Our story

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Engineers matter. They invent, design, and build technology that makes the world better. They’re crucial not just to the future of Dyson, but to the world. There’s already an annual shortfall of 59,000 engineers (EngineeringUK, 2018), and demand is rising. A traditional approach to education isn’t going to be enough.

The engineers we are educating today will work in roles that don’t yet exist, solving problems we can’t currently conceptualise. We don’t just need more engineers – we need engineers capable of thriving in a rapidly changing world, with both academic calibre and technical know-how.

The Dyson Institute was set up as a direct response to this urgent need, pioneering a new approach to higher education that develops the engineering leaders of the future through a combination of high-quality, innovative academic programmes with work on live engineering projects.

59k

annual shortfall of engineers

    • June 2002

      James Dyson Foundation

      For decades, Sir James Dyson has tackled a systemic problem...

    • October 2010

      Investing in higher education

      Across the next two decades, the James Dyson Foundation worked to intervene...

    • February 2016

      The challenge

      In 2016, James asked the then Minister for Universities...

    • September 2017

      Dyson Institute of Engineering and Technology

      In September 2017, the Dyson Institute of Engineering and Technology opened its doors...

    • December 2020

      New Degree Awarding Powers

      Then, in 2020, following a rigorous assessment by the Quality Assurance Agency...

    • November 2023

      Launch of MEng and MSc programmes

      Sir James Dyson announced the next stage of development for the Dyson Institute......

    • November 2024

      Present day

      We offer an alternative choice to traditional university provision...

James Dyson Foundation

For decades, Sir James Dyson has tackled a systemic problem: the UK’s shortage of engineers. In 2002, he set up the James Dyson Foundation. A charity with a simple mission: to challenge misconceptions about engineering and encourage more young people to consider careers in engineering.  

Investing in higher education

Across the next two decades, the James Dyson Foundation worked to intervene in the skills crisis, through free educational resources, international design engineering competitions and philanthropic donations to schools and students. Alongside that work, the Foundation supported major initiatives to improve engineering education in the UK. This has included over £23 million of donations to universities and their engineering students.

The challenge

In 2016, James asked the then Minister for Universities – Jo Johnson MP – what the UK government was doing about the engineering skills crisis. Jo responded with a challenge; that James should set up his own higher education institution for aspiring engineers.

Dyson Institute of Engineering and Technology

In September 2017, the Dyson Institute of Engineering and Technology opened its doors, offering approximately 40 undergraduates per year the opportunity to study for a degree delivered and awarded by the University of Warwick, while also being employed within Dyson’s global engineering team. It was the natural next step in James’ support for re-engineering education.

New Degree Awarding Powers

In 2020, following a rigorous assessment by the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education, we were awarded New Degree Awarding Powers. This enabled us to open admissions for our first independent intake, whose degree is delivered and awarded by the Dyson Institute. The first independent cohort joined us in September 2021.  

Launch of MEng and MSc programmes

Sir James Dyson announced the next stage of development for the Dyson Institute with the update and launch of new programmes, including our plans for an integrated MEng and an MSc conversion programme.

Present day

We offer an alternative choice to traditional university provision, with an approach built on established methodologies of teaching and learning, while at the same time pioneering non-traditional programmes of engineering knowledge, professional workplace application and leadership development. An agile institution, quick to respond to feedback and completely committed to continuous improvement. 

I believe a new education model is important if we are to create the generation of problem solvers that we so badly need. Korea, Singapore, and other ambitious countries around the globe understand and celebrate the immense wealth-creating ability of engineers. Conversely, Britain’s economy has long suffered from an acute skills shortage. We can’t stand on the side lines watching while the world engages in a knowledge and technology race.

Sir James Dyson
Founder