Further qualifications

[MonsterMo]

Hi All,

I am applying as an Officer and although it's still a long way yet (as I still need to do my Medical), I was wondering if it would be possible for me to do Master's Degree in my own time through the Open University once I finish the 64 weeks training? The degree is part-time. Is there anyone who has done this?

I mean right now my focus is on actually making sure I am ready for the Medical and the PJFT; but this is something that I have been wondering about for a while now.


Thanks,
MonsterMo.

 

[ThreadpigeonsAlpha]

In simple terms yes.


The military is quite accommodating for further education, within reason of course. But you should be able to make provisions to enable you to do it, except for exercises or operational deployments.

Once you are passed RT, get yourself to your Unit learning centre to find out more.

 

[dodgyknees]

Getting a Masters Degree is more and more common in the military. Most don't turn their attention to further education until they have been in for a bit as more funding becomes available once you have served a few years (for both officers and ORs).

There is nothing to stop you self-funding a degree from day 1 but your career as a Junior Officer will be less stable and as such you must be sure that you have a good level of understanding between you and your provider as you may not be able to meet all your assignment deadlines due to exercises and deployments.

TPA is spot on, getting a Masters is not just possible, but encouraged. Focus on getting through the selection process knowing that once you are in there is plenty of support available through your local education centre.

 

[MonsterMo]

I have been thinking about this career long and hard, and I've come to the conclusion that becoming an OR is a more suitable role for me, would it be possible for me to change my application from an Officer to an OR? I've smashed my NSRT but I haven't had my medical yet, so would I need to reapply or would the AFCO transition me from an Officer to an OR themselves? Also would this affect me being able to do the Masters due to the roles of an OR?

 

[HMW1722]

My son changed his application from Officer to OR. He just spoke to his AFCO and they did the rest. He didn't need to reapply or resit his NSRT as the pass mark for Officer entry is higher than OR. He is currently down in Lympstone and loving it. There is no spare time for anything else at the moment! There is a Learning Centre there and I think they are encouraged to use it later on.

 

[Cuzza22297]

To echo what’s said above, I changed my app from officer to OR recently. Just rang up my AFCO and they did it, took 5 mins. All they want to know is why.

 

[MonsterMo]

I see, I actually want to do more of a Soldiering role as opposed to an Admin role and also the Specialisations that I am interested in cannot be done as an Officer from what I have read and even if I could do them then it will be more planning as opposed to actually executing the operation. Although I will be giving up rank, higher pay and better pension; they're not the reason why I am joining.