UWA India Receives Final Approval for Chennai Campus

Following the opening of UWA Mumbai, UWA Chennai moves closer to welcoming its first students.

Chennai, 14 October 2026: The University of Western Australia (UWA), a global top 100 university and a member of Australia’s Group of Eight, has secured final approval from the University Grants Commission (UGC) for its international branch campus in Chennai. Orientation for the inaugural cohort begins on 12 October 2026, and classes get under way on 19 October 2026.

The 70,000 sq. ft. campus is located on the 7th floor of One National Park, Velachery Main Road, Velachery. It will offer undergraduate programmes in Business (Business Management), Computer Science, Data Science and Advanced Computer Science (AI), along with postgraduate programmes in Information Technology and the Master of Business Administration (MBA).

Chennai is part of UWA’s AUD 80 million long-term commitment to wholly owned campuses in India, which began with the opening of UWA Mumbai in September. The investment reinforces UWA’s permanent presence in India and opens up new opportunities for students across Tamil Nadu and the rest of the country to gain a globally recognised Australian education and build links with industry and UWA’s international network.

C. Joseph Vijay, Hon’ble Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, said: “Tamil Nadu’s strength in education, technology and industry has made it a leading destination for global institutions. UWA’s presence in Chennai will add to this ecosystem, providing students with access to an internationally recognised university while strengthening the connections between Tamil Nadu and Western Australia. We welcome UWA to Chennai and look forward to the opportunities this partnership will create for our students and our state.”

The Hon. Roger Cook MLA, Premier of Western Australia, said: “Having just inaugurated UWA’s Mumbai campus, it is exciting to see this long-term Western Australian presence in India extend to Chennai. Through Invest and Trade WA and our strong government-to-government and industry relationships, Western Australia is building enduring connections across India, in particular Tamil Nadu. The State of Tamil Nadu shares many of our strengths in education, skills, technology and industry, and UWA Chennai provides a new platform to deepen these connections and create opportunities for students, businesses and communities in both regions.”

Dr Diane Smith-Gander AO, Chancellor, The University of Western Australia, said: “Chennai is an important addition to UWA’s presence in India and to our international university community. This is an exciting milestone and we look forward to welcoming our first students. Our ambition is to give them an education that combines the depth of a UWA degree with the opportunities created by studying in one of India’s most dynamic cities.”

Professor Amit Chakma, Vice-Chancellor, The University of Western Australia, said: “Final UGC approval allows us to move from planning to welcoming our first students in Chennai, a region where we aim to leverage the WA Government’s presence as well as long-term academic partnerships. The campus brings UWA’s education to students in a region with exceptional strengths in technology and innovation, while connecting them to the University’s global academic and industry networks. We look forward to beginning this journey with our inaugural cohort in October.”

UWA Chennai will bring a UWA education to a city known for its strengths in technology, engineering, manufacturing and innovation. The initial portfolio spans data science, artificial intelligence, information technology, business and economics, linking classroom learning to the needs of a fast-changing economy.

Before classes begin, Orientation will help students settle into the UWA learning environment, get to know the campus and meet their academic community. They will also join UWA’s global network, with opportunities to connect with peers, academics and industry in India and abroad.

UWA Chennai marks the next step in the University’s engagement with India, which spans more than a century, and it widens the opportunities for education, collaboration and international connection.

About The University of Western Australia

‍For over 110 years, UWA has brought together ambitious minds to create meaningful change. As Western Australia’s leading university and a globally recognised top 100 institution, UWA connects students, researchers and partners through world-class learning, research and collaboration, turning knowledge into action and creating lasting impact.

For more information, visit https://india.uwa.edu.au