of exciting opportunities from Animal Care to Network Engineer to Public Services.

An Army apprenticeship offers a fantastic opportunity to earn recognised qualifications while working and getting paid, making it an ideal choice for those who prefer hands-on learning over traditional classroom settings.

The apprenticeship you will undertake is directly connected to the job role you select. It will commence during the second phase of your training (Initial Trade Training), and the specific location of the training will vary based on the role you choose.

Progression Opportunities

As your career progresses, you can apply for a degree-level apprenticeship in Leadership and Management Studies. Every Army position offers professional development pathways to higher qualifications, including Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees.

Technical Corps like the Royal Engineers will help you gain civilian qualifications, such as Chartered Engineer status. Many Officers and Soldiers can also become qualified instructors or leaders in adventurous training, enhancing their interests.

Apprenticeship Training Establishments

The map below showcases all the fundamental and trade training facilities located throughout the UK. However, it’s important to note that the British Army has units stationed all over the UK and Northern Ireland, meaning your job role could be anywhere within the UK.

Find an Army Event to Join

The Army takes part in and hosts a variety of events throughout the year. This is a chance to talk to serving soldiers who will be able to answer your questions about Army life. Whether it’s face-to-face or online, check out our events page and join us to find out more.

Find a Recruiting Centre

If you’ve got questions about Army life or want to chat to someone about whether joining the Army is right for you, you can talk to one of our recruiters. We don’t mind whether you come in wearing your work clothes or jeans; we’re more interested in you and why you’re thinking about joining. Visit, Find a recruiting centre to find your nearest centre.

19locations Locations

Applying for our Apprenticeships

Start
1

Any application to join the British Army starts with an online application.

You will need an account before you can start your Army application. At this point, we’ll ask for your name, date of birth and contact details.

After your account has been activated, we’ll then ask you some questions to see if you’re able to make an application. These are about your age, nationality and any qualifications that you might have. Once you’ve passed eligibility, you’ll need to choose which application form to fill out. Please remember you will only be shown options that you can apply for, based on your answers, so may only have 1 to choose from.

You’ll be asked a few more questions, then you’re ready to submit your form. At this point, you’ve let us know that you’re interested in joining the Army.
2

Once your application is submitted, a local Recruiter will be assigned to you, and they might reach out with additional questions. You can also track your progress through our online platform.

You’ll receive an invitation to participate in an Army Briefing session, where you’ll gain deeper insights into the Army and have the opportunity to ask any questions you may have. Additionally, a personal development plan will be provided to assist you in preparing for the Assessment Centre.
3
Your assessment will last for 2 days and will take place in one of our Assessment Centres in the UK. We will pay for your travel to get there and back.

This is your chance to see whether the Army is right for you, and for us to see whether you’re suitable to join. During your stay, the assessment will include:
- A full medical examination.
- Physical and mental tests.
- Team exercises to see how you work with other people.
- A career discussion.
4
Once you have completed your assessment, there will be some final paperwork to complete.
- We will check your references and run a background check.*
* This is nothing to worry about. We work with the following agencies for this information: Disclosure and Barring Service; Disclosure Scotland; Access Northern Ireland and National Security Vetting.
5

When you accept the offer, you’ll be given your date to start your Initial Training (Phase 1) and you will formally join (enlist) in the Army. How quickly you can start will depend on the job you’ve applied to do, and the grade you were given at the assessment.
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Start

Online Application

Any application to join the British Army starts with an online application.

You will need an account before you can start your Army application. At this point, we’ll ask for your name, date of birth and contact details.

After your account has been activated, we’ll then ask you some questions to see if you’re able to make an application. These are about your age, nationality and any qualifications that you might have. Once you’ve passed eligibility, you’ll need to choose which application form to fill out. Please remember you will only be shown options that you can apply for, based on your answers, so may only have 1 to choose from.

You’ll be asked a few more questions, then you’re ready to submit your form. At this point, you’ve let us know that you’re interested in joining the Army.

Army Briefing

Once your application is submitted, a local Recruiter will be assigned to you, and they might reach out with additional questions. You can also track your progress through our online platform.

You’ll receive an invitation to participate in an Army Briefing session, where you’ll gain deeper insights into the Army and have the opportunity to ask any questions you may have. Additionally, a personal development plan will be provided to assist you in preparing for the Assessment Centre.

Assessment Centre

Your assessment will last for 2 days and will take place in one of our Assessment Centres in the UK. We will pay for your travel to get there and back.

This is your chance to see whether the Army is right for you, and for us to see whether you’re suitable to join. During your stay, the assessment will include:

A full medical examination.
Physical and mental tests.
Team exercises to see how you work with other people.
A career discussion.

After Assessment

Once you have completed your assessment, there will be some final paperwork to complete.

We will check your references and run a background check.*

* This is nothing to worry about. We work with the following agencies for this information: Disclosure and Barring Service; Disclosure Scotland; Access Northern Ireland and National Security Vetting.

Initial Training

When you accept the offer, you’ll be given your date to start your Initial Training (Phase 1) and you will formally join (enlist) in the Army. How quickly you can start will depend on the job you’ve applied to do, and the grade you were given at the assessment.

End

Need some extra support?

If you require any extra support or help with your application, please discuss this with your local recruitment office/team. Examples of the support that we can offer include:

Interview questions in advance
Additional time for candidates completing assessments
Financial support for travel costs

Your local Recruiter will also be available to support you and your family should you have any questions or issues at any point in the application and recruitment process.

What our apprentices do!

“The Army is continuously shaping my growth both as a soldier and as a person. Since enlisting, I have successfully completed a comprehensive advanced apprenticeship in electrical maintenance and installation. After finishing my trade training, I earned a City and Guilds NVQ Level 3 by showcasing my work on military equipment. I am currently pursuing my Class One (Supervisors) course, which has awarded me a Higher National Certificate (HNC) qualification.

Looking ahead, the Army plans to enroll me in an Artificer course, which will provide me with a degree-level equivalent qualification, all funded by the Military while I receive a Sergeant’s salary”.

Liam

Electronics Technician

Level 3 (Advanced)

“Achieving my BA Honours degree in Business, Leadership, and Management marked the pinnacle of my apprenticeship journey, a moment of unparalleled pride. Earning first-class honours with a distinction not only validated my dedication but also affirmed my proficiency in the intricate realms of leadership and management, valuable to my role within the military.

The rigorous curriculum challenged me to synthesize theoretical knowledge with practical applications, honing critical thinking and strategic acumen. From navigating complex case studies to spearheading projects, each endeavour contributed, not only to my holistic growth, but also to improvements within workplace training”.

Tanya

Watchkeeper Pilot

Level 6-7 (Degree)

“The Army paid for me to become an emergency medical technician, and then a paramedic, sending me to university. I now run the Defence breastfeeding network, where the army allowed me to create a safe space for women returning form maternity leave who are still feeding their babies.

I’ve also been able to use funding to go off and do other little courses and qualifications relevant to my trade, such as world extreme medicine – expedition medic, end of life care, mental health first aider, and many more”.

Natasha

Combat Medical Technician

Level 3 (Advanced)

“I strongly believe that the army is one of the best employers to work for because of the support and opportunities it provides. The Army allows soldiers time off work to attend courses and lessons to develop both professionally and personally. This allows soldiers to balance their work-home life, giving them more time at home to spend with their families.

In addition, the opportunities it provides are fantastic. Along with being given the chance to travel to different places around the world, you also get to apply the skills you’ve learned on the apprenticeship to your daily job, which is an amazing benefit. This is also enhanced by the fact that soldiers will earn more money for the job they do while deployed”.

Isaac

Network Engineer

Level 3 (Advanced)