Uniformed Public Services Students Gain Exclusive Insight Aboard HMS Queen Elizabeth

Uniformed Public Services students from across multiple levels were given a rare and prestigious opportunity to visit HMS Queen Elizabeth at His Majesty’s Naval Base (HMNB) Portsmouth, following a highly competitive written application process.

The visit began early in the morning, with students travelling from Peterborough to arrive at the naval base for their scheduled access to the Royal Navy’s flagship aircraft carrier. The day was carefully planned to ensure students gained maximum educational and career-focused value from the experience.

During the visit, students took part in an exclusive guided tour of HMS Queen Elizabeth, allowing them to witness first-hand the scale, complexity, and operational excellence of one of the most advanced warships in the world. This was followed by an interactive careers fair featuring representatives from the Royal Navy and Royal Marines Commandos, offering valuable insight into a wide range of roles and progression routes within the armed forces.

Students and staff were able to engage in a variety of practical, hands-on activities throughout the day, which proved to be a particular highlight. These experiences provided a realistic understanding of service life and helped bring classroom learning to life, directly supporting students’ coursework and professional development.

The visit also served as a source of significant career inspiration, with several students reporting that the experience had encouraged them to reconsider or broaden their future aspirations to include a naval career.

Reflecting on the day, Jake Hughes, a Level 3 Uniformed Public Services student, said: “I found the trip to be both fun and the aircraft carrier impressive. Overall, it was an exciting day with the added bonus of learning new things about the logistics of the ship.”

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By witnessing the professionalism, discipline, and innovation of the Royal Navy first-hand, students gained a clearer understanding of the opportunities available to them and a stronger vision of their potential future within the armed forces.