A UK University in India? Southampton’s Gurugram Campus Is Just the Beginning

When you think of studying at a globally renowned university, the image has long involved packing bags, applying for visas, and moving far from home. Now that cost—both financial and emotional—may no longer be necessary. The University of Southampton, consistently ranked among the world’s top 100 universities, has established a fully-fledged campus in India's Gurugram. This isn’t a satellite or tie‑up—it’s the first foreign university to set up a full-scale branch under India’s new UGC regulations.

As part of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, India opened doors in 2023 to top-tier global universities to establish physical campuses in the country. The University of Southampton became the very first to receive a Letter of Intent (LoI) from the University Grants Commission in August 2024, following approval by a specially constituted UGC standing committee. Academic sessions are scheduled to begin in August or September 2025, with the campus completed by April 2025.

On July 16, 2025, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan formally inaugurated the University of Southampton’s Gurugram campus, located in International Tech Park, Sector 59, Gurugram. The first academic session will welcome approximately 140 students across four undergraduate programmes (BSc in Computer Science, Economics, Accounting & Finance, and Business Management) and two postgraduate programmes (MSc in Finance and International Management).

The degrees will be identical in curriculum and academic rigor to those offered at the UK's Southampton campus, maintaining full university standards locally.

Admission began in October 2024, attracting over 300 applicants. Offers have been extended to more than 200 candidates, aiming for an inaugural class of around 140, with room for more if students secure enrollment.

Full‑time faculty—over 75 in number—are being recruited globally from countries such as the UK, UAE, Germany, Japan, Singapore, Australia, and the U.S. All are expected to meet UK academic benchmarks and participate in Southampton’s teaching development framework.

Fees are significantly lower than UK rates: for example, M.Sc. Finance costs around ₹19.8 lakh annually, while undergraduate programmes are priced around ₹13.2 lakh per year.

Southampton’s venture marks the first fully independent campus by a top‑ranked university under India's NEP‑driven UGC framework. It sets a precedent for future foreign campuses under the 2023 regulations.

The move aligns with Indian officials’ push for educational internationalisation, with Education Minister Pradhan calling it "a momentous milestone" and urging the university to expand into STEM and research-driven areas. UGC Chairman Vineet Joshi described it as a model for future external collaborations.

On the British side, the launch was seen as enhancing India–UK educational ties, forming part of a broader strategy to sustain international student engagement amid Brexit‑era enrolment challenges.

The University of Southampton aims to scale up its India campus—potentially enrolling up to 5,500 students annually over the next decade, with a long‑term goal of around 5,000 by 2035, investing about £30 million in the process. Encouraged by this success, other renowned UK universities—including Newcastle, Surrey, Coventry, Liverpool and more—are now actively pursuing campuses in India.

Delhi‑NCR has quickly emerged as a leading hub for global education in India, with other collaborations underway (e.g. University of Hull with DTU, University of Leeds with Delhi University), further strengthening the region’s academic ecosystem.

The University of Southampton’s Gurugram campus is not simply another institution; it is India’s first full offshore campus from a top-100 global university. It represents a bold shift in how international education is delivered—locally, affordably, and with full academic rigour.

To Indian students, it brings world-class education closer to home. To families, it offers financial relief. To policymakers, it marks India’s declaration as a global education hub—not just as a source of talent, but as a partner in knowledge production and innovation.

And if this succeeds, it truly isn’t the end—it’s just the beginning.

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