Army Officer Financial Support

The Army invests in its future; could it invest in you?

The cost of university can seem daunting, but the Army has many ways to help students like you fund your education.

Once you have graduated, you will start an exciting career in the Army, without such a large burden of student debt.

There are opportunities for development and learning for everyone in the Army.

Scholarships - Up to £10,000

The Army Officer Scholarship Scheme guarantees you up to £10,000 in financial support, starting in Academic Year 13. It also guarantees you a place at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst and a career as an Army Officer when you finish education.

Once at university you can also apply to upgrade to another bursary, such as such as the Enhanced or Technical undergraduate bursaries; or a Medical Bursary if you studying nursing or medicine.

Who can apply?

Year 12 (secondary 5 / lower 6th) students planning to go to university. You will need good GCSEs or equivalents, including English Language, maths and either a science or language. Apply before March in Year 12.

How much is awarded?

You'll receive £3,000 while you're in Year 13, then a Standard Bursary of £6,000 while you're studying at university (£7,000 for a 4-year degree).

What next?

You can take a gap-year before or after university. After your degree you’ll have a guaranteed place at Sandhurst to train as an Army Officer. You will be expected to serve for a minimum of 4 years, including training.

Standard Bursary - Up to £7,000

Who can apply?

 Students need to pass the Army Officer Selection Board and join the University Officer Training Corps.

How much is awarded?

£2,000 a year, with £1,000 for the final year of a four year course.

What next?

As a Standard Bursar, you may join any part of the British Army as an officer.

Enhanced Bursary - Up to £24,000

Who can apply?

Students with at least ABB at A Level and on track for at least a 2:1 degree. You'll need to pass the Army Officer Selection Board and join the University Officer Training Corps.

How much is awarded?

The amount offered will vary depending on your academic profile and your performance at selection.

What next?

As an Enhanced Bursar, you may join any part of the British Army as an officer.

3

DSUS STEM Sponsorship - Up to £42,750

Who can apply?

Open to Officer candidates studying, or with at least a conditional offer, for an Army-endorsed STEM degree. You'll need to pass the Army Officer Selection Board and join the University Officer Training Corps.

How much is awarded?

If successful, you will receive up to £42,750, comprising an annual bursary of £5,000 plus up to £9,250 in tuition fees for each of three years at university.

What next?

After university you’ll attend the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst. before serving in one of the following: Royal Engineers, Royal Signals, Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, Royal Logistic Corps or Intelligence Corp

How to apply? 

All bursary and scholarship applicants must meet the basic officer eligibility requirement and have passed officer selection at the Army Officer Selection Board, Westbury. 

Bursaries

• You will need to have, or be predicted to achieve, at least 72 UCAS points
• You must be capable of getting at least a 2:2 degree
• You should be between 18 and 30

Scholarship candidates

• Apply in Year 12 (Secondary 5 in Scotland, Lower Sixth in Northern Ireland), be aged 16 or 17
• Have at least 40 ALIS points from GCSEs or 37 ALIS points from Scottish National Qualifications
• Attend the Army Scholarship board in June or July before you turn 18. This is held in June / July, and qualifies you for a commission in the Army and allows to you apply for additional bursaries

Medical bursary candidates

• Apply for a Medical Bursary while you are still at university, before the end of January.
• You should apply not later than your second year to qualify for the full amount.
• You must pass the Army Officer Selection Board for professionally qualified officers and a specialist selection board
• You should be aged between 18 and 39

 When to apply?

• Medical Bursaries - Apply by the end of January, while you're still at university 
• Other Bursaries - Apply by the first Friday in December 
• Scholarship - Apply by 31 March while you're in year 12

You should apply online as an officer, and talk to your Candidate Support Manager as soon as you can about applying for a bursary.

You can find out whether you can join with our can I join quick check.

Ready to apply?

• Step 1: Register for an account
• Step 2: Fill out the online application form

This should only take a few minutes. Once you've applied, you'll be interviewed by your local Recruiter, and then when you're ready you'll be booked in to officer selection at Westbury.