In a significant development for higher education in India, the University Grants Commission (UGC) has approved the establishment of a branch campus of the University of Southampton, UK, in Gurugram. The proposal, submitted by the esteemed British institution, received the green light from a UGC-appointed Standing Committee, which comprises distinguished academicians from both India and abroad.


The UGC's new regulations, gazetted on November 7, 2023, pave the way for foreign higher educational institutions (FHEIs) to set up and operate campuses in India. This initiative aims to enhance the quality and accessibility of higher education in the country. As part of the process, online proposals from FHEIs were invited through a dedicated portal, leading to the University of Southampton's successful application.


The Gurugram campus of the University of Southampton will offer the same degrees and adhere to the same academic standards as its UK counterpart. The programmes available will encompass a range of disciplines including business and management, computing, law, engineering, art and design, and biosciences and life sciences. This ensures that students will receive a world-class education consistent with the standards of the University of Southampton’s main campus.
















On this development, UGC Chairman Prof. M. Jagadesh Kumar stated, “The University of Southampton’s Indian campus is set to begin academic programs in July 2025. It will offer courses in business and management, computing, law, engineering, art and design, biosciences, and life sciences. This new campus will enhance educational opportunities, foster research, and promote knowledge exchange and engagement in India.”


Professor Mark E. Smith, President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Southampton, said: “In the 21st century, no university can be truly global without engaging with India.  Our intention is to establish a campus that delivers social value and economic impact to India and the university by bringing together Southampton’s world class activities in education, research, and knowledge exchange and enterprise, with all the talent of the rising global superpower that is India.”


He further added: “Through this new campus, the University of Southampton will help deliver a critical element of the Government of India’s transformative agenda, playing our part in harnessing the potential, talent and capabilities of Indian youth.”


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The University of Southampton is a founding member of the leading research-intensive UK Russell Group of universities. The University of Southampton is a double top 100 university and is ranked as follows:



  • 81stin the QS World University Rankings, 2024

  • 97thin the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings, 2024


The establishment of this campus is poised to be a milestone in India’s educational landscape, offering students access to international academic resources and expertise without the need to study abroad. It also aligns with the UGC’s goal of elevating the quality of higher education in India by integrating global standards and practices.






Currently, only two Australian universities, Deakin University and the University of Wollongong, have set up branch campuses in Gujarat International Finance Tec-City (GIFT City) in India. Additionally, Lincoln University College from Malaysia was the first foreign institution to apply through the University Grants Commission's (UGC) dedicated portal to establish a campus in India.






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