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The National Space Centre and Loughborough College are launching a new Space Engineering programme for talented young people looking for an enhanced A-Level experience. Fifteen students from across the UK have been selected to join the country's first space engineering course.

Launching in September, with subjects including A levels in physics and maths and a BTEC level 3 diploma in engineering, the pioneering two-year programme aims to blend academic and vocational learning for 16 to 18-year-olds. It is backed by the UK Space Agency and the Institution of Engineering and Technology.

The UK space industry contributes £7.3bn to the UK economy and employs close to 19,000 people. This new and innovative course uniquely combines academic and vocational study with industrial experience and other exciting special features. It can lead to degrees in physics, mathematics and engineering and to employment in the space and engineering industries.

Anu Ojha, director of education and space communications at the National Space Centre, has presented sessions at Nasa conferences and European Space Agency teacher conferences, and has been selected as a "space ambassador" for the UK Space Education Office. "We have had to change the mindsets of students, parents, academic institutions and the industry. Now everyone is very excited," he says. "Students will have access to personnel and equipment which would be the envy of most sixth forms."

For details of the course, email info@loucoll.ac.uk or telephone 0845 166 2950. The Loughborough College Space Engineering blog is at http://blogs.loucoll.ac.uk/space.