Officers in armed forces

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

You can join the Royal Marines Reserve as an entry officer to get experience of life in the service and to learn new skills at the same time.

You'll need to be aged between 18 and 42, or 18 and 56 if you're an ex-regular.

If you're between 13 and 18 years old, you can join the Royal Marines Cadets.

You can apply directly for marines officer training.

You'll need to be:

• aged between 18 and 25
• at least 145cm tall
• physically fit

You'll also usually need a minimum of:

• 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths
• 2 A levels or equivalent

If your initial application is accepted, you'll be invited to talk to someone at your local armed forces careers office about what you want to do. You will then do the Defence Aptitude Assessment (DAA) followed by medical and physical fitness checks, and interviews.

If you get through the first stages, you will be asked to attend a two-and-a-half-day course at the Royal Marines training centre at Lympstone in Devon. If successful, you'll go onto full officer training.

You will complete a Chartered Management Institute qualification in Management and Leadership during training. You may take other qualifications depending on which specialism you choose to follow.

You can apply directly for roles as an RAF officer.

Although entry requirements vary for each role, you'll typically need a minimum of:

• 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) or equivalent qualifications, including English and maths, and a science for some roles
• 2 A levels or equivalent qualifications, including T Levels and BTECs

If your application is accepted, you'll be invited to talk to an adviser at your local armed forces careers office about what you want to do. You'll also take an aptitude test.

If you're successful, you'll be invited to attend the Officers and Aircrew Selection Centre at RAF College, Cranwell in Lincolnshire. You'll take part in a one-day selection process which includes tests for aptitude, initiative and fitness. You'll then have an interview and a medical examination.

If you have a degree, you can apply through the Direct Graduate Entry route.

For some officer roles you'll need specific qualifications and experience, for example:

• a degree in science, technology, engineering or maths (STEM) to be an air engineering officer
• an approved degree in medicine to join as a medical officer

You can start applying before you finish your studies, as the process can take up to 6 months. If you're accepted, you'll attend Britannia Royal Naval College in Dartmouth, Devon, to begin officer training.

You can join the Royal Navy Reserve to get some experience of what life is like in the service, and to learn new skills at the same time.

You'll need to:

• be between 18 and 42
• commit to basic training which includes a 2-week course at Britannia Royal Naval College in Dartmouth

If you're between 12 and 18 years old, you can join the Sea Cadets.

You can apply directly for officer training.

You'll need a minimum of:

• 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths
• 2 A levels or equivalent qualifications

Age limits vary depending on which officer role you're interested in.

If your application is accepted, you'll be invited to talk to someone at your local armed forces careers office about what you want to do. You'll also have a medical and fitness check.

There will be further assessments and interviews to complete and if you're successful, you'll be offered a place on a full officer training programme.