Surrey one of first universities chosen for national Defence Universities Alliance

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

Launched today (Monday, 13 July 2026) by the Defence Minister Luke Pollard MP, the DUA will create a network of defence research expertise across the UK – with the 35 founding universities working with the UK government and industry in support of national security. This work will include co-creating cutting-edge research and equipping graduates with an industry-focused skillset.

We are proud to have been named as founding members of this alliance – a real step change in how our sector meaningfully works with partners in industry and Government to contribute towards strengthening our national security.

By signing the Alliance's Charter, we are committing to grow our defence research and open up new career pathways for our students, and the invitation reflects Surrey's creativity and innovation in sectors as diverse as space, cyber security, telecommunications and artificial intelligence. We look forward to working with our partners in this new initiative. Professor Stephen Jarvis, President and Vice-Chancellor

Chosen from almost 100 applicants, members of the DUA will build connections between academia and the defence sector, creating a pipeline of skilled people into national security-critical career pathways in cyber security, robotics, AI, aerospace engineering and advanced manufacturing.

As we prepare for warfighting readiness, working with universities, students and innovators boosts skills and helps keep our country safe. 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.

In this new era of threat, our £182 million defence skills package is helping to create opportunities for students, apprentices and young people, making sure our historic £298 billion defence investment is an engine for growth across the UK, and building on the more than 272,000 industry jobs supported by MOD spending. Luke Pollard MP, Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry

This flagship alliance follows an £80 million Ministry of Defence investment in 2,500 student places across 24 universities and colleges, including the University of Surrey. It forms part of the Government’s £182 million defence skills package, strengthening the UK’s talent pipeline, supporting economic growth, and ensuring every region benefits from the MOD’s historic £298 billion defence investment over the next four years.

The UK also recently announced the establishment of five Defence Technical Excellence Colleges, backed by £50 million to boost skills in advanced manufacturing, engineering and technology while driving growth across the UK.

The Defence Universities Alliance represents a genuinely transformative step forward in how Defence partners with the UK’s world-leading academic sector. By bringing together our shared expertise, ambition and innovation, the Alliance will help us tackle some of the most complex challenges facing Defence at a strategic level. I am incredibly excited about the opportunities this creates. The DUA will fundamentally change the way Defence, universities and industry work together - strengthening our national security, creating strategic advantage and supporting growth to deliver better outcomes for the UK. Professor Tim Dafforn, Chief Scientific Adviser, Ministry of Defence

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Prof Stephen Jarvis

President and Vice-Chancellor

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