University Officer Training
UNIVERSITY ROYAL NAVAL UNIT
There are 14 University Royal Naval Units (URNUs) located around the country offering opportunities to 700 undergraduates from the country’s leading universities in England, Scotland and Wales.
The aim of the URNU is to broaden Naval understanding and develop undergraduates who show potential to become the leaders of tomorrow, through maritime experience and exposure to the values and ethos of the Royal Navy.
Each URNU is commanded by a RN Lieutenant who is responsible for 51 undergraduates during their time in the Unit. It is not a recruiting organisation and membership of the URNU carries no obligation to join the Royal Navy on graduation.
URNU members are taken to sea at weekends and during their vacation periods. In addition they have opportunities to take part in sporting events, adventurous training activities and gain a CMI qualification all within a vibrant and friendly social scene.
The North West of England is home to Liverpool University Royal Naval Unit (LURNU) based at Headquarters Naval Regional Command Northern England on Sefton Street, and Manchester & Salford Universities Royal Naval Unit (M&SURNU) based at University Barracks on Boundary Lane.
Manchester and Salford URNU
www.facebook.com/msurnu
Liverpool URNU
www.facebook.com/LiverpoolURNU
UNIVERSITY OFFICER TRAINING CORPS
The University Officer Training Corps (UOTC) are similar to a university club but operated by the British Army. Their focus is to develop the leadership abilities of their members whilst giving them an opportunity to take part in military life whilst at University. UOTCs across the country assess and train students who want to improve their future employability whilst at University and, more specifically, develop themselves as leaders. Furthermore, with the increasing number of good degrees being attained by students, it is necessary to recognise the importance attached to “degree plus” activities that set graduates apart in a very competitive post university job market.
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.
Leadership Qualifications
As well as achieving success in academic studies, students can also work towards highly rated national leadership qualifications whilst at University as members of the UOTC. The successful completion of the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst training Modules A and B can be achieved by the second year of University thus making a student eligible for a City and Guilds Leadership Award. This valued and nationally recognised qualification proves that a student has demonstrated leadership and management skills to any future employer.
Sport, Social and Adventurous Training
The UOTC provides its students with the opportunity to develop inter-personal skills and make new friends using military training, sport, adventurous training and social events. During a student’s time at a UOTC they will have the opportunity to take part in a variety of incredible Adventurous Training opportunities, whilst also gaining professionally recognised sporting qualifications. In an average year UOTC students have the opportunity to ski, sail, climb, play a variety of sport, travel the world, attend mess functions and to organise their own social events – often being paid to do so.
North West Officer Training Regiment
The North West Officer Training Regiment comprises Liverpool University Officer Training Corps (LUOTC) based in Liverpool and Lancaster and serving all universities in the region outside Greater Manchester, and Manchester & Salford Universities Officer Training Corps (MSUOTC) based at University Barracks Boundary Lane and serving all universities in the Greater Manchester area.
UNIVERSITY AIR SQUADRON
The 15 University Air Squadrons have a long tradition of offering flying training to undergraduates, a chance to experience life in the RAF and the opportunity to bring out university students’ potential. Joining a UAS will provide the perfect introduction if you’re a student considering an RAF career, whether in a flying or ground-based role in the Regular or Reserve forces. There is no obligation to sign up and by getting involved you’re making no further commitment other than your time and effort. The training and personal development you receive will give you a head start in whatever career path you choose. However, should you decide that the RAF is for you, and many do, there are various sponsorship schemes available to ease the financial burden of university life.
The North West of England is home to Liverpool University Air Squadron (LUAS) and Manchester & Salford Universities Air Squadron (MASUAS), both based at RAF Woodvale on Merseyside.