Welbeck is a residential sixth-form college offering a two-year A-level education for Army, Royal Navy, Royal Air Force and MOD Civil Service recruits. After graduation from Welbeck, most students go on to one of eight specified universities on a generous technical bursary.
If your chosen career is in the Army, you would then spend a year at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst to train you as an officer for one of the Army's technical corps.
The college, near Loughborough, Leicestershire, accommodates around 340 students on a superbly equipped, ultra-modern campus. The tuition is free, although parents may have to contribute towards living expenses. Once you've completed your course, you would then be committed to a career in the Army for a period of time.
A-level education
With Welbeck consistently ranked amongst the top sixth-form colleges in the league tables, you can be confident of getting a very high standard of education. You will study three A-level subjects; maths is compulsory and physics a highly recommended second subject. The third is yours to choose, and there are 11 subjects available.
Education facilities are excellent. As well as receiving your own laptop, you will benefit from a fully integrated IT infrastructure, giving you access to a bespoke management information system and an intranet. Teaching at Welbeck is also of the highest standard. Tutors are on hand to provide expert coaching to help you achieve the grades you need for university.
High-quality pastoral care
As a Welbeck student, you will be looked after by college tutors, houseparents and the medical centre staff. You will live in one of five residential houses, under the control of a houseparent and deputy houseparent. Each house provides a flexible, supportive and friendly environment in which you can make the transition from home to university and, eventually, to officer training. Houseparents will be in close contact with your parents or guardians, and encourage independence, maturity and responsibility among the students in their care.
Preparing you for an Army career
At Welbeck, you will get the best preparation for a career as an officer in one of the Army's technical corps: the Royal Engineers, the Royal Corps of Signals, the Royal Logistic Corps or the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers. During your first year at Welbeck, you'll get to meet members of these corps to help you decide which one is for you.
Your academic study is combined with training that aims to develop your self-discipline, fitness, stamina, teamwork, leadership, communication and motivation - all the skills you'll need for your future role as an Army officer. You'll also be part of the Combined Cadet Force, taking part in military training activities every Friday.
Work hard, play hard
Studying and training at the same time is a challenge. But one thing's for sure: you won't be bored. You'll get plenty of opportunities to take part in sport and outdoor activities like rock-climbing, canoeing, potholing, dinghy sailing, hill-walking and navigation.
What happens after Welbeck?
After A levels, you will be eligible to study for a degree in engineering, management or IT at one of eight universities: Aston, Birmingham, Loughborough, Newcastle, Northumbria, Southampton, or (exceptionally) Oxford or Cambridge. You will also receive a generous technical bursary to help you through your studies. After your degree, you'll spend 11 months at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, where you'll learn to be an officer of the British Army.
Service commitment
A condition of entry to Welbeck is that you serve for at least three years after commissioning from Sandhurst. If you don't fulfil this, you and your parents or guardians will be liable to refund any payments received or costs incurred while you were at Welbeck and university.
Want to know more?
Visit the Welbeck website >>