The University of Liverpool has officially opened its Bengaluru campus, welcoming nearly 300 students and becoming the first Russell Group university to establish a campus in Karnataka.
The launch marks Liverpool’s first international campus opening in more than 20 years and another significant step in the expansion of UK universities into India.
“This is a massive moment for the University of Liverpool and for our relationship with India,” said Steve Rotheram, mayor of the Liverpool City Region.
“To see a university that means so much to our city opening a campus in Bengaluru is something to be proud of, and it gives us a real opportunity to build even stronger links between our two regions.”
The opening brought together government, education and industry figures, including Karnataka minister M. B. Patil, British deputy high commissioner to Karnataka Harshbir Sangha and British Council India country director Alison Barrett.
Liverpool alumnus and former Liverpool FC striker Robbie Fowler also joined celebrations, meeting members of Bengaluru’s Liverpool Supporters Club and taking part in discussions around community impact and social development.
For vice-chancellor Tim Jones, the opening represents both an international expansion and a long-term commitment to India.
“We are incredibly proud to have officially opened our first international campus in over 20 years in Bengaluru,” he said.
“We are delighted to have recruited close to 300 talented students to study our research-connected, employer-informed curricula this year.”
The inaugural cohort will study programs spanning computer science, game design, business management, accounting and finance, and biomedical sciences.
Based at Alembic City in Whitefield, the purpose-built campus includes smart classrooms, laboratories, research and innovation spaces, collaboration hubs and Bloomberg terminals.
Liverpool said its courses have been designed around practical learning, employer engagement and the graduate skills needed by Karnataka’s fast-growing economy.
“The University of Liverpool Bengaluru campus is a fantastic addition to our thriving knowledge and innovation ecosystem,” said Karnataka deputy chief minister D. K. Shivakumar.
“The university has carefully considered the graduate-level skills required here in Karnataka and I have no doubt that the campus’ graduates will go on to enjoy highly successful careers.”
The university is also positioning research and industry collaboration at the heart of its India strategy.
The opening showcased Liverpool’s existing work with the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS), as well as a new seed fund with the Indian Institute of Science Bengaluru.
New strategic agreements were signed with the National Centre for Biological Sciences, Bell Integration and Sai Life Sciences.
Liverpool is also exploring collaborations with organisations including Wipro, TiE Bangalore, Axis Bank, the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, YouWeCan, Dream11 and AstraZeneca.
British Council India country director Alison Barrett said Bengaluru’s technology and research ecosystem made it a natural location for deeper UK-India collaboration.
“The campus presents new opportunities to advance collaboration in emerging fields such as artificial intelligence, strengthen industry–academia linkages, and equip students with the skills and knowledge to address global challenges,” she said.
Harshbir Sangha, British deputy high commissioner to Karnataka and the UK’s deputy trade commissioner for investment in South Asia, said the campus represented an investment extending well beyond its first intake.
“Over the next ten years, thousands of students will have studied at the University of Liverpool Bengaluru… those students will go on to build careers, launch businesses, advance research and make a difference in their communities.
Harshbir Sangha, British deputy high commissioner to Karnataka
“Over the next ten years, thousands of students will have studied at the University of Liverpool Bengaluru,” he said.
“Those students will go on to build careers, launch businesses, advance research and make a difference in their communities.
“That is why this campus matters so much. It is an investment in talent, opportunity and the future of the UK-India partnership.”
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