UGC Foreign University Initiative for India Campuses

The University Grants Commission issued regulations on 8 November 2023 for foreign higher educational institutions to establish and operate branch campuses in India. As of 19 June 2026, five foreign universities have received Letters of Approval under these regulations for physical campuses in India.

UGC Regulations for Foreign Campuses

The University Grants Commission is a statutory body established under the University Grants Commission Act, 1956. The 2023 regulations permit foreign higher educational institutions to set up branch campuses in India and to offer degree programmes subject to UGC norms.

Universities with Letters of Approval

The five universities with Letters of Approval are the University of Southampton, University of Liverpool, University of Bristol, University of York, and the University of New South Wales. The first four universities are from the United Kingdom, and the University of New South Wales is from Australia.

Campus Locations and Programmes

The University of Southampton began academic operations in the 2025-26 session at its Gurugram campus. The University of Bristol and the University of York are establishing campuses in Mumbai, and the University of New South Wales is setting up a campus in Bengaluru at Manyata Business Park, with operations planned from August 2026. The University of Bristol will offer immersive arts, finance, data science, economics, business management, entrepreneurship, and innovation in Mumbai. The University of York will offer finance, computer science with AI, cyber security, business, economics, creative industries, and management in Mumbai. The University of New South Wales will offer business, computer science, and cyber security in Bengaluru.

Important Facts for Exams

• The University Grants Commission was established under the University Grants Commission Act, 1956.
• Foreign university branch campuses in India are regulated under the UGC regulations notified on 8 November 2023.
• GIFT City in Gujarat already hosts campuses of Deakin University, the University of Wollongong, and Queen’s University Belfast.
• India’s National Education Policy 2020 includes the internationalisation of higher education as a policy objective.

Letters of Intent and Policy Context

The University Grants Commission has issued 10 Letters of Intent to foreign higher educational institutions from the United Kingdom, the United States, Australia, and Italy. Higher Education Secretary Vineet Joshi stated on 14 April 2026 that foreign degrees could be offered at nearly 60% lower cost within India than studying abroad.