Prestigious UK military college opens its doors to UAE students

For the next 20 years, having already operated for eight years, the College will be run by TQ, part of the world’s largest learning company, Pearson. TQ delivers science and technology-based A Level education at the college as well as personal development training through outdoor and physical instruction. 

Welbeck specialises in developing young people for a career in the military or defence civil service. However, under the Welbeck Private Scheme (WPS), students can attend the college without a commitment to join the armed forces or civil service. For the first time a limited number of international students will now be accepted to undertake A Levels at the college as part of the WPS.

The college expects a number of high-calibre applications from the UAE and Saudi Arabia, given the institution’s reputation as one of the United Kingdom’s top performing sixth form colleges. Over the last five years, 100 percent of Welbeck students have passed their A Level examinations, and in 2012 Welbeck students achieved an average 87 percent pass rate at A and B grades. The college also sends an increasing number of students to Oxford and Cambridge each year. The college anticipates a high demand for placements from international students due to its state-of-the-art facilities, inspirational teaching and a dynamic community, which together make Welbeck one of the country’s leading co-educational boarding schools.

Peter Middleton, Principal at DFSC, says this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for young GCC nationals wanting to attend one of the world’s best regarded military colleges:

"The opening up of the Welbeck Private Scheme to international students will give high school students from the region the chance to attend a college that places strong emphasis on helping all students achieve their potential, whether in an academic, sporting or extra-curricular arena. This is a unique place, which aims to provide an outstanding education that enables each student to achieve the academic credentials that will qualify him, or her, to continue to a top university. Such an education is founded on moral integrity, responsibility and a genuine sense of service, which together lead to inculcating the core leadership values which are not only strong in our community, but will endure when our students leave."

"Through the Welbeck Private Scheme, young people from all around the world are being given the opportunity to become part of a cohort of 175 high-calibre young men and women who join each year. Living and learning with like-minded individuals and under the careful mentoring of skilled and experienced staff, they will benefit from an environment that is geared not only to shaping a successful career in the Armed Forces or Ministry of Defence Civil Service, but one that is equally applicable in the civilian world."

"As you would expect, academic studies combine with developing core skills and values, but here at Welbeck, we provide a broader learning environment through our programme of intellectual, personal and physical education to build the essential personal skills which are as important in leadership as they are in making a valuable contribution to the wider community.”

He says that attendance at the college also helps international students progress smoothly into higher education at university in either the UK, or further abroad:

“Students who have undertaken the Welbeck Private Scheme have an excellent track record of securing entry into first-class universities. Students from the Gulf region who obtain their A Levels at Welbeck have the choice of carrying on with their studies at a higher education institution in Britain or in one of many other countries around the world. The opportunities for further study provided through the scheme are quite unique and go a long way to helping young people fulfil their educational ambitions."

Mr Middleton is clear as to the benefits of a ‘Welbeck education:'

“When students arrive at the college they enter an exciting new chapter in their lives. They will join existing students who are focused with clear career aspirations and this creates a constant buzz of enthusiasm, energy and determination to achieve their best. Students can expect to leave resolute, skilled in communication and with ambitions broadened and significantly extended. What I, as the Principal, ask of each and every student here, is that they strive to be the best possible version of themselves – so that they leave without regret, having challenged themselves and having achieved goals and aspirations that they could once only have dreamed of.”

Welbeck Defence Sixth Form College is currently accepting international applications for the September 2014 intake of Welbeck Private Scheme students.