OfS funding boost for UCB projects | News | University College Birmingham

January 2026

University College Birmingham awarded £900,000 capital funding investment

By Claire Huggins

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We’re excited to announce that we’ve been awarded £900,000 as part of the Office for Students (OfS) capital funding. The funds will get invested directly into projects designed to enhance our student experience.

The OfS funding is allocated in accordance with a robust bidding process that aims to ensure the funds are distributed as widely as possible. Eligible training and education providers in England could bid for a minimum sum of £150k and a maximum of £2.5 million. All bids were judged as to how well they met the following criteria:

the funding was for relevant expenditure (as defined in the OfS’ ‘Capital funding allocations and outcomes for financial year 2025-26’ document)
the project and associated risks will be well managed, and the project will provide value for money and support environmental sustainability in reducing energy usage.

Investment of the allocated funds by further and higher education providers should prioritise both innovative and exciting opportunities for students, alongside supporting local business, the regional economy and national growth, in alignment with government objectives.

“It’s an exciting opportunity for University College Birmingham, this allocation of funds recognises the work we’re already doing to enhance our student experience and empowers us to do more,” said Professor Rosa Wells, FE Principal and Dean for STEM.

“The funding also represents a chance to support local employers to ensure that our students' experience aligns with their needs. Producing graduates, not just with the skills our network of employers is telling us they desperately need, but the confidence to enter the workplace and use those skills to make an impact.”

We are only one of only 60 institutions from across England to have been awarded funds, and will use the £900,000 investment to deliver two capital expenditure projects.

AI and Robotics

The government’s Industrial Strategy identifies key sectors for growth that include advanced manufacturing, automation, clean energy industries and modern construction. These investments will enhance student and apprentice access to the real-world technologies used in these sectors, and they respond directly to the West Midlands Local Skills Improvement Plan (LSIP), building on our role as a regional leader in battery manufacturing education and sustainable infrastructure skills.

Our AI and robotics labs will include robotic arms, drones, programmable sensor kits and AI-capable computing infrastructure. We will also be investing in additional equipment to support training related to battery technologies.

The funds will also be used to update and refurbish our existing engineering and construction spaces to ensure that they are flexible and adaptable for interdisciplinary delivery.

"This allocation of funds recognises the work we’re already doing to enhance our student experience and empowers us to do more.”

Professor Rosa Wells FE Principal and Dean for STEM

Health and Social Care

A priority for Skills England and the NHS, the health and social care sector is crying out for workers with specialised skills and who are digitally savvy.

Our health and social care project will give students the chance to train for real life scenarios, putting their skills into practice and bringing the theory to life. Mirno Virtual Patients will offer immersive learning opportunities without the need for a physical body or person. Simulated community spaces will bring together a range of digital case studies based on lived experience.

This innovative approach brings students as close to working in the sector and with living patients as you can get, before they enter the workforce, and the technology selected has been done so in consultation with employers, to ensure it aligns with occupational standards.

“This investment is vitally important to us and the experience we’re able to provide our students,” said Stephen Garvey, Vice Dean - School of Health, Life Sciences and Education.

“The ability to simulate real-world environments and scenarios, so that students can practically apply their theoretical knowledge in a safe environment, is crucial to their development as future professionals.”

Work has already begun on implementing these projects, with completion expected in March 2026 and students accessing the facilities when they return for the summer term starting in April.

Looking ahead, alongside the capital investment, we continue to invest in staff development to ensure academic and technical teams are fully trained, and ready to maximise the impact of the new equipment and learning environments. Our confident and innovative teaching will ensure students gain the greatest possible benefit from the facilities.

Throughout the delivery and implementation of both projects, our network of local and regional employers and partners will be actively engaged in curriculum development. There will also be chances for them to see the new technology in action, explore opportunities for collaboration, guest speaking and applied projects.

“This year’s funding allocation will help a broad range of universities and colleges to ensure their students can access the facilities and equipment they need to succeed,” said OfS Director of Resources and Finance, Nolan Smith.

“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.”