The construction cost is estimated at £29m, exclusive of the university’s direct fitting-out works, with BAM due to start work next month.

According to construction information specialist Glenigan, BAM beat Kier, Miller, Shepherd and Vinci to take the job which involves designing and building three separate buildings on the Manor Park campus: an 80,000 sq ft academic building, a clinical skills centre and a veterinary pathology facility.

BAM will look to work with local suppliers where possible, and will seek to involve students in the construction project to provide learning opportunities.

Fit-out firms will move in under separate contracts in April 2015.

The school will be the first in the South East outside London and includes a main academic centre with offices, teaching spaces, lecture theatres, and labs.