Course Information
About this course
The Higher Command and Staff Course (HCSC) is a post-graduate level course featuring a combination of lectures, staff led discussions, exercises and visits to a range of government departments and military headquarters. It culminates with a 'staff ride' which uses the setting of the battlefields of northern France and Belgium to bring together and evaluate the course themes and learning objectives.
What you will learn
You will learn/develop:
- an understanding of the defence contribution to national strategy
- to demonstrate effective military decision making and operational design in crisis situations
- to evaluate the enduring characteristics of high command and leadership in current and future context
How this course will help your career
This course will enable you to gain a higher rank within your organisation.
Entry requirements
Who can attend this course
- Military
- Partners across government (PAG)
- Internationals
This course is open to nominated personnel only. International personnel must be cleared to at least NATO secret, UK personnel must have Developed Vetting clearance.
International personnel are normally drawn from NATO or Five Eyes partner nations.
Invitations are determined at the annual MOD Forward Allocation Baseline meeting.
Before you attend
A broad range of pre-reading material will be sent prior to the start of the course.
Additional information
How the course will be taught
- Blended
- e-Learning (DLE)
How you will be assessed
There are three formal assessments including:
- a 1,200 word monograph on a subject related to contemporary doctrine
- group analysis and presentation on a range of historical case studies with contemporary relevance
- a 5,000 word paper on a selected topic with historical resonance to identify implications for the successful conduct of contemporary operations