Swansea University Science and Innovation Campus

Swansea University is undertaking a major campus redevelopment programme which will create a world-leading research, innovation and education complex.

This will involve the development of a new Science and Innovation Campus and the renovation of the existing Singleton Park Campus. 

Work on the main construction commenced on site in May 2013 and the new campus will be welcoming its first student intake in September 2013

Meet the Buyer Event - Swansea University's new Science and Innovation Campus

16 & 17 July 2013 at the Liberty Stadium, Landore, Swansea.

Local suppliers are being sought to undertake work on the development of the £250 million first phase of Swansea University’s new Science and Innovation campus, which is being developed by the University with leading regeneration specialist St. Modwen, through thier construction partner, VINCI Construction UK, and the University's framework contractor, the Leadbitter Group.

The event is FREE and will be split between:

Information and presentation event

Registration from 8.00am; formal start 8.30am.

Open to all businesses interested in finding out about the development and the opportunities to become part of the supply chain. Information will also be available on business support mechanisms available to assist your business to be prepared for tendering and targeted recruitment & training schemes in the area.

To register for this part of the event, email enquiries@swanseabayfutures.co.uk giving your name, company, contact details and trade area of interest.

1-2-1 Appointments

1-2-1 Appointments with members of VINCI Construction UK and the Leadbitter Group commercial team will be available by invitation only for the following packages:

To be considered for an appointment you must have completed and returned the Subcontractor’s Application for Interview form. Download the application form here.

Economic benefits for Swansea Bay

The development of the new Science and Innovation Campus will have a major impact on the economy and education within Swansea Bay and the whole of south west Wales.

Economic benefits will come initially from the construction phase, with local companies being encouraged to become a part of the supply chain, then through the operation of the new campus and the research activity undertaken.

Aerial view of both Swansea University Campuses on Swansea Bay

The University will be working closely with Industry – with academic and industry researchers working alongside each other in the same laboratories – jointly seeking to develop commercial applications from research.

Facilities on the campus will also be open for the use of local SME’s, supporting their development as well as new start-ups.

Over a 10 year period it is predicted that the development will being an economic impact in excess of £3 billion. The construction economic impact is approximately 4,000 direct jobs, with the wider economic total of approaching 10,000 direct and indirect jobs. It is anticipated that the construction process will induce over £430m of economic activity, with £390m of this activity being within Wales.

Gwalia Square - Swansea University Science and Innovation Campus

About the Science and Innovation Campus

This key development will provide space for the University to grow and to increase its collaboration with Industry, delivering a next generation 'Science Park'.

The development is likely to be the largest Knowledge Economy project in the UK and one of the top-5 Knowledge Economy projects in Europe. Phase 1 of the Science and Innovation campus has an estimated value of £250 million and will include:

• Innovation Hub and manufacturing facility co-locating industry and College of Engineering research.
• Undergraduate teaching and research facilities for the College of Engineering and Schools of Business and Economics
• Student facilities, including an auditorium, retail, leisure and sports facilities
• Learning & Resource Centre, library and associated resource facilities
• Student residences for up to 1,000 students
• The Swansea Materials and Research Testing Facility (SMaRT)
• The recently announced Energy Safety Research Institute (ESRI)

Collaboration with industry

The building blocks for the thinking for the Science and Innovation campus have emerged from discussions with multinational companies and Welsh anchor companies, to ensure that the proposals meet their needs.

The evidence demonstrates that co-locating business and academia enables more effective working between researchers and a smoother process between development, prototyping and commercialisation, positively impacting time to market and overall performance. Confirmed private sector projects on site include:

• SPECIFIC: A £20 million project being undertaken with Tata Steel which aims to transform buildings into ‘Power Stations’ by developing coatings on steel and glass to enable the energy of the sun to be captured, stored and subsequently used
• SMaRT: A major collaboration between Rolls Royce and Swansea University which will focus on the testing of materials that are used in the aerospace and aero engine industries as well as academic research and analysis.
• ESRI: A £38 million investment which will concentrate elements of the University’s energy research with a unique focus on safety issues surrounding the development of existing energy processes, as well as the safe deployment and integration of new green energy technologies. The primary collaborator will be BP.