The University of Cumbria celebrates the opening of its brand-new Barrow campus to its students, marking a historic milestone for the town as it becomes a university town for the first time.

Located in an area historically marked by low participation in higher education, the new campus represents a significant step forward in expanding access and aspiration for the region.

Symbolising nearly a decade of local ambition and collaboration, the new campus located on Buccleuch Dock Road is the largest of the projects under the UK Government-backed Brilliant Barrow Town Deal.

It brings to life a shared vision for Barrow that dates back to 2016.

University of Cumbria’s Deputy Vice Chancellor, Professor Brian Webster-Henderson OBE, said: “The opening of our Barrow campus marks a transformative moment for both the University of Cumbria and the town itself.

“It is the result of nearly a decade of collaboration, vision, and belief in Barrow’s potential. This development directly supports our Towards 2030 strategy, which focuses on place, people, and partnership.

“It does so by expanding access to higher education, attracting and retaining talent, and strengthening ties with industry and community.

“Barrow is now a university town, and that unlocks new possibilities for regional growth, national resilience, and lifelong opportunity.”

The campus, built by regional contractor Caddick, brings higher education within reach for local students who have long had to travel to access full-time degree-level study, creating much more accessible routes into tertiary education for those in the region.

Developed in collaboration with BAE Systems, Westmorland and Furness Council, Furness College as well as local businesses and organisations, the campus reflects a shared commitment to education, innovation, and regional development.

The education provision delivered through the campus responds directly to the region’s growing demand for skills in healthcare and advanced manufacturing.

They have been co-designed with employers including the University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay Trust and BAE Systems to meet regional workforce needs.

Janet Garner, Future Workforce Director, said: “We are incredibly proud to be playing a key role in bringing the University of Cumbria’s Barrow campus to life.

“This investment in local education is vital to ensuring we have a pipeline of skilled, ambitious individuals ready to take on the advanced manufacturing and national security challenges of the future.

“By working hand-in-hand with education providers and the wider community, we are helping to create opportunities that not only support our business but also deliver lasting social and economic impact for Barrow and the wider region.”

Beyond its regional importance, the campus plays a critical role in advancing the UK’s broader national priorities.

Backed by the Government’s £220 million ‘Team Barrow’ initiative, a 10-year plan aimed at transformative infrastructure investment, Barrow has been hailed by Prime Minister Keir Starmer as ‘a blueprint’ for how defence spending can fuel economic growth and empower hardworking communities across the country, as the UK vows to spend 5 percent of GDP on national security by 2035.

The development also plays an important role in supporting the NHS 10 year plan, particularly in addressing workforce challenges and strengthening healthcare delivery.

The campus contributes to the expansion of training routes and placements to meet the rising demand for NHS staff and the change in how the NHS will offer its care over the coming years.

The two-storey building features a curved, submarine-inspired roofline, ample glazing to ensure natural light, adaptable specialist teaching spaces, green infrastructure, and welcoming social areas.

This milestone in expanding access to higher education represents a significant step forward in empowering local communities and strengthening Barrow’s role in the UK’s future.