The University of Southampton, a leading UK-based institution, has received permission from India's University Grants Commission (UGC) to establish a campus in Gurugram, Delhi-NCR.
This marks a significant milestone as the first foreign university to set up a branch in India under the UGC's new regulations.
The development aligns with India's efforts to internationalise its higher education landscape, as outlined in the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
UGC - Paving the way for global education
The UGC's "Setting up and Operation of Campuses of Foreign Higher Educational Institutions in India" Regulations, 2023, announced last November, permit top 500 global universities to establish campuses in India.
The University of Southampton is the first institution to benefit from these guidelines, which allow foreign universities autonomy in their admission processes and fee structures while enabling the UGC to maintain oversight of their operations.
The new regulations are part of a broader vision set by NEP 2020 to facilitate world-class universities operating within India. In this context, the University of Southampton's entry signifies a step towards turning India into a global education hub.
The move was officially announced at an event in New Delhi, where UGC Chairperson M Jagadesh Kumar expressed optimism about India becoming a key destination for international higher learning and research.
Campus to open by 2025
The University of Southampton, ranked among the top 100 institutions globally in the QS World University Rankings, plans to launch its first academic session at the Gurugram campus in July 2025.
Faculty will be sourced from both India and abroad, ensuring a blend of local and international expertise.
Professor Andrew Atherton, Vice-President International and Engagement at the University of Southampton, said in a statement that the new campus will focus on delivering education, research, and knowledge exchange.
"We will develop world-class, work-ready graduates with specialist and transferable skills that will enhance India’s fast-growing knowledge economy," he said. "We will undertake research and knowledge exchange in partnership with local universities, industries, and government and apply the results to deliver real-world social and economic impact."
The campus will not only mirror the experience and quality of education offered at the university’s main campuses in the UK but will also place a strong emphasis on research and innovation.
Atherton highlighted that the students in India would receive the same degree and be an integral part of the university community.
“Our students here in India will receive the same degree and be as much a part of our student community as any other University of Southampton student, regardless of location,” Atherton said. “The campus will be the same as all other University of Southampton campuses in terms of experience, activities, and status.”
The campus plans to focus on delivering courses and research in areas of strategic importance to India’s growing economy. According to a statement from the Indian government, the university has submitted a comprehensive 10-year course rollout plan.
Course rollout plan
In the first year, the University of Southampton's Gurugram campus will offer undergraduate and postgraduate courses such as Bachelor of Science degrees in Computer Science, Business Management, Accounting and Finance, and Economics, along with Master of Science degrees in International Management and Finance.
In the second year, additional courses in Software Engineering, Creative Computing, and Economics will be introduced. By the third year, the curriculum will expand further to include courses in Law and Mechanical Engineering.
This phased approach aims to establish the university as a centre for research and innovation, aligned with India’s goals of developing a knowledge-based economy.
Growing interest
The UGC’s move to grant permission to the University of Southampton has generated significant interest among other global institutions. “Many international institutions have shown keen interest in setting up their campuses in India,” UGC Chairperson M Jagadesh Kumar said during the announcement.
This is not the first instance of a foreign university establishing a presence in India. Last year, two Australian institutions—Deakin University and the University of Wollongong—opened branch campuses at the Gujarat International Finance Tec-City (GIFT City) after receiving approval from the International Financial Services Centre Authorities (IFSCA).
However, these campuses operate under different regulatory frameworks and do not come under the UGC guidelines.
Strengthening India-UK educational ties
Union Minister of External Affairs S Jaishankar hailed the development as a “significant milestone” in India’s education system. He noted that the issuance of the letter of intent to the University of Southampton is a testament to the strong bilateral ties between India and the United Kingdom, particularly in education.
“The initiative will help establish a strong international footprint of ‘brand India’ in the education sphere,” Jaishankar said. “This is a growing reality as new technologies and service demands are sought to be harmonised with demographic deficits.”
Follow us
