University of Western Australia receives final UGC approval, classes to begin October 19

The University of Western Australia (UWA) has received final approval from the University Grants Commission (UGC) to establish its international branch campus in Chennai. The approval marks the next step towards the university welcoming its first batch of students at the campus in October 2026.

Located on the seventh floor of One National Park on Velachery Main Road in Chennai, the 70,000 sq ft UWA Chennai campus will begin student orientation on October 5, 2026. Classes are scheduled to commence on October 19, 2026.

UWA Chennai will offer undergraduate programmes including the Bachelor of Business (Business Management), Bachelor of Science (Computer Science), Bachelor of Science (Data Science) and Bachelor of Advanced Computer Science (AI). At the postgraduate level, the campus will offer a Master of Information Technology and a Master of Business Administration (MBA).

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The Chennai campus is part of UWA’s AUD 80 million long-term commitment to wholly owned campuses in India. The university opened its Mumbai campus in September 2026. The investment is aimed at establishing a permanent presence for UWA in India and providing students in Tamil Nadu and other parts of the country with access to an Australian university and its international academic and industry networks.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay welcomed UWA’s presence in Chennai, highlighting the state’s strengths in education, technology and industry. He said the university’s presence would provide students access to an internationally recognised institution while strengthening connections between Tamil Nadu and Western Australia.

Western Australia Premier Roger Cook, MLA, said UWA’s Chennai campus would extend the state’s presence in India following the inauguration of the Mumbai campus. He highlighted the similarities between Western Australia and Tamil Nadu in areas including education, skills, technology and industry.

Dr Diane Smith-Gander AO, Chancellor of UWA, said Chennai would add to the university’s presence in India and its international university community. She said UWA aims to provide students with the academic depth of a UWA degree along with opportunities associated with studying in Chennai.

UWA Vice-Chancellor Professor Amit Chakma said the final UGC approval would allow the university to move from planning to welcoming its first students in Chennai. He said the campus would bring UWA’s education to a region known for its strengths in technology and innovation while connecting students with the university’s global academic and industry networks.

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Orientation programme

The initial academic portfolio at UWA Chennai will focus on areas including data science, artificial intelligence, information technology, business and economics. The programmes are intended to connect academic learning with the requirements of a rapidly evolving economy.

The orientation programme will familiarise students with the UWA learning environment, campus and academic community before regular classes begin. Students will also become part of UWA’s global network, with opportunities to interact with peers, academics and industry representatives in India and overseas.

The Chennai campus marks another step in UWA’s more than 110-year engagement with India. The university said its expanded presence in the country will create opportunities for education, collaboration and international connections.

The University of Western Australia (UWA) is a globally recognised top-100 university and a member of Australia’s prestigious Group of Eight. The university said its Chennai campus forms part of its more than century-long engagement with India and will strengthen opportunities for students to access an Australian education while connecting with UWA’s global academic and industry networks.