Purpose: The design, construction and deployment of a large virtual campus are a complex issue. Present virtual campuses are made of several software applications that complement e-learning platforms. In order to develop and maintain such virtual campuses, a complex software engineering infrastructure is needed. This paper aims to analyse the software engineering infrastructure in the virtual campus deployed at the Universidad Complutense de Madrid. Design/methodology/approach: The software engineering infrastructure is analysed from three perspectives: process model; programming language and computer-aided software engineering tools and design patterns and architecture. Findings: Software engineering infrastructure is a key issue in virtual campuses. Originality/value: The value of the paper is to make our experience available to a wider audience so that organisations interested in the deployment of a large virtual campus can take advantage of our work. (Contains 6 figures.)