The mission of the UOTC is to develop the leadership potential of selected university students raising awareness of the Army ethos and building interest in it’s career opportunities; in order to secure their commitment. Whether as Officers or as future leaders in their chosen profession, to champion the Army in society.

The University Officer Training Corps presents students with a unique opportunity to challenge themselves by partaking in military exercises, adventurous training, community projects and expeditions both in the UK and overseas.

Officer Cadets (OCdts) have no obligation to join the armed forces when they leave university and can resign from the OTC at any time. The officers and non-commissioned officers, who function as instructors and administrative and support staff, are a mixture of Regular Army, Territorial Army and Non Regular Permanent Staff.

You are isssued with all your kit which you will have to return when you leave. It is advisable to obtain some form of insurance for the kit, as it will amount to almost £1000.

There are 18 University Officer Training Corps (UOTCs) throughout the UK, each of which serves the universities in a distinct geographic area. Those serving larger areas may have several detachments. Each UOTC is effectively an independent regiment, with its own cap badge and other insignia, its own stable belt and its own customs and traditions.

OTC members are classed as Officer Cadets (OCdt) and are "Group B" members of the Territorial Army, paid when on duty. As part of "Group B" they are neither trained nor liable for mobilised (active) service.

OCdts can gain appointments as a Junior Under Officer (JUO) or a Senior Under Officer (SUO) and can also apply to the Army Officer Selection Board (AOSB) which, if they pass, leads to the opportunity to attempt the TA Commissioning Course (TACC) with the goal of a commission as a Second Lieutenant.

There is a basic standard of fitness expected of OCdts. There is no requirement to be an Olympic athlete, but at the same time, the higher the standard, the more you will get out of weekends.