Engineering courses win £4.4m to strengthen UK defence skills pipeline

Future students taking a range of Engineering courses at the University of Birmingham will benefit from more than £4.4m of funding from the UK government to support the UK defence sector, which was announced today.

The University of Birmingham will receive part of the new £80m funding from the Ministry of Defence and Department for Education. The money will help to increase student places in a range of computing and engineering courses, boost the number of graduates for defence-related skills and roles, and support institutions to develop new, cutting-edge teaching facilities.

Among the courses that will benefit, £2.6m of programme funding will enable more undergraduates to study:

• Mechanical Engineering,
• Aerospace Engineering,
• Computer Engineering, and
• Materials Science & Engineering

The funding will be invested in specialist teaching facilities and equipment, including the creation of a new Autonomous Systems and Robotics teaching facility and enhanced manufacturing and advanced materials laboratories. The University will also strengthen partnerships with regional organisations to boost opportunities for graduates to enter defence and related industries.

£1.8m of capital funding will also see future students benefit from increased access to state-of-the-art equipment. Best-in-class facilities will include robotics platforms, digital manufacturing systems, and advanced materials testing and characterisation tools, strengthening practical skills development in autonomy, embedded AI, advanced manufacturing, and materials engineering.

Professor Deborah Longworth, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Education) at the University of Birmingham said: “This significant funding from the UK government recognises the crucial role that engineering plays in addressing societal needs in the 21^st century. We are delighted to play a role in preparing a future generation of students, and we are proud to be recognised as a leading university in the UK for graduate outcomes.”

Professor Andrew Quinn, Director of Education in the College of Engineering and Physical Sciences at the University of Birmingham said: “This investment will directly support our sector leading student experience in Engineering and Physical Sciences, enabling innovative laboratory learning opportunities in key engineering and computing disciplines.”

Professor Karl Dearn, Interim Head of College of Engineering and Physical Sciences at the University of Birmingham said: “This award is a strong endorsement of Birmingham’s role in developing the engineering and digital capability the UK will need for the future. At a time when technological change is reshaping every sector, universities have a vital responsibility to connect academic excellence with national priorities, industrial need and opportunity for students.

“Through this investment, we will help widen access to high-quality engineering and computing education, strengthen the skills pipeline, and support more students to contribute to the innovation, infrastructure and security challenges that will define the coming decades.”

Boosting student places and strengthening UK defence industry

The University of Birmingham is among 24 winners share £50 million to create almost 2,500 new student places over five years starting from this autumn. Funding is focused on engineering and computer science, including cyber security, robotics, autonomous technology, aerospace engineering and advanced manufacturing, where defence has some of its greatest skills needs. A further £30 million will be invested in projects including building brand new teaching facilities to support the capacity growth over the next decade.

The announcement delivers on the Strategic Defence Review’s recommendation to boost the pipeline of skilled workers who can contribute to the UK’s national security.

Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry, Luke Pollard MP said: “We are creating more opportunities for young people across the UK to learn new skills and secure good, well-paid jobs in defence. This funding will see 24 superb universities and colleges offer more students places to learn these skills of the future.

“We know our outstanding Armed Forces are only as strong as the industry that stands behind them, and through this investment we’re strengthening our national security and helping drive defence as an engine for growth.”

Minister for Skills Jacqui Smith said: “A strong defence sector needs a strong skills pipeline. This investment will help thousands more people gain the qualifications needed for rewarding careers in defence, working to protect our national security and boost our economic growth.

“By expanding access to high-demand courses in the defence sector, we are creating new opportunities for learners across the country while helping employers access the skilled workforce they need. This is a clear example of education and industry working together to deliver growth, strengthen Britain's defence capability and support the jobs of the future.”

The investment comes as part of the government’s Strategic Priorities Grant and boosts places for students from across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, helping to build skills and drive growth across the country. Work is ongoing with devolved governments to assess specific skills needs and funding options across the rest of the UK. The competition, run by the Office for Students, was designed to connect education more closely to the defence sector’s skills needs.