Universities and colleges across England have secured a share of £80 million in government funding aimed at expanding student places and strengthening the skills pipeline for the UK defence sector.
A total of 24 institutions will use the funding to create almost 2,500 additional student places over the next five years, with courses beginning from autumn 2026. The initiative, led jointly by the Ministry of Defence and the Department for Education, targets critical skills shortages in areas including engineering, advanced manufacturing, cybersecurity, robotics and aerospace.
The package includes £50 million to support the new student places, alongside a further £30 million to develop new teaching facilities and expand existing infrastructure. The investment is designed to boost capacity over the next decade and align higher education provision more closely with defence industry requirements.
Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry Luke Pollard MP said: “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.”
Courses supported by the programme will include new undergraduate degrees such as Cyber Defence Intelligence and Autonomous Systems, as well as expanded industry placements and collaborative projects with defence companies. The aim is to establish a stronger pipeline of graduates equipped to enter technically demanding roles across the sector.
The government points to strong earning potential as part of the sector’s appeal, noting that workers in defence nuclear roles earn, on average, around 20% above the national wage. The wider investment forms part of an £182 million defence skills package and aligns with the Strategic Defence Review’s focus on workforce development.
Skills minister 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.”
Industry leaders have welcomed the move, highlighting sustained demand for skilled labour. Kevin Craven, chief executive of
ADS Group, said expanding university and college capacity would “open up more high-quality pathways into well-paid jobs in sectors critical to national security”. He added that increased defence investment could create a further 50,000 jobs by 2030, on top of the 180,000 already employed across the sector.
The funding is being delivered through the Strategic Priorities Grant, with additional plans including new Defence Technical Excellence Colleges in key industrial locations.
The Government says together, the measures underline its commitment to linking education, manufacturing capability and national security as defence spending rises towards 2.6% of GDP from 2027.