Earning a Degree While Serving in the British Army

Is it possible to complete a degree while serving in the British Army? The answer is a resounding yes. Throughout the Army, there are various avenues available for soldiers to pursue higher education, whether through internal systems like CLM or external institutions like the Open University.

Demystifying the CLM Qualification Path

The CLM (Common Land Management) qualifications are a prime example of how the Army supports soldiers in pursuing educational goals. While CLM is the Army's internal education system linked to promotions, many soldiers also opt to undertake degrees through external institutions. For instance, the Open University (OU) offers flexible, part-time courses that cater to the needs of serving soldiers.

I completed an OU degree and had a lot of support from the Army. My degree was directly relevant to my job, and I was encouraged at every step. While the experience may vary across different regiments, in my unit, it was a clear win-win situation. I was effectively getting paid a decent salary to finish my degree with no student loan debt.

The Case for Sponsored Degrees

Not only can soldiers convert CLM qualifications into degrees, but some are also sponsored by the Army to pursue higher education. This is evident in the example of a former classmate who was sponsored by the Army to study for a BSc in Chemistry at a UK university.

Another example is a serving medical student I met at the University of Liverpool who was also sponsored by the Army. Furthermore, Cranfield University runs Masters degrees in military technology subjects, which are financially supported by the military for those serving in the Army, Navy, or Air Force.

Practical Examples and Personal Experiences

One of my old bosses used to tease me about my dedication, but the reality is that part-time study, whether on evenings or weekends, is perfectly permissible. I sat and successfully completed an Open University degree entirely while serving, even sitting an end-of-course exam in a portacabin in the middle of an airfield in Saudi Arabia during a brief detachment there.

For someone like me, finishing an OU degree while serving was both feasible and encouraged. Other military members have also capitalized on these opportunities. For instance, a friend completed an engineering degree while serving in the Royal Air Force in the 1980s, applying directly to the OU without the usual Army sponsorship pathway.

Another example is a colleague who, while serving as a Direct Entry officer in the Royal Electrical Mechanical Engineers, pursued a first degree in-service.

Despite the challenges of balancing a military career with educational pursuits, the British Army takes a supportive stance, encouraging soldiers to pursue their academic dreams. From the internal CLM system to sponsored external degrees, the opportunities are there for those who wish to excel in both their military and educational careers.

For any soldier with ambitions to earn a degree while serving, the British Army's many resources and supportive policies make it a reality.