University governors at the University of Aberdeen have backed £50m plans to transform the King’s College campus to continue to bolster its learning experience
The investment plans for the King’s College campus have been approved by the university’s governing court.
As part of wider campus regeneration plans, the King’s College campus will include a new home for the University of Aberdeen Business School, improvements to the university’s historic core and maintenance to its unique heritage.
The university’s student population is expected to grow over the next 10 year, meaning new teaching and learning facilities are a must.
King’s College campus rejuvenation
The plans will see the Business School relocate from its current home in the MacRobert Building to a new single-site home in the currently dormant Johnston Halls, which will undergo a major refurbishment.
This will include a landmark new pavilion housing flexible, accessible teaching and learning facilities, including state-of-the-art lecture and seminar space. A large central foyer will provide additional social space and will be used for exhibition and public engagement activities.
Plans to enhance facilities in the immediate area of King’s College include a new flagship atrium, with connections to surrounding buildings that will be repurposed to meet the needs of a growing student population.
The work will see improvements to the interiors of a number of areas of King’s College, including the Old Senate Wing, Book Stack and Cromwell Tower.
Professor George Boyne, principal at the University of Aberdeen, commented: “This major investment in our campus comes at a time when the university is planning for future growth, and marks the latest phase of a number of improvements to our King’s College campus, including our new Science Teaching Building where work is already underway.”
University of Aberdeen principal and vice-chancellor, professor George Boyne, said: “This major investment in our campus comes at a time when the University is planning for future growth, and marks the latest phase of a number of improvements to our King’s College campus, including our new Science Teaching Building where work is already underway.
“As we plan for the future it is crucial that we remain equipped to meet the needs of modern students with contemporary, flexible and technology-ready facilities that regenerate underused space in our historic campus, while maintaining the unique heritage for which it is renowned.
“These are transformational plans that will ensure we continue to provide our students and staff with world-class teaching and learning facilities, and will help us attract the best and brightest to Aberdeen.
“Revitalisation of our Old Aberdeen campus also helps support wider city ambitions to ensure our region grows in stature as a destination of choice.”
The investment plans will now be subject to formal planning applications to be submitted to Aberdeen City Council by spring 2020.
The new Business School is scheduled to open by summer 2022, while the King’s College campus improvements are expected to be completed the following summer.
