British Army soldiers will be able to study online for a Certificate of Higher Education in Applied Management.

The two-year part-time course has been developed for the Army in partnership with Newcastle Business School.

It was designed to take account of the operational and management needs of senior non-commissioned officers along with skills that can be transferred to the civilian world.

The programme will be studied online, but even without internet access, students will have the opportunity to continue their studies by using materials provided on CD-Rom.

Major Liz Brown, of the Army's Directorate of Education and Training Services, said that e-learning was the ideal fit for the Army.

"The flexibility of the online approach allows students not only to interact with each other in online forums and share learning experiences, but also to study at their own pace and even in operational theatres," she said.

The first cohort of soldiers are due to start the course in September. Once completed, all soldiers will have the opportunity to extend their study to gain a full Honours degree.