University Officer Training Corps
The University Officer Training Corps is a particular part of the Territorial Army. It is made up of 19 partner university training corps across the UK. Any student is welcome to join, both male and female. The only requirement is that you are in full time higher education, are between 18 and 30 years old and are relatively physically fit. The University Officer Training Corps (or UOTC) members get together with other UOTC branch member regularly and it is a chance to expand your social network with like-minded students from other universities and areas.
The UOTC runs activities that are both mentally and physically challenging, and these can be both military and adventurous in nature. The UOTC teaches members about the army and instills valuable leadership skills which are highly sought after in graduates. Graduating UOTC members often have nothing more to do with the Army or other military forces, but there are some member who do go on to have military careers.
The aim of the UOTC is to both promote the image and understanding of the army in undergraduate students, and also to broaden this knowledge amongst their future employers and managers. It is a military organisation but does not aim to prepare students for warfare. As mentioned above, although the majority of students do not go on to have a military career, it does help to prepare those that do.
Most students sign up at the start of a three year undergraduate degree and leave when they finish, thought it is possible to resign from the UOTC at any time for your own reasons. A new candidate completes some basic training and then are free to commit as much time to the TA as they can spare from study and other commitments. Training will generally take place one day a week and some weekends as well as a 15 day camp that takes place annually.