Ribbon cut as Barnsley College's new £16m University Centre officially opens
The Barnsley College-led project has seen the 93 year old former Barnsley Mining and Technical College extensively renovated
Last updated 26th Sep 2025
Barnsley's brand new £16m University Centre has officially opened inside on the town's most historic buildings.
The Barnsley College-led project has seen the 93 year old former Barnsley Mining and Technical College extensively renovated to house students studying for technical qualifications in areas including engineering and IT.
The renovation project started in May 2024 and saw work to create a new atrium, study zones and a glazed roof above a modern café.
Barnsley College Principal and Chief Executive Officer David Akeroyd said: “The opening of the University Centre is a landmark moment for higher-level education in Barnsley and the wider region.
“This project has been years in the making and represents the hard work, vision and commitment of so many colleagues and partners. Together, we have taken a unique building that once stood as a symbol of Barnsley’s mining and technological excellence and reimagined it for the future, while keeping it where it has always historically been – at the cutting-edge of technical education.
“This is an exciting time for the College and all our partners involved in the South Yorkshire IoT – as we look ahead to a future in which our hard work has led to increased opportunities for retraining and upskilling, more accessible and higher-quality jobs, and a productive workforce who are skilled in the right areas.”