Cambridge

We train in Norwich on Monday evenings and in Cambridge on Tuesday evenings. Beyond that there are a number of weekends over the academic year, starting in October, when you can conduct visits to parts of the Army like the Royal Artillery, the Royal Engineers or the Royal Armoured Corps. On these visits you will get the chance to use current equipment used by front line troops.

During the summer recess we run a 2-week camp that includes live-firing, a field exercise and adventurous training. This gives the Officer Cadets a chance to put into practice all the skills they have learnt throughout the year.

Cambridge UOTC has approximately 300 students spread among 3 Companies that are roughly aligned to years of academic study:

• A (Kimberly) Company – 1st Year
• B (Ladysmith) Company – 2nd Year
• C (Mafeking) Company – 3rd Year

The training program starts introducing leadership alongside basic skills. Once competent, Officer Cadets then focus on developing their leadership skills. As an Officer Cadet reaches senior status in CUOTC they practice and hone their leadership techniques as an instructor.

Selection takes place at the beginning of the academic year in October following freshers’ weeks in both Cambridge and Norwich.

Cambridge UOTC has traditionally recruited from Cambridge University, the University of East Anglia and Anglia Ruskin University. In 2013 the aspiration is for recruitment to stretch even further to include the University of Hertfordshire and the University of Essex.

If you are interested in joining the Cambridge UOTC then please do not hesitate to get in touch by emailing CambridgeOTC-Adj@mod.uk

The history of the Cambridge University Officer Training Corps dates back to 1803 when students at the University formed the 'Rifle Volunteers' in apprehension of French invasion.

The Cambridge University Rifle Volunteers (CURV) grew to around 500 members around the time of the Boer War and a detachment was sent to South Africa to augment the Suffolk Regiment, the only university unit ever to see active service.

This action earned the CURV the Battle Honour 'South Africa 1900-01'. The CURV became the CUOTC in 1908.