UK’s University of Liverpool Gets UGC Nod to Open First Foreign University Campus in Bengaluru by 2026

In a landmark development in the internationalisation of higher education, the UK’s prestigious University of Liverpool has received formal approval from the University Grants Commission (UGC) to establish its first foreign campus in Bengaluru. The announcement was made at an event in New Delhi, graced by the Hon’ble Union Minister of Education Dharmendra Pradhan, who welcomed the initiative as a major step in realising India’s global education ambitions.

Scheduled to launch in August 2026, the University of Liverpool, Bengaluru campus will begin by offering undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in Business Management, Accounting and Finance, Computer Science, and Biomedical Sciences. Notably, it will also offer a course in Game Design—an innovative addition and a first-of-its-kind programme by a UK university in India.

The university aims to create a research-intensive, globally connected academic environment. Students will benefit from the academic rigour, global curriculum, and faculty of a world-class Russell Group university while studying in India. They will also have access to international exchange opportunities through Liverpool’s extensive global network.

The University of Liverpool has long-standing ties with Bengaluru, including over 20 years of collaboration with NIMHANS that has contributed to shaping WHO vaccine guidelines. It also works closely with institutions like the Indian Institute of Science and companies such as Hindustan Unilever—further cementing its deep academic and industry integration in the region.

To deepen these relationships, the university signed MoUs with organisations including AstraZeneca Pharma India, Wipro Limited, Dream11, YouWeCan Foundation, and the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) during the event.

Professor Tim Jones, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Liverpool, said, “We are delighted to have received UGC approval to open Bengaluru’s first international university campus. With India’s ambitious higher education goals under NEP 2020, we are excited to contribute by providing world-class academic and research opportunities.”

British High Commissioner to India, Lindy Cameron, described the new campus as a “landmark achievement” in UK-India relations that will foster academic, economic, and cultural exchange. Alison Barrett MBE, British Council Country Director India, added that the move aligns closely with NEP 2020’s vision of internationalising Indian higher education and broadening access to global knowledge systems.

Professor Tariq Ali, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Global Engagement at the University, noted, “This campus marks a new chapter in our India engagement—connecting students, industries, and research communities in both countries and contributing to regional development.”

With its focus on academic excellence, research, and global exposure, the University of Liverpool’s Bengaluru campus is poised to become a benchmark for foreign university operations in India.