10 Reasons To Study Armed Forces Degrees With Us

Serving in the UK Armed Forces?

Looking for a flexible online degree or qualification that enhances your career prospects in service or smooths your path towards civilian life?

With a range of MOD-approved qualifications designed especially for Army, Royal Navy and RAF personnel, accessible entry and funding criteria, and our first-rate learning management system, teaching standards and vocational value, an ARU Distance learning Armed Forces degree could be the answer.

As Armed Forces Covenant signatories and bronze award holders for the Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS), ARU Distance Learning is committed to supporting the forces and extremely proud to number ex-military personnel amongst our alumni.

We understand that the Armed Forces isn’t just a job and that your demands are huge – that’s why your degree fits comfortably around the unique challenges of your duties.

Let’s take a look at 10 reasons to study Armed Forces degrees with us.

Competition is fierce in any type of organisation these days, but perhaps nowhere more so than in the Armed Forces, where steely determination and discipline are prerequisites.

But if you’ve already embarked on a specialised career route and are looking for that competitive edge to help you proceed further, one of our vocational degrees can definitely deliver.

For example, if you’re already working in a health and social care leadership role, then a Healthcare Management MSc, Management & Leadership in Health & Social Care BSc (Hons) or a Leadership & Management in Health & Social Care FdSc could be the secret ingredient that makes your application stand out when that dream leadership role is there for the taking.

Your ARU distance learning undergraduate degree, diploma, or postgraduate degree is specifically tailored to meet the needs of your Armed Forces career path, but you’ll also learn valuable skills that transfer to Civvy Street. In fact, with a formal higher education qualification and the unique and admirable skills you garner as a services professional, you’ll be extremely appealing to many employers.

Alternatively, if you’re transitioning out of the Armed Forces, you might also be able to study a degree in an entirely new area – for example ARU Distance Learning has exciting online qualifications for everything from digital marketing to football coaching!

The whole point of distance learning is that it’s a more accessible and flexible learning method that democratises higher education for students from all walks of life.

So although all of our courses have some sort of entry requirements, don’t worry if you don’t quite have everything that’s asked for because it could well be that you qualify for entry via Accredited Prior Learning (APL) – this means that some of the courses, qualifications and/or practical experience you’re gained in the Armed Forces can help you meet the course entry requirements, reduce the number of modules you need to study to complete the degree and potentially reduce the cost of studying with us.

Your online degree is an investment that requires some financial outlay, but it’s brilliant value for money and there are more ways to pay flexibly and tap into sources of support than ever.

Consult our funding pages for more information on undergraduate loans, postgraduate loans and instalment plans, but remember that ARU Distance Learning is also an accredited MOD ELCAS provider, so you can use your ELCs (Enhanced Learning Credits) towards your course fees.

By capitalising on loan opportunities, sourcing any scholarship support available, paying in manageable instalments and cashing in your ELCs, there’s always a way to make studying financially viable and we’re here to help you every step of the way.

We know that you could be deployed anywhere in the world, from Afghanistan to Africa, and the Baltics to Belize. Therefore all of our Armed Forces courses are 100% online, meaning that you can access course materials, chat to classmates and catch up with tutors from anywhere with a decent internet connection.

However, if you happen to be back in Britain around the time of graduation (global health concerns permitting) you do have the option of attending your graduation in person. This can be a wonderful chance to bask in the glory of your achievement with friends and family and finally meet the course mates you’ve gotten close to in the flesh.

While many universities these days are scrambling to offer students online versions of courses, ARU Distance Learning has been operational in this sector for many years, meaning we’ve developed a sophisticated understanding of the tech, tools and teaching methods required to deliver an online learning experience which is just as high-quality as any available from a bricks and mortar institution.

Our world-class Learning Management System Canvas is accessible on mobile and PC versions, has an intuitive dashboard that’s simple to navigate and features personalised notifications, real-time feedback, multimedia content and much more. This means that it’s simple to serve and learn, fitting your coursework in comfortably around your duties.

And as an added bonus, you’ll get to know fellow armed forces classmates who could be stationed anywhere in the world, extending your network and adding a social dimension which enhances the entire experience.

Planning on flexing your entrepreneurial muscles after leaving the Forces? Transitioning to civvy street and starting a business is made smoother when you study an online MBA with us. The course duration is 1-2 years depending on your eligibility for an advanced entry route, it’s entirely online and there are course intakes in January, May and September.

This is a globally recognised management qualification which will stand you in good stead wherever you’re eventually based. Its fascinating and highly practical modules include organisational psychology in a social context, management and strategy, principles of economics, innovation and entrepreneurship and finance for decision-making. If you want an enterprise-focused MBA that’s a launchpad to a new corporate career, this is it.

If you work in a health and social care role in the armed forces and want to advance your career to attain more senior roles, and earn a Chartered Management Institute (CMI) accredited qualification that transfers easily to the outside world, the Leadership & Management in Health and Social Care FdSc is ideal.

This foundation level undergraduate degree is studied over two to four years and course intakes are January and September. Interesting modules include planning and managing resources, research and critical thinking and leadership practice.

One of the brilliant benefits of studying a distance learning is that (if you’re not adept already), you’ll sharpen up your digital skills as a valuable by-product of your studies.

You don’t need any advanced tech skills to complete the course, and a reliable phone and laptop will satisfy the hardware requirements, but by the end of your course you’ll feel completely au fait with many of the basic digital skills employers expect – making you a desirable candidate given there’s a digital skills gap .

As an ARU Distance Learning student you’re entitled to all of the support you’d get on a physical campus, including the guidance of our employability service .

This means that from the very beginning of your studies you can benefit from help with creating a CV that stands out, expert job search tips, advice on hitting the right notes on application forms and interview preparation tips. You can access a plethora of employability resources through your online portal and telephone appointments are available with our expert advisers.

No matter what stage you’re at with your Armed Forces career, there’s an ARU Distance Learning degree which can help you achieve your aspirations and we always welcome services personnel with the open arms and deep respect they deserve.

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