STEM

You can get into this job through:

• a university course
• a college course
• an apprenticeship
• a graduate training scheme
• the armed forces

University

You'll need an engineering qualification and maintenance experience to apply for a licence to become a helicopter engineer.

You'll usually need a foundation degree, higher national diploma or degree in aerospace engineering, avionics, or a related subject like:

• aeronautical engineering
• electrical or electronic engineering
• mechanical engineering
• manufacturing or product engineering
• physics or applied physics
• software engineering or mathematics

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• at least 1 A level, or equivalent, for a foundation degree
• between 1 and 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a higher national diploma or degree

For more information

• equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
• student finance for fees and living costs|https://www.gov.uk/student-finance
• university courses and entry requirements|https://www.ucas.com/

College

You could do a college course, which would teach you some of the skills and knowledge you need in this job. Relevant courses include the Level 2 and Level 3 Diploma in Aerospace and Aviation Engineering.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• 2 or more GCSEs at grades 9 to 3 (A* to D), or equivalent, for a level 2 course
• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, for a level 3 course

For more information

• equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
• funding advice|https://www.gov.uk/further-education-courses/financial-help
• search for courses|/find-a-course

Apprenticeship

You can get into this job through an aircraft maintenance certifying engineering higher apprenticeship.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship

For more information

• equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
• guide to apprenticeships|https://www.gov.uk/apprenticeships-guide

Other routes

The way into this job is usually through an aircraft engineering company, some of which offer graduate training schemes.

Flight engineering experience gained in the armed forces may count towards your licence application.

Requirements and restrictions

You'll need to:

• You'll need a Part-66 engineering licence issued through the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).
• There are different categories to the licence, depending on the type of work you want to do, but common ones are:B1 mechanical for work on an aircraft's structure and electrical systems; B2 avionics for work on navigation, communication and electronic instruments

More information

Further information

You can find out more about becoming a helicopter engineer from The British Helicopter Association.

View all vacancies in this region

With experience you could become a maintenance engineering manager or senior design engineer, working on modifications and enhancements to aircraft.