Teesside University secures Ministry of Defence funding to boost defence skills

Teesside University has been awarded almost £1m funding from the Ministry of Defence (MoD) to help strengthen the UK’s defence workforce and expand opportunities for students to develop skills in key strategic areas.

The University is one of just 24 higher and further education institutions across the UK selected to receive investment through a national initiative designed to increase student places and build capacity in disciplines critical to the defence sector.

At Teesside, the project will expand provision in computing and engineering, increasing specialist teaching capacity, strengthening student support, and delivering applied, project-based learning linked to defence-adjacent challenges.

The funding totalling up to £973,000 will support growth across a range of undergraduate courses, including cyber security, computer science, artificial intelligence, software engineering, and aerospace, civil, electrical and mechanical engineering. As part of this expansion, students will benefit from enhanced learning in robotics, automation and digital engineering.

Capital investment will fund new collaborative robotic workstations, mobile robotics platforms and associated infrastructure, which will be embedded into teaching, practical assessment and student projects.

The programme will also see close collaboration with employers and industry partners, who will play a key role in shaping the curriculum through Industry Advisory Boards, guest lectures, live project briefs and wider partnership activity, helping to strengthen progression pathways into the defence and wider engineering and technology sectors.

Professor Chrisina Jayne, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Global Engagement and Partnerships), said: 'This funding is a significant endorsement of Teesside University’s strength in delivering high-quality, industry-focused education and our commitment to supporting the UK’s critical skills needs.

'Through this investment, we will expand opportunities for students to develop expertise in areas of national importance, while enhancing our facilities and embedding real-world, project-based learning that reflects the challenges faced by the defence sector and its supply chains.

'By working closely with employers and partners, we will ensure our graduates are equipped with the advanced skills and experience needed to contribute to the future of the UK’s defence industry, while supporting economic growth in the Tees Valley and beyond.'

The national programme forms part of the Government’s wider efforts to strengthen the UK’s defence capability by investing in the next generation of skilled professionals, ensuring the sector has access to the talent it needs to meet future challenges.

A total of £80m has been committed to 24 universities and higher education institutions over three years to increase student places in computing and engineering courses; boost the number of graduates for defence-related skills and roles; support institutions to develop new, cutting-edge teaching facilities and increase the proportion of young people participating in Level 4 study or higher.

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