Bookings open for the University of Leicester’s space CPD course
Individuals looking to start their journey into the global space industry can now guarantee their place at the University of Leicester’s space Professional Development Course.
Designed for professionals seeking to gain essential skills and knowledge, bookings for this transformative course officially opened on Monday, January 20.
Following its international launch in Milan last October, the programme has already received enthusiastic praise from participants, including Joseph Lee, Systems Engineer at Rolls Royce.
He said: "The University of Leicester CPD course offers a unique and valuable perspective on the global space industry.
“Covering varied topics across technical, legal, and business aspects, the material is both challenging and accessible.
“For companies, having employees attend this course enhances their workforce's skill set and understanding of navigating the space industry. I highly recommend it to anyone interested in this exciting sector."
This comprehensive programme, delivered in collaboration with Alden Legal and Meridian Space Command, provides insight into the entire space mission lifecycle — from concept to operations — alongside essential legal and regulatory knowledge.
Learners will benefit from sessions delivered by space scientists, engineers and commercial experts, drawing from over 60 years of experience in space, including significant roles in major missions including the James Webb Space Telescope, JUICE, BepiColombo, and Earth Observation missions, working with ESA, NASA, JAXA and a wide range of international industry and academic partners.
Owen Leech, Novel Nuclear Systems Engineer, Rolls Royce has also completed the course. He added: “I have thoroughly enjoyed my time on the Fundamentals of Space CPD course – all modules have been delivered with passion and energy and the amount of content in the modules is extensive but easily digestible.
“The rare time with experts in their fields also makes this a great time to discuss specific topics and questions – I have always come away from the modules feeling much more capable and knowledgeable about the space industry than when I started.”
Professor Nigel Bannister, Deputy Director of Space Park Leicester and course leader, emphasised the significance of this training.
He said: "The 2023 Space Sector Skills Survey highlighted difficulties recruiting into senior posts in the space industry, with Brexit impacting the availability of skilled staff.
“This is an enormous challenge for the UK space sector, but it’s also an opportunity. People working in areas such as aerospace, automotive, and oil and gas industries already have many of the core technical competencies used in the space sector. What they lack is the space context, which presents unique challenges.
"For example, the environmental conditions that drive design, cost, and risk; approaches to designing, building, and testing spacecraft to ensure successful deployment and operation; the legal and regulatory requirements that are an essential part of developing and deploying systems in space; and key considerations surrounding commercial opportunities and the development of business cases for space and space-enabled applications.
"That’s what this course is designed to provide in an engaging and exciting way.”
The accredited training is conducted over seven weeks of face-to-face learning at Space Park Leicester, the University’s £100 million science and innovation hub.
Participants will be able to access world-class design, assembly, and testing capabilities during the course and will learn from leading experts at Alden Legal, Meridian Space Command, and the University of Leicester. They will engage in practical sessions, including the Concurrent Design Facility at Space Park Leicester, simulating real mission scenarios.
Funded by a £450,000 grant from the UK Space Agency’s Training Programmes Fund, the course supports professionals from diverse technical backgrounds looking to enter or expand within the space sector. It’s also ideal for companies exploring space opportunities or employees in support roles seeking a deeper understanding of the industry.
Key Topics Include:
• The history and future of space activities
• International trends and emerging opportunities
• Data applications and services
• Space sustainability and legal frameworks
• Technical development of space missions
Spaces are limited, so don’t miss your chance to embark on this unique learning journey.