The University of Southampton has received approval from India’s University Grants Commission to establish a branch campus in India, making it the first UK Russell Group and global top 100 university to do so in the country.
As a research-intensive member of the Russell Group, Southampton has been granted a licence by the Indian government to open this new campus in Delhi. This move comes as India has surpassed China in sending the highest number of foreign students to British universities. While the exact opening date is yet to be confirmed, the campus will be a significant addition to Southampton's global presence.
Currently, some British universities maintain offices or small bases in India, but this will be the first full-fledged branch campus from a top UK institution. Recent data highlights that the number of Indian students in the UK has skyrocketed, with 173,000 students in 2022-23, surpassing the combined total of students from Wales and Northern Ireland, and significantly outpacing the increase in Chinese student enrolments.
Professor Andrew Atherton, the Vice-President of the University of Southampton told Asian Voice, “The University of Southampton is delighted and honoured to be awarded the first approval by the India University Grants Commission to establish an international campus in India.
“We had identified India as the most exciting and dynamic location for our international campus. When regulations came out November 2023 allowing foreign universities to set up campuses in India we jumped at the opportunity. India is the largest emerging nation globally and has huge appetite and demand for higher education. The quality of students and the talent in India make this a huge opportunity for the university.
“We will offer the same degree in India as we do in the UK, ensuring students graduating from our India campus have the same qualifications and receive an outstanding Southampton experience. We will also undertake research and public and community engagement at the campus, so we are part of, and embedded in Indian society and a keynote of the eco-system.
“Approval of am India campus is a huge opportunity and honour for Southampton. We are looking forward to opening in 2025 and bringing a world too 100 university to India.”
The new Southampton campus in India will focus on research, enterprise, and education. The university plans a phased expansion, guided by its ‘triple helix’ strategy, which integrates education, research, and enterprise. The campus is expected to be located in Gurugram, within the National Capital Region of Haryana, offering world-class teaching and learning opportunities across a range of top degree programs.
The India Business Group (IBG), a strategic advisory consultancy, will play a key role in facilitating stakeholder engagement, industry connections, and business links to support this ambitious project. Amarjit Singh, Chief Executive of the India Business Group and an alumnus of the University said, “This is truly a landmark moment for the rapidly evolving UK and India relationship. IBG is delighted to be working with Southampton as one of its strategic advisory partners. We acknowledge that education, research and innovation are key pillars of the bilateral relationship, and this exciting development will promote academic excellence, engagement with industry and government and strengthen the living bridge between our two great nations”.
The new campus supports India’s National Education Policy 2020 which provides an ambitious liberalising agenda with the aim of making India a “global study destination” and “global knowledge superpower”. IBG is working closely with the University’s senior leadership team and the International Office to support deeper in-country engagement with academia, industry and government.
The proposed campus builds organically on the strategic objectives, leadership and expertise of the University of Southampton India Centre established in March 2019, which reaffirms its long-standing engagement in and with India.
