Officer Qualifications

Academic Qualifications

As you rise through the ranks your education will grow too. You'll have the opportunity to study for first degrees and postgraduate qualifications - in a wide range of subjects.

Business and Leadership skills

As an Officer you'll be taught business skills like team leadership, project management and strategic management - all of which will stand you in good stead if you choose to leave the Army. You'll earn qualifications that are recognised worldwide.

Specialist Qualifications

If you're training or have already qualified as a specialist, such as a Doctor, Vet, Nurse, Dentist or Lawyer, you can join the Army as a Professionally Qualified Officer. You'll be supported with your professional development, you'll earn a competitive salary and get to enjoy the adventurous lifestyle that the Army offers. You'll also spend less time training at Sandhurst, compared to the 42 weeks direct entry officers undertake.

You have the opportunity to get a fully funded degree when you join as an Officer

Instead of heading off to university, you may be eligible to get a fully-funded degree with the Army.

Your training at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst can count towards a BSc in Leadership and Strategic Studies, as part of the Army Higher Education Pathway (AHEP) programme. This programme has been designed in partnership with Henley Business School, University of Reading. You'll continue your degree studies as your career continues beyond the Academy and you will not have to pay any fees.

If you've already got a degree, you could apply for a MSc in Leadership and Strategic Studies, as part of the AHEP Programme. This will see you supported on your chosen pathway at the start of your Army career.

How it fits with being an Army Officer

The degrees will start after you graduate from Sandhurst. The degree will be building on and accrediting the demanding and complex officer training you have already received.

The courses will help to develop your higher conceptual and analytical skills – supporting you in your role. The courses will continue during the early stages of your Army career, linking your training, education and role together.

As a result, these qualifications will be fully integrated within your career as a young officer. As a young officer, you'll continuously 'lead and learn' in training, at regimental duty and on operations. You'll capture real life lessons and earn credits for relevant experiential learning. This will support you in being professionally capable, intellectually eager and able to adapt and learn to succeed in a complex and rapidly evolving world.

How long will it take?

In simple terms, at Sandhurst, selected non-graduates will be provided with the opportunity to achieve a BSc in Leadership and Strategic Studies within the first 4-6 years of commissioned service. While selected graduates, chosen from those not pursuing specific degrees within their specialised units, will be provided with the opportunity to achieve an MSc in Leadership and Strategic Studies over the same timeframe.

Key features

The AHEP Pathway combines the expertise of both Henley and the School of Philosophy, Politics and Economics – covering leadership, organisational studies, strategic studies, and developing others.

• Funded by the Army

• Assignment and Assessment only

• Get a degree while you serve

• Fully online

• Study at your own pace

Already serving?

If you're a serving officer, and interested in taking part, you can find more information by searching for ‘MyLearning’ on Defence Connect.