University of Exeter Approves Partnership to Train Saudi Military Officers and Officials

LONDON: The University of Exeter has approved a formal partnership with Saudi Arabia to provide advanced academic training to senior military officers and government officials, despite longstanding concerns over the kingdom’s human rights record.

Under the agreement, Exeter academics will deliver a Master’s degree in Applied Security and Strategy to participants at Saudi Arabia’s National Defense University (NDU) in Riyadh. The programme is scheduled to begin in the 2026–27 academic year and is expected to enroll around 20 participants annually for three years.

The partnership was approved by the university’s council in February and subsequently endorsed by its senate in March. Documents reviewed by The Guardian indicated that the agreement was treated as commercially confidential during the approval process.

The deal has drawn criticism from the University and College Union’s Exeter branch, which accused university management of prioritising financial considerations over human rights and academic values. The criticism comes as the university faces controversy over plans to cut around 150 jobs, primarily in the humanities, arts and social sciences.

Critics have also questioned the ethical implications of providing professional military education to Saudi officials, given international concerns surrounding the country’s human rights record.

The University of Exeter has defended the partnership, saying the programme is consistent with its academic mission and has undergone appropriate ethical and legal scrutiny. The university also pointed to the longstanding defence relationship between the United Kingdom and Saudi Arabia, under which professional military education has previously been provided.

The agreement reflects the broader practice of UK universities entering commercial education and consultancy arrangements with foreign governments and institutions, while also highlighting continuing debate over the ethical responsibilities of universities when working with states facing human rights criticism.