Responding directly to student feedback, these spaces have been transformed to provide better places to learn, study and collaborate. Whether you’re a new student or returning for another year, we hope the new improvements will help you make the most of your time here.
Exterior of the renovated Cope Auditorium featuring an updated building sign.
The Cope Auditorium in the Edward Barnsley Building is the University’s main theatre space, with capacity for 226 people. It’s primarily used for teaching and supports a range of student facing extra-curricular activities including rehearsals, performances, NT Live screenings and other public events.
Over the summer, the auditorium underwent a significant refurbishment to modernise the facilities and provide a more welcoming and suitable environment for its requirements. Updates include:
- Improved seating
- Redecoration of the auditorium and lobby café areas
- Upgraded theatrical lighting and backstage rehearsal facilities
- Essential maintenance and repairs
More study places in the Library
We’ve heard your desire for more study space in the library, so now you can enjoy even more room to study in the Pilkington Library this academic year. All thanks to the refurbishment of Level 2 which has created an additional 88 additional spaces.
The refreshed area features upgraded lighting, new furniture, enhanced Wi-Fi and improved study environments. Alongside these improvements, the Library also has new microwave facilities, creating a more comfortable place to eat and recharge during and between study sessions.
Screens in the newly-opened Digilab Central.
Explore new technology at DigiLab Central
Joining the existing DigiLabs East and West, DigiLab Central gives students access to a range of cutting-edge specialist facilities, including:
- 3D Static and Motion Capture Studios
- Visualisation Theatre with 3D wall and floor
- Drone Lab
- GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) Lab
- Recording Studio
- Esports Lab, with out of hours access with your swipe card
These new facilities support teaching across multiple disciplines, helping students develop skills and experience using industry-relevant technologies.
Students can find out more about DigiLab Central and explore the facilities on the DigiLabs website, or look out for events hosted by DigiLabs on the University events page.
Interior of the relocated Architecture teaching space in the Michael Pearson building.
A new home for Architecture
We’re pleased to offer Architecture students a fresh, fantastic studio space in the Michael Pearson Building that helps to support creativity, learning and collaboration.
This move has also provided opportunities to enhance the Keith Green Teaching Hub, which has been renovated to accommodate six modern teaching spaces with breakout and study areas. Two teaching spaces in Sir David Davies have been upgraded too and have been made available for a wider range of disciplines and teaching activities.
Finally, we’ve identified further opportunities to repurpose underused space to support students more proactively. Rooms in James France and Wavy Top buildings have also undergone work to be reallocated into flexible teaching spaces, so we can provide you with more places across the campus to support your studies.