UK’s University of Lancaster, University of Surrey get nod to set up campuses in India

The University of Lancaster and University of Surrey have received the nod to set up campuses in India, announced UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer during his first visit to India.

According to a statement by the British High Commission, UK’s University of Southampton opened a campus in Delhi earlier this year. The University of York, University of Aberdeen, University of Bristol, University of Liverpool, Queen’s University Belfast, and the University of Coventry will also open campuses from as early as next year.

“Our great British universities are admired all over the world for their teaching excellence, high-quality research and commitment to innovation. I’m delighted that more Indian students will be able to benefit from a world-class British education in the near future — strengthening the ties between our two countries while pumping millions back into our economy and supporting jobs at home,” Starmer said.

The University Grants Commission (UGC) had announced the Setting Up and Operation of Campuses of Foreign Higher Educational Institutions in India Regulations in 2023.

UK Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said, “Opening new campuses in India will give more young people the chance to benefit from a UK education, while delivering real returns for our universities at home. As we prepare to set out our International Education Strategy, these new campuses are a marker of our ambition: building long-term partnerships that deliver growth, innovation and opportunity for both countries.”

The University of Southampton became the first foreign university to set up its campus in India under the regulations.

Professor Stephen Jarvis, President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Surrey, said, “Through Surrey’s new International Branch Campus at GIFT City, we’re proud to be part of a new wave of British university partnerships with India, using higher education as a powerful skills and research accelerator for UK and Indian economic and trade relationships. As part of this ambitious new Universities in India Alliance, our nine universities can work together to realise the enormous potential of UK higher education combined with India’s remarkable talent and ambition.”

Joint campuses, dual degrees and collaborative research will mean UK and Indian universities can co-develop and commercialise cutting-edge technologies — from AI and semiconductors to biotechnology and quantum computing. Other top UK universities are also expanding in India through exciting new partnerships, including Imperial College London that will join forces with Science Gallery Bengaluru to drive growth through discovery and scientific collaboration.