The UK is taking a significant step forward in defence technology education with the introduction of a cutting-edge drone degree designed to train the next generation of military engineers. Starting in September 2026, the New Model Institute for Technology and Engineering (NMITE) in Hereford will offer a specialised undergraduate programme focused on drone technology, preparing students to meet the evolving demands of modern warfare.
The Minister for the Armed Forces, Al Carns MP, visited the NMITE site to witness first-hand how a £240,000 investment from the British Army will support the three-year course. This initiative aims to train 15 civilian students and up to five soldiers annually as drone technology specialists. The programme is part of a broader effort to enhance the UK’s defence capabilities, particularly in response to the growing threat posed by uncrewed devices, as highlighted by the conflict in Ukraine.
“In Ukraine, drones are causing more casualties than artillery—that’s the reality of modern warfare,” Minister Carns stated. “This degree gives young engineers a fast track to careers at the cutting edge, protecting Britain and powering growth in places like Hereford. These graduates will strengthen our Armed Forces and help push forward advances in civilian and commercial drone technology, developing homegrown talent and building British capabilities from the battlefield to business.”
The new degree complements recent legislative measures, including the Armed Forces Bill, which introduces powers to strengthen the UK’s ability to tackle drone threats. This legislative framework ensures that defence personnel can better deter, detect, and defeat drone incursions over military sites. The programme aligns with the Strategic Defence Review’s ambition to make the British Army ten times more lethal through advancements in AI, drones, and autonomous systems.
By fostering a pipeline of homegrown talent with specialist STEM skills, the UK aims to address critical workforce gaps and position itself at the forefront of next-generation military capabilities. This initiative supports the Prime Minister’s target for two-thirds of young people to study degrees or gold-standard apprenticeships by the age of 25.
The Masters of Engineering course at NMITE will be completed in three years, one year faster than traditional university courses, offering quicker access to specialist careers. Based in Hereford, the course is set to anchor significant investment in a region rapidly establishing itself as Britain’s ‘military Silicon Valley’.
Minister for Skills Jacqui Smith MP emphasised the importance of this innovative skills provision: “This groundbreaking degree is exactly the kind of innovative skills provision our country needs—providing pioneering training for ambitious young people while boosting jobs in defence. It helps to work towards the Prime Minister’s target for two-thirds of young people studying degrees or gold-standard apprenticeships by the age of 25 through our Plan for Change.”
James Newby, CEO of NMITE, highlighted the broader impact of the degree: “This degree reflects the scale of the opportunity in front of us—to equip the next generation of engineers with skills that matter now and to quickly deliver positive impacts in terms of skills, defence, and security capability and regional growth. The fact that we expect many local young people to take on the degree and build their futures with us is incredibly exciting.”
Expressions of interest for the course starting in September 2026 are now open, with updates available on the NMITE website. This initiative not only addresses immediate defence needs but also lays the groundwork for future advancements in both military and civilian drone technology, ensuring the UK remains a leader in this critical field.