The Catalyst Building, which is part-funded by the Office for Students, will take the place of the Brindley Building on the University’s Stoke-on-Trent campus.
Architects Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios is working with University and Mace as project manager to deliver the project.
The brick building will house an apprenticeships and digital skills hub, a new library, social learning spaces and a restaurant and café.
Demolition work on the Brindley building will begin in January with construction on the Catalyst Building expected to begin in Spring 2019.
Set to open in August 2020, the Catalyst Building will act as a study base for 6,500 new apprenticeships by 2030.