University of Southampton Launches First Foreign University Campus in India

Gurugram: Union Minister for Education Dharmendra Pradhan, along with Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, today inaugurated the India campus of the University of Southampton in Gurugram. The event was attended by key dignitaries, including Haryana’s Industries and Commerce Minister Rao Narbir Singh, Lord Patel OBE (Chancellor of the University and UK House of Lords member), British High Commissioner Lindy Cameron, and senior leadership from the University of Southampton and the Ministry of Education.

This marks the first time a QS Top 100 global university and Russell Group member has operationalised a physical campus in India. The launch comes at a time when India is celebrating five years of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, and aligns with the vision of transforming India into a global knowledge hub. The campus is also the first to be established under the UGC’s new regulations enabling foreign universities to set up in India.

Addressing the gathering, Dharmendra Pradhan described the opening as a “momentous milestone” in the internationalisation of Indian education and a significant step in strengthening India–UK cooperation under the India-UK Roadmap 2030. He lauded the University of Southampton for establishing the Gurugram campus within a year of receiving the Letter of Intent (LoI) and praised its commitment to delivering world-class education.

The Education Minister urged the university to introduce STEM programmes and position the Gurugram campus as a hub for innovation and global problem-solving. He reiterated Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s belief that education is a “living bridge” between nations, and said that the new campus would help foster curiosity, excellence, and global connectivity, while offering students quality education closer to home and at reduced costs.

The Gurugram campus will offer undergraduate and postgraduate programmes aligned with UK academic standards. Courses beginning in 2025 include BSc programmes in Computer Science, Business Management, Accounting & Finance, and Economics, along with MSc programmes in Finance and International Management. Students will also have the opportunity to study at the university’s campuses in the UK or Malaysia for up to a year.

Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini welcomed the initiative, reaffirming the state’s commitment to making Haryana a preferred destination for international education and research. He said the presence of such institutions would contribute significantly to the region’s academic and economic development.

Lord Patel, Chancellor of the University of Southampton, and Lindy Cameron, British High Commissioner to India, both addressed the audience, describing the campus as a new symbol of UK–India partnership and a powerful avenue for youth empowerment.

Dr. Vineet Joshi, Secretary of Higher Education and UGC Chairman, congratulated the university and the UK Government on this “proud milestone.” He said that the UGC’s new regulations under NEP 2020 have paved the way for top global universities to enter the Indian education ecosystem, adding that India’s aim is to be recognised as a global centre of learning, innovation, and research. He noted that the Southampton campus will directly contribute to India’s digital and economic priorities.

The inaugural cohort at the India campus comprises students from across India and international locations including Nepal and the UAE. The campus is expected to hire over 75 full-time faculty members who meet UK academic standards and will undertake the University’s Postgraduate Certificate in Academic Practice. Faculty will bring diverse experience from academic institutions across the UK, Singapore, Australia, Japan, the U.S., and more.

The University of Southampton, which boasts a global alumni network of over 290,000—including more than 1,700 from India—is expected to engage its alumni to support mentorship and industry connections at the India campus.

The University received its Letter of Intent on August 29, 2024, followed by the formal launch on September 13, 2024. With the Gurugram campus now operational, it stands as a model for international collaboration in education and a testament to the potential of NEP 2020 to transform India’s academic ecosystem.