The six-floor building will be located at the University’s Moulsecoomb campus on an existing car park on the Lewis Road, known as the Watts site.

It will form the centrepiece of the wider campus regeneration around the former Preston barracks.

Architect Hassell has designed a striking tiled facade that is said to echo the flocks of starling murmurations seen over Brighton pier on winter evenings.

The proposed academic building will provide 75,000 sq ft of space.