International Universities Opening Campuses in India: What You Need to Know

International higher education is undergoing a fundamental transformation. Indian students, with 892,989 studying abroad in 2023, are reassessing study abroad options as traditional destinations face growing uncertainty. While overall Indian student outbound numbers dropped by 15 per cent in early 2024, this decline is likely to continue due to ongoing safety concerns, geopolitical instability, and rising costs. 

In the US, tightening visa policies and the introduction of a US$100,000 H-1B petition fee have created uncertainty. Canada’s federal government has announced a 50 percent cut in international student intake. Australia has replaced the Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) test with a new Genuine Student (GS) requirement and introduced a stricter visa processing directive (MD115), which slows approvals for education providers that exceed enrollment limits. Combined with the sharp rise in student visa fees, from AU$710 to AU$2,000 in July 2025, Australia now issues the most expensive student visa among major English-speaking countries. The UK government’s reduction of post-study work rights from 24 to 18 months, higher maintenance funds (proof of living costs) and an increase in the salary threshold for transitioning to a Skilled Worker visa have made it harder for international graduates. 

Rising tuition and living expenses have a similar impact. The EduFund–White Bridge Education White Paper highlights affordability as a growing priority. In response, leading international universities are launching campuses in India. 

This blog explores why and what this means for Indian students seeking a world-class higher education, and showcases 15 international universities, including five Russell Group universities, set to arrive in India by 2026-27. 

Table of contents

Why are global universities coming to India

India’s higher education landscape is at a pivotal moment. In 2021-22, 4.33 crore (43.3 million) students were pursuing higher education in India. This number increased by 13.8 per cent in 2024-25, exacerbating the challenge of capacity constraints. According to a report by India’s Ministry of Education, the country has just over 1,213 universities (as of 2024) and 58,643 higher education institutions (as of 2022-23), creating a massive gap in demand and supply. 

This gap led the Government of India to introduce the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which calls for a shift from content-heavy learning to skill-based, multidisciplinary education that prepares students for the future of work. It also explicitly encourages internationalisation and the entry of foreign institutions into the Indian market. 

India simultaneously witnessed the rise of new-age private universities that reflected the NEP’s vision of multidisciplinary, skills-focused learning. Institutions such as Ashoka University, Plaksha University, FLAME University, and O.P. Jindal Global University have redefined liberal arts and STEM education by integrating research, entrepreneurship, and global exposure into their curricula. 

Ashoka, for instance, has 2,800 students from 287 Indian cities in India and 21 countries. It is also home to one of India’s largest multidisciplinary faculties in the humanities and social sciences. O.P. Jindal Global University has grown to over 15,000 students across its 12 schools and was ranked the No. 1 private university in India by QS World University Rankings 2023. Over the years, institutions have demonstrated both the appetite and viability for globally benchmarked education within India. The arrival of leading international universities is therefore a natural next step, aligned with the NEP 2020’s call for internationalisation and increased access to world-class education on Indian soil.

In 2022, the University Grants Commission (UGC) announced that international institutions would be allowed to establish independent campuses in India. The policy was formalised in 2023 with a draft regulation that enables selected institutions ranked in the global top 500 to operate with full academic and administrative autonomy. These universities can set their own admission criteria, fee structures and curricula, and are not required to follow India’s reservation system. 

This shift could not have come at a better time. For global institutions, India offers an ideal expansion strategy, an English-speaking, youth-heavy population, rising disposable incomes and a growing demand for globally relevant education. India is now the world’s fastest-growing economy, making it a strategic market for long-term investment in education.

We are already seeing this global footprint strategy come to life at the school level. Harrow School, initially established in London in 1572, has expanded across Asia and recently opened a campus in Bengaluru, India. Other international schools include Wellington College International in Pune, Shrewsbury International School India, and the Singapore International School, with several others in development.  

Furthermore, the momentum accelerated in October 2025, when the UK Government confirmed a significant expansion of British universities in India during a trade mission to Mumbai. According to the official press release, nine UK universities received approval to open campuses in India. This initiative is expected to strengthen India–UK education ties under the India–UK Vision 2035 framework.

Global universities that have announced campuses in India

The concept of international universities in India is not a new one. However, institutions that entered the country earlier were required to partner with an Indian organisation, often limiting their academic autonomy and scope. Under the 2023 University Grants Commission (UGC) regulations, however, select foreign universities ranked in the global top 500 may now establish fully independent campuses in India. This shift marks a new era in higher education in India, one that grants international universities complete operational autonomy and the ability to award degrees equivalent to those granted domestically. While a few international universities are already operational, many others are preparing to launch their operations. Below is an alphabetically ordered list of institutions that have announced plans or received approval to establish campuses in India, followed by a note on new strategic research partnerships. 

1) Coventry University

Country of origin: The UK
Status: Received UGC’s formal Letter of Intent | Set to open in 2026
India location: GIFT City, Gujarat

Coventry University’s upcoming GIFT City campus is part of a planned £1 billion global investment by the Coventry University Group and follows the launch of its India Hub in New Delhi. It is the first UK university to receive approval for a campus in GIFT City. The campus will offer UK degree programmes in India, beginning with two business-related courses: BSc (Honours) in International Business Management and BSc (Honours) in Business and Finance. Additional courses are expected in the future. This development reflects the strengthening of UK–India educational ties.

2)  Deakin University

Country of origin: Australia
Status: Operational
India location: GIFT City, Gujarat

Deakin University has a proud history of engagement with India, dating back to 1994 when it became the first foreign university to establish operations in the country. In the past, it has partnered with various Indian academic and research organisations. However, its GIFT City campus marks a significant milestone as its first international branch campus in India, offering postgraduate programmes in Business Analytics and Cyber Security.

3) Illinois Institute of Technology

Country of origin: The US
Status: Received UGC’s formal Letter of Intent | Set to open in 2026
India location: International Education City, Mumbai, Maharashtra

The Illinois Institute of Technology’s Mumbai campus is looking to welcome its inaugural cohort of approximately 300 students. It will offer undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in computer science, engineering and business, mirroring the same academic rigour and US-accredited degrees as Illinois Tech’s Chicago campus. The curriculum will feature the university’s signature Elevate programme, guaranteeing students hands-on experience through internships, research projects and industry collaborations. The university will recruit international faculty with visiting professors from the US campus.

4) Istituto Europeo di Design

Country of origin: Italy
Status: Received UGC’s formal Letter of Intent | Set to open in 2026-27
India location: GIFT City, Gujarat

The Istituto Europeo di Design is in the advanced stages of bringing its expertise in design, fashion, visual arts, and communication to India with a new campus in Mumbai. Initially, the Mumbai campus will offer programmes that focus on IED’s core strengths in design, fashion, visual arts and communication, specifically offering the DAPL qualifications. While the complete programme list is yet to be announced, offerings are expected to reflect IED’s core strengths, preparing students for careers in the creative industries. The campus will introduce Indian students to IED’s distinctive methodology, which emphasises hands-on learning, strong industry engagement and an international outlook.

5) Lancaster University

Country of origin: The UK
Status: Received UGC’s formal Letter of Intent 
India location: Bengaluru, Karnataka

Recognised as a UK top-ten, research-intensive institution, Lancaster University has built a strong international presence with campuses and partnerships across Germany, Ghana, China, Malaysia and Indonesia. The proposed Bengaluru campus aims to offer UK-accredited degrees in business, management and computing, with plans to expand into other disciplines in later phases. The university aims to foster opportunities for collaborative innovation and student mobility, thereby strengthening its mission to deliver life-changing education and research with a tangible impact on the world.

6) Queen’s University Belfast

Country of origin: The UK
Status: Operational | First intake January 2026
India location: GIFT City, Gujarat

Queen’s University Belfast has officially opened its GIFT City campus, and is the first Russell Group institution in India. The university currently offers five one-year postgraduate (MSc) programmes focused on finance, technology and business analytics, including: MSc in Finance, MSc in Business Analytics, MSc in Financial Analytics, MSc in Construction and Project Management and MSc in Public Policy. The university plans to expand into additional courses and research opportunities, including PhD programmes, in the future. 

7) University of Aberdeen

Country of origin: The UK (Scotland)
Status: Received UGC’s formal Letter of Intent | Campus proposal to be approved
India location: International Education City, Mumbai, Maharashtra

The Mumbai campus of the University of Aberdeen will offer undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in computing and data science, business management, economics, artificial intelligence and an MBA. The university also plans to establish a research and innovation office on campus to support collaboration in key areas, such as artificial intelligence, energy, and life sciences, thereby strengthening academic and research links between Scotland and India.

8) University of Bristol 

Country of origin: The UK
Status: Received UGC’s formal Letter of Intent 
India location: Mumbai, Maharashtra (Enterprise Campus, opening 2026)

The University of Bristol, a member of the Russell Group, will establish its first overseas Enterprise Campus in Mumbai. Modelled after its Temple Quarter Enterprise Campus in the UK, the Mumbai Enterprise Campus will serve as a hub for research, entrepreneurship and industry collaboration. It will offer undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in AI, data science and computational biosystems design, drawing on Bristol’s strengths in innovation, technology and sustainability.

9) University of Liverpool 

Country of origin: The UK
Status:  Received UGC’s formal Letter of Intent | Set to open in August or September 2026
India location: Knowledge, Wellbeing and Innovation (KWIN) Hub, Bengaluru, Karnataka

The University of Liverpool, part of the Russell Group, is opening a campus in Bengaluru. It will offer undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in business management, accounting and finance, computer science, biomedical sciences and game design. The campus aims to mirror the academic rigour and research-focused environment of its UK counterpart, while fostering global exchange opportunities and strong industry partnerships. The university seeks to begin with a few hundred students and expand to 5,000 within five years, with long-term plans to enrol up to 10,000 students by 2036. 

10) University of Southampton Delhi

Country of origin: The UK
Status: Operational
India location: Gurugram, Haryana

University of Southampton Delhi has already begun academic operations with its first cohort of students from India, the UAE, and Nepal (2025 intake) enrolled across undergraduate and postgraduate programmes. It offers BSc (Hons) degrees in Computer Science, Business Management, Accounting and Finance, and Economics, as well as MSc programmes in International Management and Finance.  The campus features a state-of-the-art “Triple Helix” model integrating education, research, and industry engagement. Facilities include a Financial Laboratory equipped with Bloomberg Terminals and modern classrooms designed to support interactive learning. The institution employs over 75 faculty members and delivers degrees identical to those awarded in the UK. The University of Southampton is a founding member of the Russell Group. 

11) University of Surrey

Country of origin: The UK
Status: Received UGC’s formal Letter of Intent 
India location: GIFT City, Gujarat

The University of Surrey campus in India will offer programmes in engineering, business and data science, aligning with Surrey’s global strengths in innovation and applied research. As part of the UK Universities in India Alliance, the university aims to collaborate with Indian partners to advance research, innovation and skills development. The GIFT City campus will serve as a hub for knowledge exchange and international collaboration, strengthening educational and economic ties between India and the UK.

12) University of Western Australia  

Country of Origin: Australia
Status: Received UGC’s formal Letter of Intent | Set to open in August 2026
India location: International Education City, Mumbai, Maharashtra and Chennai, Tamil Nadu

The University of Western Australia, a member of Australia’s prestigious Group of Eight (Go8), will open its first international campus in Mumbai and Chennai. The campuses will offer undergraduate and master’s degree programmes with a strong focus on science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), as well as business and commerce. More than 20 majors, including a particular emphasis on computer science, are expected to be available in the initial phase. UWA has also formed partnerships with the Andhra Pradesh MedTech Zone (AMTZ), Avid Sports and HCLTech to integrate industry-led innovation and provide practical, hands-on experience through internships and collaborative research projects.

Country of Origin: Australia
Status: Operational
India location: GIFT City, Gujarat

13) University of Wollongong

The University of Wollongong‘s campus in GIFT City represents a strategic expansion of its global presence, mirroring its operations in Dubai, Malaysia, and Hong Kong. As the second Australian university to operate in GIFT City, UOW India offers postgraduate programmes, including the Master of Financial Technology and the Master of Computing (Data Analytics). The campus aims to provide Indian students with world-class education and industry-aligned skills, all without the need to travel abroad, thereby connecting them to a global network of expertise in areas critical to the evolving fintech sector.

14) University of York

Country of Origin: The UK
Status: Received UGC’s formal Letter of Intent | Set to open in September 2026
India location: Mumbai, Maharashtra

The University of York, a Russell Group research-led university, is establishing its first overseas campus in Mumbai. The campus will initially offer undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in high-demand fields, such as computer science with a focus on artificial intelligence and cybersecurity, business, economics, and the creative industries. A key feature of the Mumbai campus will be its strong focus on research and industry engagement, supporting India’s innovation goals in areas such as food security, environmental change and emerging technologies. Graduates will be awarded a degree from the University of York, ensuring international recognition.

15) Western Sydney University 

Country of Origin: Australia
Status: Received UGC’s formal Letter of Intent | Set to open in September 2026
India location: Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh

Western Sydney University will offer a range of undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in India, with an initial focus on computer science, business and engineering. A key priority will be sustainable development, supported by the launch of a Centre of Excellence in Greater Noida dedicated to smart farming and water-security research. This strategic expansion reflects the university’s commitment to global collaboration and its intent to deepen educational partnerships with India.

What will international campuses in India offer students

1) Global education at a lower cost

These new campuses bring international degrees to India at a fraction of the cost. While tuition at overseas campuses can range from INR 30-60 lakh per annum, students in India may pay around INR 8-20 lakh annually to study at the Indian campus counterpart, depending on the institution and programme. This opens up access to students who may not have the resources to study abroad but still seek a globally recognised qualification.

Source: University websites 

2) World-class academics and infrastructure

Most campuses aim to replicate the teaching quality and academic culture of their parent institutions. Several institutions are investing in state-of-the-art infrastructure, including residential housing, laboratories, and student facilities, to create a well-rounded learning environment that meets international standards.

3) Flexible global pathways

Many universities are expected to offer 2+2 models, allowing students to complete part of their degree in India before transferring to the parent campus abroad. Others will offer summer schools, semester exchanges or short-term study programmes, giving students global exposure without the cost of a full overseas degree.

4) A new tier in Indian higher education

Much like Ashoka University, Plaksha University, and O.P. Jindal Global University, international campuses are now reshaping the local landscape with credit-based, interdisciplinary models. They add a new tier to the current mix of traditional colleges and new-age private universities, offering students more choice in how and where they pursue their undergraduate or postgraduate studies.

Factors to consider when choosing international campuses in India

As international universities establish campuses in India, students and families must evaluate whether these options align with their academic and career goals. Key considerations include:

1) Cost 

Tuition fees at international campuses in India are significantly lower than those at overseas locations. However, they still represent a premium over most domestic colleges. For example, the first-year course fee for the two-year Master of Business Analytics programme at Deakin University, GIFT City, Gujarat, in 2025 is AU$39,600 (approximately INR 22 lakh). The cost varies depending on the units, study load, course length and any approved recognition of prior learning. However, the Australian campus charges an estimated annual fee of AU$43,000 (approximately INR 23.65 lakh) for the same programme. On the other hand, FLAME University’s total cost of attendance for an MBA in Business Analytics for Year 1 is INR 9,80,000, and for Year 2, it is INR 9,90,000. While tuition for undergraduate programmes at these international campuses has not yet been announced, the cost differential is expected to follow a similar pattern.

2) Scholarship 

Several international campuses in India are offering scholarships to improve access and promote diversity. At the University of Wollongong (UOW) India, students can apply for merit-based awards, early bird discounts, and the Women Leaders in FinTech & Data Analytics Scholarship, which covers 50 percent of tuition for eligible female applicants. The University of Southampton Delhi also offers competitive merit-based funding options, such as the Cambridge Scholarship Fund, the Undergraduate Presidential Scholarship, and the Postgraduate Presidential Scholarship. Southampton Delhi also provides the need-based Future Talent Bursary to up to 8 students. 

3) Academic interest

Students should ensure that their chosen field is available and that the curriculum aligns with their goals, as some campuses may initially offer limited programs in their chosen field of study. For example, Illinois Institute of Technology in Mumbai will focus on specialised STEM and business programmes, including degrees in artificial intelligence and computer science with a strong project-based approach. Those interested in creative disciplines can consider Istituto Europeo di Design (IED) in Mumbai, which plans to offer its signature Bachelor’s Degree (DAPL) courses in design, fashion and visual arts, with full programme details.

4) Global pathway opportunities

Several campuses offer mobility options, such as summer exchanges or transfer pathways to the parent university, which are ideal for students seeking international exposure. Queen’s University Belfast encourages study abroad periods and global work placements as part of its GIFT City programmes. Similarly, the University of Liverpool, launching in Bengaluru, plans to provide students access to its global mobility scheme, supporting academic and professional opportunities abroad.

5) Student life and peer group

Beyond academics, students should consider what campus life will look like. A vibrant peer group, access to extracurricular activities, mentorship and industry exposure all contribute to a well-rounded education. For instance, the University of York’s planned campus in Mumbai aims to replicate the vibrant academic and social experience of its UK counterpart.

6) Career support

Access to industry projects, placement assistance, and internships that rival the likes of Ashoka University’s mandatory credit-bearing internship programme will be a key differentiator. Students should investigate whether the campus offers dedicated career services and how closely these services are integrated with employers, both in India and abroad. Deakin University’s GIFT City Campus provides a compelling example, having already announced its first successful placement cycle for its postgraduate students. Notably, students from the Master of Business Analytics programme secured paid internships that are set to lead to full-time roles upon graduation at the National Australia Bank’s Innovation Centre in India. 

For many students, the idea of studying at a world-class university once meant leaving home, navigating new countries, and carrying the weight of enormous costs. That idea is changing. With global institutions arriving in India, students no longer have to choose between staying close to family and pursuing an international education. What was once a distant possibility is now at their doorstep. Need guidance with your application to international universities opening campuses in India? Connect now with our undergraduate admissions experts. Meanwhile, read our blogs: The Revival of Liberal Arts Education in India and What’s Changing in Global Undergraduate Applications: Trends from the 2025-26 Cycle Onwards.