Foreign institutions from abroad to establish additional campuses within India
A wave of transnational education is transforming India's higher education landscape as several top foreign universities are establishing or proposing campuses in various cities across the country. This move aligns with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and the University Grants Commission's (UGC) 2023 provision, which allows foreign universities ranked among the top 500 globally to set up campuses in India independently.
Among the universities making their mark in India are Australia's La Trobe University, which will establish its presence in Bengaluru, and Western Sydney University, which collaborates with Indian institutions including IISc, ICAR, AIIA, and the Ministry of Jal Shakti. Victoria University, another Australian institution, plans to offer undergraduate courses in business, data science, and cybersecurity, along with postgraduate degrees in IT and management.
The list of prominent foreign universities establishing or proposing campuses in India includes the University of Southampton from the United Kingdom, which will open its first international campus in Gurugram (Delhi NCR area). Western Sydney University will offer undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in Greater Noida, while Victoria University will set up shop in Noida. The University of Bristol, based in the United Kingdom, will open a campus in Mumbai, joining York University, University of Liverpool, Illinois Institute of Technology from the USA, Deakin University and University of Wollongong from Australia, and Illinois Institute of Technology, which will focus on engineering and applied sciences in Mumbai.
The total number of foreign universities with operational or proposed campuses in India has reached at least 13, with plans to expand to 15 more in the near future. These campuses target major metropolitan and emerging education hubs such as Mumbai, Bengaluru, Greater Noida, Noida, Gurugram, and GIFT City, Gujarat. Programs offered cover diverse fields including business management, innovation, entrepreneurship, technology, biomedical sciences, logistics, and game design, reflecting a strategic focus on India’s growing skill demands.
This expansion underscores increasing confidence in India’s regulatory framework and global recognition of India's education potential. The move is in line with the Akhil Bhartiya Shiksha Samagam 2025, held to mark the fifth anniversary of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which aims to transform India’s education system into one of the best in the world.
As these foreign universities establish their presence in India, they provide students with world-class degrees locally, enhancing India’s position as a global knowledge hub.
Here's a table summarising the universities, their countries, and the proposed campus locations:
| University | Country | Proposed Campus Location | |-------------------------------|----------------|------------------------------| | University of Southampton | United Kingdom | Gurugram (Delhi NCR area) | | Western Sydney University | Australia | Greater Noida | | Victoria University | Australia | Noida | | La Trobe University | Australia | Bengaluru | | University of Bristol | United Kingdom | Mumbai | | York University | United Kingdom | Mumbai | | University of Liverpool | United Kingdom | Bengaluru | | Illinois Institute of Technology| USA | Mumbai | | Deakin University | Australia | GIFT City, Gujarat | | University of Wollongong | Australia | GIFT City, Gujarat |
In other education-related news, the inaugural session of the Akhil Bhartiya Shiksha Samagam 2025 took place on Tuesday, with Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan attending as the chief guest. Meanwhile, L&T, NTPC, Asian Paints, VBL, Star Health, GMR Airports, Blue Dart, and V-Guard will publish their Q1 results today, and Mangalore Chemicals has reached a 52-week high. However, Mazagon Dock has fallen post Q1 results.
- These foreign universities, such as Australia's La Trobe University in Bengaluru and Western Sydney University with collaborations in India, are expanding their business through the establishment of campuses in various Indian cities.
- The University of Southampton from the United Kingdom plans to analyze the markets in Gurugram, while Western Sydney University will offer education-and-self-development programs in Greater Noida.
- With the emergence of online-education platforms, Victoria University, another Australian institution, is proposing to deliver undergraduate courses in business, data science, and cybersecurity, as well as postgraduate degrees in IT and management, in Noida.
- The University of Bristol, based in the United Kingdom, is focusing on the energy sector with its proposed campus in Mumbai.
- The strategic focus of these universities on India’s growing skill demands includes offering programs in technology, biomedical sciences, logistics, and game design, reflecting a dynamic change in India’s higher education landscape.
- As these top universities establish their presence in India, they provide students with live access to international policies, technology, and learning opportunities, elevating India’s position as a global knowledge hub.
