New Delhi, October 9, 2025: In a historic move to strengthen India-UK educational collaboration, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced that nine leading British universities will establish campuses in India. The announcement came during Starmer’s two-day official visit, which included the largest-ever UK education delegation, highlighting the growing partnership in education, research, and skill development between the two nations.
The initiative aligns closely with India’s National Education Policy 2020, aiming to provide Indian students with access to world-class education without leaving the country. Alongside academic excellence, the collaboration is designed to promote joint research projects, academia-industry partnerships, and innovation-driven skill development, creating a strong foundation for higher education in India. Experts believe this initiative will enhance the quality of education while preparing students for global challenges and opportunities.
Gurugram Campus: University of Southampton Leads
The University of Southampton has already inaugurated its Gurugram campus, welcoming its first cohort of students. The campus offers UK-standard programs in technology, management, and research, setting a benchmark for other British institutions planning to establish campuses in India. It is expected to create an ecosystem of global learning, research collaborations, and skill-oriented training, giving Indian students access to international-quality education while fostering innovation and critical thinking within the country.
The Southampton campus also emphasizes experiential learning, with students encouraged to participate in industry-linked projects, internships, and research collaborations with both Indian and UK institutions. This approach is intended to cultivate a practical understanding of global challenges, bridging the gap between theoretical knowledge and real-world application.
Expansion Across Major Cities
Five UK universities have committed to setting up campuses across major Indian cities. In addition to Southampton, the University of Bristol has received approval from the University Grants Commission (UGC) to open a new Enterprise Campus in Mumbai, expected to welcome students in summer 2026. Other universities are expected to announce city-specific campuses in the near future, covering a broad spectrum of disciplines including science, technology, business, management, and creative arts.
These campuses are expected to serve as centers of academic excellence, providing opportunities for collaborative research, innovation, and skill development. The presence of UK institutions in India will also strengthen faculty exchange programs, enable joint conferences, and expand student mobility programs, thereby deepening academic and cultural ties between the two countries.
Vision 2035: Strengthening Strategic Ties
This initiative is part of the broader India-UK Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, guided by the Vision 2035 roadmap. Adopted during PM Modi’s UK visit in July 2025, Vision 2035 is a 10-year strategic plan focused on enhancing collaboration across trade, investment, technology, innovation, defense, security, climate, energy, health, education, and people-to-people exchanges.
During Starmer’s visit from October 8–9, both leaders reviewed the roadmap’s progress. The visit also included the largest-ever UK business delegation, emphasizing renewed vigor in bilateral relations. The recently signed Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) is expected to reduce import costs, generate employment opportunities, boost trade, and benefit industries and consumers in both nations.
Educational Opportunities and Benefits
The establishment of UK university campuses in India is expected to:
-
Provide Indian students with access to global-standard education within the country.
-
Promote collaborative research between Indian and UK institutions.
-
Strengthen academia-industry linkages and innovation ecosystems.
Experts view this development as a major milestone in India-UK educational ties, bringing world-class learning closer to home while reinforcing the strategic partnership. By offering international degrees domestically, these campuses are likely to reduce student migration abroad, encourage cross-cultural collaboration, and boost employability in global industries.
Looking Ahead
The announcement of nine UK universities establishing campuses in India reflects a long-term commitment to education, research, and global skill development. It also highlights India’s growing stature as a hub for international higher education and innovation. With campuses already underway in cities like Gurugram and Mumbai, students and industries are expected to benefit from a strengthened India-UK educational ecosystem.
As India continues to expand its higher education infrastructure, such collaborations are likely to set new benchmarks for quality education, research, and innovation, ensuring students are well-prepared for global challenges. Beyond academics, the initiative will also enhance cultural exchange, strengthen bilateral ties, and provide a platform for India to showcase its growing educational ecosystem on the world stage.
-
Published By: Apoorva Anand
-
Published On: October 9, 2025
