Overview
The University of Liverpool has received final approval from India's Ministry of Education to open its first Indian campus in Bengaluru. The campus will open in August 2026, offering globally recognised UK degrees in fields like business, computer science, and game design. This marks a milestone under India's National Education Policy 2020.
A New Chapter for Indian Students
Indian students dream of studying abroad. Many go to the United Kingdom, the United States, Australia, and Canada. But studying abroad is expensive. It also means leaving family and friends behind. Now, there is a new option. On 4 June 2026, the University of Liverpool received official approval to open its first campus in India. The campus will be in Bengaluru, Karnataka . Classes will start in August 2026 . Students can now earn a UK degree without leaving India.
What Has Been Approved?
The Ministry of Education handed over the Letter of Approval (LoA) to the University of Liverpool on 4 June 2026. This is the final permission needed to start academic operations. The approval was presented by Dr. Vineet Joshi , Secretary of the Department of Higher Education and Chairman of the University Grants Commission (UGC). He handed it over to Professor Richard Grose , the Provost of the University of Liverpool Bengaluru.
The ceremony was attended by several senior leaders. These included Dharmendra Pradhan , Union Minister of Education; Dr. S. Jaishankar , External Affairs Minister; and Yvette Cooper , the UK Foreign Secretary. Their presence showed the importance of this event for both countries.
A Journey of Over One Year
The approval did not happen overnight. The university had first received a Letter of Intent (LoI) on 26 May 2025 . This was under the UGC (Setting Up and Operation of Campuses of Foreign Higher Educational Institutions in India) Regulations, 2023 . These regulations allow top foreign universities to set up branch campuses in India. Over the next year, the University of Liverpool completed all the requirements. This included academic planning, infrastructure development, and regulatory compliance. After a detailed review, the UGC granted the final Letter of Approval.
Where Will the Campus Be Located?
The campus will be located in Alembic City, near Whitefield in Bengaluru. Alembic City is a large, modern business and innovation hub. The campus is described as "purpose-built". It will have smart classrooms and specialist laboratories. The location is well-connected and is part of Bengaluru's growing technology and education corridor.
What Courses Will Be Offered?
Students can choose from several undergraduate and postgraduate programmes.
Undergraduate (UG) Programmes:
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BSc (Hons) Business Management
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BA (Hons) Accounting and Finance
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BSc (Hons) Computer Science
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BSc (Hons) Computer Science with Software Development
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BSc (Hons) Biomedical Sciences
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BSc (Hons) Game Design – this is a unique offering, being the first time a UK university in India has offered a specialist degree in this field.
Postgraduate (PG) Programmes:
The university has said that more programmes will be added in the coming years.
How to Get Admission
The university does not require a separate entrance exam. Admissions will be based on:
Undergraduate applicants need at least 75% average across four core subjects in Class 12. Students awaiting Class 12 results can apply using Class 11 or pre-board marks and may receive a conditional offer.
Postgraduate applicants need a recognised bachelor's degree with at least 55% marks . Some courses may require a relevant academic background or work experience.
What is the Fee Structure?
The university has announced the following admission charges:
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Application fee: ₹5,000 (currently reduced to ₹2,000 and completely waived until 15 June 2026)
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Admission fee: ₹50,000 (payable upon accepting the offer)
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Security deposit: ₹50,000 (refundable)
The annual tuition fees will vary by programme and will be announced separately.
Will Students Receive a UK Degree?
Yes. Students enrolled at the Bengaluru campus will receive degrees awarded by the University of Liverpool in the United Kingdom. The programmes offered in India will follow the same academic standards, curriculum, and quality benchmarks as those followed at the main UK campus. Students will have access to a global curriculum, international faculty collaborations, and research opportunities.
Why is This a Milestone Under NEP 2020?
The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 has a clear goal: to internationalise higher education in India. It wants top foreign universities to set up campuses in India. This will give Indian students access to world-class education without going abroad. It will also reduce brain drain and keep talented students in India. The University of Liverpool's Bengaluru campus is one of the first results of this policy.
Second UK Russell Group University in India
The University of Liverpool is a member of the Russell Group , a network of 24 leading research-intensive universities in the UK. The University of Southampton was the first Russell Group university to open a campus in India (in Gurugram). Liverpool is now the second. This shows that top UK universities see India as a great place to expand their global footprint.
A Boost for India-UK Relations
The approval of the Liverpool campus is also a boost for India-UK relations . Education has become a key pillar of the India-UK Vision 2035 . This vision includes cooperation in growth, technology, innovation, climate change, and education. The new campus will encourage academic exchange, research partnerships, and student mobility between the two countries. UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper said that this