Cranfield University’s Defence and Security Programme (DSP) has won prestigious dual-accreditation status with ILM, a global leader in leadership and management and skills.

Graduates of the programme will now be eligible for a professional postgraduate qualification in Leadership and Management along with their academic degree.

The certification applies to all streams and pathways in the DSP, which offers three MSc degree streams in Engineering, Leadership and Management, and Technology.

Professor Emma Sparks, Professor of Systems Engineering Education, Cranfield University, said: “We are pleased to announce that the DSP is now fully aligned with ILM professional qualifications and has been approved as a dual-accredited programme. This enables our students to attain a professional qualification without the need to complete any additional assessment pieces.

“The UK Government’s recent Integrated Review of Security, Defence, Development and Foreign Policy recognises the changing defence and security landscape and calls for the development of skills that can be used across a range of scenarios. The DSP provides blended, flexible education which is suitable for a range of learners engaged in the complex and evolving defence and security environment.”

The ILM is a City & Guilds (C&G) institution and C&G qualifications are recognised as a standard of quality in the UK and many countries worldwide.

Successful candidates will receive a certificate and digital credential, enabling them to share their achievements online, and will also be able to access the ILM for 12 months, providing additional learning resources and wider access to professional research and networking.