Lancaster - Sunway

Strategic partnership between Lancaster University and Sunway University, Malaysia

Sunway University

Sunway University is one of Malaysia's leading private universities. It offers a wide range of industry-relevant undergraduate and postgraduate programmes across business, science and technology.

For two decades, the Lancaster–Sunway partnership has been built on a shared commitment to academic excellence and delivering a world-class student experience. Over that time, more than 7,800 students have studied for a Lancaster degree at Sunway.

Sunway

About the Lancaster - Sunway partnership

Through the years we've developed shared values and ambitions. The partnership has led to excellent collaborative efforts for progressive transnational education and research.

Global experiences

Through this partnership, Lancaster University and Sunway University have developed a range of opportunities for students to gain an international education, global perspectives, and cultural competencies.

We encourage student mobility between the UK and Malaysia - students at Sunway University can study at Lancaster University’s UK campus through a variety of opportunities such as 1+2 transfers, Study Abroad, and Summer Programmes.

Coming to Lancaster, UK

For information on the travel opportunities available to Lancaster University Bailrigg-based students, please see Lancaster's Global Experiences page.

Delivering international education

Our innovative partnership allows students to study at Sunway University in Malaysia on a range of degree programmes and graduate from both Sunway University and Lancaster University, gaining two certificates: one from Sunway and one from Lancaster. The collaboration provides Lancaster-Sunway graduates with a strong competitive edge on a global level. They also benefit from being alumni of both universities, gaining access to two vast global networks.

A full list of the programmes offered in this partnership can be found on our degree programmes page.

Degree Programmes

Sunway and Lancaster University alumni

Alumni reflect on their time studying a postgraduate degree at Lancaster University following their undergraduate studies at Sunway University.

Alice Lee Nan Xin, PwC Malaysia

"Pursuing a master’s degree has always been part of my long-term goals, and I hoped to continue my studies in the UK. When I found out about the strong partnership between Sunway and Lancaster University, it felt like a perfect opportunity, especially with the scholarships available to support postgraduate studies." - BSc Information Technology at Sunway University (2024) and MSc in Cyber Security at Lancaster University (2025).

Wah Yu Jun, EY Malaysia

"My time of studying in Lancaster is simply unforgettable, an exceptional experience made possible by the impeccable faculty support and deep bonds of friendship forged through shared, irreplaceable memories." - BSc Accounting and Finance in Sunway University (2024) and MSc Finance in Lancaster University (2025).

Engaging in globally significant research

Developing international research partnerships supports our vision of being a globally significant university - a sector leader and innovator that delivers the highest quality research and engages locally, nationally, and internationally.

Working collaboratively with Sunway enhances our international profile and facilitates opportunities to have global impact across a range of communities encompassing disciplines, localities, regions, nations, policy, practice, and thought.

Becoming the researcher I am today

Visiting Sunway University PhD candidate, Arjun Thanaraju, tells us about his research and how the Sunway-Lancaster partnership supported it:

Hello! I am Arjun Thanaraju from Malaysia. The Lancaster-Sunway partnership has been the cornerstone of my tertiary education journey. I chose to pursue my BSc (Hons) Biology with Psychology at Sunway University because it was the only university in Malaysia which offered an interdisciplinary course that catered to my interest in the biological basis of human behaviour. The promise of receiving certificates from both Sunway University and Lancaster University upon graduating also meant that I could get a UK education from home!

After completing my degree, I had the opportunity to continue at Sunway University to pursue a PhD in the area of ageing neuroscience. The Lancaster-Sunway research partnership allowed me to travel to Lancaster University multiple times including a one-month training visit where I joined the team at the Centre for Ageing Research (C4AR) as they conducted a series of exciting studies on using the creative arts (which has always been a passion of mine!) to promote cognitive health in older adults and people living with dementia.

I can honestly say that I would not be the researcher (or person) that I am today without the Lancaster-Sunway partnership. Not only did I get to meet and learn from outstanding teachers and researchers, I also found an extremely kind and welcoming community where I truly feel like I belong!

Future Cities Research Institute

Lancaster University and Sunway University have recently launched a new joint initiative, the Future Cities Research Institute (FCRI). The FCRI will build on existing strengths at the two universities and will develop an innovative and agile portfolio of research, responding to the challenges facing urban environments.

The FCRI represents a logical ‘next step’ in shaping the agenda for future city development, and in deepening the relationship between Sunway and Lancaster, through its support for broad research themes of Digital Cities, Sustainable Cities, Resilient Cities and Liveable Cities. One of its core missions is to train and empower PhD students specialising in relevant disciplines. To find out more about the Future Cities Research Institute, please visit the FCRI website.

Future Cities Research Institute

Professor Dato’ Elizabeth Lee, CEO of Sunway Education Group

A personal approach to a strong partnership

11 December 2025

Professor Elizabeth Lee shares her insight on the partnership between Sunway and Lancaster, the success behind the partnership and her advice to with those graduating.

Researchers working in a lab at Sunway University

Tackling global problems with collaborative research

22 July 2024

Tackling some of the world's problems requires global partnerships. Together Lancaster and Sunway University are developing research in public health, and environmental issues and looking at how we develop cities. Read more about our joint research and Future Cities Research Institute

Students and staff pose for a group photo on a stage at Sunway University.

Artists from around the world join inaugural Art Beats Festival

31 August 2023

Academics, artists, and students from around the world come together for a week-long celebration of artistic innovation, cross-cultural dialogue, and collaborative research initiatives.

Art Beats banner. Text on the banner reads: Art Beats. Art, Film, Music, Theatre

The inaugural Art Beats Festival goes live!

15 August 2023

A new creative collaboration between Lancaster University and Sunway University Art School, has opened its virtual doors to an exhibition of works from artists from across the world.

Staff from Lancaster University and Sunway University stand together in two rows in a courtyard at Sunway, with green trees and modern architecture in the background.

Lancaster and Sunway business experts collaborate to tackle sustainability challenges

11 August 2023

A joint research conference between Lancaster University Management School and Sunway Business School has sown the seeds of future collaboration.

University leaders and academics on the stage at Sunway University graduation ceremony.

Celebrating collaboration and graduation at Sunway University

10 August 2023

A week of celebration and collaboration at Sunway University saw graduations, prize-giving and a research conference between the 25th and 28th of July.

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