The University of New South Wales will establish its first international campus in Bengaluru by 2026, marking one of the most significant Australia–India education partnerships to date.
The move positions UNSW Sydney as the first Australian university to open a full-fledged overseas campus in India, offering local students access to degrees from a global top-20 institution at a time when demand for higher education far exceeds available university places.
Australia’s Federal Education Minister Jason Clare announced the new campus at a ceremony in New Delhi alongside India’s Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, describing the development as a milestone in the bilateral relationship.
“Education is one of Australia’s biggest exports. And it is not a one-way street,” Mr Clare said. “UNSW coming to India will create the highest-ranked university in the country. It will open up new opportunities for young people in India and bring our two countries even closer together.”
The Bengaluru campus will operate under India’s National Education Policy 2020, which encourages top global universities to set up branch campuses to strengthen the nation’s higher education sector and produce job-ready graduates.
UNSW Vice-Chancellor Professor Attila Brungs said the venture aligns with the university’s long-term strategy to expand its global footprint.
“Education is one of the most powerful forces for global progress,” he said. “We are very excited to make UNSW’s world-class education more accessible to Indian students who can now study locally at a comprehensive education and research campus in Bengaluru.”
He said the campus would help meet India’s substantial unmet demand for tertiary places, while giving students the opportunity to earn qualifications identical to those awarded in Australia and recognised globally.
Courses offered in Bengaluru will mirror UNSW’s existing undergraduate programs in business, media, computer science and data science, along with a postgraduate degree in cybersecurity. Academic quality will be overseen jointly through UNSW’s governance and Academic Board.
Deputy Vice-Chancellor Global Professor Colin Grant said UNSW’s physical presence in India reflects shifting global dynamics in both education and industry.
“Bengaluru is a strategic hub with a strong innovation culture,” he said. “Establishing a base there will deepen our engagement with government, industry, academia and the country’s broader innovation ecosystem.”
UNSW expects the campus to play a key role in strengthening research partnerships across areas including renewable energy, health, transport and education, as well as diversifying its international student markets.
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