BUV Expands Facilities to Host 5,500 Students from Around the World

British University Vietnam (BUV) has recently opened Phase 2 of its 5-star campus as a highlight in its $165 million overall estimated investment in campus growth to serve thousands of students with quality accredited British education.

Phase 2 of the BUV campus commenced in August 2022 with a $33 million investment in the Ecopark Township. The new phase covers 16,300 sqm, with the Student Hub, Food Court, and more than 100 lecture rooms and specialized classrooms. With Phase 2 added, the enlarged $85-million campus can hold a maximum of 5,500 students, both Vietnamese and international. The five buildings in the new phase are also named after renowned British castles, such as Arundel, Belfast, Cardiff, Dover, and Edinburgh.

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

This accolade underscores the continued commitment to sustainability by BUV. With the distinction of being Vietnam's first university to be EDGE Advanced certified, BUV is poised to become Vietnam's first zero-carbon university, with a goal of 100% operational carbon offset.

The coverage ratio for land development of the new campus stands at just 20%, in demonstration of BUV's dedication to retaining green and open areas consistent with Ecopark's vision for being Asia's prime sustainable township.

As quoted from Professor Raymon Gordon, President and Vice-Chancellor of BUV, continued growth of the 5-star campus further attests to the commitment of BUV to deliver accredited British education, foster value-driven learning, and prepare graduates with the qualifications to succeed in an increasingly globalized world. "This landmark puts BUV in a good position to be considered the most prominent international university in Vietnam and the surrounding nations," he affirmed.

BUV aims to develop to Phase 3 by 2028, doubling student capacity to 10,000. The overall estimated investment in all three campus development phases is $165 million. The three main principles guiding the design of the new campus phase are maximized teaching functionality, cutting-edge technology integration, and green sustainability. The two new buildings comprise state-of-the-art facilities that satisfy international educational standards, supporting a wide range of academic and extracurricular pursuits.

Lecture theaters accommodate hundreds of students, with professional event standards. Classrooms are flexible in design, enabling rapid change from lecture space to discussion space, supporting student-centered, interactive learning. This model supports students taking control of their own learning and engaging more deeply with projects and practical applications of knowledge.

State-of-the-art practice rooms and specialized labs feature industry-standard equipment, such as high-performance computers, recording and filming studios, and industrial equipment, offering students real-world, hands-on experience.

In terms of sustainability, the new campus surpasses EDGE standards with outstanding records in energy savings (43%), water savings (40%), and carbon emissions reduction (61%) over traditional university complexes. This initiative is part of BUV's strategic efforts to consolidate academic dominance and rebrand itself. Such efforts are funded by both Vietnamese and U.K. government departments, as well as international partners.

Professor Wendy Thomson, Vice-Chancellor of the University of London, formally acknowledged BUV's new status as an ‘International University Partner’ from a ‘Recognized Teaching Center’, She stressed that this acknowledgment is a testament to BUV's dedication to academic excellence and graduate success, opening doors to further cooperation within the international network.

"This acknowledgment opens the door to research collaborations and knowledge sharing between Vietnam and the U.K., reinforcing global educational ties", Professor Thomson said. "I have no doubt that this partnership will enrich the academic programs of both institutions and reinforce our global connections."

The University of London has been the awarding institution for BUV, with academic authority provided by the London School of Economics (LSE), ranked among the top 10 in the world in Economics and Econometrics, as per THE Rankings 2025, together with elite institutions such as Harvard, MIT, and Stanford. Interestingly, BUV is the sole Vietnamese university granting undergraduate degrees from the University of London.

British Ambassador Iain Frew emphasized BUV's success, saying the new expansion widens BUV's academic offerings and reinforces the increasing educational partnership between the UK and Vietnam. "It is great to learn that BUV has become one of the global few international partners of the University of London", he says. "This esteemed recognition reflects the quality and prestige of BUV, further reinforcing its role as a top British higher education provider in Vietnam".

Nguyen Tien Dung, Deputy Director General of the Department of International Cooperation, Ministry of Education and Training, also commended BUV's efforts, pointing out that this event is particularly meaningful as the Vietnamese government continues to focus on the internationalization of education, foreign investment attraction, and urging universities to internationalize in an effort to develop high-quality human resources for Vietnam's future.