Military and defence
A field of study in services
Vocational or degree?Both routes4 in 10 train through vocational routes in the EU: 30,000 finished vocational training and 40,000 higher education in this field (2024). Figures for the wider field.Eurostat
Do graduates use it?59% in a matching jobof services graduates with a degree in the EU work in a job that matches what they studied. After vocational training: 48%.All services fields · Eurostat 2024
Do they find work?87% in workof people who finished higher education in the last 1 to 3 years in the EU (2025). Vocational training: 80%. General upper secondary only: 67%.All fields · Eurostat
What you'd learn
Cyber securityMilitary codeMilitary weaponryMilitary combat techniquesMilitary drillCyber attack counter-measuresMilitary aviationAir force operationsNavy operationsDefence standard proceduresDefense systemTypes of ammunition+ 2 more
The knowledge areas ESCO files under this field, those most needed by jobs first. Actual programmes vary by school and country.
Where it can lead
22 jobs use what this field teaches.
| Job | Prospects | Pay | Usual study | AI exposure |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fleet commander | – | – | Degree | – |
| Army captain | – | – | Degree | – |
| Army major | – | – | Degree | – |
| Army corporal | – | – | Vocational | – |
| Lieutenant | – | – | Degree | – |
| Brigadier | – | – | Degree | – |
| Army general | – | – | Degree | – |
| Colonel | – | – | Degree | – |
| Sergeant | – | – | Vocational | – |
| Air force officer | – | – | Degree | – |
| Navy officer | – | – | Degree | – |
| Armed forces officer | – | – | Degree | – |
| Artillery officer | – | – | Degree | – |
| Squadron leader | – | – | Degree | – |
| Special forces officer | – | – | Vocational | – |
| Infantry soldier | – | – | Basic schooling | – |
| Shotfirer | Limited | Below average | Vocational | Very low |
| Warfare specialist | – | – | Vocational | – |
| Air force pilot | – | – | Basic schooling | – |
| Bomb disposal technician | – | – | Basic schooling | – |
| Intelligence communications interceptor | – | – | Basic schooling | – |
| Ammunition assembler | Average | Below average | Vocational | Low |
Jobs that need the knowledge this field teaches (ESCO), closest match first. This is not a record of where graduates actually end up: no EU-wide data says that per field.
Where to study
819 institutions in the EU offer services bachelor's degrees. Pick a country at the top of the page to see where to study and the official course finders.