A higher degree of invention

Glamorgan University is inviting the Thomas Edisons and James Dysons of the future to sign up for a place on the UK's first degree in invention, which it launched this month, writes Tony Tysome.

The MSc in invention and innovation aims to help students test and develop ideas with commercial potential in a university environment, thereby avoiding many of the early risks associated with marketing an invention.

Giuliano Premier, the course leader, explained: "If you are interested in a career as an entrepreneurial inventor in the field of science, technology or engineering, this is the course for you."

It may also be possible for students to work on ideas and intellectual property initiated though research at the university.

Trevor Baylis, the inventor of the wind-up radio, said that universities should consider more qualifications for inventors, including a bachelor of invention. He said: "People say you can't teach invention, but I say how can you teach art? This nation is great at invention, and courses like these would lend credence to inventing."

A BI course might cover aspects such as the history of inventions and their social implications, the history of inventors, intellectual property and the importance of prototypes.