Plymouth chosen as a founding member of the Defence Universities Alliance

The announcement builds on a 160-year history of working in tandem with the defence sector and Armed Forces

Buildings on the University's main campus

Plymouth chosen as a founding member of the Defence Universities Alliance

The announcement builds on a 160-year history of working in tandem with the defence sector and Armed Forces

Mr Alan Williams

Media and Communications Manager

Corporate Communications (Marketing and Communications)

13 July 2026

The University of Plymouth has been named as one of the founding members of the Defence Universities Alliance (DUA).

Created to bring universities and the UK government closer together, the DUA is designed to provide students with better access to defence careers and staff the opportunity to contribute cutting-edge research to the defence industry.

The alliance is a long-term collaboration between the Ministry of Defence, the UK Armed Forces, the Office of the Chief Scientific Advisor for National Security and the higher education sector.

For Plymouth, being one of the alliance’s founding members reinforces its existing commitment to – and partnerships with – local and national defence businesses and the Armed Forces.

It recognises how its research is making a significant contribution to the UK’s national resilience and security, while its teaching and support is enabling graduates to successfully embark on careers in the defence sector.

It will also support extensive work to equip students with specialist technical and in-demand skills such as engineering, computing, data science, AI, project management, ocean exploration and cyber security.

Professor Richard Davies, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Plymouth, was among the leaders from Government and higher education who attended the launch of the DUA in Manchester.

I’m delighted that our university is one of the founding members of the Defence Universities Alliance, and it’s something that was particularly important for us here in Plymouth.

This has always been a proud defence community, and we have staff, students and graduates across a wide range of subject areas who are already working closely with – and in careers within – the defence sector. This is a reflection of our long-standing commitment to the nation’s security, and Plymouth’s place in delivering that. It will also provide us with opportunities to enhance our existing connections with many of the country’s leading defence organisations, and to open up new ones with the defence sector and Government.

Professor Richard Davies
Vice-Chancellor

Plymouth’s inclusion among the DUA’s founding members reflects more than 160 years of working with the defence sector, with the University tracing its heritage to the Plymouth School of Navigation.

Today, the University is home to a unique combination of research, teaching and facilities that are critical to the UK’s security and resilience and enjoys partnerships with the Ministry of Defence and other organisations including the Royal Navy, Babcock International Group and Helsing.

It also represents the latest major announcement through which the University is enhancing its work with Government and the defence sector.

Earlier this year, it was confirmed that £50million will be invested in Plymouth through the Defence Growth Deal, and the University is working with its partners to create new jobs and skills opportunities, while investing in new technologies that enhance its work with city businesses.

The University also secured nearly £7 million from the Office for Students to increase the numbers of students on defence-related programmes, including investments in enhanced facilities and the launch of more courses to support skills for the future of the sector.

The DUA’s 35 founding members were chosen from over 100 applicants, and span the breadth of the UK. They will provide the ideas, expertise and talent to tackle complex research and development challenges, while contributing to boosting UK defence innovation in partnership with the defence sector and Armed Forces.

I’m proud Plymouth is one of the leading universities in the country to be working with defence.

As the local MP, I know that this will help us attract further investment, more students studying defence courses and help spin off more world-class research into local jobs. The Defence Universities Alliance will create meaningful connections between students, academia and defence, boosting research, skills and defence expertise across the UK to strengthen industry. Universities play a key role in innovating and supporting defence, and the DUA helps marshal those efforts.

Luke Pollard MP
Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry and MP for Plymouth Sutton and Devonport

Read the Ministry of Defence press release: Boost for skills and research as 35 universities across the UK partner in new defence alliance

Mr Alan Williams

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