The Sandhurst Medal is an official distinction recognising the outstanding achievement of International Cadets who have successfully completed officer commissioning at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst (RMAS).

Introduced in 2016, the medal was originally awarded to International Cadets completing the Regular Commissioning Course. In 2022, eligibility was expanded to include those who successfully completed the Commissioning Course Short (CCS).

Each year, the Commandant awards over 120 Sandhurst Medals to International Cadets on each course. Recipients become part of a distinguished global alumni network comprising more than 5,400 international officers from over 129 countries.

Global Representation

The Sandhurst Medal reflects the truly international nature of the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst. Since its introduction, medals have been awarded to alumni from a wide range of countries across Europe, Africa, the Middle East, Asia-Pacific, and the Americas.

History of International Cadets

The first overseas cadet was Count Alexander de Souza Holstein, the son of the Portuguese Ambassador, in 1828. In the nineteenth century only members of foreign royalty or nobility came to Sandhurst, young men such as the Duc d’Orléans, the Crown Prince of Siam and King Alphonso XII of Spain

It was not until after the First World War that it became policy to encourage overseas cadets to compete for places, with six cadets arriving from India in 1919. Since that time there has been a steady flow from over a hundred countries around the world. Many attribute the lessons learned at Sandhurst to their future success, whether they went on to senior positions in the army, or became key players in government or business.

How to Claim the Sandhurst Medal: A Guide for International RMAS Alumni

International RMAS alumni who commissioned prior to the introduction of the medal in 2016 are eligible to purchase the Sandhurst Medal through the Sandhurst Trust. Since 2016, over 700 medals have been distributed to alumni across the world.

Whilst many alumni choose to purchase their medal as a personal memento of their time at the Academy, we also facilitate Group Purchases. We frequently work with High Commissions and Embassies to arrange collective orders for their officers, ensuring that entire cohorts of national representatives are recognized for their achievement at Sandhurst.

International Alumni: Join the esteemed list of recipients. Apply for your medal here.