How to Become an Air Traffic Controller in the UK (2025 Guide)

Air traffic control is one of the most demanding, rewarding and well-paid careers in UK aviation. This guide walks you through every stage of becoming a NATS-qualified air traffic controller in 2025.

What Does an Air Traffic Controller Do?

Air traffic controllers (ATCOs) are responsible for the safe, orderly and expeditious flow of aircraft through the UK's airspace. They issue clearances, sequence traffic, resolve conflicts, and communicate with pilots — often managing multiple aircraft simultaneously under significant time pressure.

There are two main types of ATC in the UK:

En-route controllers work at area control centres (London ATCC at Swanwick and Scottish ATCC at Prestwick), managing high-altitude traffic across large sectors of airspace.

Aerodrome and approach controllers work at airports, managing departures, arrivals and ground movements.

NATS: The Main Employer

Most UK ATC jobs are with NATS (National Air Traffic Services), which runs the UK's two en-route control centres (Swanwick and Prestwick) and provides air traffic control at around 15 UK airports; other airports use other providers. NATS recruits trainee controllers in periodic campaigns, and competition for places is strong.

Entry Requirements

To apply as a trainee controller, you need:

NATS does not require a degree, making it an accessible career path from school-leaving age.

The NATS Selection Process — Stage by Stage

Stage 1: Online Aptitude Battery

Eleven online ability tests, completed from home within 14 days and remotely proctored. NATS says they assess skills such as spatial awareness, logical thinking, numerical ability, sense of direction and reaction speed. NATS doesn't publish the individual test names, timings or pass marks. See our dedicated NATS aptitude test guide for what each test involves and how to practise.

Stage 2: Online Situational Judgement and Listening Comprehension

If you pass Stage 1, you are invited to complete a Situational Judgement Test (SJT) and a Listening Comprehension test online.

Stage 3: Assessment Centre

Held virtually over Microsoft Teams. Includes an interview, an air traffic control knowledge test and an observed retest of the earlier online tests.

Stage 4: Practical Exercise

A practical exercise held virtually or at the NATS office in Whiteley.

Medical and Security Clearance

Candidates who pass Stage 4 receive a conditional offer, subject to a CAA Class 3 medical and security clearance.

College Training

NATS trains controllers through a Level 5 apprenticeship. Initial training takes place at one of NATS's two training locations — the NATS training centre at Whiteley in Hampshire, or Global ATS at Gloucestershire Airport — and NATS says most college-based training is completed within a year to eighteen months. It combines classroom theory with simulator training.

On-the-Job Training

After college, trainees join their operational unit for further on-the-job training and validation checks before qualifying as licensed ATCOs.

Salary

NATS's 2026 rates: trainees start on a package of £34,611.60 a year (a £25,500 basic salary plus a £9,111.60 accommodation allowance), rising to about £37,490–£42,786 during unit training and £50,468–£56,247 once qualified, depending on the unit. See our salary guide for more.

How to Prepare

The Stage 1 aptitude battery is the biggest selection hurdle. Focused practice on spatial reasoning, numerical questions and logical deduction helps you get familiar with the kinds of tasks assessed at Stage 1, so less of your attention goes on working out the format on the day.