The Buddhist temple has finalised the design for its first campus, which will teach subjects including business studies, environment studies and information technology.

About 300 students will use the campus, which includes an administrative centre, academic offices and lecture theatres.

The building has been designed in harmony with its larger neighbour, the temple, and if approved, will be the first of a network of campuses to be built over the next 10 years.

Marketing director Siena Morrisey said the building was inspired by Asian design principles.

"We travelled quite extensively through south-east Asia to meet with some of the other universities we have established," she said.

"One of the features we were struck with was the ability to bring the outside environment inside."

Ms Morrisey said teachers at the campus would aim to bring to its students Buddhist perspectives in a number of subject areas.

"We will be exploring mindfulness in business and looking at Buddhist philosophies in palliative care and areas like art therapy," she said.

The campus will bring the temple one step closer to attaining "university" status.

The Department of Education requires educational facilities to have three faculties to be considered for university status. The Nan Tien Temple has only one - a faculty of arts.

Ms Morrisey said she expected the campus to open for students in 2014 and expected about 3000 students to be studying across a number of campuses in Wollongong within 10 years.

"We already have a development application with the council and the plan is to commence building in the second half of this year."