De Montfort University (DMU) will launch a future focused London campus this month, as it aims to help businesses meet growing skills demands around AI and sustainability.
DMU London, which delivers an exclusive range of applied business, digital and leadership courses, will host United Nations, business and higher education leaders at a launch event at its new campus in Aldgate East on Thursday, 14 May.
The campus has been designed to link academic study more closely with industry practice, with employers involved in course design and delivery to develop work-ready talent equipped with AI, digital, leadership and sustainability skills.
Students work on live business challenges as part of their studies with the aim of graduating with practical experience alongside academic knowledge, with courses delivered through a block teaching model. The block teaching model focuses on one subject at a time and is taught over two days of timetabled classes to support those balancing study with work or other commitments, as well as students who commute from outside London.
The university has worked with organisations including IBM, Barclays, Deloitte and PwC, alongside startups such as fintech platform Ekko to shape its curriculum and industry placements, with courses including a Global MBA in Responsible Leadership, MSc International Business and Sustainability Management, MSc Project Management with Sustainability, MSc Cyber Security and Artificial Intelligence, and MSc Responsible Data Analytics and Bachelors in Management .
Students will take part in DMU’s EDGE skills development programme, which focuses on employability, digital skills, sustainability and enterprise as they complete projects based on real-world challenges.
Each course is focused on reinforcing and growing sustainable practices across industry, drawing on DMU’s position as the UK’s only United Nations Academic Impact Global Hub for Sustainable Cities and Communities, with sustainability embedded across teaching and partnerships in accordance with Sustainable Development Goal 11.
Senior leaders from the university and across the higher education sector will attend a launch event to mark the opening of this innovative new campus, alongside representatives from the United Nations, DMU alumni and students, as well as policymakers and industry leaders from technology, sustainability and professional services.
DMU London will also support local communities through a range of collaborative projects and partnerships, alongside developing CPD and executive education opportunities to upskill residents and local professionals.
Prof Katie Normington, Vice-Chancellor of De Montfort University, said:
“DMU London has been created to close the gap between what higher education provides and what modern economies require, and we are looking forward to welcoming a host of industry leaders, alumni and students to launch it with us.
“Our aim is to develop graduates who are not only academically strong, but able to apply their skills in real-world contexts from the outset, particularly in areas shaping the future of business such as AI, data and sustainability.
“By working closely with employers and embedding these priorities into our model, we are building a pipeline of talent that can support innovation, productivity and more sustainable growth.”
Sherri Aldis, Director of the UN Regional Information Centre for Western Europe, said:
“We will only achieve the Sustainable Development Goals through genuine collaboration between education, industry and communities. Universities have a vital role to play in equipping people not only with knowledge, but with the practical skills, creativity and partnerships needed to tackle the environmental and social challenges facing our world.
“As the only university in the UK to be a United Nations’ Academic Impact Hub Chair for one of the Sustainable Development Goals, De Montfort University has been demonstrating their sincere dedication to sustainability for years. The launch of the new campus takes this commitment even further, with its strong focus on the SDGs, and a model of learning that opens doors to people from a wide range of backgrounds, encouraging the inclusive innovation we need.”
Hannah Bernard, Group Director of Business Banking, Nationwide, added:
“The pace of change across AI, data and sustainability means the way we develop talent has to evolve just as quickly. We need graduates who can apply their knowledge in real-world settings, think critically about the impact of their decisions, and adapt as industries continue to transform.
“The approach DMU London is taking, collaborating closely with industry and putting sustainable thinking right at the centre of its teaching will ensure students gain the practical skills, experience and mindset we need if we’re serious about building a resilient, inclusive and sustainable economy.”
