British universities are advancing into India, with nine institutions planning campuses to tap growing demand and offset domestic challenges. Southampton leads the way in Delhi, while York and others follow suit.
UK universities in India are gaining momentum as institutions face immigration curbs and financial strains at home. The University of Southampton has opened its Delhi campus, marking the first under India’s 2023 regulations. This move aligns with a bilateral push, allowing Indian students access to British degrees locally.
The expansion reflects broader UK-India ties strengthened by a 2025 free-trade agreement. India requires 70 million additional student places by 2035 to meet its youth bulge. For South Asia, this means enhanced higher education options without overseas travel barriers, fostering regional skills and economic links.
British Universities India Campus Initiatives
The University of Southampton Delhi campus opened in August 2025 with 120 students across limited courses. It aims to grow to 5,500 students over a decade. Located in Gurugram’s International Tech Park, the site was inaugurated on July 16, 2025, by India’s Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
Professor Andrew Atherton, Southampton’s vice president for international and engagement, said the model shifts universities towards students. “The new part of the model is that now universities can start thinking about going to the students,” he noted during a campus visit.
Other UK universities in India include the University of Surrey, planning a site in Gujarat’s GIFT City. Vice-chancellor Stephen Jarvis described it as an opportunity to access India’s talent pool. The University of York intends to launch in Mumbai later in 2026, offering programmes in artificial intelligence, business, and creative fields.
A UK government strategy from January 2026 targets education exports at GBP 40 billion by 2030, up from GBP 32 billion. This emphasises overseas expansion over recruiting students to Britain, where a GBP 925 levy per international student applies.
UK Higher Education India Ties Deepen
Nine UK universities have secured approvals or letters of intent for campuses in India. These include Southampton in Gurugram, Liverpool in Bangalore, York in Mumbai, Aberdeen in Mumbai, Bristol in Mumbai, Queens University Belfast in GIFT City, Coventry in GIFT City, Lancaster in Bengaluru, and Surrey in GIFT City.
The UK-India joint statement on October 9, 2025, highlighted this progress. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, during a Mumbai trade mission, stated: “It’s a fantastic opportunity for us to provide university education in India for people. There’s no question of visas.”
India’s University Grants Commission regulations require degrees to match UK standards, but fees are lower. Courses costing over GBP 25,000 in Britain are priced at GBP 10,000 to GBP 12,000 in India.
Sadhika Mehrotra, a 20-year-old Southampton student from Delhi, said friends now prefer local options. “It’s in India, but it’s an international university, well-established, from the UK, so why not?” she added.
UK higher education India partnerships also address domestic deficits. Around 45 percent of English institutions face shortfalls in 2025-26, per Office for Students data. Vice-chancellor Charlie Jeffery of York urged diversification: “If universities don’t grasp the nettle and shift themselves strategically away from the dependence on those three big buckets… then they’re probably storing up more trouble for themselves.”
Background: Pressures Driving UK Universities in India
UK universities in India stem from home challenges. Tighter visa rules limit foreign graduates’ stay, and international students count in net migration figures. Education ranks among Britain’s top exports, surpassing cars or food.
Felix Ejgel of S&P noted initial losses for new campuses but long-term footprints. Britain’s 2025 relations reset with India, including reciprocal visits, eased foreign university entry.
Southampton became the first to receive a letter of intent in 2024, with construction completing by April 2025. York’s licence was awarded in June 2025, enabling a September 2026 start.
What’s Next for UK Universities in India
Further approvals may follow as India seeks global institutions. UK universities in India could expand courses, with potential collaborations in research. Monitoring enrolment and financial viability will shape the model’s success.
UK universities in India promise sustained growth, bridging educational gaps in South Asia while bolstering Britain’s global influence.
Published in SouthAsianDesk, February 12th, 2026
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