In a significant development in international higher education, the University of Liverpool, a prestigious member of the UK’s Russell Group, has received formal approval from the University Grants Commission (UGC) to establish a campus in Bengaluru, Karnataka. This will be the first foreign university to set up a full-fledged campus in India, and it is scheduled to welcome its first batch of undergraduate and postgraduate students in August 2026.

The Bengaluru campus will offer degree programmes in Business Management, Accounting and Finance, Computer Science, and Biomedical Sciences. In addition, the university is set to introduce a new course in Game Design, reflecting the growing demand and relevance of this emerging field. Students enrolling in the campus will benefit from a globally relevant curriculum designed to meet international industry standards, preparing them to compete effectively in the global job market.

Beyond academics, the university aims to provide a research-intensive environment that aligns with the standards of a Russell Group institution. The campus will focus on fundamental, applied, and industry-driven research that addresses both global and local challenges. Indian students will gain access to the university’s global mobility scheme, enabling them to pursue academic, professional, and personal development opportunities not only in Liverpool but also across the world. The aim is to equip students with the international exposure and perspective required to succeed in today’s interconnected world.

Professor Tim Jones, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Liverpool, expressed his excitement about the approval and the opportunity to contribute to India’s vision for expanding higher education. “We are delighted to have received approval from the UGC to open Bengaluru’s first international campus. The Indian government’s ambition to significantly increase enrolment in higher education is visionary, and we are excited to be developing plans to play our part,” he said. Jones also highlighted the strategic significance of Bengaluru, stating that opening a campus in Karnataka was a natural progression, given the university’s existing partnerships and collaborations in the region.

The University of Liverpool has established strong connections with institutions and organisations across Karnataka. Notably, it has a long-standing research partnership with the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS). It also collaborates with the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru, and global companies such as Hindustan Unilever. The latter collaboration builds on an existing partnership between the university and UK-based Unilever, through which they established the Materials Innovation Factory—a globally renowned centre for materials chemistry and robotics.

Apart from Bengaluru, the university has expanded its presence in India through strategic academic engagements, including a programme launched at the All India Institute for Medical Sciences (AIIMS), focusing on head and neck cancer. Delhi University is also among the Indian academic partners that contribute to this growing relationship.

To further its global and regional collaborations, the University of Liverpool recently signed multiple memoranda of understanding (MoUs) with institutions such as the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG), AstraZeneca Pharma India Limited, Wipro Limited, YouWeCan, and Dream11. These partnerships are aimed at fostering collaboration in research, innovation, and student development.

Lindy Cameron, British High Commissioner to India, welcomed the announcement, describing the new campus as a landmark moment in the UK-India partnership. She remarked, “Young people are at the heart of the UK-India partnership, and education is one of our most powerful tools unlocking opportunities for growth and innovation across both our countries. The University of Liverpool’s new campus in Bengaluru is a landmark achievement, deepening the links between our innovators and academics for years to come.”

Alison Barrett MBE, Country Director for India at the British Council, echoed these sentiments, noting that the move aligned well with India’s National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which prioritises the internationalisation of higher education. She said, “This development supports the goals of India’s NEP 2020 and demonstrates a shared vision for expanding access to world-class education and driving research collaboration that addresses global challenges.”

Professor Tariq Ali, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Global Engagement and Partnerships at the University of Liverpool, emphasized the broader implications of the campus. He described it as an opportunity to deepen ties with India, foster greater collaboration in education and research, and connect innovation ecosystems for mutual benefit.

With the establishment of the Bengaluru campus, the University of Liverpool is set to become a key player in India’s higher education landscape, enhancing opportunities for Indian students and strengthening academic and industrial ties between the two nations.