Is it best to have a degree to be an officer?

Hi Evie,

You do not need a degree to be an officer. It often comes down to individual preference. Many of your colleagues during training will have degrees, and a degree may help with your application. Sometimes the life experience you gain from going to university can also be useful during the application process. However, it is not a necessity, and there are opportunities to study for a degree during your career if you decide this is something you would like to do further down the line.

As Tori said, some individuals will and some won't.
I have copied this from our British Army Supporting Education literature which might help too:

Instead of heading off to university, you could gain a degree while you serve. Your training at Sandhurst counts towards a BSc in Leadership and Strategic Studies, offered by the University of Reading’s Henley Business School. You’ll carry on with your studies as your career continues beyond the Academy and you will not have to pay any fees.

If you decide uni is an option you could look to apply for an Army bursary and also look at joining the University Officer Training Corps.

ARMY UNDERGRADUATE BURSARY (STANDARD) £6,000 for students on three year degree courses, or £7,000 on four year degree courses.
ARMY UNDERGRADUATE BURSARY (TECHNICAL) £25,000 for students wishing to commission into a Technical Corps with an engineering/science degree.

ARMY UNDERGRADUATE BURSARY (ENHANCED) £24,000 for students with high grade A-Levels, score well at AOSB, and achieve a 2:1 degree or higher.