SPONSORSHIP of £50,000 from a Madley company has given Hereford’s future university a boost to create a condensed three year engineering course.

Specialist engineering company ETL Systems Ltd in Madley is giving the money to the New Model in Technology and Engineering (NMiTE) for its curriculum project which begins next month.

Engineering employers from across the UK will be invited to join NMiTE's curriculum team in developing a revolutionary MEng course, condensed from four to three years that will deliver work-ready engineers from 2021.

ETL's managing director Ian Hilditch said: "We are delighted to be able to support this vital piece of work in preparing for NMiTE to open its doors in 2019.

"What my board welcomed about NMiTE's approach was their commitment to secure the intimate involvement of engineering and technology companies in all aspects of the creation of Britain’s first wholly new university for over 40 years."

NMiTE will teach three 46-week academic years using the block or module timetabling system enabling a four year MEng degree to be completed in three years.

Mr Hilditch added: “By working with cutting edge companies like ETL, recognised as a global leader in satellite and radio-frequency communications technology, the university team will be able to give undergraduates a fantastic learning-by-doing education that equips them with the competencies and innovation skills that industry desperately needs.”

Dr Helen Rogers, NMiTE's curriculum team lead, said ETL's support means they can accelerate their work to meet the April 2018 deadline for the high level curriculum to be approved.

NMiTE is working with the Institution of Engineering &Technology, CBI and EEF to develop its degree programmes.

In 15 to 20 years time the university team hope there will be five or six academic buildings around the city, ten to 15 sets of student accommodation and at least one research facility in Rotherwas.