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Overview Military Colleges Programs Occupations Selection Process How to Apply

Overview

The Regular Officer Training Plan (ROTP) gives young Canadians an opportunity to obtain both an officer’s commission in the CAF and an undergraduate degree. Applicants who have been accepted at either of our two Canadian Military Colleges (CMC), or at another Canadian university, are enrolled in the CAF as officer/naval cadets.

As an officer/naval cadet attending either of the CMC campuses, you’ll also receive an annual salary of $30,200 (monthly room, board and mess fees will be deducted). The military also provides paid vacation while in school! During the summer, all officer/naval cadets receive military training, occupation training, and second language training at bases throughout the country. On successful completion of the ROTP, officer/naval cadets receive an undergraduate degree in Engineering, Science, or Arts and become fit officers in the Royal Canadian Navy, Canadian Army, or Royal Canadian Air Force. Those officers who complete training at the CMC will be bilingual.

What is an Officer?

Officers are leaders, managers, policy makers, and planners. They must hold a university degree. As an officer, you will be given the necessary leadership skills to command units composed of soldiers, sailors, and aviators in the conduct of their activities at home and overseas.

Earn a Salary While in School

$30,200/year - The starting salary you will earn from the CAF while attending your paid education program. Your salary will increase immediately upon graduation and continue to increase as you progress in rank.

Canadian Military Colleges

Both Canadian Military Colleges (CMCs) — the Royal Military College of Canada (RMC) in Kingston, Ontario, and Royal Military College Saint-Jean (RMC Saint-Jean) in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Quebec — truly are universities with a difference.

Royal Military College of Canada (RMC)

RMC provides young Canadians with fully subsidized high-level education leading to a university degree that allows them to develop the competencies required to become strong leaders for the CAF. All of our programs are offered in the first official language of the officer/naval cadets. As you join RMC as an officer/naval cadet, you will embark on an invigorating journey and become a part of a proud heritage. The education and military experience will provide you with the professional and intellectual skills necessary to assume the responsibilities and meet the demands of leadership in today’s rapidly changing world. A career as an officer in the CAF will offer you experiences and challenges serving Canada across the country and the globe. Attending RMC is the first step you will take on an exciting career path destined for success.

RMC Website Opens in a new tab

Royal Military College Saint-Jean (RMC Saint-Jean)

RMC Saint-Jean, in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Quebec, ensures officer/naval cadets a seamless transition from high school to university by providing college and first-year university-level programs in Engineering, Science, and Social Sciences & Humanities. In addition, RMC Saint-Jean offers a degree in International Studies. Each program is offered in your first official language for both the Preparatory Year and First Year.

Preparatory Year, commonly known as Prep Year, is equivalent to grade 12 in most provinces and to the first year of college-level studies (CEGEP) in Quebec. Prep Year is the normal entry point into the Canadian Military Colleges (CMCs) for Quebec high-school graduates. This academic year is also designed for applicants from across Canada who demonstrate strong academic ability but are missing prerequisites for direct admission to First Year. Following successful completion of Prep Year, officer / naval cadets typically begin their undergraduate degree at RMC Saint-Jean.

RMC St-Jean Website Opens in a new tab

Canadian Military College Programs

Arts

  • Business Administration
  • Economics
  • English, Culture & Communication
  • French, Literature & Culture
  • History
  • Military & Strategic Studies
  • Psychology
  • Political Science
  • International Studies

Engineering

  • Aeronautical Engineering
  • Chemical Engineering
  • Civil Engineering
  • Computer Engineering
  • Electrical Engineering
  • Mechanical Engineering

Science

  • Chemistry
  • Computer Science
  • Mathematics
  • Physics
  • Space Science

See Where Your Education Can Take You

Use this table to determine what program of study lead into each military officer occupation. Tap on each occupation to learn more about it, or Browse Careers to see all military occupations.

Selection Process

By submitting their application, applicants are applying for full-time employment with the CAF, and attendance at CMC becomes part of their professional development as future officers in the CAF. The goal is to provide exceptional education while developing the officer/naval cadets to refine their leadership capabilities in a holistic approach to military education.

Eligibility and Selection

Since an application to the ROTP is also an application to RMC and RMC Saint-Jean, an applicant must:

  • Be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident;
  • Be 16 years of age at enrolment (with parental/legal guardian consent);
  • Possess the necessary academic prerequisites for admission;

All ROTP candidates are required to complete the following through their local Canadian Forces Recruiting Centre:

  • The Canadian Forces Aptitude Test (CFAT);
  • A medical examination; and
  • An interview.

Applicants are evaluated on two fundamental criteria:

  1. Military Potential: The Military Potential score is based on the assessment of an applicants’ Aptitude Test, Personality Traits, and the choice of the proper occupation.
  2. Academic Performance Potential: This will be assessed by the Admissions Office at RMC. This is an assessment of a candidate’s top six most recent marks which adhere to the admission requirements for their academic program of choice.

For more information about any of our paid education plans, visit our Help Centre.

Academic Qualifications RMC

To qualify for admission to RMC, a candidate must have a 75% academic average and 75% in all prerequisite courses to apply, and be in the process of completing or have completed secondary school at a university preparatory level (Grade 12 or the provincial equivalent). Candidates are required to have the necessary credits for admission to a university in the province in which they are completing secondary education as well as meet the admission requirements for the program they want to pursue.

Quebec students enrolled in CEGEP must be completing or have completed the first year of a two-year pre-university program, and will normally be expected to have obtained a minimum of fourteen credits. The admission requirements for First Year — the second year of collegial studies offered at RMC Saint-Jean in Quebec — and the first year of undergraduate studies at RMC are the same, as they are considered to be equivalent.

Academic Qualifications RMC Saint-Jean

Preparatory Year Admission Requirements

To be admitted, applicants must meet this following conditions:

  • Hold a high school diploma or equivalency;
  • Pass the Secondary 4 History course (Quebec applicants);
  • Pass Secondary 5 Second Language course (Quebec applicants);
  • Meet admission requirements of the chosen program of collegial studies; and
  • Have a mark of 70% or higher in academic requirement courses.

How to Apply

All students interested in pursuing full-time undergraduate degree program offered at the CMC must start their applications online. Applicants are encouraged to start their application in September of their final year of high school. Please be aware of the following when you apply:

  1. Applicants should indicate when they apply that they are interested in the ROTP;
  2. Applicants will receive an email from CAF Recruiting confirming the application has been received and is being processed. Candidates will receive further instructions with the next steps of their application process;
  3. Applicants are encouraged to check your spam folder on a regular basis for information from Recruiting; and
  4. All communications with ROTP applicants will be done through their respective Recruiting Centers. CMC will not provide updates on the status of your application.

Visit our Help Centre to learn more.

Application Deadline: January 31 of the year of enrolment. Depending on availability and screening requirements, applications submitted after this date may still be considered. Note: The Application deadline for Pilot, Air Combat Systems Officer, and Aerospace Control Officer is December 15th due to air crew selection requirements.

Start Application

Canadian Military Colleges Admission Requirements

You will need to meet the academic requirements according to your province in order to be admitted to a Canadian Military College (CMC).

Science

  • English 30-1
  • Mathematics 30-1

And any two of the following:

  • Mathematics 31
  • Chemistry 30
  • Physics 30
  • Biology 30

Engineering

  • English 30-1
  • Mathematics 30-1
  • Mathematics 31
  • Chemistry 30
  • Physics 30

Arts

  • English 30-1
  • Mathematics 30-2

Science

  • English 12
  • Pre-Calculus 12

And any two of the following:

  • Calculus 12
  • Chemistry 12
  • Physics 12
  • Biology 12

Engineering

  • English 12
  • Pre-Calculus 12
  • Calculus 12
  • Chemistry 12
  • Physics 12

Arts

  • English 12
  • Pre-Calculus 11

Science

  • English 40S
  • Pre-Calculus 40S

And any two of the following:

  • Applied Mathematics 40S
  • Chemistry 40S
  • Physics 40S
  • Biology 40S

Engineering

  • English 40S
  • Pre-Calculus 40S
  • Chemistry 40S
  • Physics 40S

Arts

  • English 40S
  • Mathematics Pre-Calculus 30S

Science

  • English 122
  • Pre-Calculus A 120 and
  • Pre-Calculus B 120

And any two of the following:

  • Physics 121 or 122
  • Chemistry 121 or 122
  • Biology 121 or 122
  • Calculus 120

Engineering

  • English 122
  • Pre-Calculus A 120
  • Pre-Calculus B 120
  • Calculus 120
  • Physics 121 or 122
  • Chemistry 121 or 122

Arts

  • English 122
  • Pre-Calculus 110

Science

  • French 10411
  • Math 30411B or Math 30411C

And any two of the following:

  • Biology 53411
  • Chemistry 52411
  • Physics 51411
  • Math 30421C

Engineering

  • French 10411
  • Math 30421C
  • Math 30411B or Math 30411C
  • Physics 51411
  • Chemistry 52411

Arts

  • French 10411
  • Math 30311B or Math 30331C

Science

  • English 3201 or English 3202
  • Math 3200

And any two of the following:

  • Math 3208
  • Chemistry 3202
  • Physics 3204
  • Biology 3201

Engineering

  • English 3201 or English 3202
  • Math 3200
  • Math 3208
  • Chemistry 3202
  • Physics 3204

Arts

  • English 3201 or English 3202
  • Math 2200

Science

  • English 30-1
  • Mathematics 30-1

And any two of the following:

  • Mathematics 31
  • Chemistry 30
  • Physics 30
  • Biology 30

Engineering

  • English 30-1
  • Mathematics 30-1
  • Mathematics 31
  • Chemistry 30
  • Physics 30

Arts

  • English 30-1
  • Mathematics 30-2

Science

  • English 12
  • Pre-Calculus 12

And any two of the following:

  • Calculus 12
  • Chemistry 12
  • Physics 12
  • Biology 12

Engineering

  • English 12
  • Pre-Calculus 12
  • Calculus 12
  • Chemistry 12
  • Physics 12

Arts

  • English 12
  • Pre-Calculus 11

Science

  • English 30-1
  • Mathematics 30-1

And any two of the following:

  • Mathematics 31
  • Chemistry 30
  • Physics 30
  • Biology 30

Engineering

  • English 30-1
  • Mathematics 30-1
  • Mathematics 31
  • Chemistry 30
  • Physics 30

Arts

  • English 30-1
  • Mathematics 30-2

Science

  • English ENG4U
  • Advanced Functions MHF4U

And any two of the following:

  • Calculus & Vectors MCV4U
  • Chemistry SCH4U
  • Physics SPH4U
  • Biology SBI4U

Plus 2 more 4U or 4M level courses

Engineering

  • English ENG4U
  • Advanced Functions MHF4U
  • Calculus & Vectors MCV4U
  • Chemistry SCH4U
  • Physics SPH4U

Plus 1 more 4U or 4M level courses

Arts

  • English ENG4U

And any one of the following:

  • Functions MCF3M
  • Functions & Relations MCR3U

Plus 4 more 4U or 4M level courses

Science

  • English 621
  • Math 621B

And any two of the following:

  • Math 611B
  • Chemistry 621A
  • Physics 621A
  • Biology 621A

Engineering

  • English 621
  • Math 611B
  • Math 621B
  • Chemistry 621A
  • Physics 621A

Arts

  • English 621
  • Math 521B

Science

English - 2 Core courses

Math one of:

  • 201-NYA-05
  • 201-NYC-05
  • 201-NYB-05

And any two of the following:

  • An additional math from above
  • Chemistry 202-NYA-05
  • Physics 203-NYA-05
  • Biology 101-NYA-05

Engineering

  • English - 2 Core courses
  • Math 201-NYA-05
  • Math 201-NYC-05
  • Math 201-NYB-05
  • Chemistry 202-NYA-05
  • Physics 203-NYA-05

Arts

  • English - 2 Core courses
  • Sec V Mathematics Technical & Scientific Option (064506 or 564506) or, prior to 2010, Sec V Mathematics 526.

Science

  • English 30A and 30B
  • Pre-Calculus 30

And any two of the following:

  • Calculus 30
  • Chemistry 30
  • Physics 30
  • Biology 30

Engineering

  • English 30A and 30B
  • Pre-Calculus 30
  • Calculus 30
  • Chemistry 30
  • Physics 30

Arts

  • English 30A and 30B
  • Pre-Calculus 20

Science

  • English 12
  • Pre-Calculus 12

And any two of the following:

  • Calculus 12
  • Chemistry 12
  • Physics 12
  • Biology 12

Engineering

  • English 12
  • Pre-Calculus 12
  • Calculus 12
  • Chemistry 12
  • Physics 12

Arts

  • English 12
  • Pre-Calculus 12