New Delhi: Two more UK-based universities and Australia’s University of Western Australia have received approval to set up campuses in India, joining a growing list of foreign institutions expanding their footprint in the country.
While the UK’s University of Lancaster will set up its campus in Bengaluru, the University of Surrey is planning to establish a campus in Gujarat International Finance Tec-City (GIFT City). The University of Western Australia will open two campuses—one in Mumbai and another in Chennai.
In November 2023, India officially allowed foreign universities to set up campuses in the country, as envisioned under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. Australia and the UK are the most represented countries in this initiative.
So far, nine UK-based universities have received approval to set up campuses in India, including the University of Southampton and the University of Liverpool. The University of Southampton has already inaugurated its campus in Gurugram, while the University of Liverpool is set to launch its campus in Bengaluru next year.
Similarly, in July, three Australian universities—Western Sydney University, Victoria University, and La Trobe University—received permission from the University Grants Commission (UGC) to establish campuses in India. In addition, two other Australian universities—Deakin University and the University of Wollongong—have already established campuses in GIFT City.
‘International education at home’
According to a statement issued by the UK government on Thursday, the announcement of new campuses means the UK is set to become the country with the largest higher education presence in India. This came while UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer was in Mumbai, where he described the India-UK relationship as ‘special’, noting that major British universities will set up campuses in the country.
During the British PM’s India visit, both Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Starmer vowed to deepen bilateral cooperation in the field of education.
The statement by the UK government said the expansion enables Indian students to access UK-quality education at home, while “enhancing its global influence and soft power without adding pressure to domestic migration figures”.
The University of Lancaster, known for its management education, aims to partner with Indian industry and business.
“By opening a branch campus in Bengaluru, a vibrant hub of technology, education, and enterprise, Lancaster University seeks to collaborate with Indian businesses, industry, and local universities to spark growth, create opportunities, and empower Lancaster students worldwide to succeed and make a difference in India and beyond,” said Professor Simon Guy, Pro-Vice-Chancellor Global, in the statement.
The University of Surrey, recognised for its technical courses, views higher education as a powerful accelerator for skills development, research, and economic ties between the UK and India.
Professor Stephen Jarvis, President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Surrey, said, “As part of this ambitious new universities in India Alliance, our nine universities can work together to realise the enormous potential of UK higher education combined with India’s remarkable talent and ambition.”
Meanwhile, the University of Western Australia (UWA), ranked 77th in the QS World University Rankings, will establish two campuses, with its Chennai campus focusing on STEM disciplines. The university is expected to open its campuses next year.
Professor Guy Littlefair, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education and Student Experience) at UWA, said India—home to the world’s largest youth population, with over 371 million people aged 15 to 29—represents a “digitally native, entrepreneurial and globally connected generation” driving innovation and growth.
“With one of the world’s most vibrant start-up ecosystems, India is translating research into real-world impact,” he said. “UWA’s expansion is designed to harness this energy, learn from it, and contribute to it through world-class research, teaching, and industry partnerships.”
“By establishing campuses in Mumbai and Chennai, India’s hubs of innovation and growth, we are embedding UWA at the heart of the nation’s future,” he added.
Littlefair said the move is “inspired by India’s NEP, supported by Australia’s India Economic Strategy, and backed by the Western Australian government’s long-standing presence in Mumbai and Chennai”, adding that UWA is “uniquely positioned to deepen institutional ties and unlock new opportunities for collaboration”.
(Edited by Shashank Kishan)
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