Defence College for Military Capability Integration

The Defence WOME Engineering School (DWES) ensures Weapons, Ordnance, Munitions and Explosives (WOME) safety at home and on operations. The aim is to educate defence personnel in the principles of WOME to allow future threats to be assessed and mitigated, providing an adaptive capability for future conflicts and operations.

Key to delivery of kinetic effects is ammunition. The ability to deliver the fundamental education of the key principles of WOME is the niche capability provided by the DWES.

We ensure that the MOD can train the personnel required to safely store, repair, inspect and dispose of its in-service ammunition. We educate user groups, so they can understand capabilities, limitations and risks associated with WOME.

Due to its unique specialisation and links with Cranfield University, DWES supports the delivery of applied science principles to deliver fuel, laser and counter-improvised explosive devices  capabilities.

We deliver fundamental education to the army ammunition technical courses, thus ensuring that the MOD has a core of professional explosive engineers.  Through collaboration with other government departments, an intellectual edge of WOME research and development is maintained, working in consultation with industry partners enhance the industrial base and professional network.

To develop the technical knowledge and skills to enable effective capability development and project management in defence.

The Defence Technology Integration School (DTIS) aims to provide technical education that supports the MOD’s capability development programmes. It combines the academic excellence of Cranfield University with the practical experience of military capability and acquisition directing staff to deliver packages that encompass science/technical theory and procurement process to ensure effective integration of military capability across the defence lines of development and domains. The capstone Battlespace Technology Course provides a technical education to develop a broad understanding of fundamental technologies, acquisition, and support. It provides a deep understanding of a battlespace sub-set and its integration. This will enable graduates to contribute effectively to the defence capability delivery.

The aim of the Defence Air and Space Technology School (DASTS) is to prepare UK and overseas military officers, senior non-commissioned officers, and civil servants for demanding aviation-related roles in support of aviation duty holders. This is required by the Military Aviation Authority and recommended by Lord Justice Haddon-Cave QC.

The Defence Air and Space Technology School (DASTS), in partnership with Cranfield University, is responsible for delivering courses up to and including master’s level. The portfolio is mostly centred on preparing selected students for a variety of specialist roles in military airworthiness and test and evaluation, with a space sub-portfolio currently under development.

The Defence Modelling and Simulation School (DMSS) provides education for all ranks, at every operational level, on all aspects of simulation, modelling and wargaming.

The school delivers simulation and modelling pathways, up to master’s level, for defence customers helping to develop an adversarial perspective for fighting in the ‘Information Age’, through simulation, wargaming and the study of threats.

Simulation, modelling, operational analysis/research and wargaming offer the ability to deliver value to defence at all levels, by permitting the examination of systems, processes and equipment in a repeatable manner that is safe, cheaper, and with a much-reduced impact on the environment, than using real equipment.

More than 60% of the MOD’s regular training activities can benefit from modelling and simulation. The school delivers courses up to master’s level in simulation, modelling, and operational analysis/research and also provides advice and guidance to MOD teams managing the delivery of simulation capabilities across defence.

In addition, we provide advice on the use of wargaming to MOD, other government departments and worldwide to other partner governments and agencies.

The Digital and Information School designs, develops and delivers information, knowledge, data and digital education and training for specialists and generalists, and defence leaders and practitioners across the rank range from OR2 – 4* and civil servant equivalents. These courses enable them to embrace digital transformation, deliver ‘Information Advantage’, and achieve success on operations across all domains.

Defence has identified that digital and information are key strategic assets, second only to personnel. To this end, personnel with digital and information skills are required across the knowledge and information management, cyber security, and digital data and technology job families, in-line with the vision set out in the Integrated Review, the intent of the defence plan, and the direction of defence’s digital and data strategies.

A centre of excellence for cyber learning, development and outreach for UK defence and government, providing technical skills and specialist education.

The UK population and economy have become deeply dependent on cyberspace and the electromagnetic environments. Defence of the UK in and through cyberspace and the electromagnetic space is a national responsibility in which defence plays a supporting role. Defence recognises that it will be increasingly engaged and responsible for protecting and preserving UK's use and access to cyberspace and has identified that it must rapidly develop its workforce to compete effectively with its adversaries.

In 2021, defence committed to addressing its cyber skills gaps by investing in a new Defence Cyber Academy (DCA) responsible for delivering specialist cyber training, broader cyber education and engagement with other government departments, international partners, industry and academia.

The DCA provides a focus for foundation and role-specific cyber training for operators and practitioners as well as strategic cyber education for generalists and defence leaders across the rank range OR2 – 2* and civil servant equivalents. These courses prepare students for integrated operating and campaigning roles across the cyber community, delivering in support global, multi-domain operations.

Supporting young people preparing for Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) careers in the UK armed forces or MOD Civil Service. To sustain the MOD’s requirements for technical specialists, it shapes the next generation of talent and skills in response to the pace of change in military capabilities, technology and cyber.

The Defence STEM Undergraduate Sponsorship (DSUS) Scheme offers a new opportunity for STEM Undergraduates interested in a future in defence in one of the three armed services or MOD Civil Service as engineers or technical officers.

Successful applicants will be sponsored through three years of university study, incorporating tuition fees (where applicable), an annual bursary and up to 45 days paid placements or activity throughout the academic year and holiday periods. Once graduated, applicants will be guaranteed a position of employment within their sponsoring organisation as an officer within the military or higher executive officer within the MOD Civil Service.

Military DSUS students have opportunities to familiarise themselves with military life through attachments, sporting and adventurous training activities. Military students join their respective university service unit (University Royal Navy, University Officer Training Corps or University Air Squadron) to build fitness and develop leadership skills. MOD civil servants are offered paid placements within their sponsoring agency.

The Defence Technical Officer and Engineer Entry Scheme (DTOEES) supports students at 11 partner universities through a network of four Defence Technical Undergraduate Scheme (DTUS) squadrons. This will close in September 2024.

To help prepare students entering the armed forces for initial officer training, the squadrons provide personal and physical development opportunities and wider pastoral support as required, in addition to the university academic programme. The STEM Undergraduate Group provides military support and guidance as it fuses Service requirements and development delivered through the DTUS squadrons.

The STEM Undergraduate Group was responsible for the Welbeck Defence Sixth Form College (DSFC) before its closure in 2021 and is currently administering the refund of the Default Event Recovery charge.

The Default Event Recovery (DER) payment applied in certain cases where students left Welbeck DSFC or the Defence Technical Officer Engineer and Entry Scheme (DTOEES) without joining Defence. A review into the calculation of the charge concluded that, between 2005 and 2019, it had not been correctly applied and consequently parents and guardians had, regrettably, been overcharged. Parents or guardians who paid a bill for the DER charge are due a refund.  
The error only affects students who attended between 2005 and 2019.

The scheme does not refund Parental Maintenance Contributions (PMCs) or other bills associated with Welbeck.

Bursaries are not administered by this office, and we are not aware of any similar error with their payment or recovery which requires correction.

All claims must be concluded before the scheme ceases on 1 September 2024. Applicants should apply as soon as possible and no later than six weeks in advance of that date.

Enquiries should be emailed to the DEFAC-DTOEES-HQ@mod.gov.uk. A proforma will be sent to you for completion.