A British university is launching a course in mobile phone technology in an attempt to attract more students to engineering.

There is an acute shortage of engineering and computing graduates in the UK.

According to a recent report, the shortfall could hamper the growth of the knowledge economy - something the government is very keen to foster.

The course at Brunel University will look at wireless technology, software design as well as the social, cultural and business aspects of wireless communications.

New recruits

"We've devised this course to attract students back into engineering degree courses - so critical to the development of the mobile and wireless world of the 21st Century," said head of engineering, Professor Balachandran.

It is the ideal course for students who are interested in communication technology

Professor Balachandran, Brunel University

He is hoping it will prove interesting to students who may not have considered an engineering course in the past.

"It is the ideal course for students who are interested in communication technology and are concerned that a traditional engineering course will require in-depth mathematics," he said.

"Students of this course will be able to play an active part in shaping the future of wireless technology."

50 places will be available on the course which starts in September.