In a significant move to boost India–UK higher education partnership, five prestigious British universities are ready to establish campuses in Indian cities, with the University of Southampton already set up in Gurugram.
During PM Modi’s visit to London and meetings with major UK educational and diplomatic figures, PM Modi reaffirmed India’s ambition to become a global education hub.
India and the UK have also signed a landmark Free Trade Agreement (FTA) that’s expected to boost bilateral trade by $34 billion annually, dramatically reshaping the economic relationship between the two nations.
Speaking about the relationship between India and the UK, PM Modi said, “Today marks a historic day in our relations. I am delighted that after the hard work of several years, today our two nations have signed the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement.”
He said, “In the field of education, too, we are writing a new chapter together. Six universities in the UK are opening their campuses in India. Just last week, the University of Southampton inaugurated its first campus in the city of Gurugram in India.”
“Six UK universities to open campuses in India,” said PM Modi.
According to the High Commission of India and Eastern Eye, letters of intent have been signed with five institutions: the University of Southampton, University of Liverpool, University of York, University of Aberdeen, and University of Bristol.
SOUTHAMPTON SETS PRECEDENT IN GURUGRAM
The University of Southampton, a Russell Group institution and top 100 global university, inaugurates its Indian campus in Gurugram’s International Tech Park this August.
It marks the first foreign university to formalise a branch in India under the UGC’s 2023 regulations. The campus will launch with four undergraduate BSc programmes and two MSc courses, offering the same curriculum and degrees as the UK campus.
Students will also have the option to spend up to a year in the UK or Malaysia.
Officials have noted that Southampton received more than 800 applications and has admitted around 200 students for the first intake, with plans to hire over 75 faculty members.
LIVERPOOL NEXT IN BENGALURU
Following Scotland’s entry, the University of Liverpool has acquired UGC approval to open a campus in Bengaluru, aiming to enrol students from the 2026-27 academic year, positioning itself as the second Russell Group institution to join the wave.
Discussions are reportedly in progress for York, Aberdeen, and Bristol to set up campuses in Mumbai, expanding the scope of programmes in STEM and management fields.
STRONG INDIA-UK EDUCATION TIES
The expansion of UK university campuses builds on the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between India and the UK, with both leaders-PM Modi and UK PM Keir Starmer-meeting at the G20 and G7 summits in 2024-25, and following a historic free trade agreement signed on July 24.
Indian High Commissioner Vikram Doraiswami, speaking at a London event on education collaboration, emphasised that the UK is “the first country to seize this opportunity” opened up by India’s regulatory reforms.
He highlighted provisions under the NEP 2020 and UGC rules that now allow top-ranked international universities to establish fully independent campuses in India.
TRANSNATIONAL EDUCATION AND FUTURE PROSPECTS
These campuses offer Indian students access to top-tier UK education at home, reducing the need to travel abroad and ensuring international curriculum and quality standards at more affordable rates.
Industry collaborations — such as Southampton’s ties to Deloitte and Investec — also promise strong internship and placement opportunities.
