Royal Academy
The sole establishment for initial officer training in the British Army since 1972, and unified for all officers since 1992.
via Wikipedia: Royal Military Academy Sandhurst · see source
The Royal Military Academy Sandhurst (RMAS) serves as the British Army's initial officer training centre, commonly known simply as Sandhurst. Located in the town of Sandhurst, Berkshire, its ceremonial entrance sits in Camberley, Surrey, straddling the counties with the Wish Stream marking the border. All British Army officers, including late-entry senior non-commissioned officers and Warrant Officers, are trained here alongside men and women from overseas. It stands as the army equivalent of the Britannia Royal Naval College and the Royal Air Force College Cranwell, having formed in 1946 through the amalgamation of the Royal Military College (Sandhurst) and the Royal Military Academy (Woolwich).
- Location
- Town of Sandhurst, Berkshire (ceremonial entrance in Camberley, Surrey)
- Affiliation
- British Army
- Primary Function
- Initial officer training centre
- Key Figures
- Colonel Lucy Giles (First female college commander), Margaret Jones (Volunteer f
- Notable Students
- All British Army officers, senior non-commissioned officers, Warrant Officers, a
- Status
- Active
Verified Timeline
Lore & Background
Sandhurst's history is defined by significant mergers and structural shifts. Founded on the site of the former Royal Military College (established in 1802) and the Royal Military Academy Woolwich (founded in 1741), it became the exclusive training ground for male officers after closing the Mons Officer Cadet School in 1972. The academy unified male, female, and overseas cadets under a single Commissioning Course in 1992, following the 1984 merger of the Women's Officer Training College Bagshot. Notable moments include hosting the modern pentathlon running leg during the 1948 Summer Olympics and the controversial renaming of Mons Hall to King Hamad Hall in 2013 after a £3 million donation from Bahrain. In 2015, Colonel Lucy Giles became the first female college commander.
In Their Own Story
The Academy's gates have witnessed decades of transformation, from the volunteer welfare work of Margaret Jones for overseas cadets to the appointment of the first female Commander in 2015. Tragedy struck in 2019 when cadet Olivia Perks took her own life, leading to a May 2023 inquest that found the army missed chances to prevent her death by failing to recognize stress signs. Financial contributions from foreign governments have shaped its infrastructure, such as the £15 million donation from the UAE government in 2012 for the Zayed Building. The institution continues to evolve under the Future Soldier reforms, reorganizing into a Sandhurst Group under Standing Joint Command, with the Commander post downgraded from Major-General to Brigadier in January 2025.
Reader's Guide
Training at RMAS is rigorous and highly selective. Candidates are identified by the Army Officer Selection Board in Westbury, Wiltshire, where nearly 10% of cadets are female and another 10% come from overseas; over 80% hold university degrees, though none are required. Instructors undergo a demanding 3–4 week cadre selecting 30 senior non-commissioned officers from 60 candidates. The Regular Commissioning Course lasts 44 weeks for direct entry officers, while the Short Commissioning Course runs eight weeks for reserve and professionally qualified personnel. A Late Entry Officer Course exists for senior soldiers. Although not a university itself, Sandhurst partners with the Open University to award 120 credit points toward an Honours Degree in International Studies, or allows non-graduates to earn a BSc from the University of Reading.
Did You Know?
- The academy's boundaries straddle two counties: the ceremonial entrance is in Camberley, Surrey, while the main address is in Sandhurst, Berkshire.
- In 1984, the Women's Officer Training College Bagshot was merged into Sandhurst, leading to a unified training course for all cadets by 1992.
- The Instructors Cadre selects only 30 senior non-commissioned officers from a pool of 60 over a grueling 3–4 week period.
- A significant proportion of entrants are university graduates, although a degree is not required for admission.
- In 2019, an inquest into the death of cadet Olivia Perks found that the army missed opportunities to prevent her suicide due to unrecognized signs of stress.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Royal Academy in The Beginning After the End?
The Royal Academy is a prestigious educational institution located in the capital of the Kingdom of Teren. It serves as the primary training ground for mages and knights destined to serve the crown.
Who is allowed to attend the Academy?
Admission is typically reserved for nobility and royalty, though exceptional commoners with high mana capacity may also be accepted. The protagonist, Arthur Leywin, is a notable commoner student who gains entry through royal decree.
What subjects are taught at the Royal Academy?
Students study various forms of magic, combat techniques, and political theory to prepare for leadership roles. Practical training often involves dangerous sparring matches and field exercises.
Where is the Royal Academy located?
It is situated within the capital city of the Kingdom of Teren, often referred to as the Royal Capital. The campus is designed to accommodate both academic study and rigorous military-style discipline.
Why is the Academy important to the plot?
It acts as a central hub where Arthur develops his powers and forms crucial alliances with other students. Many major conflicts and political conspiracies within the kingdom originate from events at the school.
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Related in The Beginning After the End
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