Campus Investments

Derby has invested more than £200m in facilities over the last 10 years to provide state-of-the-art learning and teaching environments for students, staff and the business community.

New Clinical Skills space

A new £800,000 Clinical Skills Suite, replicating an NHS ward, has been created at the University to give health and social care students the opportunity to learn in a real-world setting.

The new rooms double the size of the previous provision, and include an additional state-of-the-art simulation suite to supplement the two already in operation at our Derby and Chesterfield Campuses.

The suite, based at our Kedleston Road site in Derby, is the replication of a mock NHS ward, complete with assisted bathroom, where students are able to run simulated exercises on mannequins in a realistic hospital environment. The scheme has resulted in a new six-bed ‘mock’ ward, built to NHS standards, including hospital beds, curtains, and even realistic suction and oxygen outlets.

Visitor space refurbished and new security systems installed

The former Seasons Lounge at the Kedleston Road site has been refurbished into a new contemporary visitor centre for our visitors, staff and students.

The new South Tower Visitor Centre is multi-functional and, within days of opening, hosted an exhibition of artwork by Visiting Professor Yan Wang. The reception area was also given a facelift as part of the project.

Enhanced security arrangements at the site, including the installation of new automated gates, and a rationalisation of building entry and exit points, have also been developed as part of the new Visitor Management System.

To ensure a round-the-clock security presence and enhanced customer service, our Security team has moved to a 24/7 working pattern and is now based in a new purpose-built Security Control Centre in the reception area of the University.

Halls of residence makeover

St Christopher’s Court halls of residence has been refurbished, offering students bright, fresh and modern accommodation.

Thirty flats, consisting of 180 bedrooms, 30 kitchens, toilets and showers, have all been upgraded.

The Estates team also converted three ironing rooms into group study spaces, allowing more flexibility to carry out selfdirected learning for residents. Along with improvements to external spaces, the common room was also spruced up to give a brand-new feel for all students at the site.

The refurbishment project at the halls of residence, which are close to the University’s Britannia Mill and Markeaton Street sites, was completed ready for the 2018-19 academic year.