A Birmingham university is continuing its expansion by agreeing a deal for new office space for a student support and business hub.
University College Birmingham has leased 45,000 sq ft of space in Baskerville House, Centenary Square, to provide a new home for its student support and employability services, including a library and quiet learning spaces.
As part of the plans, the university will also establish a meeting and events space to support local businesses, employers and industry partners.
UCB said it had grown significantly over the last three years, through curriculum development and diversification, and a key priority was enhancing the student experience with better facilities.
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As part of the move to Baskerville House, it will repurpose its existing Link building, in Parade, to house the new school of psychology, sport and education which opens in September.
This will also create additional teaching and learning facilities to accommodate continued growth across its course portfolio.
It is the latest project in a long line of planned expansion by UCB which includes a new £23 million construction skills hub in the old James Cond printer works, in Charlotte Street, which recently opened and is home to 400 students.
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Last year, the university also revealed designs for new halls of residence reaching 35 storeys on the site of its existing Cambrian Halls buildings opposite its main campus in Summer Row.
It is due to open a new sixth form centre in Camden House, next door to The Link, which will welcome students from September.
Vice-chancellor Michael Harkin said: "The university has a proud history of investing in the city centre to provide first-class buildings and facilities for students, with close to £200 million spent in the last ten years.
"Working with our partners, we are committed to providing excellent opportunities for students and for stakeholders in the region and our most recent investments and newly announced plans for further expansion reinforces this commitment.
"Despite the freeze on undergraduate tuition fees for over six years and huge economic pressures, we have achieved our development aspirations in a cost-effective and secure manner, without the need for external financial investment.
"Our move to the flagship Baskerville House places the university right at the heart of the city centre, further strengthening our ability to serve the people of Birmingham, its businesses and employers as well as provide our students with the outstanding support services they deserve in a world-class setting."