India Opens Its Doors: Foreign Universities in India 

The Regulations were published in UGC’s website on 8 November 2023.

So far the Universities that are already operational in India are: 

1. Deakin University, Australia: Having opened its doors in 2024, Deakin University GIFT City Campus was the first international branch campus in India. The campus focuses on bridging and building capacities in technology and business to prepare postgraduate students for the rapidly advancing digital economy; in India and across the globe.
   
   

2. Southampton University, UK: Programmes starting in August 2025 in Gurugram, include B.Sc courses in Computer Science, Economics, Accounting & Finance, and Business Management, as well as M.Sc courses in Finance and International Management.
   
   

3. University of Wollongong, Australia: In November 2024, The University of Wollongong (UOW) India inaugurated its India campus in GIFT City for courses on Financial Technology, Computing and Data Analytics. There are also scholarships available for both high-achieving students and those students who apply and accept their offer early. 
   
   

In addition to the above, here’s a look at global universities that have announced campuses in India and are preparing to launch soon:

1. Coventry University, UK: As an undergraduate Coventry student studying in GIFT City, students can expect state-of-the-art infrastructure, advanced technology and excellent connectivity.  Enrollments and learnings are likely to commence in 2026. Two courses will initially be launched (BSc Business & Finance & BSc International Business Management), with plans to add courses in the future.

2. Queen’s University Belfast, UK: Queen’s University Belfast is set to become the first UK Russell Group university to open a campus in GIFT City, India, with the first cohort of students expected to start in January 2026. The new international campus will offer a portfolio of five postgraduate programmes initially, tailored to the specific needs of the Indian economy. 

3. University of Liverpool, UK: The University of Liverpool, Bengaluru campus will open for its first intake of undergraduate and postgraduate students in August 2026. Initial subject options will include Business Management, Accounting and Finance, Computer Science, Software development, Biomedical Sciences and, and Game Design, with a wider range to follow. The university will also have 2 postgraduate programmes for students. 

4. University of Aberdeen, UK: The University of Aberdeen is the first of the UK’s ancient universities and the first Scottish university to be granted permission for a branch campus in Mumbai, India with a target launch of September 2026. Some of the proposed programmes are BSc Computing Science and Data Science, MA Business Management, Economics, MBA, and MSc Artificial Intelligence. 

5. University of York, UK: York Mumbai is set to welcome undergraduate and postgraduate students from the 2026/27 academic year, with initial courses in Computer Science with AI and Cyber Security, Business, Economics &Creative industries. Their Mumbai campus is a research-intensive, global hub, delivering the same academic standards and transformative experience as York in the UK.

6. University of Bristol, UK: Due to open in summer 2026, the Mumbai Enterprise Campus will be the University’s first international campus. Initial subjects taught at undergraduate and postgraduate level will focus on areas of global distinction for Bristol such as Data Science, Economics, Finance and Investment, Immersive arts and Financial technology. 

7. University of Lancaster, UK: On 9th October 2025 Lancaster University announced it has taken a step closer to opening a new branch campus in Bengaluru further strengthening its international track record and global reputation for high-quality transnational education (TNE). The news comes as the University formed part of a UK delegation of 125 UK CEOs, entrepreneurs, university and cultural leaders led by Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who joined with India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi in talks exploring the India-UK Comprehensive Strategic Partnership as part of a two-day trade mission to Mumbai. 

8. University of Surrey, UK:  The University of Surrey is set to open a world-class International Branch Campus in GIFT City Gujarat, India, delivered in collaboration with GUS Global Services (GGS). On his return from  India, where the multi-sector delegation met with  Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Professor Jarvis (President and Vice-Chancellor) highlighted the importance of the new Universities in India Alliance, which Surrey was proud to become a founder member of during the trip.  

9. Illinois Institute of Technology, USA: Illinois Institute of Technology (Illinois Tech), Chicago’s only tech-focused university, is set to become the first U.S. university to establish an independent degree-granting campus in India. Opening in fall 2026, the new Illinois Tech-Mumbai campus will offer a range of undergraduate and graduate programs in high-demand fields such as computer science, engineering, and business.

10. Istituto Europeo di Design, Italy: The Istituto Europeo di Design is the first Italian institution to have received a Letter of Intent from the Ministry of Education – Government of India, expressing its willingness to allow DAPL courses (Bachelor’s Degree), accredited by the Italian Ministry of University and Research (MUR), to be offered in India as well.

11. La Trobe University, Australia: La Trobe University is set to open its India campus in Bengaluru, as per a recent notification by the MOE. Known for its research in smart cities, molecular sciences, and biotechnology, the university will offer bachelor’s programs in Business (Finance, Marketing, Management), Computer Science  (AI, Software Engineering), and Public Health.

12. University of Western Australia, Australia: The first UWA campus is set to open in Mumbai and Chennai, which will offer a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs in STEM, Business and Commerce to meet the aspirations of Indian students and evolving needs of the global workforce and economy. 

13. University of New South Wales, Australia: Launching in August 2026, UNSW Bengaluru will expand access to educational opportunities, advance innovative research, and develop impactful collaborations with industry. Students will be able to study Bachelor of Business, Media in Public Relations and Advertising, Bachelor of Science in Computer Science, Data Science and Decisions. 

14. Victoria University, Australia: In a first for the state, Victoria University (VU) has been granted a licence by the Indian government to establish a comprehensive campus in the country under the new National Education Policy (NEP) by 2027. The university plans to launch its campus in Delhi NCR and will offer undergraduate, postgraduate and research courses.  

15. Western Sydney University, Australia: Western Sydney University has announced the opening of its new international campus in Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh, all set to welcome students in mid-2026. Aligned with India’s National Education Policy 2020, the campus will drive innovation in advanced manufacturing, Agri-Tech, and emerging sectors like precision agriculture and renewable technologies. 

Conclusion 

The entry of foreign universities in India aims to link Indian higher education with global institutions and make the country a regional education hub. Previously, students had to go abroad at high cost for a world-class degree, but now they can get an international education without leaving home.

LAST UPDATED: 12 December 2025

Source: (UGC 2025; University websites; Ministry of Education)