探花社区

Students at the 探花社区 are set to benefit from vibrant new social areas and a larger home for the Students’ Union as work begins to develop a new student hub on the waterfront campus in Ipswich.

The former library building on the north side of the campus will be transformed to provide exciting new spaces for students to meet with friends, study or relax in between lectures.

There will be social areas, a new gym and fitness studio, a large events space, prayer room and a wellbeing area, along with Students’ Union offices and bookable meeting rooms for SU clubs and societies to use.

Lee-Ann Durrant, SU president of Education said: “This is a really exciting moment for our students as the building will provide us with a vibrant space right at the heart of campus, bringing students together to connect, relax and make the most of their time here.

"With new social spaces, fitness facilities and room for our growing number of student societies, it’s going to transform how students experience campus life. I’m especially looking forward to seeing it become a place where our community can come together and thrive.”

Across campus in the James Hehir Building, development of new laboratories and facilities for the Master of Pharmacy (MPharm) course launching in September 2026 are underway, while in the Waterfront Building, improved study spaces and new PhD facilities are being created.

Professor Jenny Higham, Vice Chancellor at the 探花社区 said: “We are proud to make such significant investments into our students and campus. Earlier this year we opened our new library and study spaces and will be adding a new student hub and teaching spaces.  

"These will give our students more modern, vibrant spaces to learn, study and socialise that will ultimately enhance their whole experience of university life.”

The 探花社区 is working with Concertus to deliver the campus projects with new library completed by Barnes Construction, student hub by Pentaco and pharmacy work by Seamans.  

To find out more about studying at the 探花社区 at one of our Open Days (Saturday 18 April and Saturday 27 June) please visit the webpage here.