How to Become an Air Traffic Controller in the UK
Air traffic controllers keep aircraft safely separated. Aerodrome controllers in the tower handle take-offs, landings and ground movements, approach controllers sequence arrivals, and area controllers manage aircraft cruising through UK airspace from radar centres.
You don't need a degree. Most people join as trainees with NATS, the UK's main air traffic service provider, after passing aptitude tests, an assessment centre and a medical. Training is long and demanding, and a large share of applicants do not pass the selection stages, so aptitude matters more than background.
Quick facts
- Starting salary
- £37,000 (trainee)
- Mid-career salary
- £50,000 - £75,000
- Senior salary
- £100,000 - £130,000+
- Work environment
- Tower or radar centre, shift work
- Time to entry
- 2 - 4 years (NATS training)
- Degree required
- Not required - aptitude tests matter most
- Category
- Aviation and Aerospace
Compare pay across careers in the UK salaries by career report. Also in: High-paying careers, No-degree careers, Stable careers.
What a Air Traffic Controller does
Guide aircraft safely through UK airspace and around busy airports, making fast, life-critical decisions under pressure.
- Aerodrome (Tower) Controller - Manage take-offs, landings and ground movements at an airport.
- Approach Controller - Sequence aircraft arriving and departing within terminal airspace.
- Area (En-Route) Controller - Handle cruising aircraft across large blocks of UK airspace.
How to become an air traffic controller in the UK
NATS recruits trainee controllers directly and pays trainees during training. Applicants must be 18 or over by the time training starts, with GCSEs including English and maths, and must pass online aptitude tests, an assessment centre and interviews. You also need a Class 3 medical certificate and a good standard of spoken English. Training starts at a college, followed by on-the-job training at your assigned unit, leading to an air traffic controller licence issued by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) with ratings for the work you do. Other routes include self-funded training at a CAA-approved training organisation and the RAF.
- Check you meet the basic entry requirements, including age, GCSEs in English and maths, and the right to work in the UK.
- Practise aptitude test styles such as spatial reasoning, mental maths, memory and multitasking, as these decide most applications.
- Check you can meet the Class 3 medical standard, covering eyesight, colour vision, hearing and general health, before investing time in applying.
- Apply for NATS trainee controller intakes, or controller trainee roles with other UK air navigation providers and airports.
- Complete college training in aerodrome, approach or area control, then validate at your unit under the supervision of an on-the-job training instructor.
- Gain your CAA licence and unit endorsements, then add ratings or move to busier units to progress.
| Route | How long | Cost | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| NATS trainee air traffic controller | 2-4 years to validate | Paid salary during training | Most new entrants |
| Self-funded training at a CAA-approved organisation | 1-2 years before a job | Varies by provider, often high | People who miss trainee intakes but pass selection |
| RAF air traffic control officer | Several years including officer training | Paid by the RAF | People who want a military career first |
How long it takes
Expect two to four years from starting training to working as a fully validated controller. Recruitment intakes and selection add a few months before training begins.
Air Traffic Controller salary in the UK
Trainee controllers with NATS start on around £37,000. Once validated, controllers typically earn £50,000 to £75,000, and experienced controllers at busy units can earn £100,000 to £130,000 or more. Pay depends heavily on where you work, with major area control centres and busy airports paying more than smaller regional units. Shift allowances apply because the job runs around the clock. Smaller airports and other providers usually pay less than NATS. Experienced controllers can also move into training, airspace design or aviation safety roles.
Key skills
- Spatial awareness
- Decision-making under pressure
- Clear communication
- Concentration
Air Traffic Controller FAQs
How do I become an air traffic controller in the UK?
Apply for a trainee controller role with NATS or another air navigation provider. You need to pass aptitude tests, an assessment centre, interviews and a Class 3 medical, then complete college and unit training to gain your CAA licence.
Do I need a degree to be an air traffic controller?
No. Trainees need GCSEs including English and maths, but no degree. Selection is based mainly on aptitude tests and assessments of spatial awareness, memory, multitasking and decision-making under pressure.
How much does an air traffic controller earn?
Trainees start on around £37,000. Validated controllers typically earn £50,000 to £75,000, and experienced controllers at busy units can earn £100,000 to £130,000 or more.
Is it hard to become an air traffic controller?
Yes. Many applicants fail the aptitude tests, and some trainees do not complete training. If you are not successful, you can usually reapply after a waiting period, so it is worth preparing thoroughly for the tests.
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