Foreign Universities in India: Campuses, Courses and What Students Need to Know

Introduction 

For Indian students interested in earning a degree from a foreign university, studying abroad is no longer the only option. International universities are increasingly establishing campuses in India, allowing students to pursue degrees from overseas institutions without relocating to another country.

The development follows the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020’s push to internationalise Indian higher education. In November 2023, the University Grants Commission (UGC) introduced regulations governing the establishment and operation of campuses of foreign higher educational institutions in India.

Since then, the landscape has moved from policy to implementation. Some foreign universities are already operating campuses in India, while others are launching their first cohorts or developing campuses that are expected to open in the coming years. 

Here is a look at the foreign universities that have established, announced or received approval for campuses in India, along with the programmes they offer or plan to offer.

Foreign Universities Already Operating in India :

1. Deakin University, Australia – GIFT City, Gujarat  Deakin University’s GIFT City campus opened in 2024 and was the first international branch campus in India. The campus currently focuses primarily on postgraduate programmes in areas such as business and technology. 
   
   
2. University of Southampton, UK – Gurugram, HaryanaThe University of Southampton began operations at its Gurugram campus in 2025. Undergraduate programmes include Computer Science, Economics, Accounting and Finance, and Business Management. Postgraduate programmes are also available.
   
   
3. University of Wollongong, Australia – GIFT City, Gujarat
   The University of Wollongong opened its GIFT City campus in 2024. Its programmes include undergraduate and postgraduate study in areas such as computing, data analytics and financial technology.
   
   
4. Queen’s University Belfast, UK – GIFT City, Gujarat
   Queen’s University Belfast launched its GIFT City campus in 2026. The campus currently offers postgraduate programmes in areas including finance, technology and business analytics. It does not currently offer undergraduate programmes. 
   
   
5. Birkbeck, University of London, UK – Bengaluru 
   Birkbeck opened its Bengaluru campus in April 2026. Its initial undergraduate offerings include Business Management, Business Analytics and Business Management (International Business).
   

Foreign Universities Launching Campuses in India:

6. University of Liverpool, UK – Bengaluru
   The University of Liverpool is establishing its Bengaluru campus for undergraduate and postgraduate study. Initial undergraduate subject areas include Business Management, Accounting and Finance, Computer Science, Computer Science with Software Development, Biomedical Sciences and Game Design.

7. University of Aberdeen, UK – Mumbai
   The University of Aberdeen is establishing a campus in Powai, Mumbai. Proposed undergraduate programmes include Business Management, Computing Science, Data Science and Economics, alongside postgraduate programmes in areas such as Artificial Intelligence and an MBA.
   
   

8. University of York, UK – Mumbai
   The University of York’s Mumbai campus is welcoming students from the 2026/27 academic year. Initial undergraduate programmes cover Computer Science with AI and Cyber Security, Business, Economics and Creative Industries.
   
   

9. University of Bristol, UK – Mumbai
   The University of Bristol is establishing its Mumbai Enterprise Campus, offering undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in areas including Data Science, Economics, Finance and Investment, Immersive Arts and Financial Technology.
   
   

10. Illinois Institute of Technology, USA – Mumbai
    Illinois Tech is establishing a degree-granting campus in Mumbai, with its first cohort expected in 2026. Undergraduate programmes will focus on areas including Artificial Intelligence, Computer Science, Business and Information Technology and Business Administration.  
    
    

11. University of Western Australia, Australia – Mumbai and Chennai
    The University of Western Australia is establishing campuses in Mumbai and Chennai, with operations scheduled to begin in September 2026. Undergraduate offerings include areas such as Computer Science, Cyber Security, Data Science, Artificial Intelligence, Business Management, Global Business, Enterprise and Innovation, and Economics.
    
    

12. University of New South Wales, Australia – Bengaluru
    UNSW Bengaluru is scheduled to begin classes in August 2026. Its initial undergraduate programmes are in Business, Computer Science and Data Science.
    
    

13. Victoria University, Australia – Gurugram, Haryana
    Victoria University’s Delhi NCR campus is scheduled to open in August 2026. The campus will offer undergraduate and postgraduate programmes, initially focusing on areas such as Business and Information Technology.

Foreign Universities with Campuses in the Pipeline 

14. University of Surrey, UK – GIFT City, Gujarat
    The University of Surrey is developing an international branch campus in GIFT City  in collaboration with GUS Global Services. The first intake is planned for 2027.
    
    

15. Lancaster University, UK – Bengaluru
    Lancaster University has announced plans for a branch campus in Bengaluru. The university is currently developing its plans for the campus.
    
    

16. Coventry University, UK – GIFT City, Gujarat
    Coventry University is developing a campus in GIFT City. Initial plans include undergraduate programmes in Business and Finance and International Business Management.
    
    

17. Western Sydney University, Australia – Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh
    Western Sydney University is developing a campus in Greater Noida, which is expected to welcome students in 2027. Initial study areas are expected to include Business and Leadership, Financial Technology and Digital Innovation, Agriculture, Sustainability and Water Futures, and Data Science and Emerging Technologies.
    
    

18. Istituto Europeo di Design (IED), Italy – Mumbai 
    IED has received a Letter of Intent from the Indian Ministry of Education to offer its Italian-accredited DAPL bachelor’s degree programmes in India. Its proposed Mumbai campus is part of India’s expanding foreign university landscape. 
    
    

19. La Trobe University, Australia – Bengaluru
    La Trobe University has announced plans for a campus in Bengaluru, with proposed undergraduate programmes in Business, Computer Science and Public Health. 

Conclusion 

The arrival of foreign universities is expanding the range of higher education options available to Indian students. With campuses already operating and more universities launching or developing campuses across the country, students can now consider international degrees without necessarily moving abroad.

However, each campus has a different programme portfolio, location and stage of development. Students should check the university’s official website for the latest information on programmes, eligibility, fees and other requirements before making decisions.