Air Traffic Controller Requirements UK: Eligibility, Medical & Eyesight (2026)

Air traffic control is one of the few high-paying, highly skilled UK careers you can enter straight from school with no degree. But it is a safety-critical role, so the eligibility, security and medical requirements are strict and non-negotiable. This guide sets out exactly what NATS requires of trainee air traffic controllers in 2026.

Do You Need a Degree to Become an Air Traffic Controller?

No. NATS does not require a degree or any prior aviation experience. Selection is based primarily on aptitude — your ability to think spatially, process information quickly and make accurate decisions under pressure — rather than on academic qualifications. This is one of the reasons ATC is such an attractive career: school-leavers and career-changers compete on a level footing, and you are paid from day one of training.

Basic Eligibility Requirements

To apply to NATS as a trainee air traffic controller, you must:

The CAA Class 3 Medical

Air traffic controllers must hold a CAA Class 3 medical certificate, and you undergo an initial medical assessment as part of selection. This is more thorough than a standard health check because the role is safety-critical.

The medical assesses your general health, vision, colour perception and hearing, and reviews your medical history. NATS asks you to be completely open about any history of illness or injury, mental health conditions, addictions, neurodevelopmental conditions such as autism and ADHD, and any history of migraines, asthma or visual problems. Declaring something does not automatically disqualify you — but failing to declare it can. Honesty protects both your application and, ultimately, the safety of the operation.

Eyesight and Colour Vision

Good vision is essential, but you do not need perfect natural eyesight. If you wear glasses or contact lenses, you can still apply provided your corrected vision meets the required standard. Colour vision is also assessed, because controllers rely on colour-coded radar and electronic displays. The precise thresholds are set by the CAA rather than NATS. Our guide to the Class 3 medical sets out the published hearing limits, the re-examination cycles and the CAD colour vision thresholds — including the CAA's 2026 policy that allows a mild deutan deficiency to be certificated with a restriction.

Drug and Alcohol Standards

Because controllers hold safety-critical roles, the drug and alcohol rules are far stricter than for the general public. The alcohol limit for operational controllers is just 25% of the UK drink-drive limit, taking any drugs (including so-called "legal highs") is forbidden, and random drug and alcohol testing can happen from day one of employment. If you take prescribed medication you must inform the aeromedical team.

What About Without GCSEs in Maths or English?

The maths and English GCSE requirement is firm, because both are fundamental to the job — controllers calculate separation and times, and communicate with absolute clarity. If you do not yet hold them, equivalent Level 2 qualifications are accepted, so re-sitting or taking a functional skills equivalent is a realistic route in.

Once You Meet the Requirements

Meeting the eligibility criteria is just the entry ticket — the competitive part is the assessment process, which begins with the NATS Stage 1 aptitude tests. For a realistic picture of how tough selection is, see our guide to how hard it is to become an air traffic controller, and for the journey after you are accepted, read about the NATS training pathway. You can also try the aptitude tests free to see how you measure up before you apply.

NATS recruits in periodic intakes rather than continuously, so check the official NATS careers site for the current application window.