Education of Lady Louise and the Earl of Wessex

[Blog Real]

James, Earl of Wessex is among thousands of students across the country who will be picking up his GCSE results on Thursday.

Why today is an exciting day for Duchess Sophie's son James, Earl of Wessex

Prince Edward and Duchess Sophie welcomed James in December 2007

www.hellomagazine.com

 

[ladongas]

Lady Louise wants to join the armed forces!

King Charles's niece Lady Louise Windsor 'wants to join armed forces'

Lady Louise Windsor , daughter of Prince Edward and Sophie and granddaughter to Queen Elizabeth II , has 'fallen in love' with army cadets, a source has said.

www.dailymail.co.uk

 

[Somebody]

That's not exactly what the DM article says. It refers to her LinkedIn profile which apparently states that she is interested in a career in the military, diplomacy or law. So, it is one of three options thatshe is currently considering. Unfortunately, I reached my limit for LinkedIn profile searches for this month, so hopefully someone else can verify:

https://uk.linkedin.com/in/louise-mountbatten-windsor

 

[CrownPrincessJava]

That's not exactly what the DM article says. It refers to her LinkedIn profile which apparently states that she is interested in a career in the military, diplomacy or law. So, it is one of three options thatshe is currently considering. Unfortunately, I reached my limit for LinkedIn profile searches for this month, so hopefully someone else can verify:

https://uk.linkedin.com/in/louise-mountbatten-windsor

Looks like she either removed the profile, or made her profile private

 

[ladongas]

Ah, the mysterious source strikes again!

 

[Alison H]

This was first reported in The Sun, so I'd take it with a very large pinch of salt! Being into the Army Cadets doesn't necessarily mean that you want to join the Army. We know that Louise is keen on amateur dramatics, but no-one's suggesting that she's got her sights set on a career in the West End!

 

[Adda]

I've just come across a picture of Lady Louise in her uniform from the St. Andrew's University Training Corps.

I must confess it made quite emotional, knowing how difficult her arrival into the world was, her dear late grandfather must be smiling from above.

Edit: here's a post

https://twitter.com/x/status/1837134138941292987

 

[Somebody]

Well spotted, she is beaming.

 

[Mbruno]

I've just come across a picture of Lady Louise in her uniform from the St. Andrew's University Training Corps.

I must confess it made quite emotional, knowing how difficult her arrival into the world was, her dear late grandfather must be smiling from above.

Edit: here's a post

I've just come across a picture of Lady Louise in her uniform from the St. Andrew's University Training Corps.

I must confess it made quite emotional, knowing how difficult her arrival into the world was, her dear late grandfather must be smiling from above.

Edit: here's a post

https://twitter.com/x/status/1837134138941292987

Is it known if the Lady Louise has any kind of Army bursary or scholarship? If so, that would create an obligation to serve after she graduates, wouldn't it?

 

[Hallo girl]

I do not know about a bursary or similar but it is not unusual in the UK for Senior schools or Universities to have cadets, or even just local corps not specially linked to an education facility. As far as I am aware joining one of these groups does not put you under obligation to enlist, although it probably wouldn't do you any harm in your application if that was your career path.

 

[Mbruno]

I do not know about a bursary or similar but it is not unusual in the UK for Senior schools or Universities to have cadets, or even just local corps not specially linked to an education facility. As far as I am aware joining one of these groups does not put you under obligation to enlist, although it probably wouldn't do you any harm in your application if that was your career path.

Thanks, Hallo girl.

I am aware that joining the University Officers' Training Corps in a British university does not create an obligation to join the armed forces after graduation, even though members of the corps receive formal military instruction not unlke the Reserve Officers' Training Corps (or ROTC) in US universities. Unlike ROTC in the USA, however, candidates from UOTC who decide to join the army after graduation still have to go through the full 44-week officers' commissioniung course at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, (RMAS) on top of any previous military instruction that they might have gotten during their time in UOTC.

The point that was not clear to me is that, from the Army website, it appears that, if you are a recipient of an Army bursary as an undergraduate student, then there is an obligation to join the RMAS after graduation. In fact, from what I understand, to qualify for a bursary, you have to pass the Army officer selection board first and then defer your entry into the RMAS until you graduate from university. While attending university, it appears that you have to join the UOTC though. Can the British members confirm that?

I don't think Lady Louise has gone through the Army Selection Board, or else that would have been probably mentioned in the press. She is also attending university in Scotland where, as I understand, the universities are tuition-free, unlike in England, so she wouldn't have the same incentive to apply for an Army bursary as she would have if she were studying in England.

In any case, I must say that am surprised that Lady Louise is considering a military career as a private citizen (as opposed to a working royal or a crown princess) and I am curious to see what decsion she will make in that respect in the future.

 

[Hallo girl]

Thanks, Hallo girl.

I am aware that joining the University Officers' Training Corps in a British university does not create an obligation to join the armed forces after graduation, even though members of the corps receive formal military instruction not unlke the Reserve Officers' Training Corps (or ROTC) in US universities. Unlike ROTC in the USA, however, candidates from UOTC who decide to join the army after graduation still have to go through the full 44-week officers' commissioniung course at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, (RMAS) on top of any previous military instruction that they might have gotten during their time in UOTC.

The point that was not clear to me is that, from the Army website, it appears that, if you are a recipient of an Army bursary as an undergraduate student, then there is an obligation to join the RMAS after graduation. In fact, from what I understand, to qualify for a bursary, you have to pass the Army officer selection board first and then defer your entry into the RMAS until you graduate from university. While attending university, it appears that you have to join the UOTC though. Can the British members confirm that?

I don't think Lady Louise has gone through the Army Selection Board, or else that would have been probably mentioned in the press. She is also attemding university in Scotland where, as I understand, the universities are tuition-free, unlike in England, so she wouldn't have the same incentive to apply for an Army bursary as she would have if she were studying in England.

In any case, I must say that am surprised that Lady Louise is considering a military career as a private citizen (as opposed to a working royal or a crown princess) and I am curious to see what decsion she will make in that respect in the future.

I see where you are coming from now, yes if your university fees ( which can be costly)are being paid by the military then that could be a different kettle of fish.

 

[Hallo girl]

Thanks, Hallo girl.

I am aware that joining the University Officers' Training Corps in a British university does not create an obligation to join the armed forces after graduation, even though members of the corps receive formal military instruction not unlke the Reserve Officers' Training Corps (or ROTC) in US universities. Unlike ROTC in the USA, however, candidates from UOTC who decide to join the army after graduation still have to go through the full 44-week officers' commissioniung course at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, (RMAS) on top of any previous military instruction that they might have gotten during their time in UOTC.

The point that was not clear to me is that, from the Army website, it appears that, if you are a recipient of an Army bursary as an undergraduate student, then there is an obligation to join the RMAS after graduation. In fact, from what I understand, to qualify for a bursary, you have to pass the Army officer selection board first and then defer your entry into the RMAS until you graduate from university. While attending university, it appears that you have to join the UOTC though. Can the British members confirm that?

I don't think Lady Louise has gone through the Army Selection Board, or else that would have been probably mentioned in the press. She is also attending university in Scotland where, as I understand, the universities are tuition-free, unlike in England, so she wouldn't have the same incentive to apply for an Army bursary as she would have if she were studying in England.

In any case, I must say that am surprised that Lady Louise is considering a military career as a private citizen (as opposed to a working royal or a crown princess) and I am curious to see what decsion she will make in that respect in the future.

For information tuition fees are only free for Scottish residents, English and foreign students pay fees.

 

[Mbruno]

For information tuition fees are only free for Scottish residents, English and foreign students pay fees.

Thanks for the clarification. It makes sense.

 

[Hallo girl]

Thanks for the clarification. It makes sense.

I should have been more specific as in, all students from other parts of the UK not just England pay fees in Scottish Universities.

 

[Tilia C.]

Aren't those scholarships usually reserved for student from lower income families? Lady Louise can afford to pay for her education, and it would be scandalous, if she'd take a scholarship away from a student who'd otherwise struggle to finance their education. Therefore I trust that the Edinburghs pay for her tuition themselves.

 

[Hallo girl]

Aren't those scholarships usually reserved for student from lower income families? Lady Louise can afford to pay for her education, and it would be scandalous, if she'd take a scholarship away from a student who'd otherwise struggle to finance their education. Therefore I trust that the Edinburghs pay for her tuition themselves.

I do not think anybody is suggesting she is, it was a question raised about student fees and the military.

 

[SirGyamfi1]

Aren't those scholarships usually reserved for student from lower income families? Lady Louise can afford to pay for her education, and it would be scandalous, if she'd take a scholarship away from a student who'd otherwise struggle to finance their education. Therefore I trust that the Edinburghs pay for her tuition themselves.

There are all types of scholarships, not all of them are reserved for low income families.

 

[Sunnystar]

There are all types of scholarships, not all of them are reserved for low income families.

Sure, but wouldn't it be rather scandalous for her to use one? I can't see this as being a winning PR strategy for the Royal Family if any of them actively seek out and apply for scholarships, no matter how outstanding, accomplished and deserving they may personally be.

If we were talking about something like the National Merit Scholarship program that we have in the US, where there are thousands of recipients, that would be one thing, but not something where there are only a handful of recipients in any given year.

 

[Hallo girl]

Sure, but wouldn't it be rather scandalous for her to use one? I can't see this as being a winning PR strategy for the Royal Family if any of them actively seek out and apply for scholarships, no matter how outstanding, accomplished and deserving they may personally be.

If we were talking about something like the National Merit Scholarship program that we have in the US, where there are thousands of recipients, that would be one thing, but not something where there are only a handful of recipients in any given year.

Do you have any evidence that she did apply for one. ?

 

[Mbruno]

Sure, but wouldn't it be rather scandalous for her to use one? I can't see this as being a winning PR strategy for the Royal Family if any of them actively seek out and apply for scholarships, no matter how outstanding, accomplished and deserving they may personally be.

If we were talking about something like the National Merit Scholarship program that we have in the US, where there are thousands of recipients, that would be one thing, but not something where there are only a handful of recipients in any given year.

As Hallo Girl said. there is no evidence that Lady Louise applied for an Army bursary and, most likely, she did not.

However, according to the British Army website,the enhanced bursary (£6,000/year for up to 3 years plus an additional £6,000 when you commission as an officer) is available to:

Students with at least ABB at A Level and on track for at least a 2:1 degree. You'll need to pass the Army Officer Selection Board and join the University Officer Training Corps.

There is no mention of the financial aid being means-tested, so I assume that anyone who meets the academic requirements can apply regardless of their family income. If I understand it correctly, it is already ´possible to receive an Army scholarship (worth £3,000) while you are in Year 13 (last year of secondary school) and then upgrade it to the Standard Bursary (£2,000/year) or the aforementioned Enhanced Bursary (£6,000/year ) while you are attending a university. Again to apply for a scholarship while you are still in secondary school, there seems to be no means test, but:

You must have at least 40 ALIS points from GCSEs or 37 ALIS points from Scottish National Qualifications. You should be planning to go on to university.

Note that the "full-ride" bursary is available, however, only to students pursuing STEM degrees (up to £42,750, comprising an annual bursary of £5,000 plus up to £9,250 in tuition fees for each of three years at university, which is the cap for UK home students in England). or if you are studying for a medical degree (up to £75,000). That would exclude Lady Louise who, as far as I understand, is doing an English degree at the University of St Andrews.

After completing the 44-week regular commissioning course at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, which is still mandatory after university, STEM graduates who were on the "Defence STEM Undergraduate Sponsorship (DSUS) Scheme" (UK spelling) are encouraged to join one of the following (technical-oriented) branches in the British Army:

Royal Engineers,

Royal Signals,

Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers,

Royal Logistic Corps,

Intelligence Corps,

Royal Artillery

Army Air Corps, and the

Adjutant General’s Corps (Royal Military Police; Staff and Personnel Support; and Education and Training Services).

If Lady Louise doesn't take advantage of those opportunities. maybe James. Earl of Wessex, might consider them as he has also shown interest in a military career.

Source: Army Bursaries and Scholarships.