Exciting Opportunity: UK PM Keir Starmer Announces Landmark University Campuses in India for Lancaster and Surrey!
New Delhi, Oct 9 (PTI) – In a significant development for higher education in India, the University of Lancaster and the University of Surrey have received approval to establish campuses in the country, announced UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer during his inaugural visit to India. This decision brings the total number of UK institutions launching offshore campuses in India to nine, highlighting a growing trend in international education collaboration.
Earlier this year, the University of Southampton set a precedent by opening its campus in Delhi. Following suit, several other institutions including the University of York, University of Aberdeen, University of Bristol, University of Liverpool, Queen’s University Belfast, and the University of Coventry are set to commence operations in the coming year.
The British High Commission stated that the new campuses aim to address the surging demand for higher education in India, which currently hosts 40 million university students-a figure projected to increase to 70 million by 2035. The UK’s prestigious higher education system is poised to offer thousands of Indian students the opportunity to earn a British degree without leaving their home country, simultaneously contributing millions to India’s economy.
With the addition of the new campuses, the UK is on track to solidify its position as the country with the most significant higher education presence in India. Prime Minister Starmer and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi celebrated this milestone during a meeting with UK vice chancellors in Mumbai, underscoring the importance of strengthening ties with one of the world’s fastest-growing economies.
“Our great British universities are admired worldwide for their teaching excellence and commitment to innovation. I am delighted that more Indian students will benefit from a world-class British education in the near future,” expressed Starmer. He emphasized that this initiative not only strengthens bilateral relations but also bolsters the UK economy by creating jobs and returning investment to British taxpayers.
UK Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson echoed these sentiments, highlighting the global appeal of British higher education. “Opening new campuses in India will offer more young people the chance to benefit from a UK education while delivering real returns for our universities at home,” she stated. Phillipson noted that as preparations for an International Education Strategy underway, these new campuses symbolize a long-term commitment to fostering growth and opportunity for both nations.
The framework for this expansion comes under the recently introduced University Grants Commission (UGC) regulations, titled “Setting Up and Operation of Campuses of Foreign Higher Educational Institutions in India.” The University of Southampton has already made history as the first foreign university to operate under these regulations, paving the way for further international educational partnerships.
As these developments unfold, the expectation is that they will create an enriching educational landscape for Indian students, offering them access to quality education while reinforcing the collaboration between the UK and India in various sectors, particularly in education. This initiative marks a pivotal moment for both countries, one that promises a future filled with opportunities for young scholars.
This emerging trend underlines the importance of global educational partnerships and the vital role they play in shaping the academic futures of millions of students. By expanding their footprint in India, UK universities are not just filling gaps in higher education but are also enhancing cultural exchange and international collaboration.
Original Source: https://www.livemint.com/news/india/university-of-lancaster-and-university-of-surrey-to-set-up-campuses-in-india-uk-pm-keir-starmer-11760020982064.html
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Publish Date: 2025-10-09 20:25:00
