Students have two distinct paths into RCMP jobs: temporary placements through federal student hiring programs while still in school, and the Regular Member officer track, which requires no university degree and is open to applicants as young as 18. The right path depends on where you are in your education and what kind of RCMP career you want.
For a full overview of every RCMP career type, see RCMP Jobs in Canada.
The RCMP hires students through the Federal Student Work Experience Program (FSWEP), the Government of Canada’s primary student employment vehicle. FSWEP placements are posted on the GC Jobs platform (canada.ca/en/public-service-commission) and are open to full-time post-secondary students enrolled in an accredited Canadian institution. Positions are available across the country in divisions matching wherever you are studying.
RCMP student placements through FSWEP typically cover roles in:
Co-op placements operate through the same GC Jobs platform. If your university or college has a co-op program, your co-op office can help identify active RCMP postings. Placements are typically 4-month terms aligned with academic semesters. Pay follows the applicable student or AS (administrative services) grid depending on the role classification.
These placements are Public Service Employee positions — they do not count as RCMP Regular Member service and do not accelerate the officer application process. They do, however, give you an internal understanding of how the organization operates and can strengthen your application when you do apply as a Regular Member.
Can Students Apply to Become RCMP Officers?
Yes and the RCMP’s eligibility requirements make students strong candidates. You need to be at least 18 years old, hold a Canadian secondary school diploma (or equivalent), and meet all other eligibility criteria. A university degree is not required to apply as a Regular Member (Royal Canadian Mounted Police — Before You Apply, rcmp.ca, 2025).
A student in their final year of a criminology, justice, or any other program who meets all eligibility criteria can submit an application. The process runs 12 to 24 months on average, so applying in your last year of study means you may be heading to Depot around the time you graduate — or shortly after. The RCMP does not require you to have graduated before applying, only that you hold a secondary school diploma.
No University Degree Required
This is one of the most misunderstood facts about RCMP recruitment. Unlike many professional careers in law, medicine, or engineering, the RCMP officer track requires only a high school diploma. Post-secondary education is not a prerequisite and confers no formal advantage in the screening process itself.
That said, degrees in criminology, law, computer science, forensic science, or Indigenous studies can position graduates well for specialist roles later in their career. The RCMP also values language skills: bilingual applicants (English and French) are competitive for postings in Quebec, New Brunswick, and at National Headquarters in Ottawa.
RCMP Youth Engagement Programs
The RCMP runs several community-level youth programs operated through individual divisions and detachments. These vary by region but commonly include youth outreach initiatives, the Aboriginal Youth Officer (AYO) program in Indigenous communities, and crime prevention education programs delivered in schools. These are community programs, not employment — they do not lead directly to a student job or officer application. Contact your local RCMP division for programs active in your area.
Planning Your Timeline as a Student
The most effective approach for students interested in becoming RCMP officers is to begin building fitness early and apply as soon as you turn 18 and hold your high school diploma — even if you are still in college or university. The application process is long enough that you can complete most of it while finishing your studies.
Key milestones to plan around: the Online Entrance Assessment (OEA) can be completed remotely; the suitability interview and medical assessments require in-person attendance; and the 26-week Depot program in Regina requires full residential commitment. For a detailed breakdown of the 9-step process and typical timelines, see What Are the Steps to Get Into the RCMP and Is the RCMP Hiring in 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
No. The RCMP requires only a Canadian secondary school diploma or equivalent to apply as a Regular Member. A university or college degree is not required. You can apply straight out of high school at age 18 and begin the officer process immediately. Post-secondary education is not scored or weighted in the application eligibility is pass/fail on the stated criteria.
Yes. If you are 18 or older, hold a high school diploma, and meet all other eligibility criteria, you can apply as a Regular Member regardless of whether you are currently enrolled in post-secondary education. The application process takes 12 to 24 months, so many students complete most of the process while still in school and head to Depot after graduating.
RCMP student placements are posted through the Federal Student Work Experience Program (FSWEP) on the GC Jobs platform at canada.ca. You must be enrolled full-time in an accredited Canadian post-secondary institution. Co-op placements run on 4-month semester terms. Search for ‘RCMP’ or ‘Royal Canadian Mounted Police’ on GC Jobs and filter by student employment to find active postings.
You must be at least 18 years old to submit an application, and at least 19 years old to be hired as a Regular Member. There is no maximum age limit. Most applicants are in their mid-to-late 20s, but the RCMP accepts qualified candidates at any age above the minimum threshold.
