In a bold push toward internationalizing its higher education system, India is set to welcome five prestigious foreign universities that will establish full-fledged campuses in the country. The University Grants Commission (UGC) has formally approved the plans, marking a significant milestone in the implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
The move is aimed at making global education accessible within India’s borders, offering Indian students the chance to earn international degrees without leaving the country.
India’s Global Academic Ambitions Take Shape
The announcement is part of India’s broader strategy to position itself as an education hub in the Global South. The five universities — hailing from the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, and Italy — will operate campuses in cities such as Bengaluru and Greater Noida.
“This is a watershed moment in Indian higher education,” said a UGC official familiar with the development. “We are opening our doors to global academic excellence while retaining the affordability and cultural relevance of studying at home.”
Among the first to receive approval is the Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT) from Chicago, which will become the first American university to launch a campus in India. Its academic offerings will mirror those at its main campus, particularly in STEM and business disciplines. The IIT campus is expected to be operational by 2026.
Similarly, the University of Liverpool, a leading UK research university and member of the elite Russell Group, is poised to open a campus in Bengaluru. The university is ranked 165th in the QS World University Rankings 2025 and will focus on law, business, and health sciences.
Two Australian institutions — Victoria University and Western Sydney University — are also entering the Indian landscape. Western Sydney University has selected Greater Noida as its launchpad, while Victoria University will introduce its flexible “block model” of education to Indian learners.
Rounding off the list is Italy’s Istituto Europeo di Design (IED), a top-ranked institution in art and design education. The IED campus is expected to bring European finesse to India’s growing interest in creative industries such as fashion, graphic design, and visual communication.
A Paradigm Shift in Indian Education
Until now, Indian students aspiring for global degrees have largely depended on international travel, significant financial investments, and scholarships. The entry of foreign universities changes that equation.
“This is not just about infrastructure,” said education consultant Meera Kaul. “It’s about changing the mindset — bringing in academic freedom, multidisciplinary learning, and exposure to cutting-edge research and innovation.”
These foreign campuses will operate under guidelines set by UGC’s draft regulations for the establishment of offshore campuses. They will have autonomy in admissions, fee structures, and academic design, although they must maintain parity with their home-country campuses in quality and standards.
Equity, Access, and the Road Ahead
Critics, however, caution that these benefits must not be limited to urban elites. “The success of these initiatives will depend on how inclusive they are,” said Professor Shalini Sharma, an education policy expert. “The promise of international degrees should not bypass students from Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities.”
The government has reiterated its commitment to ensuring transparency and oversight, noting that only the world’s top 500 universities — by QS or THE rankings — are eligible to apply.
In time, the presence of such institutions is expected to not only reduce the brain drain but also encourage research collaboration, faculty exchange programs, and industry-academic partnerships across borders.
As India emerges as a key player in the global knowledge economy, this step is not merely about foreign universities coming in — it’s about reshaping what it means to get a quality education in India.