Facing pressures at home, UK universities set up in India

SelfRugger · 2026-03-04T10:42:02+00:00

UK universities are establishing campuses in India to tap into its growing student market, amid pressures at home from immigration policies and financial challenges. This move enhances educational opportunities and reinforces global ties in higher education.

SelfRugger

2026-03-04 10:42:02

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Facing pressures at home, UK universities set up in India

Reuters Videos

Thu, February 12, 2026 at 5:23 PM GMT+9

STORY: On the outskirts of Delhi, students are gathering for an education from over 4,000 miles away.The University of Southampton is the first of several British universities setting up in India to tap one of the world’s fastest-growing student markets.Andrew Atherton from the university says the new campus is about bringing the education to students.‘‘to me, that opens up much more choice. It widens participation, opportunities, and it reinforces that concept of universities being genuinely global institutions."Britain and India agreed to deepen education ties under a 2025 reset in relations.New Delhi introduced rules in 2023 allowing top-ranked foreign universities to help meet the estimated 70 million student places India will need by 2035.Of the 19 that plan to do so, nine are from the United Kingdom.Education is one of Britain’s top exports, worth $44 billion a year - more than traditional goods such as cars or food and drink.But UK universities are facing pressure over the recruitment of international students, with the government determined to reduce immigration. A levy on international student fees and tighter visa rules have also put strain on the model.Indian regulations require degrees to match British standards, though fees are lower to compete with Indian universities.International students currently studying in the UK believe both campuses provide different opportunities. "I’m pretty sure this might have much benefit in the future because you have ultimately graduated from an international university. Though in India’’''The diversity that I can get a chance to experience, the numerous number of people I get to meet, the different cultures that I can experience, that is something that could have been quite limited if I was studying in the Delhi campus."Data shows UK universities are under financial pressure too.Around 45% of English higher education institutions face a deficit in 2025 to 2026.

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