Willmott Dixon has collaborated with University of Staffordshire’s Games Institute on an innovative project that enables prospective students to virtually explore the new Student Village in Fortnite – months before the accommodation opens its doors.

The multi-million pound Student Village, which Willmott Dixon is currently building at the University’s Stoke-on-Trent campus, has been recreated in StaffsVerse – the University’s virtual campus within the popular gaming platform. The initiative demonstrates how construction and gaming can combine to engage young people and showcase buildings before completion.

Future students can now explore the new cluster blocks and town houses – which will provide around 700 new student rooms – as well as The Hub, a social space featuring events, wellbeing and study areas. Using the Fortnite island code 7421-1052-8692, players can drop into the virtual village and get a taste of what awaits them when the accommodation opens this September.

View film here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LxBvFwbeYu8&feature=youtu.be

Embracing New Ideas to Engage Young People

The StaffsVerse recreation was built in Unreal Engine by students from the University’s award-winning games courses as part of its 1UP placement programme. Willmott Dixon worked closely with the Games Institute to provide detailed information about the development, enabling students to accurately recreate the Student Village as it will appear once complete.

Nick Preedy, Senior Project Manager at Willmott Dixon:

“This is a fantastic example of embracing new ideas to encourage young people to engage with what we build. Fortnite has millions of players, many of whom are prospective students, so using this platform to showcase the Student Village is a brilliant way to connect with them. By collaborating with the University’s incredibly talented gaming students, we’ve helped create something genuinely innovative that brings the Student Village to life before it physically opens. It’s been a unique and enjoyable experience for our team.”

Virtual Open Days for Future Students

Professor Martin Jones, Vice-Chancellor of University of Staffordshire:

“The student experience is at the forefront of the design of our new Student Village, providing high-quality accommodation and a range of social spaces. Once complete, it will be the heart of our campus community, providing a vibrant space for students to live, study and socialise. The StaffsVerse offers an exciting opportunity for students, parents, staff and the wider public to virtually explore the Student Village before anyone else and get a taste of what it will be like when we open its doors later this year.”

Professor Chris Headleand, Head of the University’s Games Institute:

“We were proud to collaborate with our partners in Willmott Dixon to bring the Student Village to life in our virtual campus. The StaffsVerse will provide a unique, and immersive opportunity to explore our state-of-the-art student accommodation.”

About the Student Village

The landmark Student Village project will see around 700 new student rooms built in cluster blocks and town houses alongside a village ‘hub’ facility. The development blends contemporary and sustainable architecture with its location close to the University’s nature reserve and the River Trent. Willmott Dixon is also refurbishing 300 existing Student Homes to bring these up to a modern standard aligned with the Student Village’s bespoke Carbon Targets.

Due for completion in summer 2026, the Student Village will welcome its first intake of students to its brand-new accommodation in September. The scheme is being delivered in partnership with Staffordshire Campus Living, a consortium formed by Hochtief PPP Solutions UK and Ireland, Plenary and University of Staffordshire.

The StaffsVerse virtual campus, which also includes the University’s Stafford and London campuses, launched in January 2025 and has since been updated to include the new Student Village. University of Staffordshire is home to the UK’s largest games department.