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The University footprint in Waterford has developed an attractive modern university campus environment for staff and students. SETU's campuses in Waterford has a multi-campus structure with five sites clustered within a three kilometre radius around the city of Waterford:

  • Cork Road Campus
  • Applied Technology Campus
  • College Street Campus
  • West Campus 
  • Granary Campus 

SETU's Cork Road Campus is located approximately 3km from Waterford city. Acquired in 1969, the site saw the construction of an initial 11,000m² building, followed by an additional 7,000m² in 1977 to accommodate the growing needs of the University.

A period of significant expansion began in 1999 with the opening of the Luke Wadding Library, marking the start of modern facility development. This was followed by the Walton Information Technology Building in 2003, lauded by The Irish Times as one of the best in Ireland. The O'Connell Bianconi Nursing Education Building opened in 2005, and the Tourism and Leisure Building was completed in 2008, further enhancing the campus.

The recent acquisition of the former Waterford Crystal site adjacent to the Cork Road Campus presents an exciting opportunity for future growth, fostering deeper connections with the local community and enterprise.

SETU's Applied Technology Campus is situated within Waterford’s IDA Industrial Estate, adjacent to the western side of the Cork Road Campus. The campus comprises several standalone units dedicated to delivering undergraduate engineering laboratories, trade skills programs, and teaching spaces. This specialised facility supports practical, hands-on learning and innovation, complementing the broader academic offerings of SETU.

SETU’s College Street Campus, the second-largest student facility in Waterford, spans approximately 7.5 acres. Acquired in 1994 from the Good Shepherd Order of Nuns, the campus is located just 2km east of the Cork Road Campus and within walking distance of the city centre.

The site features remarkable 19th and early 20th century architecture, much of which is listed, including a beautifully designed classical chapel now used for concerts and other events.

Since its acquisition, the campus has undergone significant refurbishment and renovation. In 2000, a temporary accommodation building was added to meet the needs of a growing student population, further enhancing the campus's capacity to support learning and community engagement.

SETU’s West Campus, a 170-acre land bank acquired in 1998, is located 3km west of the Cork Road Campus. Bordered by the River Suir and the Waterford Bypass N25 feeder road, the campus benefits from excellent access, including a major roundabout developed for convenient entry and access to the Waterford Greenway.

The West Campus is being developed in phases and is already home to several key facilities. These include SETU's Xcelerate Centre, Walton Institute, NetLabs Integrated Research building, National Biodiversity Centre, and a fully refurbished Carriganore House, which hosts the Nutrition Research Centre Ireland (NRCI) and RTE.

 

SETU Arena

Opened in September 2016, the €20 million state-of-the-art SETU Arena is a centerpiece of the campus. Serving both students and the public, SETU Arena accommodates up to 2,000 people and stands as one of the premier sporting, exercise, and conference venues in the south east of Ireland.

In addition to grass, all-weather, and support facilities, the Arena provides cutting-edge sports and exercise amenities, gymnasiums, and lecture rooms, supporting both academic programmes and athletic excellence.

A highlight of the facility is the 2,000m² aula maxima or great hall, a versatile space for official SETU events, large conferences, conferring ceremonies, and external sporting, business, and social gatherings, reinforcing SETU's role as a hub for education, innovation and community engagement.

The Granary Campus, located within the iconic Waterford Treasures building in the heart of Waterford's Cultural Quarter, serves as a vibrant hub for students pursuing Architecture, Architectural Technology, and Building Information Modelling (BIM) courses. This centrally located campus combines a rich historical setting with modern academic opportunities, fostering creativity and innovation in the built environment disciplines.