NMITE has secured accreditation from the Institution of Engineering and Technology for its BEng and MEng Integrated Engineering degrees, giving the Hereford institution recognition from one of the world's largest engineering bodies.
The accreditation covers NMITE's integrated engineering courses and places them on the IET and Engineering Council UK databases. Under the UK framework for professional engineering competence, the MEng programme fully satisfies the academic requirements for eventual registration as a Chartered Engineer, while the BEng programme partially satisfies them.
The decision marks a significant step for the specialist higher education provider, which welcomed its first students in 2021. It follows a detailed assessment by the IET, which has more than 157,000 members across 148 countries.
Professional route
For students and graduates, the main practical effect is formal recognition of their degrees and a clearer route towards Chartered Engineer status. In UK engineering, accreditation is a key benchmark because it confirms that a programme meets the standards for academic preparation in the profession.
NMITE has built its model around hands-on learning and close links with employers. More than 220 students have enrolled to date, with over 90 modules delivered and partnerships in place with more than 80 industry organisations.
James Newby, President and Chief Executive of NMITE, highlighted the scrutiny involved in the process and praised the IET for its willingness to look beyond the innovation, rigorously "test the product" and show the foresight to endorse "the country's newest and most innovative university".
Jesse Norman, Co-Founder and Chair of NMITE, said the decision reflected the standing of the institution's graduates. "As this accreditation confirms, NMITE students are highly trained technical engineers, fully the equal of graduates from the UK's leading universities. But studying at NMITE has also developed their practical skills, emotional resilience and work-readiness.
"This accreditation sends a clear signal to employers, companies and the wider higher education sector: NMITE's distinctive, hands-on model delivers graduates of the highest academic and professional quality."
Growth path
The accreditation adds to a series of milestones for NMITE as it expands its place in the UK higher education sector. In 2023, the institution received New Degree Awarding Powers from the Office for Students, allowing it to award its own taught degrees.
Founded in Hereford, NMITE was set up to offer an alternative approach to engineering education, bringing together multiple engineering disciplines with project-based learning. Its development has included the opening of a second campus, student accommodation and new courses beyond its original engineering programme.
Newby said the accreditation would have a direct effect on students' prospects. "This news has genuine life-changing potential for our diverse intake of students. Gaining a degree accredited by the IET sets them on a path to Chartered Engineer status and that means they will be respected professionals with a life of professional fulfilment and economic security. For all of our students, this is a really big deal!"
An NMITE graduate working in industry also pointed to its effect on early career development. Elise Cummings, who works at Balfour Beatty, said the decision reflected several years of work across the institution and among its supporters.
"Following the news that NMITE has formally achieved IET accreditation for the Integrated Engineering programme, I feel incredibly proud. As someone who supported the institute from 2018 as a member of the Design Cohort and then graduated as part of the Pioneer Cohort last spring, this announcement marks a significant milestone in both NMITE's and my own journey.
"The decision reflects all the efforts made so far to shape where NMITE is today, from students, colleagues, donors and others. This milestone represents further trust in the university from industry, which will continue to support my development as an NMITE engineer."
The work to secure approval was led internally by Lucy Stonehouse, Quality Assurance Manager, who coordinated submissions across academic staff, students and professional teams. The IET reviewed whether the courses met the standards required under the UK Standard for Professional Engineering Competence and the Accreditation of Higher Education Programmes framework.
Stonehouse said: "The IET ran an extremely thorough process, and the workload has at times been enormous, but we gave them confidence in our programme and our team to merit the accreditation. This win for NMITE has been many months in the making and I am thrilled that I have, along with my colleagues, played a part in this achievement."