UK Universities in India: PM Modi Announces 9 Campuses Under NEP 2020

Published on: October 9, 2025 | Source: Teachers Pride News Desk

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced that nine leading universities from the United Kingdom will establish campuses across India, marking a significant development in the country’s higher education landscape. The initiative — unveiled during UK-India engagements — is part of ongoing reforms under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, aimed at internationalizing India’s education ecosystem and expanding access to global-standard learning within the country.

PM Modi’s Vision for Global Education

PM Modi highlighted that bringing top international universities to India will help create a global education hub, enabling Indian students to access world-class programmes domestically while fostering international research collaborations.

“This collaboration will help Indian youth gain world-class education within our borders and create a bridge of knowledge with global institutions.” — Prime Minister Narendra Modi

Which UK Universities Are Coming

Among the institutions reported to be involved are the University of Southampton, University of Bristol, University of Liverpool, and the University of Aberdeen, with several others finalising arrangements under bilateral education frameworks and UK–India initiatives.

• University of Southampton — campus operational in Gurugram, currently accepting students.
• University of Liverpool — approved for a Bengaluru campus with operations expected by 2026.
• University of Bristol — planning an “Enterprise Campus” model in Mumbai.
• University of Aberdeen — first Scottish institution to expand into India under the new framework.

Reforms and Regulation Under NEP 2020

The University Grants Commission (UGC) and relevant Ministries have put in place an approvals mechanism to admit high-quality foreign campuses, ensuring academic standards and recognition while allowing administrative autonomy to partner institutions.

Benefits for Students and Institutions

• Access to UK-standard degrees without overseas relocation, reducing cost and visa barriers.
• Enhanced opportunities for joint research, faculty exchange, and internships with global partners.
• Degrees with broader international recognition, improving employability for graduates.
• Strengthened industry-academia linkages through collaborative programmes and innovation centres.

Challenges & Considerations

Key considerations include ensuring affordability, maintaining rigorous quality assurance, faculty recruitment, and infrastructure investment. Regulatory oversight will be critical to align curricula, accreditation, and degree recognition with Indian and international standards.

Strengthening India–UK Ties

The move complements the India–UK 2030 Roadmap and wider bilateral cooperation in education, research, and technology — bringing opportunities for collaborative projects in areas such as AI, sustainability, public health, and engineering.

Looking Ahead

While some campuses are already operational and others are at advanced planning stages, admissions and program rollouts are expected to ramp up through 2026–27. The arrival of these institutions marks a strategic shift in India’s higher education ecosystem and could accelerate competition and quality improvements across domestic universities.

Conclusion

The establishment of nine UK university campuses in India under NEP 2020 is a watershed moment that promises to broaden access to global education, strengthen research collaboration, and reinforce India’s ambition to become a leading global education hub.