The UK government has shown its commitment to their semiconductor industry by revealing its new electron beam (E-beam) lithography facility at the University of Southampton
This new facility is the first of its kind in Europe and the second one in the world. It is designed to support the development of next-generation semiconductor chips.
Supporting the future of semiconductor chips
This new facility plays an important role in creating ultra-small patterns on chips that are important for powering technologies in artificial intelligence, healthcare, and defence.
The launch of the E-beam facility is a key moment in the UK’s plan to become a global leader in semiconductor research and manufacturing.
Using a focused beam of electrons, E-beam lithography offers new precision in chip design, allowing for features that are thousands of times smaller than a human hair. This capability is vital for producing the complex and compact components required in modern technology.
Why is this E-beam facility so important?
The significance of this new facility is not just about technological innovation, it also aligns the government’s economic goals.
Semiconductors are already a major contributor to the UK economy, currently generating around £10 billion annually.
With a predicted growth to £17 billion by 2030, the sector presents a major opportunity to drive high-value economic expansion and secure the UK’s place in global advanced manufacturing.
To maximise this potential, the government has also announced a £4.75 million skills package aimed at closing the skills gap that has been identified as a major barrier to growth in the semiconductor sector. The funding is designed to support a pipeline of new talent across all stages of education, from school through to university and postgraduate training.
Investing into the semiconductor sector
This investment includes £3 million for undergraduate bursaries, targeted at students starting degrees in Electronics and Electrical Engineering.
Each of the 300 selected students will receive £5,000 to support their studies, with a curriculum enriched by specialist semiconductor content. This initiative aims to attract more students into a field that is crucial to the future of UK tech innovation.
An additional £1.2 million will be dedicated to practical chip design training. This will provide undergraduates, postgraduates, and even lecturers with hands-on experience in chip creation, skills that are in high demand across the industry. The funding will also support a feasibility study into conversion courses for postgraduate students looking to transition into semiconductor careers.
Furthermore, nearly £550,000 will go towards school outreach initiatives. These programmes will introduce around 7,000 students aged 15–18, along with 450 teachers, to semiconductors through interactive learning experiences. The outreach will be concentrated in key UK semiconductor hubs such as Newport, Cambridge, and Glasgow, supporting regional growth while encouraging diverse participation in a traditionally underrepresented field.
Altogether, the opening of the E-beam facility and the accompanying investment in skills development highlights the efforts to future-proof the UK’s semiconductor sector. By combining world-class research infrastructure with targeted talent development, the government hopes to position the UK at the forefront of semiconductor innovation.
This strategy not only boosts technological capabilities but also supports the Plan for Change, creating high-skilled jobs, fostering local growth, and reinforcing the UK’s role in shaping the future of global technology.
