UEA’s new high‑tech anatomy suite on schedule to open to students in September 2026

By: Communications

Three images show builders working, with two showing the exterior cladding being added to the building and another showing the bare bones of an inside room.

The new anatomy suite at the University of East Anglia is taking shape. Photos: UEA.

The University of East Anglia’s new high‑tech anatomy suite is on track to open to students in September 2026.

The new facility will provide state‑of‑the‑art laboratories that strengthen UEA’s NHS workforce training, and ensure the University continues to be one of the select UK institutions able to offer live dissection teaching.

The project received national attention recently because the new extension also forms a key part of UEA’s long‑term plan to expand clinical education by opening a dental school.

As well as housing the new anatomy suite, the building’s first floor has been designed as the initial phase of space required should UEA be permitted to bid for, and subsequently secure, new dental training places.

Construction progressing to plan

Construction started on the new extension to the Edith Cavell Building (ECB) in August 2024.

Situated at Norwich Research Park and next to the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital, the accessible space will replace the current anatomy suite.

The new facility will be one of the first in the UK to meet updated World Health Organisation guidance for anatomy and embalming environments.

By moving away from formaldehyde entirely and adopting a state‑of‑the‑art eco‑friendly embalming fluid, it removes the exposure risks associated with traditional chemicals and reduces the need for high‑volume ventilation.

These modern standards simply cannot be achieved in the existing building, but the new facility will deliver improved health and safety conditions while supporting the University’s sustainability goals.

It will also expand teaching capacity across undergraduate, postgraduate and specialist training, while providing flexible, modern spaces that can adapt to new technologies and complement the immersive learning facilities already in the ECB.

In addition, the new centre will expand postgraduate learning, specialist training and research, helping to improve healthcare provision across the country.

Supporting UEA’s mission and the region’s health needs

Most of the project’s funding has been secured from external partners, including the Office for Students. In addition, the Greater Norwich Growth Board has invested in the construction of the first floor - creating the first phase of space needed should UEA be given the green light by the Government to open Norwich Dental School.

With no dental school in the East of England, the nearest places to train as a dentist are in Birmingham or London.

By late autumn 2025 the new extension reached its watertight milestone, enabling significant progress on the internal fit‑out. Work continues on the external shell, including brickwork and installation of specialist fish‑scale cladding panels.

The project remains on schedule for completion ahead of the 2026/27 academic year.

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