University News Last updated 10 June
Birmingham City University (BCU) has secured more than £2.7 million in government funding to expand higher-level engineering and computing education, helping to develop the skilled workforce needed to support the UK's future defence and security capabilities.
BCU was one of just 24 universities and colleges across England selected to receive funding through a highly competitive £80 million Defence-Related Skills Funding Competition, delivered by the Office for Students in partnership with the Ministry of Defence and the Department for Education.
The University's successful bid was chosen from 112 applications, which collectively requested £384 million in funding. It has been awarded £1.127 million in programme funding and £1.579 million in capital funding.
The investment will support the growth of student places in engineering and computing courses at Levels 4 to 6, helping more learners access high-value qualifications and careers in sectors critical to the UK's national security and economic growth.
The funding will support the expansion of BCU's computing and engineering provision, creating opportunities for more students to develop the advanced technical skills needed by the UK's defence sector.
Through the project, computing students will gain hands-on experience building, testing and defending real-world digital systems, including participating in threat simulation activities within a live cyber range.
Engineering students will work on integrated technologies spanning robotics, autonomous systems and energy resilience, developing practical solutions to challenges facing modern industry and national security.
Developed in partnership with industry, the programme will offer placements, co-designed projects and professional development pathways that connect students directly with employers.
Students will also have opportunities to take part in cyber defence challenges and interactive open lab events designed to support progression into defence and security-related careers.
The capital investment will also enhance specialist infrastructure and equipment, ensuring students have access to cutting-edge facilities and industry-relevant learning environments that support both their studies and future employability.
Professor David Mba, Vice-Chancellor of BCU, said: "This significant investment recognises the vital role universities play in developing the highly skilled workforce needed to support the UK's future defence and security ambitions.
“At Birmingham City University, we are committed to providing students with industry-relevant skills and real-world experience that prepare them for careers in fast-growing sectors such as engineering, digital technologies, cyber security and advanced manufacturing."
Adel Aneiba, Dean of Architecture, Built Environment, Computing and Engineering, said: “It is great to witness the continued success of the School of Architecture, Built Environment, Computing and Engineering (ABCE) in securing OfS funds.
"This achievement does not happen in isolation; I would like to extend my deepest and sincerest gratitude to every member of the team who dedicated themselves to producing this successful submission."
The funding forms part of a wider government initiative to strengthen the UK's defence skills base by increasing student places in computing and engineering, boosting the number of graduates entering defence-related roles, and supporting the development of new teaching facilities.
Nationally, the £80 million programme includes £50 million to support almost 2,500 additional student places over five years and £30 million for infrastructure and equipment investments.
The programme is designed to help address skills shortages in areas including cyber security, advanced manufacturing, robotics, autonomous technologies and engineering.
The announcement supports the ambitions set out in the UK's Strategic Defence Review and forms part of a wider £182 million defence skills package aimed at strengthening the nation's industrial capability, driving economic growth and ensuring the UK has the skilled workforce needed to meet future challenges.
BCU, home to the Defence School of Healthcare Education, is already the sole higher education provider for Nursing, Radiography, and Operating Department practitioners to the Ministry of Defence (MOD).
Students from the Defence School of Healthcare Education go on to work in one of five hospitals across the UK, including the Royal Centre for Defence Medicine (RCDM) at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham (QEHB), where service men and women injured overseas are treated by military medical teams.
To view the Office for Students story, click here.