BUV expands campus to welcome 5,500 worldwide students

Phase 2 of BUV's campus began in August 2022 with an investment of $33 million in the Ecopark Township. The new phase spans 16,300 sqm, featuring the Student Hub, Food Court, and over 100 lecture halls and specialized classrooms. With the addition of Phase 2, the expanded $85-million campus can accommodate up to 5,500 students, both from Vietnam and abroad. The five buildings in the new phase are named after famous British castles, including Arundel, Belfast, Cardiff, Dover, and Edinburgh.

BUV's representatives and guests perform the inauguration ceremony of the Phase 2 campus. Photo courtesy of BUV

During the inauguration, BUV also received the EDGE Advanced Certification for Phase 2, following the certification of Phase 1 in November 2024. EDGE is an international green building certification developed by the International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group, and certified by SGS, a global leader in testing, inspection, and certification.

This recognition highlights BUV's ongoing commitment to sustainability. As the first university in Vietnam to achieve EDGE Advanced certification, BUV aims to become the country's first zero-carbon university, targeting 100% operational carbon offset.

Thomas James Jacobs (L), Country Manager of IFC for Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos, presents the Phase 2 EDGE Advanced Certificate to Professor Rick Bennett (R), Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice President of BUV, and Nguyen Thi Vinh Thuy (C), Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Operations), Chief Operating Officer of BUV. Photo courtesy of BUV

The construction coverage ratio for the new campus is only 20%, reflecting BUV's commitment to maintaining green and open spaces, aligning with Ecopark's vision as Asia's leading sustainable township.

According to Professor Raymon Gordon, Vice-Chancellor and President of BUV, the continued expansion of the 5-star campus reinforces BUV's commitment to offering accredited British education, promoting purpose-driven learning, and equipping students with the skills needed to thrive in a rapidly evolving world. "This milestone helps position BUV to be viewed as the leading international university in Vietnam and the surrounding regions," he stated.

BUV plans to expand to Phase 3 by 2028, increasing the student capacity to 10,000. The total projected investment for all three phases of campus development is estimated at $165 million.

The design of the new campus phase follows three key principles: optimized teaching functionality, advanced technology integration, and sustainability.

High technology supports BUV's signature paperless experience. Photo courtesy of BUV

The two new buildings include modern facilities that meet international educational standards, accommodating a variety of academic and extracurricular activities.

Lecture theaters are designed to hold hundreds of students, meeting professional event standards. Classrooms are designed with a flexible layout, allowing quick transitions from lecture space to discussion space, promoting student-centered, interactive learning. This approach encourages students to take ownership of their education and fosters deeper engagement with projects and practical applications of knowledge.

Specialized labs and practice rooms are equipped with industry-standard tools, including high-performance computers, filming and recording studios, and industrial machinery, providing students with realistic, hands-on experiences.

BUV's new campus continues to deliver impressive figures, significantly surpassing the core benchmarks set by EDGE. Photo courtesy of BUV

Regarding sustainability, the new campus exceeds EDGE standards with impressive benchmarks in energy savings (43%), water reduction (40%), and carbon emission reduction (61%) compared to conventional university complexes.

This development contributes to BUV's strategic initiatives to consolidate academic leadership and reposition its brand. These efforts are supported by both Vietnamese and U.K. government agencies, as well as global partners.

Professor Wendy Thomson, Vice-Chancellor of the University of London, officially recognized BUV's new status as an "International University Partner" from being a "Recognized Teaching Center." She emphasized that this recognition reflects BUV's commitment to academic excellence and graduate achievement, creating opportunities for further collaboration within the global network.

"This recognition paves the way for research partnerships and knowledge exchange between Vietnam and the U.K., strengthening international educational connections," said Professor Thomson. "I am confident this partnership will enhance the academic offerings of both institutions and deepen our global ties."

The University of London has been the awarding body for BUV, operating under the academic direction of the London School of Economics (LSE), which ranks among the top 10 globally in Economics and Econometrics, according to THE Rankings 2025, alongside top institutions like Harvard, MIT, and Stanford. Notably, BUV is the only university in Vietnam offering undergraduate degrees from the University of London.

British Ambassador Iain Frew highlighted BUV's achievements, stating that the new expansion enhances BUV's academic offerings and strengthens the growing educational ties between the UK and Vietnam. "It is fantastic to see that BUV has become one of the few international partners of the University of London globally," he said. "This prestigious recognition speaks to the quality and reputation of BUV, further cementing its position as a leading provider of British higher education in Vietnam."

Nguyen Tien Dung, Deputy Director General of the Department of International Cooperation, Ministry of Education and Training, also praised BUV's efforts, noting that this event is especially significant as the Vietnamese government continues to prioritize the internationalization of education, attracting foreign investment, and encouraging universities to meet international standards in order to train high-quality human resources for Vietnam's future development.