Ground has been broken on a major building project for a £26 million university that’s being built at Castle Hill.

Dudley Council and its Alliance partners are building the new college with government funding under the Towns Fund.

The University of Worcester will run a nursing college from the site, providing teaching and learning for university-level courses centred around the health care sector including nursing, midwifery and paramedic science.

Dudley College of Technology worked alongside the council to develop plans for the new facility, following the development of the successful Dudley Learning Quarter and the creation of the Black Country and Marches Institute of Technology.

The college already has people signed up to some courses, with students set to study at an existing campus until the new site opens in 2026.

Councillor Paul Bradley, deputy leader of Dudley Council, said: “We are incredibly lucky to be working with Dudley College, the University of Worcester and our partners to bring this project to the borough.

“Together with partners, architects, engineers and other contractors we have created an insurance backed alliance contract, which is designed to ensure programme costs are maintained and the project is protected.

“I’m delighted we have broken ground on the site, which will create a much-needed health care sector campus and create a fantastic opportunity for anyone who would like to pursue a career in health.”

Neil Thomas, chief executive and principle at Dudley College, said: “We are very pleased to be working in collaboration with the council and partners to develop another fantastic educational facility in Dudley.

“I am sure this new training facility will provide fantastic opportunities for residents and business across the wider region.”

The Dudley Town Board, including Dudley Council and Dudley College of Technology, is overseeing the project and has worked to ensure terms of the funding are met.