Universitas 21 is a network of internationally competitive research and teaching universities that see increasing value in operating collaboratively. The association was formed at a meeting held in Melbourne in March 1997. Its objective is to assist its members to become global universities and to advance their plans for internationalization.

Universitas 21 has developed a model for a new kind of university network: a small, well-organized and effective association of kindred universities, which helps its members establish operational links around the world, and assists them in developing arrangements for student and staff exchanges. It also provides international benchmarks relating to quality, funding levels, fee requirements, research outcomes, student support services, infrastructure provision, management efficiency and related matters for the member institutions.

A strategic plan for the period to 2012 was endorsed at the Annual Meeting held at McGill in April 2007.

Member institutions are:

Delhi University
Fudan University
Korea University
Lund University
McGill University
National University of Singapore
Shanghai Jiao Tong University
Tecnologico de Monterrey
University College Dublin
University of Auckland
University of Birmingham
University of British Columbia
University of Edinburgh
University of Glasgow
University of Hong Kong
University of Melbourne
University of New South Wales
University of Nottingham
University of Queensland
University of Virginia
Waseda University

The Universitas 21 Secretariat is based at the University of Birmingham. The Secretary-General is Jane Usherwood.