Aug 01, 2025
Key Highlights
|
In a landmark development to strengthen India-UK educational relations, five prominent Universities in UK are set to open their campuses in Indian cities, paving the way for a new chapter in international higher education. The University of Southampton has already launched its campus in Gurugram, marking a historic first under India’s University Grants Commission (UGC) 2023 regulations.
The announcement came during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to London, where he met with top educational and diplomatic leaders from the UK. Highlighting the growing collaboration, PM Modi remarked,
“Six Universities in the UK are opening their campuses in India. Just last week, the University of Southampton inaugurated its first campus in Gurugram.”
The move aligns with India’s ambition to become a global education hub, as outlined in the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which opened doors for Top-Ranked Foreign Universities to establish independent campuses in the country.
Ranked among the World’s Top 100 Universities and a member of the elite Russell Group, the University of Southampton has inaugurated its Indian campus at International Tech Park, Gurugram. It becomes the first international institution to set up a full-fledged branch campus under the UGC’s latest framework.
University of Southampton’s Gurugram campus will offer two MSc and four BSc Programs to begin with, delivering the same curriculum and degree standards as the UK campuses. Students will also have the opportunity to spend up to a year at the Southampton campuses in the UK or Malaysia. Over 800 applications were received for the inaugural intake, and the University has enrolled around 200 students, with a plan to onboard over 75 faculty members for its Indian operations.
Following Southampton’s lead, the University of Liverpool has secured UGC approval to set up its campus in Bengaluru, with plans to begin student intake from the 2026-27 academic year. This marks Liverpool as the second Russell Group University to establish its branch campus in India.
Talks are underway for the University of York, University of Aberdeen, and University of Bristol to open their respective campuses in Mumbai, with a focus on programs in STEM and Management Disciplines.
At an education-focused event in London, Indian High Commissioner Vikram Doraiswami emphasized that the UK is the first country to capitalize on India’s regulatory reforms in higher education. He noted the transformational impact of NEP 2020 and the UGC’s evolving framework, which now allows Top International Universities to operate fully autonomous campuses within India.
The presence of prestigious UK Universities within India will offer Indian students access to world-class education at home, significantly reducing the need to study abroad while maintaining global curriculum standards. Additionally, such campuses promise affordable tuition, industry-relevant training, and strong placement opportunities.
For example, Southampton’s partnerships with firms like Deloitte and Investec are expected to enhance students’ career prospects through robust internship programs and industry exposure. With the formalization of these campuses, India is not only reshaping its education landscape but also cementing its position as a leader in transnational education. These partnerships signal a future where international quality education becomes more accessible, inclusive, and collaborative. To stay informed and make the most of such opportunities, students can seek expert assistance from KC Overseas Education.