Contractor Miller will now start work on the job, which is being supported with an £8m grant from the Higher Education Funding Council.

When the job is finished in the autumn of 2012, Stoke will boast a host of specialist science and technology laboratories, a cognitive and developmental psychology suite and two lecture theatres.

The science and technology centre forms part of the city’s new University Quarter (UniQ), the largest collaborative, education led regeneration project of its kind in the UK.

So far this has seen the opening of a new Lifestyle building at Stoke-on-Trent College and the relocation of the City of Stoke-on-Trent Sixth Form College to a new building adjoining Staffordshire University’s campus on Leek Road.

Staffordshire University Deputy Vice-Chancellor Paul Richards said: “The University has taken the decision that this can’t wait.

“The Science and Technology Centre is another giant step in the regeneration of North Staffordshire and we are confident it will make a significant impact on creating a science-literate community and a qualified workforce to help grow our science-based industries.”