Melbourne and IISER Tirupati Launched Dual Degree
The two universities have introduced a 2+2 Bachelor of Science program allowing students to study in India and Australia.
Updated on Oct. 12, 2026 in Internships
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The University of Melbourne and IISER Tirupati have officially launched a 2+2 Bachelor of Science dual degree program. Students will spend two years at IISER Tirupati and two years in Melbourne to earn two Bachelor honours degrees.
Why it matters
This partnership is designed to lower the high costs of international education while allowing students time to acclimatise to the academic system before relocating abroad. The model serves as a strategic alternative to opening a physical branch campus in India.
The new 2+2 academic structure mandates two years of study at IISER Tirupati followed by two years at the University of Melbourne. The inaugural intake is capped at a maximum of 50 students.
The players
University of Melbourne
This is a public research university located in Melbourne, Australia, that consistently ranks among the top institutions globally.
IISER Tirupati
This is an autonomous public research university located in Tirupati, India, established by the Ministry of Education to promote high-quality science education.
The details
Students who enter the program automatically join the Science Global Scholars Program, with curriculum provided by instructors from both institutions. Available majors range from physics and chemistry to biotechnology and food science.
Timeline
October 12, 2026: The University of Melbourne and IISER Tirupati officially launched the dual degree.
November 2026: The institutions will host Frontiers of Science for Global Advances events across India.
Market Landscape
This partnership marks a strategic pivot for Australian higher education institutions that are increasingly opting for collaborative dual-degree models over expensive international branch campuses. It positions the universities to capture high-achieving international talent by mitigating the financial barriers associated with four-year degrees abroad.
Prospective students looking for a more affordable path to an Australian degree can now access a dual-honours curriculum that combines training from both Indian and Australian faculty. This pathway may also shorten the total time required for participants to complete a future master's degree.
The takeaway
This dual-degree model provides a blueprint for students to minimize international study costs while gaining global credentials. It highlights a growing trend of institutional collaboration that prioritizes academic acclimatisation over traditional single-campus enrollment.
Further reading
For more information on global academic opportunities, visit the Internships section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Indian Express.
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