The University of Sheffield leads the UK in engineering research income and investment, according to the latest figures from the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA), with contribution from the Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC). 

The stats, published annually, show that Sheffield attracted the highest level of funding for engineering research for two academic years in a row – 2021/22 and 2022/23 – more than any other UK university, including Cambridge, Oxford and Imperial College London. In 2021/22 the University of Sheffield received £121 million and in 2022/23 it received £110 million.

Across the two years, industry and the UK government provided the most funding, with over £70 million invested by each, followed by UKRI (mostly the EPSRC) with almost £60 million. The remaining funding came from charities and other organisations. The figures demonstrate the vital role the University is playing in driving innovation and encouraging inward investment, both in South Yorkshire and nationally.

The HESA data covers projects from across the University of Sheffield’s Faculty of Engineering and research centres including the AMRC.

Professor Ben Morgan, interim chief executive officer at the University of Sheffield AMRC, said: “This remarkable achievement reflects the world-class expertise we possess at the AMRC and across the University.

“The AMRC is driving impactful research across aerospace, defence and nuclear energy, while leveraging our capabilities to address critical challenges and opportunities in advanced manufacturing - putting South Yorkshire, north Wales and Lancashire on the map for innovation and technological development.

“Our industry and government partnerships, like those with Rolls-Royce and Boeing, further demonstrate our commitment to real-world solutions and our drive to push the boundaries of what's possible. We're incredibly proud to be part of the University of Sheffield's thriving research ecosystem and excited to continue shaping the future of innovation.”

At the AMRC, engineers are leading projects to address key manufacturing challenges in the production of electrical machines, motors and generators for high value sectors such as aerospace, renewable energy and automotive. As part of the Future Electrical Machines Manufacturing Hub, AMRC engineers are developing a remote laser cutting process that is three times faster than conventional methods. 

AMRC researchers are accelerating decarbonisation throughout Yorkshire and the Humber - the UK’s most carbon-intensive industrial region. The Zero Carbon Humber project could help the region reach net zero by 2040 through low carbon hydrogen, carbon capture and carbon removal technology.

The AMRC is also leading on a project to revitalise the traditional aluminium casting process for the future of aviation. Funded by the Aerospace Technology Institute (ATI), the project is demonstrating how technology and optimisation can make casting a more sustainable and efficient manufacturing method. 

Professor Koen Lamberts, president and vice-chancellor of the University of Sheffield, said: “I would like to congratulate my colleagues from across the University of Sheffield’s Faculty of Engineering, AMRC and research centres on this significant achievement – attracting more engineering investment than any other university in the UK is a remarkable feat. 

“Sheffield’s position is a testament to the confidence that industry and research funders have in the capabilities of the University and the region. As the government looks to turbo-charge innovation-led growth by strengthening connections between the Oxford-Cambridge Growth Corridor and the rest of the UK, innovation hubs in areas like South Yorkshire can play a key role in offering innovative companies both R&D expertise and space to scale-up operations.  

“I would also like to thank our partners in the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority and regional government for helping to create the conditions needed to attract funding from a range of sources.”

One of the biggest projects included in the figures is investment in the National Epitaxy Facility at Sheffield, which is a critical part of the UK’s semiconductor capabilities and supports the government’s Semiconductor and Quantum Technologies Strategies. The facility provides the key materials needed to develop new semiconductor technology and underpins semiconductor R&D between universities and industry across the whole of the UK.

Professor Conchúr Ó Brádaigh, vice-president for engineering at the University of Sheffield, said: “The data from HESA shows that Sheffield is one of the UK’s strongest engineering universities and a real asset to the nation’s R&D capabilities. We are very proud of our track record not only in fundamental research, but in our ability to translate this at scale into meaningful outcomes for industry.

"Aside from this impact on industry, innovation and growth, our research also informs our teaching as we train the next generation of engineers. We have one the biggest cohorts of engineering students in the UK and our approach to research-led teaching ensures they are developing the skills needed throughout industry and society.” 

Further examples of Sheffield’s engineering research includes the ROSEHIPS project, which is revolutionising how high value infrastructure throughout the UK is monitored and maintained, such as major bridges, vital to the UK’s transport infrastructure, and offshore wind turbines that are key to the UK’s energy supply.

Sheffield was also awarded funding to establish a UK-first Sustainable Aviation Fuels Innovation Centre (SAF-IC). Built in the University’s Innovation District on the former site of Sheffield City Airport, which closed in 2008, the facility is developing, testing and helping to certify new sustainable aviation fuels. It is considered one of the most advanced facilities of its kind in Europe, is working with aviation leaders such as Boeing and UK fuel producers, and is putting the UK at the very forefront of efforts to reduce global aviation emissions.

HESA data on UK universities research funding can be found here.