Students commence first ever UK space degree apprenticeship programme

The programme has been designed in partnership with BAE Systems Digital Intelligence to drive technological innovation whilst preparing students for prosperous careers within the ever-growing and highly technical space sector.

Apprentices enrolled on the four-year course will have the opportunity to learn and develop both theoretical and practical knowledge. These include studying modules such as Space Systems Engineering and Simulation and Space Propulsion and Aircraft Dynamics, whilst visiting an array of external locations including BAE Systems sites in Alton and Guildford.

Students will also have the unique opportunity to participate in a range of exciting projects including the Azalea programme, which is due to launch its first multi-sensor low earth orbit satellite cluster next year, alongside building an array of connections across the industry.

David, 31, is one of the first five students in the UK to have the opportunity to study the Space Systems Engineering degree apprenticeship programme. He explained how he came across the opportunity: “I attended a careers fair in Liverpool and met a BAE Systems apprentice who was a similar age to me. I didn't realise that was something I could do at my age, so I did some digging online and came across the space engineer apprenticeship.

“I've always been interested in space since a very young age but I thought I’d have to move to somewhere like America to pursue a career in the industry. It was a big surprise to find out that the UK is fast becoming a serious player in the space sector!”

Dr Jovana Radulovic, Director of Education Strategy at the University of Portsmouth, added: “As we welcome the first cohort of students on the campus, the University is looking forward to working with local employers to grow the space engineering provision and address the skills gap in this strategically important industrial area.”

The course has been closely followed by an exciting new project for the University which has been made possible after £2.1m of funding was announced by the UK Space Agency.

The project, which is one of five, is set to enable companies to address and overcome skills gaps in a range of areas from artificial intelligence (AI) to software and data. With expert delivery from the Space South Central partnership of universities, it will provide the necessary knowledge and expertise to upskill individuals on the advancements in technology and the ever-changing landscape of the space industry. 

Both projects support the collaboration between the University of Portsmouth and those within the industry, further supporting Portsmouth’s National Space Strategy.

Doug Liddle, Director, Space at BAE Systems’ Digital Intelligence business, said: “Welcoming the UK’s first five Space Systems Engineering degree apprentices is a vital step to attract the next generation of talent into our growing space sector. The skills gap faced today poses a significant challenge to the future of the sector. So it’s critical that we encourage and invest in future space engineers to support the UK‘s ambition to become a space science and technology superpower and ensure we stay ahead in the New Space Age. The sky is no longer the limit!”

The University is keen to widen this apprenticeship offer to further employers in the space sector. Employers or potential students are invited to contact us to find out how to get involved via degree-apprenticeship-office@port.ac.uk or call the team on +44 (0)23 9284 3865.

The University is home to a Mission Design facility to help people design spacecraft and missions, ASTA Technology - the UK’s only ESA-accredited provider of space engineering training - and a founding partner of Space South Central.

It is also developing plans for a Portsmouth Research Institute for Space Missions (PRISM) which will bring all its space activity under one roof, including mission design, and will be closely connected to the Institute of Cosmology and Gravitation (ICG).