Facilities

Our Engineering, Environment and Science facilities boast modern, multifunctional teaching and research buildings that support hands-on learning. Laboratories and workshops are equipped to commercial and industrial standards and are available to students both in and out of class time (subject to availability).

The new £25 million Beatrice Shilling Building is an exciting addition to the many innovative and inspiring teaching and research spaces already available to students. The four-storey building is home to a host of facilities including a gaming and virtual reality studio, a specialist area for 3D printing and rapid prototyping, a laser facility and physics and electronics laboratories. All learning spaces are designed around a full height central atrium to promote student and staff collaboration.

Computing, Electronics and Mathematics

Cisco lab
The Cisco lab is used for working with general networking as well as working towards accreditation by Cisco. Optional modules allow students to work in the lab to develop their skills in preparation for the Cisco certification exam.

Electrical Power Laboratory
Provides students with hands-on learning tools and test benches. It supports learning of the many properties of electrical generation use, with the aim of training students in the maintenance and running of electrical machines.

Electronics Laboratories
Equipped with a full range of test and measurement equipment, various development boards for embedded electronics and a variety of interface applications such as GSM, Ethernet and numerous communications and motor solutions.

Ethical Hacking and Cybersecurity Laboratory
Contains 84 workstations, equipped with full licenses for Forensic Toolkit 7.1 as well as a range of open source security suites, in addition to a variety of software commonly used by many businesses around the world.

Games Technology Laboratory
Benefits from high-end gaming PCs which have the capacity to run industry standard games engines, programming environments and 3D design packages. The laboratory also supports Virtual Reality (VR) game development.

Informal Study Areas
Our open access spaces provide students with informal computer access to all the specialist software required for their studies at any time. There are bookable spaces where students can meet with academics or work in small groups.

Mac Laboratory
Our Mac laboratory is complete with Apple Mac desktops and a recording studio with green screen. There is also an equipment booking system allowing you to borrow a range of cameras and multimedia production equipment.

Mathematics support and sigma
Sigma is an award-winning Mathematics Support Centre which provides a wide range of learning resources in both mathematics and statistics. Students can make use of drop-in sessions or more extensive one-to-one appointments.

Virtual Laboratories
Provide a cutting edge virtualisation environment that can be used to create entire virtual networks, complete with services, users and even attackers. Students can access this environment from anywhere on or off campus.

 Research facilities

Energy, Construction and Environment

Architectural Technology Studio
This multi-function space acts both as a teaching and tutorial room. It houses 40 hi-spec computers which include Revit, Sketchup and AutoCAD. An informal area is available for group discussions, tutorials and making models.

Geotechnics Laboratory
Contains triaxial cells, direct shear box apparatus, a dimensional compression oedometer, California Bearing Ratio apparatus, soil classification equipment and Marshall test apparatus for asphalt mixes.

High Specification Computer Laboratory
This computer laboratory is equipped with access to ArcGIS for mapping and geographical information systems. It is also equipped with Petrel/Eclipse software for oil and gas reservoir simulation and calculation.

Hydraulics Laboratory
Our hydraulics laboratory is equipped with three different hydraulic flumes, and an innovative canal lock design. The lab also contains model bed channels, hydraulic benches and a large scale surge shaft model.

Informal Study Areas
Our open access spaces provide students with informal computer access to all the specialist software required for their studies at any time. There are bookable spaces where students can meet with academics or work in small groups.

Materials Laboratory
Includes industrial standard timber and steel workshops, a concrete mixing area with 3 pan mixers, programmable environmental chambers, a range of ovens and curing tanks and various materials testing apparatus.

Mathematics support and sigma
Sigma is an award-winning Mathematics Support Centre which provides a wide range of learning resources in both mathematics and statistics. Students can make use of drop-in sessions or more extensive one-to-one appointments.

Simulation Centre
Our interactive training centre is used to create a ‘virtual’ construction site with fully-equipped site cabins and observation deck. Students undertake role play exercises to help prepare them for situations in the workplace.

Structures Laboratory
Includes eight test frames, two of which are fully programmable ‘top of the range’ Instron universal test machines. The laboratory also includes a strong floor area with associated framing and ancillary measurement devices.

 Research facilities

Mechanical, Aerospace and Automotive Engineering

Chassis Fabrication Facility
This area is used by our motorsport students for any welding, cutting and shaping of materials requirements. It is used mainly for the fabrication of components or chassis design and build.

Cruden F1 simulator
The simulator provides a realistic experience of working for a race team in a high pressured and realistic environment. The simulator includes the same software and calculations used by professional racing teams.

Flight Simulators
Our flight simulators create an exciting way to learn, with 61 channels of flight data which can be analysed to assess the accuracy of a students’ own design. The simulators are also incorporated into an air traffic control environment.

Harrier Jet
Our Harrier T4 allows students to gain hands-on experience with the parts, tools and mechanical aspects of a real aircraft. It is used by many engineering disciplines to learn how an aircraft works and how to maintain it.

High Performance Engineering Centre (HPEC)
Home to flight and driving simulators, a chassis design assembly and test facility and wind tunnels. The centre also houses a fleet of CNC manufacturing machines, a full size vehicle shaker rig and a composite material laboratory.

Informal Study Areas
Our open access spaces provide students with informal computer access to all the specialist software required for their studies at any time. There are bookable spaces where students can meet with academics or work in small groups.

Institute for Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering (AME)
AME brings together academia, industry and research and development in a ‘live’ manufacturing environment. Students are provided with training on industry-leading machinery, with access to metrology and metallurgy labs.

Mathematics support and sigma
Sigma is an award-winning Mathematics Support Centre which provides a wide range of learning resources in both mathematics and statistics. Students can make use of drop-in sessions or more extensive one-to-one appointments.

Metals Workshop
Allows you to participate in technical work in a hands-on way. The workshop includes lathes, milling machines, fabrication equipment for sheet metal work, CNC machines, work benches, welding lines and a fitting assembly area.

Metrology Laboratories
Coventry University is a recognised leader for independent measurement expertise and services within the field of metrology. Facilities in our metrology laboratory include an impressive range of dimensional metrology equipment.

Unmanned Systems Laboratory
This laboratory is used by our aerospace students to build model aircraft as part of their taught modules. Finished designs may be entered into the BMFA Heavy lift Challenge and the IMechE UAS Challenge for fully autonomous aircraft.

Wind tunnel
Built and tested by the Mercedes AMG PETRONAS Formula One team, our open jet single return wind tunnel has be designed to accommodate 20% scale open-wheel racing car models with a maximum air velocity of 45 m/s.

 Research facilities

 Queen’s Award for Enterprise Logo
University of the year shortlisted
QS Five Star Rating 2023