A Birmingham university will be given an £8.5 million facelift, creating 150 jobs.

Newman University College, in Bartley Green, will benefit from a new entrance and building under works, to be completed by Solihull-based Morgan Sindall.

The company, which is based at Waterside Business Park, will build the new three-storey building to include a showpiece art library, office and teaching space, cafe and an atrium.

Construction bosses said the new roles created would be throughout the supply chain and would be recruited from a catchment within 30 miles of the site.

Morgan Sindall area director Dave Smith said: “We are thrilled to have been chosen to create an inspiring new learning space for Newman University College.

“The whole project will create around 150 jobs in all and they will all come from the 30 mile area around the college.

“They will be in various posts along the supply chain, including sub-contractors for example.”

The new building extension will be extensively-faced with concrete inside and out and will join the existing teaching space at the college.

The later stages of the scheme will see Morgan Sindall workers refurbish the existing science and art blocks. The works are due to be completed in January 2012.

Mr Smith added: “We are confident this exciting development will bring significant and positive benefits to the area.”