University Officer Training presents London’s university students with a unique opportunity to challenge themselves by partaking in military exercises, adventurous training, community projects and expeditions both in the UK and overseas.
Each Service is represented by its own university organisation. Recruitment takes place once a year in early October – visit the stands at Freshers Fairs.
Membership is open to undergraduates who meet certain admission criteria and will usually last at least two academic years or however long the degree course takes to complete.
Training for all three Services is based on Regular Officer Training. Pay is at the standard service rate, with a tax-free bounty paid on the completion of each full year’s training.
Each service offers broad military experience, adventurous training opportunities and a fantastic social life.
- The University Royal Naval Unit (URNU) is based at HMS President near Tower Bridge.
- The University of London Officer Training Corps (ULOTC) is based near Russell Square.
- The University of London Air Squadron (ULAS) is located at RAF Northolt.
Pay & Commitment
UOTCs structure their training programme to suit the academic timetables of partnered Universities.
The minimum annual commitment that UOTCs usually ask for is 12 mid-week training evenings, 8 weekends and a 2-week summer camp early in the summer holidays.
The majority of activities that a student completes with the UOTC will be paid and students can expect to earn approximately £1,660 per academic year. However, many students take the opportunity to train more frequently and thus earn extra pay.