 New College buildings | |
| Motto | Serve to lead |
|---|---|
| Commandant | Major-GeneralNick Cowley |
| Commander | Brigadier Nick Wight-Boycott |
| Type | Military academy |
| Established | 1947 (1947) (merger ofRoyal Military Academy, Woolwich, founded 1741, andRoyal Military College, Sandhurst, founded 1801) |
Parent institution | Army Initial Training Command |
| Affiliation |  British Army |
| Location | , |
| March | Scipio(Slow) British Grenadiers(Quick) |
| Colours | Red,yellow andblue |
| Website | www |
 | |
TheRoyal Military Academy Sandhurst (RMAS orRMA Sandhurst), commonly known simply asSandhurst, is one of severalmilitary academies of theUnited Kingdom and is theBritish Army's initialofficer training centre. It is located in the town ofSandhurst, Berkshire, though its ceremonial entrance is inCamberley,Surrey, southwest ofLondon. All British Army officers (including late-entry officers who were previouslyWarrant Officers) are trained at the academy, alongside other men and women from overseas. The academy also commands theUniversity Officers' Training Corps (UOTC), which along with the General Staff Centre (GSC) and the Centre for Army Leadership (CAL) are collectively part of the formation known asSandhurst Group (RMAS Group) part ofHome Command.[1][2][3]
Sandhurst is the British Army equivalent of theBritannia Royal Naval College and of theRoyal Air Force College Cranwell.
Despite its name, the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst's address is located inCamberley;[4] the boundaries of the academy straddle the counties ofBerkshire andSurrey. The county border is marked by a small stream known as the Wish Stream, after which the academy journal is named. The "Main Gate" is located on the east of the Academy on the London Road in Camberley.[5] The "College Town Gate", which is used for regular access, is located on the west of the Academy on Yorktown Road in Sandhurst.[5]
The Royal Military Academy Sandhurst was formed on the site of the formerRoyal Military College (founded in 1801 for the training of officers for arms other than theRoyal Artillery andRoyal Engineers) in 1947 when it amalgamated with theRoyal Military Academy inWoolwich (founded in 1741 for the training of officers for the Royal Artillery and Royal Engineers).[6]
Following the ending ofNational Service in the UK and the closing of theMons Officer Cadet School inAldershot in 1972, the RMAS became the sole establishment for male initial officer training in the British Army,[7] taking over the responsibilities of Mons for training Short Service Officer Cadets, Territorial Army officers, and those joining the Regular Army as graduates.[8] For nearly half-a-century the welfare of overseas cadets was handled by Sandhurst volunteerMargaret Jones.[9] In 1984, the Women's Officer Training College Bagshot was also merged into Sandhurst. In 1992, a new Commissioning Course finally unified the training of male, female, and overseas cadets.[10]
The Royal Military Academy Sandhurst Collection illustrates the history of the Royal Military Academy, Woolwich, the Royal Military College, Sandhurst, and the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst. The collection includes the Gentlemen Cadet registers, historic archives, uniforms, paintings, photographs, and other artefacts.[11]
For the1948 Summer Olympics inLondon, the newly created Academy hosted the running leg of themodern pentathlon competition.[12]
In 2012, Sandhurst accepted a £15 million donation from the government ofUnited Arab Emirates for the Zayed Building, an accommodation block, named after theUAE's founding ruler.[13] In 2013, Sandhurst accepted a donation of £3 million from theGovernment of Bahrain for the refurbishment of Mons Hall, named in honour of the men who fell in theBattle of Mons. It was renamed as King Hamad Hall in honour of theKing of Bahrain, which generated some controversy in the United Kingdom.[13][14]
In 2015, Sandhurst appointed ColonelLucy Giles as the first female college commander in its history.[15]
In 2019, Sandhurst gained widespread media attention in Britain after cadet Olivia Perks took her own life after an alleged affair with a superior at Sandhurst and amid fears she was going to be dismissed.[16][17][18][19] In May 2023, an inquest into her death found that the army missed chances to prevent Perks's suicide in failing to recognise signs of stress.[20]
Potential officers, for regular, reserve, or professional qualified service, are identified by theArmy Officer Selection Board (formerly the Regular Commissions Board, or RCB) situated inWestbury inWiltshire.[21] Assessment for regular or reserve direct entry service is undertaken at the same time, in the same groups, to the same standard. Nearly 10 per cent of British cadets are female and nearly 10 per cent of all cadets come from overseas. More than eighty percent of entrants are university graduates, although a degree is not required for admission.[22]
The Royal Military Academy Sandhurstinstructors' cadre (group of trainers) is run once every year. The aim is to select 30senior non-commissioned officers (SNCOs) from 60 over the course of 3–4 weeks. Instructors can come from any part of the British Army although most are historically from the Infantry. Typically before the 60 candidates arrive on the cadre, they would have had to have passed a 'Divisional pre-selection' course, meaning it would not be unusual for over double the 60 places to be contested. Sergeants, Staff/Colour Sergeants (Colour Sergeants from Infantry units) attend the Instructors Cadre. The Instructors Cadre is known to be demanding, both physically and mentally, compressing all the prominent physical tests and mental assessments that eachOfficer Cadet undertakes over the year course, into 3/4 weeks. No other instructor posting has a selection to pass in order to be a part of a training team.[23]
There are three commissioning courses run at the academy. All are accredited by various academic and professional institutions, in particular theChartered Management Institute. The Regular Commissioning Course, and increasingly the Short Course, are attended by international officer cadets from other nations' land forces. The three courses are:
1. The Regular Commissioning Course, which lasts 44 weeks, for Direct Entry officers into the Regular service.[24]
2. The Short Commissioning Course, which is forArmy Reserve officers and both regular and reserve service professionally qualified officers (e.g.,doctors,dentists,nurses,lawyers,pharmacists,veterinary surgeons andchaplains),[25] which lasts eight weeks. The short course consists of four training modules; the first two, Modules A and B, can be completed under the supervision of RMAS withUniversity Officers' Training Corps over a number of weekends, or at RMAS where each module lasts two weeks. The final two modules, modules C and D, of the Officers' training and assessment must be conducted at Sandhurst. This training can all be completed in an eight-week period at RMAS, or over a number of years. Upon completion, Officer Cadets becomeSecond Lieutenants in the Army Reserve (includingOfficer Training Corps, OTC/UOTC), orCaptains in PQO roles.[26]
3. The Late Entry Officer Course (LEOC) for senior soldiers commissioning from the ranks.[27]
The RMAS has an academic faculty staffed by civilian researchers with expertise in Communication and Applied Behavioural Science, Defence and International Affairs, and War Studies.[28]
Unlike some other nationalmilitary academies such asWest Point in theUnited States, theÉcole spéciale militaire de Saint-Cyr inFrance, theRoyal Military College of Canada inCanada, thePakistan Military Academy inPakistan, theNigerian Defence Academy inNigeria or theAustralian Defence Force Academy inAustralia, Sandhurst is not a university. It only works with theOpen University to award the Regular Commissioning Course 120 credit points towards a distance learning Honours Degree in International Studies which ultimately requires 360 points. Graduate entrants can gain a Postgraduate Certificate in Leadership and Conflict Studies from the Regular Commissioning Course and then embark on a pathway post-commissioning to complete a full master's degree from a university through further electives and a dissertation.[29] Alternatively, non-graduate cadets have the opportunity to earn aBSc in Leadership and Strategic Studies through their military service, which is awarded by theUniversity of Reading.[30]
| Sandhurst Group Royal Military Academy Sandhurst Group | |
|---|---|
| Country |  United Kingdom |
| Branch | British Army |
| Type | Training and Leadership Development |
| Size | 1 Star Command |
| Part of | Home Command |
| Garrison/HQ | RMA Sandhurst |
| Commanders | |
| Commander RMAS Group | Brigadier Nick Wight-Boycott |
Under the reforms outlined in the British Army's restructuring planFuture Soldier, theSandhurst Group formation was reorganised, and is under the control ofHome Command. The Commander RMAS Group holds the rank of Brigadier and is the overall commander of the Group and the operations of the Royal Military Academy.[2]
The Group is Headquartered at RMA Sandhurst, and takes its name from the Academy. The units that make up Sandhurst Group are:
Royal Military Academy Sandhurst Group(RMAS Gp)[3] HQ - RMA Sandhurst
The insignia used for Sandhurst Group is the same used by the Royal Military Academy and the badge of the Academy features on the Formation Flash for Sandhurst Group.[31][32]
In overall command of the RMAS is the Commander - a post established in January 2025 as part of the Sandhurst Group re-organisation where RMAS became abrigadier post as opposed to a major-general post. Whilst there is still aCommandant above the Commander, their post is now a mainly ceremonial one. The Commandant's day-to-day job is now to be in charge of the new initial training command. The Commander RMAS is supported by a Deputy Commander (colonel). The senior warrant officer, theAcademy Sergeant Major (AcSM), is one of the most senior warrant officers in the British Army. The regular commissioning course is split into three terms, each lasting fourteen weeks (referred to as the Junior, Intermediate and Senior Divisions, identified by differently colouredbadges). Basic army training is covered in the first five weeks, which, by reputation, are the most gruelling (the families of thecadets are encouraged to support the cadets'morale by maintaining home contacts). The main RMAS Commissioning Courses start in January, May and September of each year. Each intake numbers approximately 200 cadets, each of whom is assigned to aplatoon within one of two/threecompanies. Platoons are commanded bycaptains, with acolour sergeant who takes the main burden of day-to-day training, especially during the first term (unlike West Point, RMAS entrusts the majority of officer training toSenior Non-Commissioned Officers). There can be as many as seven companies within RMAS at any one time. There can be additional companies of Army Reserve or 'professionally qualified officers' in the Academy who take part in shorter (1–2 months) commissioning courses. Each company is commanded by a major and named after a famous battle or campaign in which the British Army fought.[33]
Officer cadets on the regular commissioning course nominate two regiments or corps that they seek to join during Junior Term. This choice may be influenced by their instructors, by family connections, or by regimental history, among other factors. Each regiment is looking for different qualities in its officers, and each cadet is considered on a case-by-case basis. At the beginning of Senior Term corps and regiments hold interviews, known as Regimental Selection Boards, to assist the corps and regiments in making offers to Officer Cadets. There can be competition among units for strong cadets and, conversely, among cadets for prestigious or specialised units. In the past, cadets might have been offered a so-called "confirmed cadetship", whereby they would effectively accept a commission into a given regiment prior to commencing the Commissioning Course. As of the January 2023 intake, Confirmed Cadetships are no longer offered to Officer Cadets, other than in very rare cases including technical expertise or a cadet being aged 30 or older when they start the commissioning course. Cadets on the short course will have already been sponsored by a reserve unit, a professionally qualified unit, or a University Officers' Training Corps, and will return to their unit post completion of the course.[34]
A small number of regular army units are based at the RMAS to provide support for the colleges and their training:
The first Sovereign's Parade was held on 14 July 1948, in front ofKing George VI. Three Sovereign's Parades are held each year outside the Old College to mark the "passing-out" and the final parade at Sandhurst of the Senior Division. All cadets, except for those who have been back-termed through injury or other reasons, are inspected by the Sovereign (or their representative), participate in theTrooping the Colour and parade past the Sovereign (or his representative) and guests. Guests consist of invited dignitaries and friends and families of the graduating cadets.[10]
One of the highlights of the Parade is Trooping the Colour. The Colour trooped is the Sovereign's Banner and the current banner is the third generation of itself, presented byElizabeth II in March 1999;[38] the first Sovereign's Banner, known as the "King George V's Banner", was presented byGeorge V on 6 November 1918[39] and the second one was presented by Queen Elizabeth on 27 October 1978.[40]
The honour of Trooping the Colour falls to the Sovereign's Platoon, the then-Champion Company/Platoon. The Sovereign's Platoon, which wears multi-coloured lanyards, using the colours of all three Divisions, is selected on merit and is the best platoon amongst the Division; these officer cadets are chosen from a competition in drill, orienteering, shooting and a cross-country race, ensuring they are of the best in endurance and teamwork.[41]
In the past, the Sovereign's Platoon from the Senior Division formed the Colour Party with the Banner on the left flank of the parade; after the inspecting officer had completed inspection, the Colour Party would move to the centre place of the parade before the Saluting Base, awaiting the new Sovereign's Platoon to take possession of the Banner.[42][43] The new Sovereign's Platoon would keep the Banner until handing it to the next Sovereign's Platoon in the next Sovereign's Parade; they had the privilege of leaving the parade before other divisions after the Senior Division officer cadets had marched into the Old College and the remainders of the parade would salute the banner while they were leaving the parade square.[42]
Nowadays, the handover of the Sovereign's Banner from the senior Sovereign's Platoon to a new one dissipates. What replaces it is that the Sovereign's Platoon of Senior Division, instead of the new one, marches to receive the Banner. The Ensign, at the end of the parade, also marches into the Old College whilst carrying the Banner.[44]
At the end of the Parade, the Colours and the Senior Division leave the parade ground via the Grand Steps of the Old College building. They are followed by the Academy Adjutant on horseback (the origins of this tradition are unclear).[10]
Each Commissioning Course has awards granted to outstanding cadets. The following awards are presented during the Sovereign's Parade. Others are merely listed in the Parade programme. A system of Cadet Government also recognises merit by the appointment of Senior Under Officers, Junior Under Officers, Cadet Sergeants and Cadet Corporals.[10]
| Name | Details | Refs |
|---|---|---|
| Sword of Honour | Awarded to the Officer Cadet considered by the Commandant to be the best of the intake. The Sword of Honour is donated and crafted byPooley Sword. | [45] |
| King's Medal | Awarded to the Officer Cadet who has achieved the best overall results in military, academic and practical studies. Presented on behalf of The Sovereign. | [46] |
| International Sword | Awarded to the International Cadet considered by the Commandant to be the best of the intake. Donated by the Ministry of Defence, the State of Kuwait, in memory of Sheikh Ali Al Sabah, the former Defence Minister, the State of Kuwait. | [46] |
| International Award | Awarded to the International Cadet who has achieved the best overall results in military, academic and practical studies. The International Award is donated by the State of Qatar. | [46] |
| MacRobert Sword | Awarded to the Officer Cadet considered by the Commandant to be, overall, the best of the Short Commissioning Course. This sword is also donated by the MacRobert Trust and produced byPooley Sword. | [47] |
| King Hussein Award | Awarded to the most improved International Cadet. Donated by the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan in memory of the late King Hussein of Jordan. | [48] |
| The Hodson's Horse Merit Award | Awarded to the International Cadet who has produced an overall performance of particular merit. Donated by the Hodson's Horse British Officers' Memorial Trust. | [48] |
| The Commandant's Merit Award | Awarded at the discretion of the Commandant for exceptional achievement. | [48] |
| The Commandant's Coin | In recognition of sustained and exemplary performance of merit and superb representation of their countries the Royal Military Academy.[48] | |
| Sandhurst Medal | In December 2016, the academy and its charitable trust created the Sandhurst Medal. Unlike most British medals, it is not awarded or authorised by the Sovereign and is instead awarded privately by the Sandhurst Trust. It may only be awarded to international cadets who have passed out from Sandhurst, not British graduates, and must be purchased for £250. Notable graduates such asAbdullah II of Jordan have mounted the medal on their military uniforms. | [49][50] |
There are two chapels within the academy, the Roman Catholic Chapel (Christ the King) and the Royal Memorial Chapel, dedicated as Christ Church, which also contains the South Africa Chapel, which was originally thesanctuary of the second Chapel before it was enlarged. The original chapel was what is now known as theBritish Indian Army Memorial Room. TheRoyal Engineers designed the original Chapel, which features red brick, terracotta moulding, interlockingpediment copies andcorbels in 1879. The chapel was dedicated byKing George VI on 2 May 1937, after architect Captain Arthur C. Martin enlarged the building in aByzantine style. The Memorial stained glass and Windows in the chapel honour theBrigade of Guards,Rifle Brigade,Royal Fusiliers, and theHampshire Regiment, among other units. Some memorials, including one honouring alumni of theUS Military Academy atWest Point, are carved into the black marble flooring.[51] On panels devoted to the particular campaigns in which they died, are the names of former cadets killed in action. At intervals above the panels are circular tablets to the memory of College Governors. The names of former cadets who have died on active service in the field, or elsewhere are listed in the spaces between the panels. Other tablets on the walls of the porch of the Church were moved there from the old Chapel. At thenave near thechancel steps, old Regimental colours hang from the pillars.[52]
The college cemetery has (in 2017) 21 graves and headstones maintained by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.[53]
| Lineage | ||
| Royal Military Academy Sandhurst | Royal Military Academy | Royal Military Academy |
| East India Company Military Seminary | ||
| Royal Military College, Sandhurst | ||
| Mons Officer Cadet School | ||
| Women's Royal Army Corps College | ||
He is placed on the strength of a AR Unit but completes Modules 1–3 of the AR Commissioning Course (ARCC) with the UOTC and Module 4 at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst.
51°20′25″N00°46′07″W / 51.34028°N 0.76861°W /51.34028; -0.76861
Initial officer training establishments of the British Armed Forces | |
|---|---|
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
| Other | |
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