University Royal Naval Unit
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A University Royal Naval Unit (URNU) is a Royal Navy training establishment connected to a University, or a number of universities concentrated in one geographical area. Each URNU has land-based facilities near the University in question, four training officers (members of the Royal Naval Reserve and a training vessel, currently an Archer-class P2000 fast patrol boat.
The units and their ships are
- Aberdeen, HMS Archer (P264)
- Birmingham, HMS Exploit (P167)
- Bristol, HMS Trumpeter (P294)
- Cambridge, HMS Raider (P275)
- Glasgow, HMS Smiter (P272)
- Liverpool, HMS Charger (P292)
- Wales, HMS Express (P163)
- Oxford, HMS Tracker (P274)
- London, HMS Puncher (P291)
- Manchester, HMS Biter (P270)
- Northumbrian, HMS Example (P165)
- Sussex, HMS Ranger (P293)
- Southampton, HMS Blazer (P279)
- Yorkshire, HMS Explorer (P164)
The aim of an URNU is to provide an insight into naval life for "high calibre" undergraduates - however, there is no commitment for the students to join the Royal Navy or Royal Marines after graduation (although a significant proportion of the Royal Navy's new officer intake each year comes from the URNUs). It is hoped that if the students do not choose to join the Navy afterwards, they will take away a positive image and greater understanding of modern naval forces with them into civilian life.
Undergraduates join for three years, or in some cases the duration of their course. In their first year, members have the rank of Officer Cadet, and are promoted to Honorary Midshipman in their second year. They are not Commissioned officers.
Training focuses on navigation and seamanship, and this is put into practice during Sea Weekends, and longer deployments during the summer and Easter vacations.
There is also a social element to URNU life with formal Mess Dinners, and less formal socialising.
