It is the second consecutive contract the University has won in this area, following one which saw around 900 personnel complete Foundation Degree programmes with the University. The first intake under the new contract begins in September 2026.
Serving personnel study part-time alongside their careers, working towards Foundation Degrees across a range of specialisms: Mechanical Systems, Aeronautical Systems, Electronic and Telecommunications, General Engineering, Intelligence and Cyber Security, and Computer Science and Technology.
The programmes are also open to Royal Navy and Army personnel, other RAF learners, and Ministry of Defence veterans and Reservists who meet the entry criteria and all of the courses are registered with the Enhanced Learning Credits Administration Scheme (ELCAS).
Professor Philip Plowden, Interim Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive at the University of Staffordshire, said: “Being trusted with a second contract by the RAF speaks to the strength of what our teams have built together. These programmes give serving personnel a genuine route to higher-level qualifications alongside their careers, and this new contract lets us extend that to even more of them.”
Lisa Davies, Head of Business Engagement at the University of Staffordshire, added: “This partnership has grown year on year – from around 900 personnel through our first Foundation Degree programmes with the RAF, to a new contract now supporting up to 1,500. That growth reflects real trust, and the breadth of what the University of Staffordshire can offer across engineering, cyber, computing and beyond."
Wing Commander David Oatley, from the Engineering Profession Advisors Team , Royal Air Force, said: "This contract reflects the strength of our partnership with the University of Staffordshire in developing the technical skills our personnel need across Engineering, Cyber and Computing. We look forward to continuing to work together to support our people’s professional development."
The contract forms part of the University’s wider work with the Ministry of Defence, which last month saw it secure a new six-year contract with the British Army to deliver Level 6 Leadership and Management apprenticeship training to more than 700 Army personnel.
Photo: Cpl Lee Matthews / UK Ministry of Defence / Crown copyright, licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0