University of Liverpool Opens First India Campus in Bengaluru, Welcomes 300 Students

The University of Liverpool has inaugurated its first campus in South India at Alembic City in Whitefield, Bengaluru, marking a significant milestone in India’s efforts to internationalise higher education and strengthen its research and innovation ecosystem. Nearly 300 students have joined the inaugural cohort, gaining access to programmes offered by a leading UK research university without having to relocate overseas to begin their studies.

The campus, officially opened on October 15, offers initial programmes in Computer Science, Game Design, Business Management, Accounting and Finance, and Biomedical Sciences. The inauguration was attended by Karnataka Industries Minister M B Patil, University of Liverpool Vice-Chancellor Professor Tim Jones, Liverpool City Region Mayor Steve Rotheram and British officials.

The initiative took shape during Patil’s London visit in November 2024, when he held discussions with Russell Group universities to attract investment into Karnataka’s higher education, research and industrial sectors. The university subsequently secured regulatory approval in June 2026 under India’s framework for foreign higher education institutions.

The campus aligns with the National Education Policy 2020 and the University Grants Commission’s 2023 regulations governing foreign universities in India. It follows the University of Southampton in establishing a UK university’s international branch campus under the framework, expanding opportunities for Indian students to access international education domestically.

According to figures cited by the minister’s office, Karnataka has 2.7 million higher education students across 4,500 colleges, produces 160,000 engineering graduates annually and hosts more than 24,000 start-ups and 50 unicorn companies.

Patil urged the university to collaborate with local institutions and businesses in artificial intelligence, biotechnology, advanced manufacturing, clean energy and sustainable development. More than 14 foreign universities have expressed interest in establishing campuses in Karnataka, with additional institutions and research laboratories expected in KWIN City.

The university highlighted research collaborations with NIMHANS and IISc Bengaluru, alongside new agreements involving the National Centre for Biological Sciences, Bell Integration and Sai Life Sciences. These partnerships could strengthen research, industry engagement and innovation.

Vice-Chancellor Tim Jones said the university was proud to open its first international campus in more than 20 years. The campus is expected to deepen India–UK educational cooperation, although its long-term impact will depend on affordability, teaching quality, research outcomes and graduate employment opportunities.