Venue at a glance
Teesside University operates a distributed portfolio of event and specialist hire spaces across Middlesbrough, Stockton-on-Tees, Darlington, and London. The flagship Digital Life building anchors the offer with a 750-capacity hybrid-ready conference space, while additional facilities include MIMA contemporary art gallery, Fusion Hive innovation hub, bioscience centres, TV studios, and specialist training environments.
The venue portfolio is particularly strong for conferences, professional training, innovation events, healthcare and legal CPD, digital and creative industries, and organisations seeking specialist technical infrastructure alongside standard event space.
Why choose this venue
The Conference and Events Space within Digital Life accommodates up to 750 delegates theatre style and combines built-in hybrid infrastructure with production support and breakout capability.
The university portfolio includes broadcast studios, VR motion capture, health simulation labs, a hydrotherapy pool, a mock courtroom, and specialist research environments available alongside traditional event spaces.
Digital Life sits at the centre of the Tees Valley Investment Zone and supports AI, immersive media, cloud technology, and cybersecurity sectors.
The portfolio ranges from contemporary conference centres and business hubs through to MIMA contemporary art gallery and rooftop terrace event spaces.
The campus is accessible via Middlesbrough station, Teesside International Airport, and direct road links to Newcastle, Leeds, York, and Durham.
Planning details
Best for
- Large conferences
- Hybrid and streamed events
- Digital and innovation events
- Healthcare and bioscience CPD
- Broadcast and media production
- University and education sector events
- Professional training
- Creative showcases
- Research collaboration events
Less suited to
- Luxury hospitality-led events
- Heritage or character-led weddings
- Boutique private dining
- High-end residential conferences
- Events requiring large amounts of walkable hotel inventory immediately adjacent
- Clients needing fully published pricing upfront
Catering
- Model Catering is available across the conference portfolio, particularly within Digital Life, including working lunches, buffet catering, three-course dining, bar packages and conference refreshments.
- External External catering policy is not fully published and should be confirmed per building and event type.
- Bars Bar packages are available for selected events within Digital Life.
- Dietary Specific dietary policies and menu options should be confirmed directly with the venue at enquiry stage.
Accessibility
- Features Accessible modern campus buildings
- Cycle storage and shower facilities
- Visitor support services
- Lift-served contemporary buildings (confirm with venue)
- Caveat Detailed accessibility specifications for individual rooms, specialist facilities, and gallery spaces should be confirmed directly with the university before booking.
Sustainability
- Details Digital Life is a low-energy building operating without gas on site (confirm BREEAM rating with venue). Additional sustainability and institutional credentials include Times Higher Education University of the Year 2025, TEF Gold 2023, the Customer First Standard, secure cycling infrastructure, and modern low-energy buildings.
Space combinations
- Conference and Events Space + Discovery Zone Conferences with networking and exhibitions
- Digital Life + TUCan Studios Broadcast-led events and livestreaming
- MIMA + Main Campus Cultural receptions alongside conferences
- National Horizons Centre + Seminar Spaces Healthcare and bioscience CPD events
- Fusion Hive + Main Campus Innovation and business collaboration programmes
Compare event spaces
Conference and Events Space
Flagship hybrid-ready conference venue within the Digital Life building The Conference and Events Space is the largest hireable event space within the Teesside University estate and was purpose-built…
Pairs well with Discovery Zone
Discovery Zone
Flexible networking and showcase space within Digital Life The Discovery Zone is an open-plan events and networking area designed for smaller gatherings, showcases, and collaborative activity. The contemporary…
Pairs well with Conference and Events Space
Curve Lecture Theatre
Contemporary lecture theatre within the university's flagship teaching building The Curve Lecture Theatre forms part of the university's £20 million Curve building and is used for teaching, presentations,…
Pairs well with Seminar Rooms at The Curve
Seminar Rooms at The Curve
Flexible teaching and breakout rooms for collaborative sessions The Curve includes both large and small seminar rooms designed for collaborative learning and workshop activity. These are listed as…
Pairs well with Curve Lecture Theatre
The Gateway
Multi-purpose event space at the Net Zero Industry Innovation Centre The Gateway is a versatile event environment used for conferences, networking, meetings, and away days. It is located…
Fusion Hive
Off-campus innovation and business hub in Stockton-on-Tees Fusion Hive operates as an independent business and innovation hub with meeting and training facilities available to external organisations. The off-campus…
MIMA (Middlesbrough Institute of Modern Art)
Contemporary art gallery venue with cultural event spaces MIMA is a contemporary art gallery and cultural institution within the Plus Tate network and operates as part of Teesside…
National Horizons Centre
Specialist bioscience and healthcare event and training facility The National Horizons Centre is a £22.3 million specialist bioscience and healthcare innovation facility supporting business collaboration, professional training, and…
Capacity matrix
| Space | Theatre | Boardroom | Cabaret | Open | Lecture | Layout | Horseshoe | Workshop | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Conference and Events Space | 750 | - | 492 | - | - | - | - | - | Ask |
| Discovery Zone | - | - | - | 80 | - | - | - | - | Ask |
| Curve Lecture Theatre | - | - | - | - | 120 | - | - | - | Ask |
| The Gateway | - | - | - | - | - | 40 | - | - | Ask |
| National Horizons Centre | 40 | 20 | - | - | - | - | 16 | 24 | Ask |
Facilities and services
Facilities & Amenities
Getting there
Teesside University's main campus is located in Middlesbrough town centre within the Tees Valley region. Several portfolio venues sit outside the main campus: Fusion Hive in Stockton-on-Tees, MIMA in Middlesbrough town centre, the National Horizons Centre in Darlington, and The Gateway at the Net Zero Industry Innovation Centre.
AddressMiddlesbrough, Tees Valley
PostcodeTS1 3BX
AreaNorth East England
Nearest stationMiddlesbrough Station — approximately 10 minutes' walk from main campus
Good forAwards and galas, Conferences, Corporate events, Exhibitions, Meeting rooms, Parties, Training venues, Weddings
- Middlesbrough station approximately 10 minutes on foot from the main campus
- Teesside International Airport approximately 13 miles away
- MIMA approximately five minutes from both the station and the main campus
- Direct road links — Darlington 15 miles, Durham 24 miles, Newcastle 40 miles, Leeds 75 miles
- Parking available on campus and within Middlesbrough town centre, with free on-site parking at off-campus sites such as The Gateway
Frequently asked questions
Is it suitable for large conferences?
Yes. The Digital Life Conference and Events Space accommodates up to 750 delegates theatre style and includes hybrid streaming capability and event production support.
Does the venue support hybrid and streamed events?
Yes. Digital Life was purpose-built for digitally enabled events and includes integrated streaming infrastructure, AV systems, and technical support teams.
Are there specialist training facilities available?
Yes. Facilities include health simulation labs, a mock courtroom, broadcast studios, VR motion capture, and specialist research labs.
Can spaces be hired outside the main campus?
Yes. The portfolio includes Fusion Hive in Stockton-on-Tees, MIMA in Middlesbrough town centre, the National Horizons Centre in Darlington, and The Gateway at the Net Zero Industry Innovation Centre.
Is there parking available?
Yes. Parking is available on campus and within Middlesbrough town centre, with free on-site parking at off-campus sites such as The Gateway. Availability for large events should be confirmed at booking stage.
Is the venue suitable for creative industry events?
Yes. MIMA, TUCan Studios, Digital Life, and the university's immersive media and broadcast infrastructure make the portfolio particularly relevant for creative, digital, and production-led events.