University continues to invest in the student experience with announcement of new Digital Life building

The ambitious transformation of Teesside University is set to continue, with plans unveiled for a £40m Digital Life building at the centre of the Middlesbrough campus.

Set for completion in spring 2025, the development will provide a stunning focal point for digital teaching and learning, continuing the transformative impact of the Campus Masterplan, which has seen over £280m invested to date as part of an ongoing drive to enhance the student and learning experience.

With students at the heart of the development, Digital Life will help support the demand for flexible learning, Continued Professional Development and apprenticeships in areas including artificial intelligence (AI), immersive technologies, fintech and digital sustainable engineering.

It will house state-of-the-art AI and robotics suites, virtual reality and cybersecurity laboratories, and animation and visual effects studios.

Digital Life will be a unique space for collaboration and study, delivering an industry-quality digital studio experience for students in the School of Computing, Engineering & Digital Technologies, alongside the University’s industry partners.

The building will also contain the University’s first dedicated, large-scale and multi-functional events space, which will accommodate student-facing events including the annual Animex festival and the University’s Graduation ceremonies.

Teesside University has appointed Wates to deliver Digital Life, making it the fourth building to be built by the contractor for the University.

Previous schemes include the National Horizons Centre, student accommodation Cornell Quarter, and, most recently, the cutting-edge science and medical facility, BIOS.

Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive of Teesside University, Professor Paul Croney OBE, said: “We are an ambitious, global-looking University and, as an institution which attracts students from all over the world, we always strive to provide the best possible student and learning experience.

“The Masterplan has delivered a superb campus environment, which continues to have a transformative impact for our students. The impact of this is clear in our recent award of Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) Gold and ongoing positive student feedback.

“Digital Life will provide a vital cross-university asset for digital innovation, firmly cementing Teesside’s reputation as a future-facing University.”

Malcolm Page, Chief Operating Officer at the University, added: “We are committed to investing in our campus and continue to set the standard for capital developments in our region and sector.

“We approach each project with ambition and a commitment to delivering at pace, alongside embedding sustainability measures and working with contractors to deliver social value.

“The University has a strong track record in digital skills, and many successful digital businesses in the region started out here on campus. This development gives us the space to work collaboratively with our industry partners to further catalyse this important sector.”

David Wingfield, Regional Director for Construction - Yorkshire & North East at Wates, said: “Digital Life marks our fourth project with Teesside University, and we’re honoured to continue being a part of this ambitious transformation.

“We’ve established an incredibly strong working partnership with both the client and local supply chain over the years. This will help us deliver this project successfully for the University, while ensuring we go above and beyond to support the wider Teesside community through social value and sustainability measures.”

---