Defence Technical Undergraduate Scheme

The Defence Technical Undergraduate Scheme (DTUS) is for students who want to join the Royal Navy, Army, Royal Air Force, or the Civil Service after they graduate. Students are sponsored by the Ministry of Defence (United Kingdom) to study IEng or CEng accredited engineering degree programmes.

Background

The Defence Technical Undergraduate Scheme (DTUS) was created following the 2001 Defence Training Review (DTR). The DTR identified that the Royal Navy, British Army, Royal Air Force and MOD Civil Service had difficulties in recruiting engineering officers. As a result DTUS was created whereby sponsored students study at 6 partner universities. Additionally, those individuals with high A-level grades get the opportunity to study at Oxford or Cambridge universities.

Support Units

All students belong to a support unit who are responsible for their leadership development, mentorship and administration. There are 4 support units throughout the UK:

Taurus Squadron based in Birmingham supports students at Aston University and the University of Birmingham. It also administers students at the University of Oxford.

Thunderer Squadron based in Southampton which supports students at University of Southampton.

Trojan Squadron based in Newcastle which supports students at Newcastle and Northumbria universities.

Typhoon Squadron based in Loughborough which supports students at Loughborough University. It also administers students at Cambridge university.

Staffing

Each support unit is commanded by the same equivalent rank from each Service; Taurus and Trojan Squadrons – Lieutenant Colonel, Thunderer Squadron – Commander and Typhoon Squadron – Wing Commander. There are a Royal Navy Lieutenant, an Army Captain and a Royal Air Force Flight Lieutenant working as Training Officers in each Squadron. Additionally at each Squadron there is a SNCO from the same service as the Commanding Officer and a civilian Administrator. Assisting at Squadron are In-Service Degree Officers who are Army Commissioned Officers reading for a degree at the partner university.

Each sponsored student holds the rank of Officer Cadet (Midshipman for Royal Navy sponsored students) and students bound for the military hold a commission in their respective reserve force.

University of Aston [1]

MoD Factsheet [2]