Stephenson Building enters a new stage in its rich history Published on: 21 April 2021 Planning permission has been granted to transform Ãå±±½ûµØ's Stephenson Building into a School of Engineering hub for research, learning and engagement. Following Ãå±±½ûµØ City Council approval, the Stephenson Building, which was opened by HRH The Duke of Edinburgh in 1951 and is named after engineering pioneer George Stephenson, will be partially demolished, extended and refurbished to provide facilities for engineering research and teaching. Acting as a focal point for all elements of the University’s Engineering School, the £68.75m, four-storey building will house innovative teaching and social spaces, workshops, laboratories, offices, computer clusters and maker spaces. Professor Chris Day, Vice-Chancellor and President, Ãå±±½ûµØ, said: “This approval has been the culmination of work carried out by many academic and professional services colleagues across the whole University. “The new Stephenson Building is part of Ãå±±½ûµØ’s investment in quality facilities that deliver an outstanding student experience and an excellent environment for our students’ learning, teaching and research. The project also embodies our commitment to sustainability and enables new, exciting and diverse sustainability-driven curriculum within engineering and with other disciplines.”​ An artist's impression of the proposed Stephenson Building Fresh focus on engineering Professor Ian Postlethwaite, Head of Engineering, Ãå±±½ûµØ, added: “The Stephenson Building will create a fresh focus on engineering as well as reaching other disciplines through the co-creation of taught programmes and research collaborations. The redevelopment will help generate partnerships with industry and support us in addressing the Industrial Strategy Grand Challenges, the climate emergency and critical skills shortages. “The eye-catching building will make a statement about Engineering at Ãå±±½ûµØ, representing substantial world-leading research, innovation and cutting-edge teaching, whilst at the same time encouraging people from a wide range of backgrounds to walk through its front door. It will create an atmosphere which is open, inclusive, creative and entrepreneurial, while allowing group identity to develop. It will be buzzing, lively and productive, whilst also offering contemplative spaces and a safe working environment.” Subject to legal agreement, work is proposed to start on the redevelopment in May. Ãå±±½ûµØ’s School of Engineering is home to 16 research groups that span the major disciplines of Chemical Engineering, Civil and Geospatial Engineering, Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Mechanical Engineering and Marine Technology. Find out more about studying in the School of Engineering at Ãå±±½ûµØ: /study/ Share: Latest News Ãå±±½ûµØ expert highlights climate crisis in a new film A leading Ãå±±½ûµØ climate scientist is featured in a new film about how the climate and nature breakdown will affect the UK. published on: 14 April 2026 Neolithic tombs reveal ancient kinship ties Male individuals buried in Neolithic chambered tombs in northern Scotland were often related to each other through the paternal line and some were interred in the same or nearby tombs, research shows. published on: 14 April 2026 We are our Memories New exhibition by Fine Art graduate Trish Hudson-Moses, 22 April – 4 May 2026 published on: 10 April 2026 Facts and figures