Aston University secures £3.9m to boost aerospace and cybersecurity skills

Image courtesy Aston University

The funding is part of an £80 million national scheme distributed by the Office for Students. The money will be used to support the development and expansion of a new BEng Aerospace Engineering programme and investment in specialist computing facilities to be used by both cybersecurity and aerospace engineering students.

The OfS is the regulator for higher education in England. It protects the interests of students by supporting a diverse and independent higher education sector.

The investment will enable the University to increase opportunities for undergraduates to develop advanced technical knowledge and industry-relevant experience in subjects that are critical to the country’s long-term defence capability and economic resilience.

The successful bid was supported by industry partners, such as The Manufacturing Technology Centre, underlining the relevance of the University’s programmes to employers’ needs across the region and the UK. The investment comes at a time of increasing focus on building national and regional capabilities in engineering, digital technologies and security-related disciplines.

Earlier this year, the West Midlands Combined Authority and East Midlands County Combined Authority set out a joint plan to position the Midlands as a globally recognised, innovation-led defence ecosystem by 2035, and build a future-ready workforce.

Professor Claire Lucas executive dean of Aston’s School of Engineering and Innovation said: “This funding is a major vote of confidence in Aston University’s ability to develop the next generation of highly skilled graduates in strategically important disciplines. By expanding our aerospace engineering provision and investing in cutting-edge facilities, we can offer students the knowledge, practical experience and industry-focused learning needed to succeed in areas of growing national importance.

“It also reflects the importance of collaboration between universities, government and industry in preparing graduates for the challenges and opportunities of the future.”

Minister for Skills 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.

“By expanding access to high-demand courses in the defence sector, we are creating new opportunities for learners across the country while helping employers access the skilled workforce they need.

“This is a clear example of education and industry working together to deliver growth, strengthen Britain’s defence capability and support the jobs of the future.”

The new funding reinforces Aston’s role in supporting regional and national priorities around advanced manufacturing, cyber security and high-value skills development and last year it was named as Cyber University of 2025 in The National Cyber Awards.

Rt Hon Robert Halfon executive director of Make UK said: “Manufacturers in the West Midlands urgently need access to engineering and cybersecurity skills. One in five manufacturing businesses in the region identify cybersecurity as a key priority for investing in skills training – more than in any other region of the UK – and high-level technical skills in engineering disciplines is top of the list for more than half of West Midlands manufacturers. Collaboration between industry and universities is critical to delivering the skills our businesses need and Make UK supports Aston University’s commitment to developing the next generation of talent in our sector.” 

Nimmi Patel, associate director – policy at techUK added: “TechUK, the UK’s leading tech trade association with over 1,100 members, supports Aston University’s bid to expand education pathways in cybersecurity and aerospace engineering to strengthen the UK’s defence and security talent pipeline. This programme will play an important role in developing the skilled graduates needed to support the UK’s future defence and technology capabilities.”