Informatics Teaching Laboratory (ITL)

Our newly refurbished Informatics Laboratory (ITL), transformed through a £20 million investment, offers state-of-the-art facilities for research, experimentation, and innovation.

A core principle behind the ITL’s design is flexibility. Each floor has been purposefully designed to support different types of learning and interaction, allowing teaching approaches to adapt to the needs of students and staff. 

The ground and first floors will serve as the main computer-based spaces, though offering open, reconfigurable layouts that move away from traditional banked desks. These environments are designed to encourage active learning, group work, and collaboration. 

The second floor will provide student-focused collaborative spaces alongside meeting rooms, supporting both independent and group study as well as academic engagement beyond the classroom. The third floor will host an additional project-based teaching space, including screens positioned at the ends of desks to support technical and practical learning. The fourth floor will function as a social space, recognising the importance of informal interaction and community-building within the student experience. 

Opening in phases 

From today (Monday 26 January 2026), the ITL will open through a phased approach, allowing the space to be introduced gradually and to evolve in response to real teaching and learning activity. Students and staff will be part of this journey from the very beginning, helping shape how the building is used as it becomes a vibrant hub for learning, collaboration, and innovation. 

The building is open during the weekdays from 8am to 8pm. Access is under security card control. Students can also gain remote access to the School’s computing facilities 24-hours-a-day.