New Delhi: In a historic milestone for India’s higher education landscape, the University of Southampton, a prestigious QS Top 100 global institution and a founding member of the UK’s Russell Group, has officially inaugurated its India campus in Gurugram, Haryana. This marks the first instance of a foreign university establishing a comprehensive campus in India under the University Grants Commission’s (UGC) (Setting up and Operation of Campuses of Foreign Higher Educational Institutions in India) Regulations 2023. The grand opening, attended by Union Education Minister Shri Dharmendra Pradhan and Haryana Chief Minister Shri Nayab Singh Saini, underscores India’s ambition to become a global knowledge destination under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
A Landmark in India-UK Educational Cooperation
The inauguration of the University of Southampton’s Delhi-NCR campus is a pivotal step toward the internationalisation of education as envisioned by NEP 2020. Shri Dharmendra Pradhan, speaking at the event, described the launch as a “momentous milestone” in strengthening the education pillar of the India-UK Roadmap 2030. He emphasized that education serves as a “living bridge” between India and the UK, as articulated by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi. The Gurugram campus is poised to create new synergies, foster a culture of curiosity and excellence, and provide Indian students with access to world-class education at a more affordable cost, closer to home.
The event was graced by distinguished dignitaries, including Industries and Commerce Minister of Haryana Shri Rao Narbir Singh, Lord Patel OBE, Chancellor of the University of Southampton and Member of the UK House of Lords, Ms. Lindy Cameron, British High Commissioner to India, Mr. Mark E. Smith, President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Southampton, and Ms. Eloise Phillips, Academic Provost of the University of Southampton, New Delhi. Senior officials from the Ministry of Education were also in attendance, highlighting the significance of this collaboration.
UGC Regulations: Paving the Way for Global Universities
The establishment of the University of Southampton’s campus is enabled by the UGC’s 2023 regulations, which aim to facilitate the entry of Foreign Higher Educational Institutions (FHEIs) into India. These regulations align with NEP 2020’s vision of transforming India into a global hub for education, research, and innovation. Eligible institutions must rank among the top 500 globally in overall or subject-wise rankings or demonstrate outstanding expertise in a specific field. The regulations prohibit fully online or distance learning programs but allow up to 10% of program requirements to be delivered online.
The UGC’s streamlined and transparent process has been instrumental in enabling this initiative. Dr. Vineet Joshi, Secretary of Higher Education and Chairman of the UGC, congratulated the University of Southampton and the UK Government, calling the campus a “proud milestone” in India-UK educational partnerships. He highlighted the proactive support of the Haryana Government and expressed confidence that the campus would contribute to India’s priorities in digital innovation and global leadership.
Academic Offerings and Global Standards
The Gurugram campus will offer a range of undergraduate (BSc) and postgraduate (MSc) programs aligned with UK academic standards, ensuring graduates receive qualifications equivalent to those awarded at the University’s UK campuses. Starting in August 2025, the initial cohort of approximately 150 students will pursue programs in:
- BSc Computer Science
- BSc Economics
- BSc Accounting and Finance
- BSc Business Management
- MSc Finance
- MSc International Management
The university has outlined a 10-year projected course rollout plan, with additional programs such as BSc Software Engineering, BSc Creative Computing, MSc Economics, LLB, and BEng Mechanical Engineering to be introduced in subsequent years. Students will have the opportunity to spend up to one year at the University’s campuses in the UK or Malaysia, enhancing their global exposure.
The campus’s curriculum is designed to meet global industry standards, fostering a work-ready, globally competitive workforce. Professor Andrew Atherton, Vice-President of International and Engagement, emphasized that the Delhi-NCR campus will support India’s emergence as a global leader in research, innovation, and enterprise. The university’s strong connections with business and industry will further enhance employability through internships and graduate placement schemes with leading firms such as Deloitte India, Comviva, and Investec.
Faculty and Infrastructure
The University of Southampton is committed to maintaining its legacy of academic excellence in India. The campus will employ over 75 full-time faculty members who meet stringent UK academic standards and are expected to complete the University’s Postgraduate Certificate in Academic Practice. These faculty members bring diverse experience from global academic centers in the UK, UAE, Malaysia, Singapore, Australia, Germany, Japan, and the United States.
The Gurugram campus, strategically located near influential businesses, features state-of-the-art facilities, including a student hub, library, and IT laboratories. These resources, combined with the university’s industry-aligned curriculum, will provide students with an unparalleled learning environment. The campus’s proximity to corporate hubs ensures strong industry linkages, offering students opportunities for internships and career placements.
A Vision for Growth and Impact
The University of Southampton aims to enroll up to 5,000 students annually by 2035, reflecting its long-term commitment to India’s education sector. The first cohort includes academically accomplished students from across India, as well as international students from the United Arab Emirates and Nepal, showcasing the campus’s global appeal.
Shri Dharmendra Pradhan urged the university to introduce STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) courses to address global challenges and position the campus as a hub for innovative solutions. He emphasized that the campus will contribute to skill development, collaborative research, and innovation by partnering with Indian institutions. This aligns with NEP 2020’s goal of reviving India’s civilisational legacy as a knowledge hub, reminiscent of ancient institutions like Pushpagiri and Nalanda.
Addressing Challenges and Opportunities
While the establishment of foreign university campuses in India presents immense opportunities, it also comes with challenges. Cultural and operational differences require institutions to adapt to India’s socio-cultural context, necessitating a deep understanding of local values. Financial viability is another concern, as universities must balance operational costs with the need to offer affordable tuition fees. Legal uncertainties related to land acquisition, labor laws, and intellectual property rights also pose challenges.
Despite these hurdles, the University of Southampton’s campus is poised to address critical issues such as brain drain by providing Indian students access to globally recognized degrees without leaving the country. The campus will foster collaborative research, enhance skill development, and improve employability by aligning programs with global industry standards.
India as a Global Knowledge Destination
The launch of the Gurugram campus underscores India’s emergence as a global knowledge destination. Shri Dharmendra Pradhan highlighted that education is at the heart of India’s development agenda, and initiatives like this revive the nation’s intellectual heritage. He invited other leading global universities to establish campuses in India, emphasizing the potential for co-creating ecosystems of innovation, research, and education.
Haryana Chief Minister Shri Nayab Singh Saini reaffirmed the state’s commitment to positioning the region as a global education and innovation hub. The proactive support of the Haryana Government has been instrumental in enabling the rapid establishment of the campus, which was set up within a year of receiving the Letter of Intent (LoI) on August 29, 2024.
Global Recognition and Alumni Support
Ranked 81st in the QS World University Rankings 2024 and 97th in the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings 2024, the University of Southampton is renowned for its excellence in teaching, research, and industry connections. Its global alumni network of over 290,000 graduates, including more than 1,700 from India, will play a significant role in supporting the India campus. Alumni are expected to serve as mentors and industry ambassadors, further enhancing the campus’s impact.
Ms. Lindy Cameron, British High Commissioner to India, and Alison Barrett, Country Director India, British Council, lauded the launch as a testament to the transformative power of India-UK educational partnerships. They emphasized that the campus will provide students with global exposure and opportunities while contributing to stronger bilateral relations.
A New Chapter in Global Education
The University of Southampton’s Delhi-NCR campus is a trailblazer in India’s higher education landscape, setting a precedent for other global universities to follow. As the first foreign university to operationalize a campus under the UGC’s 2023 regulations, it marks a significant step toward realizing NEP 2020’s vision of internationalizing education at home. With its forward-looking programs, world-class faculty, and state-of-the-art facilities, the campus is poised to shape the leaders of tomorrow and contribute to India’s growth as a global knowledge hub.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the significance of the University of Southampton’s campus in Gurugram, India?
The University of Southampton’s campus in Gurugram, Delhi-NCR, is the first foreign university campus established in India under the University Grants Commission’s (UGC) (Setting up and Operation of Campuses of Foreign Higher Educational Institutions in India) Regulations 2023. As a QS Top 100 global institution and a founding member of the UK’s Russell Group, its launch on July 16, 2025, marks a historic milestone in India’s higher education landscape, aligning with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 to internationalize education and position India as a global knowledge destination.
2. What programs will the University of Southampton’s Gurugram campus offer?
Starting in August 2025, the campus will offer undergraduate (BSc) programs in Computer Science, Economics, Accounting and Finance, and Business Management, as well as postgraduate (MSc) programs in Finance and International Management. The university has a 10-year plan to introduce additional courses, including BSc Software Engineering, BSc Creative Computing, MSc Economics, LLB, and BEng Mechanical Engineering in subsequent years. These programs align with UK academic standards, and graduates will receive globally recognized qualifications.
3. Who can apply to the University of Southampton’s India campus, and what are the eligibility criteria for foreign universities under UGC regulations?
The first cohort includes academically accomplished students from India and international locations such as the United Arab Emirates and Nepal. Under UGC’s 2023 regulations, foreign universities establishing campuses in India must rank among the top 500 globally in overall or subject-wise rankings or demonstrate outstanding expertise in a specific field. The University of Southampton, ranked 81st in QS World University Rankings 2024 and 97th in Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings 2024, meets these criteria.
4. What facilities and opportunities are available at the Gurugram campus?
The campus features state-of-the-art facilities, including a student hub, library, and IT laboratories, and is located near influential businesses in Gurugram, facilitating industry linkages. Students will benefit from internships and graduate placement schemes with firms like Deloitte India, Comviva, and Investec. Additionally, students can spend up to one year at the University’s UK or Malaysia campuses, enhancing global exposure. The campus will employ over 75 full-time faculty members with global academic experience, ensuring high-quality education.
5. How does the University of Southampton’s India campus contribute to India’s education and innovation goals?
The campus supports NEP 2020’s vision of transforming India into a global hub for education, research, and innovation. It aims to curb brain drain by offering world-class education at affordable costs within India, foster collaborative research with Indian institutions, and enhance employability through industry-aligned programs. With plans to enroll up to 5,000 students annually by 2035, the campus will contribute to skill development, digital innovation, and global leadership, strengthening India-UK educational ties as outlined in the India-UK Roadmap 2030.
