[QUOTE=Davef68;10432548 From my own student days I recall that those with RAF sponsorships, but destined for non-pilot disciplines, were able to join the UAS, although (as I wasn't one) not sure what they did - did they get flying instruction? [/QUOTE]
When the University Cadetship method of entry started for all branches around 1970, those selected were appointed to a Permanent Commission as an Acting Pilot Officer (APO) on 38/16 terms.
In the early days, there were 2 types of student pilots on a UAS - commissioned aircrew on University Cadetships (APO) and those allowed to join as RAF VR members for flying training on the Bulldog with no commitment to join the RAF later (Officer Cadet).
All members - regardless of branch - were expected to attend the weekly training nights at the Town HQ - which might be remote from the airfield used by the pilots for flying training. For instance, in my era, the University of London Air Sqn Town HQ was at 206 Brompton Road, South Kensington, London - near Imperial College - and the flying training base was at White Waltham then Abingdon later.
For training nights, members were expected to dress to Officers Mess standards of the era - remember the days of lounge suits on Mon, Tue, Thu and sports jackets / blazers on Wed, Fri, Sat, Sun. Activities would include "Service Knowledge" instruction, visiting speakers and an introduction to "Customs & Etiquette" by way of there being a bar !
There was no formal system for ground branch officers on University Cadetships to gain "air experience". In my era, that occurred during Engineering Specialist Ground Training at Cranwell with 3 x Jet Provost sorties allocated. In addition, prior to attending OASC at Biggin Hill, prospective University Cadetship candidates had the opportunity to spend a day on a front-line station and get an air experience flight - in a Hunter T7 of 237 OCU (Buccaneer) at Honington in my case.
Sidenote: The former London Underground station and WWII anti-aircraft artillery operations centre - within which the ULAS Town HQ used to be housed - was sold for GBP 53M in 2014
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/d...for-53-million