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The UK’s University of Southampton became the first UK university to be granted a licence by the Indian government to establish a comprehensive campus in the country.
As a part of the UGC’s initiative of inviting top 500 foreign universities to establish their campuses in India, UK’s University of Southampton, which is known as a global top 100 university, has been invited to establish a campus in India.
The University of Southampton, UK submitted the proposal for opening of branch campus in Gurugram, India which was approved by the standing committee consisting of noted academicians from India and abroad for issuing Letter of Intent as per regulations.
“Establishment of campuses of foreign universities in India and Indian HEIs abroad is not just about expanding educational opportunities, it is about creating a vibrant ecosystem of research, knowledge exchange and global collaboration. Educational institutions across countries have a responsibility to produce “global citizens” with global ethos who can provide solutions to global challenges,” Dharmendra Pradhan said.
The varsity claims they have been active in India for more than 50 years and have developed deep and mutually beneficial partnerships. The upcoming campus will enable the University of Southampton to build on these links by amplifying research collaboration and impact, extending teaching partnerships, creating two-way student and staff mobility, and ensuring local civic and community engagement.
As a part of this, the degrees awarded by the Indian campus of University of Southampton will be the same as in host the University. The programmes offered in the branch campus of University of Southampton in Indian will have the same academic and quality standards.
“The Indian campus of the University of Southampton is expected to start its academic programmes in July 2025. The courses offered will be in subject focusing on: business and management, computing, law, engineering, art and design, biosciences and life sciences. With the starting of an Indian campus of University of Southampton will be beneficial for students, in terms of extending course and study opportunities in India, and for research, knowledge exchange, enterprise and engagement,” UGC Chief, M Jagadesh Kumar said.
This new campus will undertake research and knowledge exchange in partnership with local universities, industries, and government, applying the results to deliver real-world social and economic impact, and enable a more entrepreneurial and innovative country.
“In the 21st century, no university can be truly global without engaging with India. Our intention is to establish a campus that delivers social value and economic impact to India and the university by bringing together Southampton’s world class activities in education, research, and knowledge exchange and enterprise, with all the talent of the rising global superpower that is India,” said Mark E. Smith, President, and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Southampton.
He further added, “Through this new campus, the University of Southampton will help deliver a critical element of the Government of India’s transformative agenda, playing our part in harnessing the potential, talent and capabilities of Indian youth.”
Professor Andrew Atherton, Vice-President International and Engagement, said: “University of Southampton Delhi NCR will be the first comprehensive international campus in India. It will foster academic collaboration and bring an international dimension to the Indian higher education system, opening up opportunities to study for a top 100 degree in-country.
As of now, only Australian universities — Deakin University and the University of Wollongong — have opened a branch campus in India, located in Gujarat International Finance Tec-City (GIFT City). Additionally, Malaysia’s Lincoln University College became the first foreign university to apply through the University Grants Commission’s (UGC) dedicated application portal to set up a campus in India.
