Army Higher Education Pathway (AHEP) Programme

The Army selects candidates for a limited number of fully funded places. If you are selected, there are no fees, additional study costs, or Return of Service (RoS) required.

Commissioning Course cohorts applying for the BSc or MSc pathway

Entry requirements

BSc Pathway - GCSE Maths and English Grade 4/C.

MSc Pathway - UK Honours Degree 2:2 or above.

You will need to have a digital copy of your degree certificate (if applicable). You will not need evidence of your GCSEs.

If selected, AHEP students have up to 18 months after completing the Commissioning Course to enrol and start learning on the AHEP programme.

Selected BSc or MSc AHEP applicants must complete a University of Reading application form through the AHEP Portal - ahep.defencegateway.mod.uk.

International Officers

International Officers commissioning from RMAS who successfully meet the entry requirements for the AHEP programme can apply to receive a Certificate of Higher Education (Cert HE) or Postgraduate Certificate (PG Cert) on successful completion of the Commissioning Course. However, International Officers are not eligible to study the BSc or MSc pathway.

Entry requirements for International Officers

MSc (Exec) Pathways for ICSC(L) and SSE Cohorts

To be considered for the MSc (Exec) 'Leadership and Strategic Studies' programme you must be a regular member of the British Army with at least five years’ leadership experience (within the Armed Forces) and having studied the 'Intermediate Command and Staff Course (Land) (ICSC(L))' or the 'Late Entry Officers Course (LEOC)'.

Entry requirements

5 years relevant experience within the Armed Forces.

For further information and an application form for the ICSC(L) Exec pathway or the SSE Exec pathway, please contact the Ed Branch: APSG-EdBr-Accreditation@mod.gov.uk

Selected AHEP officers for either the ICSC(L) MSc (Exec) pathway or the SSE (Exec) pathway must also complete a University of Reading application form.

For further queries and assistance with the application process please contact the AHEP team at Henley: ahep-admin@henley.ac.uk

For the individual, it offers a unique opportunity to ‘Lead and Learn’: to complete a recognised BSc or MSc in 'Leadership and Strategic Studies' through our partnership with Henley Business School and the University of Reading's School of Philosophy, Politics and Economics (SPPE).

“The conceptual component of fighting power has long been a vital pillar in our ability to fight wars on land. The AHEP scheme reinforces and enhances this via first rate through-life education. By promoting intellectual development, we cultivate our people’s ability to respond effectively to the new challenges that we will face us in both peace and war.”

Major General Nick Cowley OBE, Director Leadership | Commandant Sandhurst

Be the best leader you can be and enhance your career and success as an Officer

The role of higher education in the Army is about developing individual capability to the highest standards possible – train for certainty, educate for uncertainty. Learning is a way of evolving and adapting to changing environments.

A BSc/MSc/MSc Exec degree in 'Leadership and Strategic Studies' is:

• Focused on your career stage
  The BSc and MSc degrees start during the Commissioning Course at RMAS. The pathway accredits and builds on your demanding and complex officer leadership training.
  The MSc (Exec) pathways are for those selected after ICSC(L) and LEOC.
  The course includes advanced leadership and coaching skills, exploration of British Foreign Policy and the foundations of conducting robust and relevant research.
• Workplace relevant
  The University of Reading extension modules explore a deeper understanding of leadership concepts and by applying your learning in the workplace you’ll develop your communication skills and personal leadership effectiveness.
  You will also advance your critical thinking and analytical skills, and by extending your knowledge, learn how to adapt, evolve and develop effective solutions to volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous problems.
  You will be doing your work and applying what you have learnt to real situations.
• A brains-based approach
  The course will develop your conceptual and intellectual capacity so you can be best placed to enhance the Army's ability to protect the nation and meet the challenges of the future, both at home and overseas.
• Flexible with no exams
  It is an online course so you can study anywhere in the world.
• A fully funded qualification
  The programme is fully funded by the Army. You won’t have to pay any fees and there are no additional study costs (e.g. books).

These qualifications will optimise your Army career opportunities and keep you in line with your peers outside of the Army.

The aim of the programme is to enable you to learn as you lead, underpinning your professional understanding and analysis. Developing you intellectually to support professional activity and agile thinking.

University of Reading modules

The University of Reading extension modules are relevant to your work environment, as they focus on leadership, developing others, organisational studies and strategy; as well as politics and international relations.

Research projects

You will be required to complete a research project during your degree, based on work-related issues. This will be underpinned by a comprehensive ‘Research Methods’ module, equipping you with the investigative and analytical skills needed to create impactful research, both of which are deeply relevant to Army leadership practice.

The ‘Negotiated Learning’ module will provide opportunities to develop theory and knowledge in a specific topic through a dissertation.

As the Programme Director and Academic Lead for the AHEP programme, I am thrilled to introduce you to an exceptional educational journey that we exclusively designed to empower the future leaders of the British Army through higher education degree programmes. Our programmes offer flexible, modular educational pathways that accommodate the unique demands of military life and enable you to achieve your academic and professional goals while serving in the British Army. Whether you are completing the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst Commissioning Course, the Intermediate Command and Staff Course (Land), or the Senior Soldier Entry route, AHEP provides you with the opportunity to pursue an undergraduate or postgraduate degree in 'Leadership and Strategic Studies'.

Our objective is to attract and retain high-calibre individuals in the British Army by offering unparalleled degree opportunities that are directly relevant to your career. The AHEP programme is not just a stepping stone to gaining qualifications; it is an investment in your professional development and a key component of the Army’s strategy to develop and upskill its leaders and support social mobility.

Our curriculum is designed to enhance your leadership capabilities and strategic thinking, preparing you for the complexities of modern military operations. The skills and knowledge you acquire through the AHEP programme will not only bolster your current role but also position you for future leadership positions within the Army and beyond. Our degree programmes are strategically aligned with the British Army’s objectives, ensuring that your education supports your career progression. The degrees awarded, whether a BSc, MSc, or MSc (Exec) in 'Leadership and Strategic Studies', are recognised worldwide, opening doors to further career advancements.

One of the standout features of the AHEP programme is that it is fully funded by the British Army, with no additional costs to the learner for tuition or return of service. This makes it an exceptional opportunity to gain a valuable qualification without financial burden to you and your families. The AHEP programme allows you to learn at your own pace, accommodating your professional commitments and deployments. Our online courses ensure that you can access high-quality education from anywhere in the world, seamlessly integrating with your military responsibilities.

At Henley Business School, we believe in the power of education to transform lives and careers. AHEP is more than a programme; it is a testament to the Army’s dedication to developing its people and preparing them for the challenges of the future. It is a powerful tool to support social mobility. By investing in your education, you are investing in your potential to lead and make a significant impact within the Army and beyond.

I invite you to explore the opportunities AHEP has to offer and take the next step in your professional journey. Whether you are an Officer Cadet at RMAS, undertaking the ICSC(L), or progressing through the SSE route, AHEP is here to support you every step of the way.

My colleagues and I look forward to welcoming you to our programme and supporting your journey towards academic and professional excellence. Please do not hesitate to contact me to discuss and explore the opportunities we can offer to you.

Dr Selin Kudret

Director and Academic Lead, Army Higher Education Pathway Programmes, Henley Business School

The course integrates with the practical demands of military life. You can learn at your own pace, while on regimental duty or deployed overseas. A BSc, MSc or MSc (Exec) degree will optimise your Army career opportunities and keep you in line with your peers outside of the Army.

Online learning

Learning is through the Canvas VLE and can be accessed via tablets, laptops and smartphones. There is also a bespoke AHEP Portal.

Within the portal you can:

• Register for modules
• Review progress on your modules
• Upload on the secure file store
• Submit your assignments

Assessment

There are no exams. You will be assessed through assignments and a dissertation.

Your research project will be based on work-related issues and reflect the depth of your investigative and analytic skills.

Timescale

All courses

You have six months to complete each module. 1 credit is equivalent to 10 hours of study, so that a 10 credit module = 100 hours of study; 20 credits is 200 hours. These hours are split between online work, private study and assessments.

BSc/MSc

You have 18 - 24 months from the last day of the Commissioning Course to finalise enrolment and register.

You have up to seven years to complete the programme, but realistically most will achieve it within the first three to five years of study.

MSc (Exec)

If you are studying on the ICSC(L) or the SSE MSc (Exec), you have up to five years to complete the programme but can do so within the first two to three years.

Commissioning Course and Officer Cadets and RMAS

Your training at RMAS counts towards a BSc in 'Leadership and Strategic Studies'. The Commissioning Course gives you a head start into the degree, contributing 120 credits towards the BSc programme. Your degree course will then continue during the early stages of your Army career, linking training, education and leadership experience. The completion of each Career Stage 1 Army course, unlocks the corresponding University module. The Army module and University module combined recognise the credits towards the overall degree.

Commission Course Office Cadets and RMAS

Your training at RMAS counts towards a MSc in Leadership and Strategic Studies. If you already have a degree, you can apply for an MSc in Leadership and Strategic Studies. The Commission Course gives you a head start into the degree, contributing 60 credits towards the MSc programme. Your degree course will then continue during the early stages of your Army career, linking training, education and leadership experience. The completion of each Career Stage 1 Army course, unlocks the corresponding University module. The Army module and University module combined recognises the credits towards the overall degree.

Senior Soldier Entry

The combination of AOSB and the LEOC course gives you a head start providing 30 credits towards the MSc (Exec) degree, with 4 modules to complete within the programme's 2-5 year duration. Students on this pathway have the option to select from a range of leadership modules and strategic studies modules to specify degree contents relevant to the individual.

ICSC(L)

The ICSC(L) course is recognised as 100 credits towards the MSc (Exec) degree, with 4 modules to complete within the programme's 3-5 year duration.