Lancaster University has been granted approval by Indonesia’s Ministry of Education to proceed with an international branch campus in Bandung, West Java. Lancaster is the first UK university to receive approval to open an international branch campus in Indonesia.

In collaboration with Deakin University, the innovative joint campus will support the educational and research aspirations of the Indonesian Government and deliver social, cultural and economic benefits for the country. The partnership is also the first UK and Australia overseas joint campus.

The Deakin University Lancaster University Indonesia campus has received strong support from Australian and British Governments and has been approved by national regulators in Australia, the UK and Indonesia.

Indonesian students will have the opportunity to obtain dual undergraduate qualifications from world-class institutions while enjoying the many benefits of living and working close to home, supported by their families and peers. The new campus will initially accommodate up to 1,500 students and approximately 100 staff, with plans to accommodate more students in the coming years.

The dual degrees bring together existing modules from undergraduate programs at both universities, enabling students to achieve two individual degree qualifications in one integrated program of study.

The campus will initially deliver five dual undergraduate degree programs in the areas of Business and Information Technology, with a first intake proposed for September 2024.

The new Deakin University Lancaster University Indonesia campus will be centrally located in a vibrant part of Bandung, approximately one hour by high-speed train from Jakarta. It will be designed and fitted out to provide a world-class learning and teaching environment for students and staff. Both universities are committed to investing in a campus that delivers the best possible student experience.

Lancaster, a UK top-15 ranked university, is committed to providing direct benefits to the students and people in the countries where mutual benefits can be gained from engagement with an internationally recognised Lancaster degree - this includes connecting students and communities to share perspectives and build understanding. By engaging internationally in education and research the University aims to promote the sharing of knowledge, encouraging debate and championing academic freedom.

Lancaster University is the largest provider of UK transnational education in Malaysia, in partnership with Sunway University (Source: HESA) and was the first UK University to open a campus in Leipzig, Germany. Lancaster also has partner campuses in Ghana and China.

Lancaster and Deakin universities have a longstanding collaboration in student mobility and research and have a global footprint of partnerships that complement each other well.

Global education provider Navitas will lead on operational delivery of the campus, building on its existing partnerships with both universities.

Lancaster’s Vice-Chancellor Professor Andy Schofield said: “With the support of the Indonesian, UK and Australian Governments, we are delighted to be working with Deakin University. Lancaster is committed to making a positive contribution, building our global community of students and, with our partners, making a positive impact to the areas in which we operate. During my own visits to the country, I have very much appreciated the warm welcome and support we have received and we look forward to even closer engagement with stakeholders as we move forward with our shared plans.”

Professor Sir Steve Smith, the UK’s International Education Champion said: “I am delighted that Lancaster University has taken this opportunity to expand to Indonesia, in partnership with Australia’s Deakin University, marking a landmark moment as the first UK branch campus to do so.

“This development is testimony to the commitment of the UK government, which has identified Indonesia as a priority partner to extend cooperation on education. I have had the pleasure of spearheading sustained recent engagements in Indonesia and working closely with the Indonesian Government, particularly on transnational education partnerships.

“I look forward to working closely with Lancaster University to further enhance the UK-Indonesia education partnership, in line with Indonesia’s ambitions to strengthen its higher education sector.”

Professor Iain Martin, Vice-Chancellor of Deakin University, said: “Establishing a joint campus in partnership with Lancaster University represents an important milestone in Deakin’s long history of engagement with Indonesia. Lancaster is a leading British university and research-intensive institution with a strong focus on delivering high-quality teaching. It has an impressive offshore transnational education delivery record in Ghana, Germany, China and Malaysia.”

Scott Jones, CEO of Navitas, says the launch of the Indonesia campus is part of Navitas’s commitment to help universities reach more students in new locations, and to improve access to quality education around the world through branch campuses that deliver exceptional student experiences and academic outcomes.

“This exciting and innovative project builds on our track record of delivering transnational education in partnership with universities around the world. It represents what is possible when world-class education providers work together to respond to the global needs, challenges and demands of students, industries and governments,” he said.