Computing facilities
Our facilities have undergone a £400 million investment programme, including a major expansion of our City Centre Campus. This includes £70 million development, STEAMhouse, the home of Computing students. This state-of-the-art centre will give you access to outstanding facilities and equipment, as well as opportunities to collaborate with businesses across multiple sectors and work on real industry-based projects.
Our facilities in Millennium Point have undergone a £6.5million investment with maker area, engineering labs/equipment and IT equipment.
Thanks to our partnerships with Cisco, Microsoft, Oracle, Juniper, SAS and LPI you will have access to the latest technology and facilities that reflect advanced professional practice. Our students also have access to software such as the Adobe Suite including Photoshop, InDesign and Illustrator.
Computing Lab
There are a number of open access, software development and computer programming laboratories that can be used to develop systems and programmes, including:
- Software development environments for modern programming languages - Visual Studio
- Computing programming languages – Python, C#, ASP.NET, PHP, Unity
- Operating systems – Linux, Windows and macOS
- Database management systems – MySQL
- Neural network simulators
- Computer architecture simulators – RISC
- Application development software – iPhone, Android Studio
- Integrated development environments – Netbeans / FPGA /CPLD
- JAVA programming – BlueJ.
Computer Games Lab
Our state-of-the-art computer games lab is home to a PS4 Development Kit and has Xbox One Console Development ability. We have a Nintendo Switch Development Kit in procurement and HTC Vive, Oculus CV1 and VR development facility.
The Games Lab is a key feature during our Games Jam and society events. All students can join our computer games societies and use our facilities if interested in gaming.
Makers Lab
The Makers Space is equipped with a laser cutter, 3D printers, and a variety of electronic components like motion, proximity, humidity sensors, and many more.
This space is widely used by students, including first year students who use the space to help build their gadget ready to be presented at Innovation Fest. Experienced technicians are on hand to provide support. The support extends to all other levels including Final Year, Ph.D., and KTP projects.
Student have access to high spec laptops with the latest media software for all their module needs, making the level 4 Makers Space the ideal area for the development of their project. Computer enthusiasts will enjoy our mini collection of vintage Apple computers.
Networking Lab
Our industry standard kit can be accessed by students who are at home or anywhere on the globe – remote access – 24/7 (NETACAD)
The laboratories are well-equipped for all our computer networking courses, as well as specialist areas for practical work such as: Voice-over internet protocol (VoIP), Security technologies, Forensic and ethical hacking technologies, wireless and mobile technologies, Internet of Things (IoT), Cybersecurity and software Defined Networking including NFV.
STEAMhouse
STEAMhouse is the home of Computing. Based at our expanding City Centre Campus, this state-of-the-art centre will give students access to outstanding facilities and equipment, as well as opportunities to collaborate with people and businesses across multiple sectors and work on real industry-based projects.