New Delhi, December 15, 2025 — The University of New South Wales (UNSW Sydney), ranked among the world’s top 20 universities, has received formal approval from India’s University Grants Commission (UGC) to establish its first Indian campus in Bengaluru. The “Letter of Intent” was granted today during an official ceremony in New Delhi, attended by India’s Education Minister Shri Dharmendra Pradhan and Australia’s Minister for Education, the Hon. Jason Clare.
Scheduled to open in August 2026, UNSW Bengaluru will offer Indian students unprecedented access to a world-class education from a globally top-20 university—without having to leave the country. Initial programs will include undergraduate degrees in Business, Media, Computer Science, and Data Science, along with a postgraduate program in Cybersecurity, all aligned with UNSW Sydney’s existing curriculum and academic standards.
The campus will operate under a joint governance model with strict quality assurance protocols, with oversight by UNSW’s Academic Board to ensure the same rigorous academic integrity as its Australian programs.
A Landmark in Australia–India Education Cooperation
Australian Education Minister Jason Clare welcomed the development as a milestone in bilateral education ties:
“Education is one of Australia’s largest exports—but it’s not just about students coming to Australia. It’s also about Australian institutions going to the world. UNSW’s new campus in India will be the highest-ranked university in the country and will deepen the educational, cultural, and economic links between our two nations.”
India’s Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan echoed this sentiment, stating:
“I warmly welcome UNSW to India. This collaboration will foster stronger academic, research, and industry connections between our countries and supports India’s vision to become a global hub for education, innovation, and knowledge creation—benefiting society at large.”
Driving Global Impact Through Local Presence
Professor Attila Brungs, Vice-Chancellor and President of UNSW Sydney, said the Bengaluru campus is a cornerstone of UNSW’s 2035 Strategy: “Progress for All,” which prioritizes global engagement, research excellence, student success, and societal impact.
“Education is a catalyst for social progress,” Prof. Brungs said. “With UNSW Bengaluru, we’re bringing world-class education directly to talented Indian students—many of whom may prefer to study closer to home—empowering them to become the next generation of innovators and leaders.”
“For the first time, Indian students will be able to earn a degree from a top-20 global university right here in India.”
He emphasized that UNSW’s expansion reflects deep alignment with India’s National Education Policy 2020, particularly its focus on internationalization, research collaboration, and enhanced graduate outcomes.
“Indian students and scholars have enriched UNSW in Australia for over 70 years. Now, it’s our privilege to bring UNSW to them.”
Deepening Ties with India’s Innovation Ecosystem
Located in Bengaluru—India’s tech and innovation capital—the new campus will build on UNSW’s long-standing partnerships with premier Indian institutions, including:
- Indian Institute of Management Bangalore (IIMB)
- National Law School of India University (NLSIU)
- Indian Institute of Science (IISc)
- Ministry of Road Transport & Highways
- Ministry of Steel
- Karnataka Renewable Energy Development Ltd (KREDL)
By embedding itself in India’s knowledge economy, UNSW Bengaluru aims to accelerate the development of high-skilled talent and foster cutting-edge research in areas critical to India’s future.
A University Recognized for Entrepreneurship and Employability
UNSW Sydney is consistently ranked Australia’s most employable university and was recently named the most entrepreneurial university in the Asia-Pacific region—a testament to its strong industry links and graduate success.
About UNSW Sydney
UNSW Sydney is a world-leading, research-intensive university and a founding member of Australia’s prestigious Group of Eight. Ranked in the global top 20 in the latest QS World University Rankings, UNSW excels in academic reputation, research output, graduate employability, international outlook, and sustainability.
It is also Australia’s top-ranked university for social impact and environmental responsibility (QS Sustainability Rankings 2026). With strengths across engineering, business, science, health, law, design, and social sciences, UNSW serves a vibrant community of over 70,000 students from more than 100 countries.
Through sustained collaboration with India—including joint research, academic programs, and student exchanges—UNSW continues to strengthen global knowledge networks, preparing graduates to tackle complex challenges and drive shared prosperity.