Willmott Dixon Completes £100 Million Student Village at University of Staffordshire Using Offsite Steel Frame
Willmott Dixon, a national tier one contractor, has finalised the construction of a new 1,000-bed Student Village at the University of Staffordshire in Stoke-on-Trent. The project’s superstructure was erected in just 32 weeks through the use of an offsite light gauge steel frame (LGSF) system.
Delivered under a Design, Build, Finance, Operate (DBFO) model, the £100 million development was a collaborative effort involving Willmott Dixon, HOCHTIEF PPP Solutions UK and Ireland, Plenary, and Pinnacle Group, working closely with the university. Prior to the arrival of the first students for the upcoming academic year, project partners and industry stakeholders were given a preview of the completed facilities.
The construction strategy centred on modern methods of construction (MMC), employing a fully integrated LGSF solution that was manufactured offsite and assembled onsite across six residential buildings. This approach not only compressed the superstructure build to 32 weeks but also maintained manufacturing tolerances within 5mm throughout the development.
At the heart of the site lies a £12 million student hub designed to operate as net zero carbon. Spanning four levels, the hub offers individual and group study spaces, social and welfare facilities, a landscaped garden lounge, and a double-height events hall. A new pedestrian bridge and boardwalk connect the village to the university’s wider Leek Road campus, where demolition work will create accessible parkland aiming for a 12% biodiversity net gain.
The project also involved refurbishing 300 rooms within The Swan Building. Upgrades included enhanced living spaces and the installation of low-energy systems to improve energy performance. This refurbishment was scheduled over the summer months to ensure the university maintained accommodation capacity and avoided any loss of income.
The DBFO financing model enables the university to spread costs over 50 years while retaining flexibility during construction. Early collaboration between the consortium and the university ensured the project was delivered within the original £100 million budget, with entry and exit costs aligned.
Beyond the physical development, the project generated significant social value for the local community. Initiatives included engaging 1,000 students through educational programmes, providing 500 weeks of careers support, facilitating community volunteering and charity activities, and running mental health awareness campaigns in partnership with Lighthouse Charity.
Dan Doyle, delivery director at Willmott Dixon, stated: “The ambition here was never simply to build more accommodation. It was to create an inclusive student community, with sustainable, future-ready buildings on a campus that attracts and retains students, and to support the university’s long-term plans for sustainability, wellbeing and growth.”
He added: “Getting the superstructure up in 32 weeks came from taking the offsite decision early and holding to it, and that same early engagement is why the university has paid what it expected to pay. Pace and cost certainty together are what universities are asking of us.”
Steve Rimell, chief financial officer at the University of Staffordshire, commented: “We are delighted with the outcome of the Student Village project, and as CFO I am particularly pleased that it was delivered on time and on budget. The student hub is going to be extremely impactful for student amenities and wellbeing, and as a way of connecting the accommodation with our main campus.”
He also highlighted student involvement in the design process: “Our students were involved from the start, helping to shape the design from the early stages, allowing us to create a new space for them that prioritises community, inclusion and wellbeing.”
Ian Prescott, managing director (UK) at HOCHTIEF PPP Solutions, said: “The opening of the Student Village is the culmination of a fantastic partnership and a shared ambition to create an outstanding place for students to live.”
He continued: “Together, we’ve delivered a sustainable, modern development that will enhance the student experience for years to come while creating a lasting asset for the University and the wider Stoke-on-Trent community.”
Doyle concluded: “This scheme is a strong example of what is possible when universities, developers and delivery partners come together with a shared vision and a collaborative approach.”
The Student Village adds to Willmott Dixon’s portfolio of higher and further education projects, which includes the £48.8 million School of Business and Management and the retrofit and extension of the Information Teaching Laboratory at Queen Mary University of London, the £19.3 million first phase of Coleg Gwent’s Crosskeys Campus redevelopment in Newport, and Bridgend College’s net zero in operation town centre campus.
The new Student Village is set to welcome its first residents for the academic intake in September 2026.
