A boost for defence and technology skills from the University of Plymouth
Expanding opportunities in science, engineering, computer science and artificial intelligence
Opportunity of investment
June 2026: The University of Plymouth has secured nearly £7 million from the Office for Students’ Defence-Related Skills Fund, the largest award made to any university or college in England. This is a major vote of confidence in our role in strengthening the UK’s defence, security and resilience capabilities and another
big win for the city of Plymouth . We are now moving quickly to invest in advanced facilities and expand programmes across key sectors including:
- civil and mechanical engineering
- data science, autonomous systems
- robotics
- ocean exploration
- cyber security and more.
Now is the moment to get involved
We would welcome the opportunity to explore how we can work together to create shared value for your organisation, our students and the wider defence sector.
Please contact me to arrange an initial chat.
Professor Iain Stewart MBE
Professor of Geoscience Communication, Sustainable Earth Institute
Collaboration is key
This investment is intended to secure a highly-skilled defence workforce of the future. Its success depends on industry input, and this is where we can help each other. We are looking to work with our partners across the wider defence ecosystem and adjacent sectors such as maritime, energy, technology and infrastructure to co-create the talent pipeline the sector urgently needs.
Benefits for our city's businesses and students
Essentially, we’re looking for activities that could benefit your business while offering our students – your future employees – experiences to study, stay and succeed that they will not get anywhere else.
Ways to get involved:
- offering placements, internships and live projects aligned to your business challenges
- offering guaranteed interviews for skills you need across your business
- mentoring or guest teaching, bringing real-world insight into the curriculum
- co-developing projects or sponsored research
- shaping the skills and capabilities of future recruits
- working with us on shaping new facilities.
Benefits to business:
- early access to highly skilled graduates with sector-relevant expertise
- opportunities to shape curriculum and ensure it meets your workforce needs
- stronger visibility on campus and alignment with a major national skills initiative
- engagement with a university already producing 2,500+ graduates working in defence and related industries.
