United Kingdom Announces Civil-Military Bachelor’s Degree for Technical Specialists in Unmanned Aerial Vehicles

The British Armed Forces are launching a new educational program to train engineers in the field of unmanned systems, focused directly on defense needs.

This is a new bachelor’s degree in unmanned aerial vehicle technology, which is intended to provide a fast track into the field of advanced military technology for civilian and military specialists, according to the UK Ministry of Defense.

The course will start in September 2026 and is already open for enrollment at the New Model Institute of Technology and Engineering (NMITE) in Hereford.

The program is being implemented with the support of the British Army, which sees it as a tool for accelerated training for current and future conflicts.

“Graduates of the course will be able to work in both the military and civilian and commercial sectors of unmanned technology,” said UK Minister for the Armed Forces Al Carnes while visiting NMITE.

According to him, the program will contribute to the development of local talent, the accumulation of expert experience, and the strengthening of the country’s technological base.

According to the official announcement, the UK Ministry of Defense is investing £240,000 to launch and run the three-year course.

Each year, groups of civilian students will be trained, as well as up to five military personnel, who will be trained as specialists in the design, repair, and modernization of drones.

The course is part of a broader initiative within the Strategic Defense Review, which aims to increase the effectiveness of the British armed forces tenfold through the integration of artificial intelligence, drones, and autonomous systems.

“The curriculum takes into account the experience of modern warfare, particularly the fighting in Ukraine, where drones have become a critical element of the battlefield,” said Army Training Colonel Toby Till.

According to him, there are plans to scale up the NMITE model in the future, and next year, every brigade of the British Army will undergo appropriate training and transfer the acquired skills directly to the troops.

As a reminder, the British Armed Forces have begun training their military personnel to operate strike FPV drones at the new UAV Operator Training Center.