Universitas 21 is an international network of 21 leading research-intensive universities in thirteen countries. Collectively, its members enrol over 650,000 students, employ over 130,000 staff and have over 2 million alumni. Their collective budgets amount to over US$13bn and has an annual research grant income of over US$3bn. The network's purpose is to facilitate collaboration and cooperation between the member universities and to create opportunities for them on a scale that none of them would be able to achieve operating independently or through traditional bilateral alliances.

Established in 1997, Universitas 21 engages in a number of activities, informed by our core underlying principles:

1. a global focus and perspective
2. a commitment to excellence in all we do
3. a commitment of those involved to collaborative and co-operative work and spirit while ensuring there are clear outcomes
4. a determination to achieve added value
5. a constant striving for innovation and the creation of multilateral opportunities for members
6. sustainability of activity

All Universitas 21 member institutions are research-led, comprehensive universities providing a strong quality assurance framework to the network's activities.