The University of Bradford in England has launched an interactive digital campus map to enhance accessibility, improve student experience and streamline campus operations.

The platform replaces static signage and paper-based maps, offering a modern navigation tool that students, staff and visitors can access across devices.

The initiative aligns with the university’s wider digital transformation strategy, which focuses on creating a more connected, user-friendly campus environment.

With more than 13,000 students and staff representing over 120 nationalities, the university has long prided itself on inclusiveness and innovation. However, campus navigation had become increasingly complex as buildings evolved, and new facilities were introduced.

“Keeping static maps updated was a continuous challenge,” said Markus Jones, space planning manager at the University of Bradford. “Students would often rely on outdated signage or printed materials, which led to confusion and unnecessary stress, especially for new arrivals or visitors with accessibility needs.”

The university’s digital map now provides accurate, real-time navigation information across all buildings and facilities. Users can search for lecture halls, study spaces, accessibility routes and amenities directly through their phones or laptops.

The mapping project forms a key part of Bradford’s move towards a smarter campus ecosystem, integrating several student-facing systems into a unified platform. The map is already embedded in the university’s campus app, launched in collaboration with Santander Universities, giving students a single point of access for timetables, events and campus services.

“This is just the first step,” said Jack Owen, space planning coordinator at the University of Bradford. “We want our systems to speak to one another, from room bookings to accessibility tools so that the campus experience feels seamless.”

To bring the vision to life, the university partnered with Norwegian firm MazeMap, a specialist in indoor navigation and space visualisation. The technology allows universities and hospitals worldwide to create accurate, interactive maps that users can explore in real time.

Bradford’s map allows internal teams to update building layouts quickly without external support. The collaboration resulted in a smooth implementation process, converting the university’s existing CAD drawings into a digital format within weeks.

“MazeMap gave us the flexibility we needed,” said Jones. “The ability to manage updates internally is a real game-changer.”

The university (www.bradford.ac.uk) sees digital navigation as a foundation for broader transformation. Upcoming plans include layering space utilisation data, integrating room-booking capabilities and enhancing accessibility through features such as Blue Dot positioning, which allows real-time indoor tracking similar to outdoor GPS.

“This technology helps us deliver on our promise of a connected, inclusive and digitally enabled campus,” said Jones. “It’s about making everyone’s experience, whether you’re a student, a staff member or a visitor, as smooth and welcoming as possible.”

As universities across the UK focus on digital-first strategies to improve student experience and sustainability, Bradford’s approach demonstrates how smart navigation systems can become central to that mission. While the platform quietly runs in the background, its impact is visible everywhere: fewer lost students, fewer missed meetings and a campus that feels more intuitive to explore.

MazeMap (www.mazemap.com) is a provider of indoor mapping and navigation technology for universities, hospitals and enterprises worldwide. Its platform helps organisations deliver smarter, more accessible experiences while optimising operations.