Pay and Annual bonus

Members of the UOTC are paid for every training session that they attend. One day's pay is paid for training over 8 hours and proportional rates are awarded for specific shorter periods.

An annual financial bonus, or a bounty is paid after a minimum of 15 training periods and annual camp is completed.

Travel expenses could be claimed for travel to the Barracks dependent on distance.

Career prospects

Many employers recognise that the TA teaches valuable skills.  On joining as an Officer Cadet, the leadership, teamwork and management skills that are part of life in the OTC can make a big difference on the CV.

The UOTC will teach you how to think on your feet and make decisions under pressure. Some of these skills may not have direct significance to careers after unversity, but cadets will have the chance to take on responsibilities that help put them ahead of fellow graduates in the race for jobs. 

Leadership skills

As well as achieving success in your academic studies you can also begin your working life with a highly rated national leadership qualification. Successful completion of the Military Training Qualifications 1 and 2, normally in your 2nd year, makes you eligible for the City and Guilds Leadership Award, equivalent to a level 4 NVQ, proving that you have management potential as well as academic ability.

Satisfaction and self development

Learning new skills out of the academic box can be incredibly rewarding.
You gain an insight into what motivates you and others, develop self confidence, learn management and leadership techniques and have fun at the same time. It is also incredibly useful and satisfying to discover what you are capable of under different kinds of pressure - you'll probably surprise yourself. You will acquire new skills, some perhaps alien to you at the present, like radio communications, navigation, first aid and weapon handling.

You will learn the value of discipline, team-work, effective man-management and the application of limited resources. From time to time you will be required to complete tasks in extremes of climate, whilst at the end of your physical and mental strength - and more likely than not you'll succeed. What seems like the unendurable at the time will later, in the warmth of the bar seem unbelievably funny. Not only will you learn about life and life in the Armed Forces, you will learn vital lessons about yourself.

Social life

The UOTC is a University/ College club with a great and varied social life. Each UOTC has its own Officers Mess, of which all Officer Cadets are members, where you can go and relax and where you'll find some of the cheapest drink on campus. It's a great place to unwind after an evenings training. The Officers Mess plays host to wide variety of functions from theme parties to formal dinner nights. 

The social life is regarded as an essential part of the UOTC. The camaraderie created through the training and lifestyle means that there is a great sense of belonging and this adds to the atmosphere of the social functions. Whether there are a couple of you getting together in a pub, a group returning to the bar after a long day training, or the whole unit enjoying its summer ball there is lots of fun to be had.