Recession support from the University

Investment to create and protect local jobs

The University has the capacity to invest more than £250 million in capital projects over the next three years and £450 million by the end of the next decade. The University is making a major contribution to helping the region and the UK weather the recession by protecting and creating local jobs and security. A number of major projects are planned:

New Business School building

The project will cost £18 million and is part of a wider £25 million investment in the School over the next three years. This expansion will enable the Business School to double its annual turnover to £28 million and will create more than 60 new jobs. The Business School is vital to the continued success of the University as a whole. It is already the number one Business School in the country for student satisfaction. Its research quality places it in the top 20 in the UK and it was ranked in the top six in the UK in the Times Good University Guide 2010. Building work is expected to start in July 2009. See the Business School website.

New labs and aquarium for the School of Biosciences

This project is underway and will create world-leading facilities for Biosciences at the University of Exeter, entailing an £18 million refurbishment of the Geoffrey Pope building. The first stages of the project include creating a state-of-the-art aquarium facility and laboratories for research on ecotoxicology, cell biology and molecular genetics. £5 million has already been invested to improve the main teaching lab and a section of the research facilities. Work is scheduled for completion in the spring of 2010. See the School of Biosciences website.

International students centre

This project has planning permission and work is expected to start in the summer of 2009. It is associated with the INTO University of Exeter partnership. This is a new venture which brings international students to Exeter a year earlier than normal to undertake pre-degree programmes of study; if they reach the required standard they will then progress to full degree programmes. It represents a £47 million investment in the city by INTO, which is a leading international student recruitment company. Central to the INTO project is a new study centre and associated student accommodation. See the INTO website.

More on-campus accommodation

Project number four relates to a £150 million investment in more student accommodation on our campuses. The aim of the project is to free up more private rented accommodation in the city for local families. The proposed new accommodation, numbering 2,700 places, would be delivered by a private sector partner, University Partnerships Programme (UPP).

A new heart for a top 10 campus

This project is the most ambitious and challenging. Called the Forum project, it will be a stunning new £48 million centrepiece for the Streatham Campus. It will feature an extended and refurbished Library, new learning spaces, ‘frontline’ student services, catering and retail outlets, a landscaped plaza and University reception. Leading architects Wilkinson Eyre were selected from over 40 firms who expressed an interest. Their proposals work with the natural features of our famously hilly campus. It is hoped to begin work in January 2010 and complete the project by 2012.