Top 9 Global Military Schools
Founded by Napoleon Bonaparte in 1803 at Fontainebleau, France, L’École spéciale militaire de Saint-Cyr prepares officers for the French Armed Forces. Its alumni include a host of prominent African leaders, including Zimbabwe’s president Emmerson Mnangagwa.
1. West Point
West Point, the oldest of America’s military academies, trains United States Army officers. The institution has a rich legacy, having produced many notable graduates since its inception in 1802.
Under Superintendent Sylvanus Thayer (1817-33), known as the “father of the academy,” the institution improved academic standards and introduced engineering courses to meet the needs of America’s western expansion. He also instilled the values of honorable living and character in cadets.
Students are expected to complete a rigorous curriculum of 40 academic courses, 27 of which are required for all cadets. This is in addition to three years of military science and seven physical education courses. The superintendent of the academy, a lieutenant general in the US Army and equivalent to a college president, ensures that cadets are held to rigorous academic and military standards. Admission to the university is highly competitive and is based on six factors, including a candidate’s GPA, standardized test scores, extracurricular activities, personal qualities and interview.
2. Sandhurst
The British equivalent of West Point, Sandhurst has trained army officers since the 1700s. It’s renowned for its rigorous officer training course that combines military tactics with academic coursework and character development. Its alumni include statesman Sir Winston Churchill and military commander Bernard Law Montgomery, 1st Viscount Montgomery.
The academy’s cadets arrive with a variety of backgrounds. Some are university graduates, others come with GCE A-levels, and a group is made up of serving soldiers selected by their national armies to train at Sandhurst.
The academy aims to provide students with a robust academic and military foundation for their future careers, but it’s also mindful of the diversity of those career paths. The room filled with display cases holding gifts from Sandhurst’s overseas cadets is testament to this.
3. Saint-Cyr
Located just west of Versailles, Saint-Cyr is one of the most prestigious military academies in the world. Founded in 1803 by Napoleon Bonaparte, it is known for its rigorous training program that prepares students to serve as commissioned officers. Graduates of the academy have fought in nearly every European conflict since the Napoleonic Wars, including the French Revolution and the first world war.
The school’s facilities are impressive, with a large parade ground, barracks, and modern classrooms. Cadets are required to attend two military camps per year where they will practice their physical fitness and learn leadership skills.
The cadets wear a traditional uniform that includes a dark blue tunic, red trousers (red skirts for female cadets), and a shako with red fringed plumes. The school is also famous for staging re-enactments of historic battles. Each class at Saint-Cyr also chooses a name for itself, which can be based on the date of graduation, a battle or event, or a famous soldier or general.
4. South African Military Academy
A scenic mountain landscape overlooking Saldanha Bay serves as the setting for this school, which trains recruits to become officers and midshipmen in the South African National Defense Force. It offers bachelor’s and master’s degrees in fields ranging from military science to natural science, as well as doctoral programs.
The Academy has a long history of ties with British military institutions and traditions. Its first degree course, Course 158G, started on 1 April 1950 with thirty cadets who were taught general academic subjects as internal students at the University of Pretoria while being instructed in military subject matter by lecturers from the Military College.
A nation’s threat perception is a major guideline for the education of its officers, and the Academy must align its curriculum with the military-political milieu within which the SANDF operates. The Academy is also trying to address legacies from apartheid that hamper student and teacher appreciation of the goals of the system.
5. FAFU
Aside from being a military academy, FAFU is also an agricultural and forestry university. Their facilities are among the best in China, and they have a long list of impressive achievements to back that up. For example, in 2019, all of their eighth grade students passed the national high school examinations, and their music team took home the first place prize at the 2019 National Music Festival.
In addition to its educational offerings, FAFU has a number of different programs that cater to international students. One such program is the Regular Officer Training Program, which offers full tuition and expenses in exchange for a period of service commitment.
Unlike the strict discipline that can be found at many military academies, FAFU has a more college-like atmosphere. Students don’t wear uniforms and are free to schedule their classes and activities as they wish. They can even participate in physical training through club sports.
6. EMA
A military academy is an elite place where the brightest and toughest students get their chance to serve their nation’s armed forces. It’s an experience that is both demanding and rewarding, testing a student’s physical strength, character and intellect to the limit.
As an education-focused foundation, EMA’s mission is to build youth into successful student leaders. They do this by combining academics with leadership training that emphasizes character, knowledge and influence.
Having championed transformational educational journeys since first administering the SSAT in 1957, EMA is a trusted partner to private schools and families worldwide. They help their member schools and 80,000 applying families annually achieve their academic goals.
Students bear responsibility for covering their full tuition and living expenses for the two semesters of study at EMA in Venice (estimated at EUR850 per month). Two scholarships are available for qualified candidates who commit to researching the topic of Children’s Rights as part of their thesis project.
7. ESM
This French military academy is a great example of blending education and training. Ecole Speciale Militaire de Saint-Cyr combines academics with physical and character development to produce leaders for the French armed forces. It is a great place to study if you are interested in learning more about the world and if you have a strong interest in serving your country.
The UK has a long military history that spans centuries. The nation has an extensive network of military academies that are known for producing some of the best soldiers in the world.
If you are considering joining the military, you may be wondering which academy is the right fit for you. There are a number of factors to consider when making this important decision, including the educational and career path you want to follow. Most military academies provide students with a unique blend of leadership training and education that can help them make a difference in their chosen fields.
8. NDA
In addition to the academy’s facilities, NDA is also staffed with top-notch military personnel and professors. Cadets spend their 3 years here in full time residential mode and are awarded a bachelor’s degree (Bachelor of Arts for Army and BSc for Naval and Air Force) upon graduation.
NDA is unique from other international military academies in that it focuses on academics and limits its military training to fundamental levels, which students complete at officer candidate schools in each of the three branches of the Japanese Self-Defense Force. This may seem lax at first, but it is important that cadets learn to be logical and scientific in their thinking and display the personal characteristics that are valued by society in Japan.
The Royal Military Academy, located in Brussels, Belgium is modeled after French “grand ecoles” with strong ties to the University of Brussels. It is a tri-service school that trains officers for the country’s armed forces, but it is primarily known for its excellent military oriented academic offerings.
9. Japan Self-Defense Force
As one of the top militaries in the world, Japan has some of the best facilities. However, it’s unable to recruit enough personnel for its needs. This is due to several factors, including a falling birthrate and difficulty in recruiting women.
The Defense Academy in Japan combines military, naval and air force academies into one institution and limits admission to 530 annually. Students receive a four-year education that includes both theoretical and practical training, then are assigned to the services as officers.
The JSDF also operates two rapid deployment brigades to support operations in the field. The Ground Component Command, headquartered in Utsunomiya, deploys to Gunma, Niigata and Tochigi prefectures; and the Amphibious Rapid Deployment Brigade, based in Kaita, handles deployment on land. The JSDF is also responsible for providing rescue services in natural disasters and maritime searches for ships or aircraft in distress, as well as flood prevention. Its personnel have also contributed to humanitarian missions in countries such as Afghanistan and the Philippines.
