NMITE has agreed a partnership with the British Army to create a new undergraduate degree in autonomous systems engineering.
The programme will focus on drone and uncrewed technologies and will award a Master of Engineering in three years.
The New Model Institute for Technology and Engineering (NMITE), based in Hereford, plans to admit the first cohort in 2026.
NMITE said the course would respond to government priorities on defence technology and regional growth. The institute referenced the UK Government's Industrial Strategy and recent defence reviews that highlight skills shortages in autonomy and robotics.
The degree will focus on autonomous systems and drone engineering. It will sit within NMITE's existing integrated engineering model, which uses project work and industry challenges in place of traditional lectures.
Students will complete an MEng over three years rather than the more common four-year pathway at many universities. NMITE said the structure reflects demand for engineers who can move quickly from study into operational roles.
The curriculum will cover robotics, artificial intelligence and control systems. It will also include work on safety, ethics and dual-use applications of drone technology.
Defence skills focus
The announcement comes as the UK Armed Forces increase investment in autonomous and uncrewed systems. Defence planners see drones and autonomy as central to future operations across land, sea and air.
Minister for the Armed Forces, Al Carns, has backed the initiative.
"We are in a new era of threat, which demands a new era for defence skills. Our Armed Forces must have the skills and experience to tackle the modern-day threats head on - including with engineers who can design, build and operate cutting-edge drone technology to defend our country. Through our Strategic Defence Review we are doubling investment in autonomous and uncrewed systems this parliament, putting the UK at the leading edge of innovation in NATO, and training a new generation to keep Britain secure at home and strong abroad," said Carns.
Senior military leadership has also linked the programme to future force development. Chief of the Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Sir Richard Knighton, said: "Developing skills in autonomous technologies is critical to both defence and the Army. Backed by the British Army, NMITE will train the next generation of drone warfare specialists and help make the Army more lethal in an increasingly dangerous world."
Dual-use strategy
The degree will place significant weight on non-military applications of autonomous systems. NMITE plans content that addresses infrastructure inspection, manufacturing, logistics and humanitarian operations.
The institute said it wants graduates who can work across defence and civilian markets. It highlighted past examples of defence-originated technologies, such as GPS and the internet, that later spread into everyday use.
New academic lead
NMITE has recruited Professor Alexandru Stancu as Professor of Mechanical Engineering and Academic Lead for the new programme. He will design and oversee the curriculum and delivery.
Stancu has more than 25 years of international experience in robotics, AI and autonomous systems. He previously led the Robotics and Autonomous Systems Research Group at the University of Manchester and founded Manchester Robotics.
His work has included drone and autonomous vehicle projects in both defence and civilian contexts. He has secured more than GBP £10 million in research and innovation funding.
NMITE said his robotics and AI teaching materials are already in use at several universities in the UK and abroad. It also cited his record in creating new courses in emerging technical fields.
The institute has about 59 staff and operates from a purpose-built campus in Hereford. It has enrolled more than 220 students since launch and has delivered over 90 modules.
NMITE works with more than 80 industry partners across sectors such as construction, manufacturing and food. Recent graduate destinations include firms such as Balfour Beatty, Kier, Mondelēz International and Oakwrights.
