UK Universities Establish a Foothold in India
A growing number of British universities are setting up physical campuses across India, marking a significant shift in global higher education mobility. These initiatives aim to deliver UK degrees within India, reducing the need for students to travel abroad while offering institutions a way to expand amid financial and policy pressures at home. The trend reflects a deeper education partnership between India and the United Kingdom and signals India’s ambitions to become an international academic hub.
Policy Framework Driving the Expansion
The expansion has been enabled largely by India’s National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and subsequent University Grants Commission (UGC) regulations introduced in 2023. These reforms allow top-ranked foreign universities to establish independent campuses in India and grant degrees equivalent to those awarded in their home countries. Institutions must meet eligibility criteria—such as strong global rankings and financial stability—before receiving approval.
By early 2026, at least nine UK universities had secured permission to operate in India. The policy shift aligns with India’s broader objective to raise its gross enrolment ratio in higher education and provide globally competitive education domestically. It also reflects bilateral efforts, including India-UK Vision 2030, to deepen collaboration in education, research, and innovation.
Approved UK Universities and Campus Locations
The University of Southampton became the first to launch a fully operational campus, opening in Gurugram, Haryana, in 2025 with programs in business, computing, and economics. Several others are at different stages of development.
The University of Bristol plans a Mumbai campus scheduled to open in 2026, while the University of Liverpool is preparing a site in Bengaluru. The University of York and the University of Aberdeen have also chosen Mumbai and nearby Navi Mumbai for their India bases, focusing on technology, data science, and management disciplines.
Additional approvals include Lancaster University in Bengaluru and a cluster of campuses in Gujarat’s GIFT City, such as those from the University of Surrey, Queen’s University Belfast, and Coventry University. These institutions are expected to offer programs aligned with finance, business, and emerging technologies, leveraging GIFT City’s international financial ecosystem.
Why UK Universities Are Looking to India
The push toward India comes as UK universities face mounting financial strain. Tuition fees for domestic students have remained largely frozen for years, while stricter visa rules introduced in 2025 have curtailed international student inflows—traditionally a major revenue source. Establishing campuses in India allows institutions to access one of the world’s largest student populations while diversifying income streams.
For Indian students, local campuses promise internationally recognized degrees at lower costs—often significantly cheaper than studying abroad. They also create opportunities for collaborative research and industry partnerships, particularly in technology and business sectors.
Challenges and Future Outlook
Despite momentum, challenges remain. Regulators must ensure consistent academic standards and prevent quality dilution. Universities must also navigate infrastructure investments, faculty recruitment, and market competition. Still, the alignment of policy incentives and demand suggests continued expansion, with more foreign campuses likely in the coming years.
Toward a New Education Ecosystem
The arrival of UK universities in India marks a transformative moment in higher education. Enabled by policy reforms and driven by mutual strategic interests, these campuses could reshape how international degrees are delivered and accessed. If implemented carefully, the model may strengthen academic exchange, boost research collaboration, and position India as a global destination for quality higher education while offering UK institutions a sustainable path for growth.
(With agency inputs)
