De Montfort University will be training the next generation of cyber spies to work for the UK's intelligence agencies.
Foreign secretary William Hague announced yesterday that a new apprentice-style scheme is being launched by the city university to recruit students into Cheltenham's spy centre, GCHQ, along with other secret intelligence services such as MI5 and MI6.
The news means that real-life James Bonds could be graduating from the university, with up to 100 18-year-olds being given the chance to train for a career in the secret services.
It is not yet known when the apprenticeship scheme will start, but it is aimed at tapping the skills of the "Xbox generation" – teenagers who have grown up in a world of social media, global connectivity and interactive gaming.
Speaking at Bletchley Park, the home of Britain's Second World War code-breakers, Mr Hague said it was important to bring in the most talented people to secure the UK's cyber expertise for the future.
"It will be the young innovators of this generation who will help keep our country safe in years to come against threats which are every bit as serious as some of those confronted in the Second World War," he said.
Recruits will undergo a two- year training programme at De Montfort's cyber security centre, studying communications, security and engineering.
They will also study for a diploma in IT, software, web and telecommunications professional competence.
The university's cyber centre already advises GCHQ on problems such as how to stop a cyber attack before it is triggered.
The course will be led by Dr Tim Watson from the university, who has estimated that cyber crime costs the UK more than £27 billion a year.
