James Dyson to open Institute of Technology to develop home-grown engineers

Fee-free four-year degrees authenticated by the University of Warwick - with a £15,000 per annum bursary for 25 lucky students

Entrepreneur and serial inventor James Dyson has finally managed to establish his own college for developing UK engineering talent.

It follows years of bureaucratic battles with local authorities in and around Bristol, where he wanted to establish the college.

The Dyson Institute of Technology will be based in Malmesbury, Wiltshire, and will open in the autumn of 2017. The institute's courses will offer a mix of hands-on engineering with degree-level teaching provided on site by the University of Warwick.

"In your first two years, you'll study general engineering modules. Assessment will be through exams and live Dyson projects," the institute's website states.

"Across years three and four, you will have the option to specialise in mechanical engineering, electronics or a combination of mechanical engineering and electronics."

The first intake of students will be only 25 strong, but Dyson hopes to grow the institute to become a fully-fledged university with the ability to issue its own degrees.

The website also lists several potential areas in which students will work if they are chosen as one of the first 25.

"With Dyson's expertise across motors, fluid dynamics, separation systems, energy storage, robotics, software, aerodynamics and hair science, you'll have the chance to work in a number of technical disciplines," it said.

Perhaps even more useful for those interested in attending is that there are no fees and students will be paid for their time working at the institute.

However, entry won't be easy. Applicants need at least AAB at A-level or equivalent "including an A grade in mathematics and at least one other science, technology or engineering-related subject".

Dyson explained that the mix of experiences will ensure that students are better prepared for the real world when they graduate.

"The new degree course offers academic theory, a real-world job and salary and access to experts in their field," he told the BBC.

Universities minister Jo Johnson added that the institute will play a vital role in producing talented engineers for the future.

"The Dyson Institute of Technology will not only offer students the chance to study on cutting-edge degree-level programmes, it will play a vital role in educating the next generation of much-needed engineers," he said.