With the support of a £2.4 million grant from the Office for Students (OfS), the University of Hull is set to make a major investment in engineering education and infrastructure. The project aims to address the critical engineering skills gap in the Humber region, while also strengthening the UK’s clean energy ambitions.
From September 2026, the University will be host to new Civil Engineering programmes. This response is in relation to the Hull and East Yorkshire Local Skills Improvement Plan (LSIP), which highlighted an urgent need for engineering and construction skills. Partnering with industry, the programme is designed to aid in the development of key skills for the regional workforce.
The Humber plays a key role in national energy production, generating more than 20% of the UK’s energy. It holds 35% of the country’s offshore wind capacity, as well as managing a fifth of all natural gas imports. It is also uniquely vulnerable to environmental challenges, being home to the UK’s second most flood-susceptible city and fastest eroding coastline.
Professor John Craig, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Education at the University, said: “As the needs of our students and the world around us evolve, we’re committed to leading change by designing inclusive, agile courses that prepare graduates to be innovators and problem-solvers. Our new programmes reflect this vision, equipping learners to address regional priorities and at the same time investing in the skills and infrastructure needed to support the Humber’s clean energy future. This investment reflects our shared ambition with local stakeholders to build a resilient, skilled workforce capable of driving the region’s clean energy future.”
The program includes a state-of-the-art engineering laboratory to support the new program. This facility, whilst enhancing student experience and curriculum innovation, will also help improve the environmental sustainability of the University’s own estate.
Professor Mark Anderson, Interim Executive Dean of the Faculty of Science and Engineering, said: “It has always been our vision to establish this course, but OfS funding allows us to take that vision further, creating a high-quality learning environment that ensures graduates are industry-ready from day one. These new programmes will equip students with the expertise to thrive in a rapidly evolving sector and contribute meaningfully to the UK’s clean energy ambitions.”
The funding was distributed on a merit basis, meaning the University of Hull has a clear strategy on how it will use the resources afforded in a sustainable capacity. About the event, OfS Director of Resources and Finance, Nolan Smith, said: “This was a very competitive funding round, and the projects we are supporting will make a tangible difference to current and future students. As well as expanding opportunities for students in strategically important subject areas, these projects will offer a boost to local and regional economies and promote national growth.”
Universities play a key role in the workforce. As places of education, they enable a workforce to gain the necessary skills for a high-growth economy. Further, they can act in their own right as institutions to aid initiatives in their own region. In this particular case, the University of Hull is combining both its responsibility to its students and the surrounding area to promote a sustainable future through its engineering program.
