Welcome to Queen's University Officer Training Corps Belfast

Queen's UOTC offers unbelievable opportunities for leadership development through military training, adventure training and social activities. Although some of the training can be challenging, it is always fun whilst providing a fantastic sense of achievement.

All members of Queen's UOTC are students, either undergraduate or postgraduate, at Universities or Colleges within Northern Ireland. As a result, Queen's UOTC reflects the cultural diversity of students in Northern Ireland, as well as being one of its best student clubs.

Training in management and leadership skills

When students join Queen's UOTC they become Officer Cadets in the Territorial Army (TA). They undertake a wide variety of military training activities in their spare time, in which they learn how to analyse problems, manage resources, develop communication skills and how to lead, manage and motivate others. Individuals gain skills useful for any future profession be it military or civilian.

Many Officer Cadets progress beyond Queen's UOTC into longer-term Service either in the Territorial Army or in the Regular Army. Some who are contemplating a military career use Queen's UOTC as a “taster” of what military life is all about. However, it must be emphasised that Queen's UOTC is NOT a recruiting organisation.

There is no pressure on Officer Cadets to pursue any kind of military career or any obligation to participate in any military activity outside Queen's UOTC itself. Many Officer Cadets simply view the OTC as a means of obtaining leadership and other skills which will be of value to them in a whole range of civilian professions – and they are equally as valued members of the Corps as those with longer-term military aspirations.

In support of this development, Officer Cadets who attend Queen's University can gain Degree Plus qualification and Officer Cadets who attend the University of Ulster can gain the Edge qualification.