STUDENTS are planning a protest against the University of York’s acceptance of millions of pounds from defence companies.

The university has received almost £4 million from BAE Systems, MBDA, and QinetiQ over three years.

An on-campus protest against what has been deemed by some students as “unethical” funding is planned for next Friday.

Hannah Ellis-Petersen, editor of student newspaper Nouse, who uncovered the figures, said: “People are quite shocked. I think people were not aware of the extent of the involvement – we are talking millions of pounds. Now it has been brought to people’s attention it will force the university to confront it and come up with a stronger ethical policy.”

The university said the money had gone into the chemistry, computer science and electronics departments.

Figures released under the Freedom of Information Act revealed that BAE Systems provided £1.24 million in research support in 2010, £1.05 million in 2009 and more than £800,000 in 2008.

BAE Systems last year hit the headlines over an accounting offence in Tanzania.

Meanwhile, MBDA, which makes missiles, has given more than £22,000 in the past three years, and QinetiQ, a defence technology and security company, has given more than £500,000. The university has also received money from Rolls-Royce, which makes engines, including for military aircraft.

On a Facebook page set up by protesters, Andreas Gabrielsen noted that accepting the funding went against the university’s ethical stance to “not knowingly invest in companies whose activities include practices which directly pose a risk of serious harm to individuals or groups”.

However, a university spokesman said: “Our research in conjunction with electronics and engineering companies, such as BAE Systems and Rolls Royce, does not involve weapons. The research focuses largely on improving safety and communications. All research funding offered to the university is subject to a rigorous ethical review procedure.”

He said the university was researching wireless networking/connection in aircraft “offering the possibility of considerable weight reductions, and, consequently, improved safety and fuel efficiency”.

“Other projects include the use of high-altitude platform networks to re-establish communications services more swiftly after a natural disaster and work on aircraft safety systems.”

A BAE Systems spokesman said: “BAE Systems is a responsible company and we are proud of the work we do to support the men and women of our armed forces. We invest £50m a year in the UK alone in education and skills training projects. We are dedicated to ensuring a talent pipeline of people with science, technology, engineering and management skills and our partnerships with more than 30 universities across the UK have the full support of the educational authorities.”