Academic Strategy

The site was acquired by the University in 2003, with the intention of creating an integrated site, capable of phased development, which offers expansion space for the collegiate University over the next 20 years.

As part of the masterplanning process, the University established a set of general principles about the use of the site:

• It must work as a whole, functioning as an integrated development rather than a series of individual independent facilities.

• The development must be capable of phased development and contain the flexibility required to respond to changing needs as  the University’s academic strategy continues to evolve over time.

• The initial phases of the development will provide space for a number of facilities, including a new Mathematical Institute building, phase one of a new Humanities Centre, a Humanities library, and additional space for University Administration. Subsequent development zones will be constructed as the academic need arises and funding permits. There are to be no laboratory-based facilities on site.

The long-term vision is to create a vibrant academic community that can benefit from state-of-the-art facilities and enhanced opportunities for collaboration. Not only will the development complement the provision for undergraduates offered by the colleges but it will provide excellent provision for postgraduates and academics in terms of study space and research facilities, and encourage collaboration across different disciplines through shared research and social space.