Government announces cash boost for science degrees

The government has announced a £1 billion package to create 65 new science-focused training centres in universities across the UK.

The majority of opportunities will be led from outside the South-East of England, with more than 350 places for students in Glasgow, over 300 in Edinburgh, over 250 in Bristol and over 150 in Sheffield and Manchester respectively – with the aim of giving more UK students the chance to fulfil their ambitions closer to home.

Centres will lead on specific areas of strategic importance to the UK – including progress in the five critical technologies of AI, engineering biology, future telecommunications, semiconductors, and quantum.

Science and Technology Secretary, Michelle Donelan, said: “As innovators across the world break new ground faster than ever, it is vital that government, business and academia invests in ambitious UK talent, giving them the tools to pioneer new discoveries that benefit all our lives while creating new jobs and growing the economy.

“By targeting critical technologies including artificial intelligence and future telecoms, we are supporting world class universities across the UK to build the skills base we need to unleash the potential of future tech and maintain our country’s reputation as a hub of cutting-edge research and development.”

More than £500m of the funding will come from central Government and research agencies including the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) and a further £420m from hundreds of businesses in areas as diverse as aerospace, communications, energy, manufacturing and pharmaceuticals; charities and £170m from UK universities.