SANDHURST, Royal. MILITARY COLLEGE. In 1802 it was determined to institute a college for the training of military officers, in which professional education should be grafted on the groundwork of general instruction. The college was opened at Great •lslarlow; but, in 1812, it was transferred to. a handsome stone building at Sandhurst. Up to 1862 this was devoted to the education of boys from'the age of 13 upward; a description of the college as then existing is given under CADETS' COLLEGE. In that year, however, the system was changed; the course limited to one year immediately before entering the army, and the subjects of instruction confined to the higher mathe matics, modern languages, and military science. Entrance was on the nomination of the commander-in-chief; and the payment by the cadet's parent or guardian varies from £100 to nil, according to the circumstances and rank of the parent. Those for whom no payment is made must be orphans, and are styled "Queen's cadets." Under the pur chase system, all first commissions in the cavalry and infantry of the line, which were granted without purchase, and not to men from the ranks, were given to cadets from the royal military college, who competed for these prizes, and obtained them in order of merit.
The abolition of purchase in 1871 brought about a radical change. The students are no longer boys intending to become officers, but sub-lieutenants, who, having passed by competition for the army, spend a year at Sandhurst in acquiring the theoretical part of the war science. To he confirmed in the army as lieut.., the officer must pass credit ably out of Sandhurst, and then serve a year on probation with a regiment. It cannot be doubted that this change of system must tend, as years go on, to secure for the army a great body of scientific officers.
The Staff college (q.v.) is a separate institution, about 2 m. distant.
The estimated charge for the royal military college for 1878-79 was L'36,281, of which about ..-05,000 is covered by the payments for the students.