The Royal College of Defence Studies offers the Armed Forces Parliamentary Trust the opportunity for four parliamentarians to study on the 11-month Global Strategy Programme which runs annually each September to July.  The Global Strategy Programme is a post-graduate-level course in international strategic studies, focusing on political, diplomatic, security, social and economic issues at the grand strategic level – the level at which governments take decisions on these issues both nationally and within the international community.  Issues are analysed for their implications in terms of strategy and leadership.  The focus of study is practical rather than theoretical.

The Global Strategy Programme represents the pinnacle of His Majesty’s Government’s strategy education, being designed for one-star civil servants, diplomats, police, military officers and their equivalents from the industrial sector, prior to promotion to 2-star.  It is a genuinely multi-national programme, attracting senior leaders and future decision-makers involved in various aspects of contemporary security from around the world.  It similarly engages the highest level of speakers and lecturers from both the UK and overseas.

Attendance at the Royal College of Defence Studies is recognised as a unique and demanding privilege.  The four places reserved for the Armed Forces Parliamentary Trust are therefore typically allocated to Armed Forces Parliamentary Scheme students who have graduated previously from at least two single Service courses.