'Disappointed': Portsmouth snubbed for defence university funding despite having Royal Navy on doorstep

Crucial investment in defence skills will not be coming to Portsmouth as the city’s university was snubbed for funded placements.

The government issued £80m worth of grants for 2,500 university placements in courses linked to the defence sector. Despite hosting minister for defence readiness and industry Luke Pollard when the policy was announced, and its strong ties with the Royal Navy, the University of Portsmouth was not among the 24 institutions chosen.

A spokesperson said: “Despite submitting a strong bid, we are disappointed by the decision. We will review all the information once we receive formal notification and detail of why the bid was refused.”

They added: “While we had hoped to receive a share of this important funding, we welcome and congratulate the other universities in our region on their allocations and look forward to seeing the exciting projects this investment will support.

“Defence and national security remain areas of significant strength and focus at the University of Portsmouth, and we are committed to continuing to provide outstanding education for students pursuing careers in the sector. We are firmly committed to engaging with future funding initiatives and play our part in building the skilled workforce the UK's defence industry needs.”

The government funding could also have been used to improve and expand its teaching facilities. These winners, including the University of Southampton, University of Winchester, and Bournemouth University Higher Education Corporation, will help provide the defence industry with the future workforce it needs. The 24 were selected from 112 applicants.

They will receive a share of the £50m for the course placements, and a separate £30m to support the capacity growth over the next decade. Recommendations in the Strategic Defence Review included action to boost the pipeline of skilled workers who can contribute to the UK’s national security.

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The funding will also support the creation of new undergraduate degrees in areas such as Cyber Defence Intelligence and Autonomous Systems and increase defence-related industry placements and projects. New placements will materialise from this autumn.

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.”

Full list of 24 chosen universities:

• Bournemouth University Higher Education Corporation
• University of Winchester
• Lincoln College
• City College Plymouth
• The University of Birmingham
• University of Liverpool
• Birmingham City University
• University of Durham
• University of Lincoln
• University of Sheffield
• University of Southampton
• The University of Surrey
• Teesside University
• The University of Warwick
• The University of Westminster
• Yeovil College
• Aston University
• University of Exeter
• University of Newcastle upon Tyne
• University of Plymouth
• The University of Cumbria
• St Mary’s University, Twickenham, London
• The University of Bath
• New Model Institute for Technology and Engineering