(I am currently a soldier in the TA, going to Sandhurst in September) 1) Yes, two ways - the first is that one can go to Army Officer Selection Board, the same as any civilian. The second is that if you become a Warrant Officer (Sgt Maj) you can become a Late Entry Officer. You would then be a Captain. 2) No, Officers do not need degrees. The minimum educational requirement is 240 UCAS points. However, ~90% of Sandhurst entrants do have degrees. 3) Depends on which part of the Army you join - an infanteer is more likely to see combat than, say, a medical officer. But ultimately, a platoon / troop commander (which is what you will be when you first commission) is leading the soldiers under his command - that means going where they go, including into combat. 4) For soldiers, not at all. Soldiers with degrees are very rare. For officers... not officially, but it doesn't hurt your case when applying for staff college and the like. My current CO (Lt Colonel) didn't have a degree when he joined (as a soldier, no less), although he has since knocked out a few MAs. 5) Best answers can be found on the Army website ([url=http://army.mod.uk/]link[/url]) and by going to your nearest Armed Forces Careers Office, or getting in touch with an Army Careers Advisor