Army officer

You can do a degree course before you apply for officer training although it's not essential.

Most subjects are acceptable.

You can also apply for an army officer internship before, during or after university. This gives you the chance to learn about the officer role and whether it's something you want to do.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree

More Information

• equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
• student finance for fees and living costs|https://www.gov.uk/student-finance
• university courses and entry requirements|https://www.ucas.com/

You could work towards becoming an officer by doing a college course, for example in public services or A levels. You would then apply to the army for officer training .

Entry requirements

Entry requirements for these courses vary.

You could start your army career by doing an HM Forces Serviceperson Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship.

You would apply directly to the army to find the best apprenticeship route for you.

Entry requirements

To do this apprenticeship, you'll need:

• some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship

More Information

• Army apprenticeships|https://jobs.army.mod.uk/regular-army/what-you-get/apprenticeships-skills/
• guide to apprenticeships|https://www.gov.uk/apprenticeships-guide

You can join the Army Reserve as a part-time officer to get some experience of what life is like in the regular army. You'll also learn new skills at the same time.

You'll need to:

• be between 18 and 49
• commit to at least 27 days a year, though this can fall to 19, if you apply for a specialist unit
• attend a 2-week training camp each year

If you're between 12 and 18 years old, you can join the Army Cadet Force .

You can apply directly for officer training .

You'll need to:

• be between 17 years 9 months and 28 years and 11 months
• get a GP's medical report

You'll also usually need a minimum of:

• GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English, maths, science or a foreign language
• 2 A levels or equivalent qualifications

You'll be invited to talk to someone at your local army careers centre about the opportunities available. You'll then attend a 2-part assessment, which includes medical and fitness tests.

If you're accepted, you'll move onto formal officer training at the Royal Military Academy at Sandhurst in Surrey.

Further information

You'll find more information about becoming an army officer from Army Careers.

As an army officer, your duties will depend on your unit.

In a combat role you could:

• command infantry soldiers on operations
• pilot a helicopter and lead your crew and ground troops
• co-ordinate surveillance to locate tank and artillery targets

In a medical or healthcare role, you could:

• care for injured soldiers as a doctor or nurse
• provide dental care for army personnel and their families
• work with military animals as a veterinary officer

You could also:

• co-ordinate supplies for disaster relief efforts and military deployments
• manage engineering projects from setting up camps to building bridges
• plan operations based on intelligence gathering
• provide support and guidance to soldiers and their families as a chaplain

You could work at a military base, be based overseas or in a warzone.

Your working environment may be physically and emotionally demanding and outdoors in all weathers.

You may need to wear a uniform and protective clothing.