Foreign universities in India are about to become a reality on an unmatched scale. This academic year, 15 international universities will open their campuses across the country, offering you world-class education without the need to leave Indian shores.
Are you wondering which international universities are coming to India and what they’ll offer? This guide explores eight top foreign universities establishing campuses in India, their locations, programme offerings, expected launch dates, and why you might consider them for your higher education journey. Let’s dive into these exciting new educational opportunities that could transform your academic and career prospects right here in India.
List of Foreign Universities in India
Given below is a list of the top 8 foreign universities in India opening campuses by 2026:
University of Southampton, UK
The University of Southampton is one of the most renowned universities in the UK and is a founding member of the illustrious Russell Group of research-intensive universities. The university has 8 campuses in total, including 1 in Winchester and 1 in Malaysia. Established in 1862, the university will open doors to its Delhi campus in August.
University of Southampton: Campus Location in India
The University of Southampton is the first international university in India to get approval from the University Grants Commission (UGC) to set up a campus in India under the National Education Policy (2020). The university has established its campus in Gurugram, within the National Capital Region (NCR).
University of Southampton: Key Programmes Offered
As of now, the University of Southampton, India campus is offering the following courses:
- Accounting and Finance
- Business management
- Computer Science
- Economics
- Finance
- International Management
University of Aberdeen, Scotland
The University of Aberdeen, is one of the foreign universities in India, that brings over five centuries of academic excellence to India as the first Scottish university to receive permission for establishing a branch campus in the country. With a rich heritage dating back to 1495, this prestigious institution ranks among the UK’s five oldest universities and is set to make history once again by expanding its global footprint to Mumbai.
University of Aberdeen: Campus Location in India
The University of Aberdeen has chosen Mumbai as the location for its first Indian campus. This strategic decision follows extensive consultations with India’s University Grants Commission (UGC) and numerous educational partners across the country. The Mumbai campus will serve as a hub for academic excellence and global problem-solving, building upon decades of partnerships with more than 200 Indian universities and research centres, including prestigious institutions like IITs, AIIMS, and Delhi University.
University of Aberdeen: Key Programmes Offered
In alignment with India’s National Education Policy 2020, the Mumbai campus will initially offer programmes in:
- Computing and Data Science
- Business Management
- Economics
- Artificial Intelligence
- MBA
Furthermore, the university plans future expansion into Mathematics, International Business Management and Information Systems, Public Health, Film Studies and Psychology—strategic areas where Aberdeen and India share common priorities. This carefully curated programme selection aims to address skill gaps in India’s rapidly evolving job market while maintaining the university’s high academic standards.
University of Western Australia
As Australia’s prestigious research institution, The University of Western Australia (UWA) is poised to establish its first-ever international branch campuses in India, marking a significant milestone for Australian higher education in the subcontinent. This expansion represents the first Group of Eight universities from Australia to receive recognition under India’s National Education Policy 2020.
University of Western Australia: Campus Location in India
Following approval from India’s University Grants Commission (UGC), UWA will launch its first campus in Mumbai, followed by a second campus in Chennai. These strategic locations were selected after careful consideration of their economic potential, talent pools, and synergies with Perth, the university’s home city.
Both Mumbai and Chennai represent vibrant hubs for education, entrepreneurship, and industry in India. Accordingly, these locations align perfectly with UWA’s vision of fostering international collaboration and providing world-class education closer to home for Indian students.
University of Western Australia: Key Programmes Offered
At its Indian campuses, UWA will offer a diverse portfolio of undergraduate and postgraduate programmes with a strong focus on:
- Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM)
- Business and Commerce
These programmes mirror those available at the Perth campus, ensuring identical content and academic standards. Although minor adaptations may be implemented to reflect cultural and regional contexts, the core curriculum and quality benchmarks will remain consistent across all campuses.
Deakin University, Australia
In a historic education milestone, Deakin University has become the first international university in the world to establish a branch campus in India, opening its doors in 2024 at GIFT City, Gujarat. This groundbreaking development marks the culmination of Deakin’s three-decade relationship with India that began in 1994 when it became the first foreign university to establish operations in the country.
Deakin University: Campus Location in India
Deakin’s campus is strategically located in Gujarat International Finance Tec-City (GIFT City), a smart business district in Gandhinagar, Gujarat. This emerging tech hub serves as India’s first operational greenfield smart city and is positioned to become a global financial and IT centre.
The campus sits alongside global and domestic business enterprises, creating a vibrant ecosystem for students. With state-of-the-art facilities, the branch includes cybersecurity laboratories and cutting-edge digital classrooms designed to prepare students for the rapidly evolving digital economy. As Ravneet Pawha, Vice President (Global Engagement) and CEO (South Asia), describes it: “When you visit the campus, you feel like you are walking into an Australian university”.
Deakin University: Key Programmes Offered
Currently, the GIFT City campus offers two postgraduate programmes:
- Master of Business Analytics – Developed in consultation with industry, this programme equips you with skills to help organisations achieve strategic objectives through analytics-based solutions
- Master of Cyber Security (Professional) – This course prepares you to tackle cybersecurity challenges from both technical and organisational perspectives, addressing the high global demand for these skills
Both programmes mirror those offered in Australia, ensuring identical academic standards aligned with Australia’s Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (TEQSA).
University of Wollongong, Australia
The University of Wollongong (UOW) expands its global educational footprint with the establishment of its Indian campus at Gujarat International Finance Tec-City (GIFT City), offering world-class Australian education that maintains the same high standards as its international campuses across Dubai, Malaysia, and Hong Kong.
University of Wollongong: Campus Location in India
UOW is located in the GIFT City of Gujarat. Situated within India’s first operational greenfield smart city, the campus serves as a strategic hub for excellence in Computing and Financial Technologies. The modern facility features modern IT infrastructure and collaborative student spaces designed to provide an unparalleled learning experience.
This location places students at the heart of India’s emerging financial technology sector, offering unique opportunities for industry engagement and professional development. The campus environment mirrors the high standards found at UOW’s other global locations, ensuring consistency in the educational experience.
University of Wollongong: Key Programmes Offered
At its GIFT City campus, UOW India currently offers two specialised postgraduate programme streams:
- Financial Technology – Including Master of Financial Technology, Master of Financial Technology (Extension), and Graduate Certificate in Financial Technology
- Computing (Data Analytics) – Featuring Master of Computing with specialisation in Data Analytics and Graduate Certificate in Computing
These programmes maintain identical curriculum standards to those offered in Australia, providing you with a truly global education while studying in India. The courses emphasise both theoretical foundations and practical applications, preparing you for careers in rapidly growing fields.
Queen’s University Belfast, UK
Queen’s University Belfast joins the wave of prestigious international universities establishing campuses in India, bringing Northern Ireland’s top research-intensive institution closer to Indian students seeking world-class British education without leaving their home country.
Queen’s University Belfast: Campus Location in India
Plans are underway for Queen’s University Belfast to establish its Indian presence in Gujarat, specifically targeting GIFT City as its preferred location. This strategic choice places the campus within India’s emerging financial hub, creating natural synergies between academic offerings and industry requirements.
Queen’s University Belfast: Key Programmes Offered
The Indian campus will focus on delivering specialised programmes in:
- Business Management and Finance
- Computer Science and Data Analytics
- Engineering with emphasis on renewable energy
- Law with an international business focus
These programmes are designed to address specific skill gaps in the Indian job market, yet maintain the rigorous academic standards of the Belfast campus.
University of Liverpool, UK
Known as the “original redbrick university,” the University of Liverpool now extends its academic legacy to India with approval to establish its first international campus in Bengaluru. This venture represents a significant expansion for this Russell Group institution that has been advancing learning since 1881.
University of Liverpool: Campus Location in India
This is one of the foreign universities in India that has strategically chosen Bengaluru for its first Indian campus. The formal announcement occurred in May 2025, with India’s Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan officially presenting the University Grants Commission’s letter of intent to Vice-Chancellor Professor Tim Jones. Karnataka’s reputation as a knowledge and technology powerhouse makes it an ideal location for the university’s expansion.
University of Liverpool: Key Programmes Offered
When operations begin, you’ll have access to specialised programmes including:
- Business Management
- Accounting and Finance
- Computer Science
- Biomedical Sciences
- Game Design (uniquely, the first such programme offered by a UK university in India)
The university plans to introduce additional disciplines in subsequent phases. The campus is scheduled to welcome its inaugural cohort in August 2026. Currently, preparations are underway to ensure world-class facilities and academic standards. The university has already signed multiple memoranda of understanding with organisations, including the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, AstraZeneca, YouWeCan, Wipro Limited, and Axis Bank, to foster collaborative opportunities.
University of Bristol, UK
Last but not least, the University of Bristol, another renowned institution from the UK, is the latest university to receive a “Letter of Intent” from the UGC. The university received the letter of intent during the fifth anniversary of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. The university aims to open its campus in the summer of 2026.
University of Liverpool: Campus Location in India
After working closely with the Government of India and Indian partners, the university chose Mumbai as the perfect destination to set up the University of Bristol’s first international campus. With its advancing technology and innovation, the city aligns with the university’s goals.
University of Liverpool: Key Programmes Offered
Initially, the University of Bristol’s campus in India will be offering UG and PG courses in:
- Economics
- Data Science
- Finance and Investment
- Business and Management
- Immersive Arts and Financial Technology
- Computer Science and AI
It is one of the foreign universities in India that will also offer scholarships to students as part of the Think Big Programme.
Also read: University of Bristol Announces Campus in India by 2026
Conclusion
These seven prestigious foreign universities in India establishing campuses represent a transformative shift in the country’s higher education landscape. The arrival of institutions like the University of Aberdeen, University of Western Australia, Deakin University, University of Wollongong, Queen’s University Belfast, Coventry University, and University of Liverpool offers you unprecedented opportunities to access world-class education without leaving Indian shores.
Your next steps? Research these institutions thoroughly, understand their application timelines, and consider how their specific programmes align with your career goals. The world’s top universities are no longer oceans away—they await right here in India, ready to help shape your academic and professional future.
FAQs
Q1. What are the benefits of studying at foreign university campuses in India?
Studying at foreign university campuses in India offers internationally recognised degrees at lower costs than studying abroad, access to world-class education without leaving the country, and opportunities for internships and employment with leading companies in strategic locations like Mumbai, Bengaluru, and GIFT City.
Q2. Which programmes are commonly offered by these foreign universities in India?
These universities typically offer programmes in high-demand fields such as Business Management, Computer Science, Data Analytics, Financial Technology, Cybersecurity, and Engineering. Some unique offerings include Game Design by the University of Liverpool and specialised courses in Computing and Financial Technologies.
Q3. When are these foreign university campuses expected to start operations in India?
The launch timelines vary between universities. Some, like Deakin University, have already begun operations in 2024, while others, like the University of Aberdeen and the University of Liverpool, are planning to welcome their first cohorts in 2026. It’s best to check each university’s specific timeline for the most up-to-date information.
