India is known for sending its students abroad for higher education. But this is set to change.
In an effort to ‘internationalise’ its higher education system, the government of India introduced the National Education Policy (NEP) in 2020. One of its core goals is to make the country a leading destination for higher education by collaborating with foreign universities through flexible Trans National Education (TNE) models.
As a result, some of the best universities from countries like the UK, the USA, and Australia are now offering programmes in India that are globally recognised yet far more economical than they traditionally are.
In this blog, we break down the major foreign universities in India, the different ways they operate, and what you should evaluate before enrolling.
Key takeaways:
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The new phase of higher education in India
India has a massive pool of students who wish to pursue their higher education at globally reputed institutions. In 2025, over 1.8 million of them have already moved abroad. But as foreign universities enter India, here’s how the dynamics will shift:
- For both domestic and international students, foreign universities in India will help them pursue their dream degree without compromising on its recognition or burning a hole in their pocket. They tend to be 60%-70% less expensive than travelling abroad for the same degree.
- For foreign universities, the explosive demand for higher education is nothing short of a goldmine. By setting up autonomous campuses in the country or partnering with Indian Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) to offer joint/twinning programmes, they can tap this market and generate substantial revenue.
Consider the UK, for example. In a recent press release, the country’s Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said, ‘Opening new campuses in India will give more young people the chance to benefit from a UK education, while delivering real returns for our universities at home.’
For India, it’s a total win-win situation. Every foreign university entering the country gets it closer to its ambition of positioning itself as a global hub for higher education. And since the University Grants Commission (UGC) holds the power to approve and regulate these collaborations, it can enforce strong quality benchmarks so that academic standards are not compromised either.
Also read: Top Universities in India and How the Higher Education System Works |
How foreign universities operate in India
Foreign universities in India typically operate through the following TNE models:
1. Branch campuses
Under this TNE model, a foreign university sets up its own physical campus in India after gaining UGC approval. Right from the curriculum to the student admission and eligibility criteria, it autonomously handles each aspect of its operations. The final degree is also awarded by the foreign university.
2. Joint degree programmes
When a foreign university and an Indian HEI jointly curate and deliver a programme, it falls under the joint degree TNE model. It can take place either entirely in India or abroad, or partly in both places. However, only one degree is awarded jointly by both institutions.
3. Dual degree programmes
When students enrol in two interconnected academic pathways (one by a foreign university and another by an Indian HEI), it comes under the scope of a dual degree programme.
Each institution independently designs and delivers its part of the programme, and it takes place in both India and abroad. As a result, students earn two separate degrees, one from the foreign university and the other from the Indian HEI.
4. Twinning programmes
Under a twinning arrangement, students are enrolled in an Indian HEI but may complete a part of their programme at a foreign university abroad. The programme’s structure, curriculum, etc., are designed by the Indian HEI in alignment with the foreign university’s benchmark. The final degree is also conferred by the Indian HEI. However, the credits awarded by the foreign university are considered.
5. Research partnerships
A research partnership is when a foreign university and an Indian HEI collaborate to foster research, innovation, and knowledge exchange. No teaching or student degree programme is involved in it, only research initiatives that are either conducted in India, abroad, or both. Additionally, students don’t earn a degree either.
As per the UGC foreign university rules;
- Only the top 500 globally ranked foreign universities can establish branch campuses in India.
- Only the top 1000 globally ranked foreign universities can offer joint/dual/twinning programmes in India.
TNE model | Where is the program taught? | Who awards the degree? |
Branch campuses | In India | The foreign university |
Joint degree programmes | In India and/or abroad | The foreign university and the Indian HEI award it jointly |
Dual degree programmes | In India and abroad | The foreign university and the Indian HEI both individually award a degree |
Twinning programmes | In India and/or abroad | The Indian HEI |
Research partnerships | In India and/or abroad | No degree is awarded |
What should you check before enrolling in a foreign university in India?
Foreign universities in India operate differently from domestic ones. So here are some critical factors you should evaluate to make sure they’re right for you:
- Location: Most foreign university campuses in India are located either in Gujarat, Maharashtra, Delhi, or Bengaluru. So, make sure you’re comfortable with the campus location and its proximity to industry hubs, internships, and student housing
- Programmes offered: Most foreign universities don’t run all their programmes/courses in India. So, it’s always ideal to check if the one you want to pursue is taught in the Indian campus.
- Programme structure: There are four ways you can study at a foreign university in India: through branch campus programmes, joint degree programmes, dual degree programmes, and twinning programmes. Before you zero in on a university, check if you’re comfortable with its programme setting.
- Scholarship availability: Several foreign universities offer merit-based scholarships to both international and Indian students enrolling in their Indian campus. So, always look it up before filling the form.
List of foreign universities in India in 2025
Let’s come to the meat of the topic. Here’s a list of some of the top foreign universities in India:
1. Fully active campuses
A UGC approval is mandatory to establish a foreign university campus in India. As of 2025, only four universities have managed to get that and start operations. They are:
- University of Southampton, the UK
- Deakin University, Australia
- University of Wollongong, Australia
- Queen’s University Belfast, the UK
2. Approved/proposed campuses
These foreign universities are either set to start operations in 2026-27 or are awaiting the UGC approval for opening international branch campuses in India:
- Illinois Institute of Technology, the USA
- University of Liverpool, the UK
- Western Sydney University, Australia
- Victoria University, Australia
- Istituto Europeo di Design (IED), Italy
- La Trobe University, Australia
- University of Bristol, the UK
- University of York, the UK
- University of Lancaster, the UK
- University of Western Australia
- Coventry University, the UK
- University of Aberdeen, the UK
- University of Surrey, the UK
- University of New South Wales, Australia
- Lincoln University College, Malaysia
3. Interested universities
Several foreign universities have expressed interest in opening a campus in India. Some of the notable ones are:
- King’s College London, the UK
- University of Cambridge, the UK
- University of Oxford, the UK
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), the USA
- Stanford University, the USA
4. Active partnerships
As of 2025, over 300 foreign universities are active partners with an Indian HEI to offer joint/dual/degree/research programmes. Some of them are:
- University of California
- Johns Hopkins University
- Rice University
- University of London
- University of Pennsylvania
Who should choose a foreign university programme in India?
Foreign universities in India are a smart option for students who want an international education but aren’t ready (or able) to move abroad right after school.
If cost, distance, visas, or being far from home are real concerns for you, earning a foreign degree in India is the best answer. These programmes offer internationally aligned curricula, visiting or joint faculty, and in some cases even dual degrees. This means, you get the academic credibility of a foreign university with shorter travel, lower living costs, and degrees that are recognised both in India and abroad.
So, if you’re looking for a practical, globally focused education without the full overseas price tag, foreign universities in India are worth serious consideration.
Ready to explore? Head to Mastersportal to compare programmes, scholarships, and admissions.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
1. Can foreign universities operate in India without an Indian partner?
Yes. Under the new UGC 2023 regulations, foreign universities can now operate autonomously in India through branch campuses.
2. Which countries' universities are most active in India?
Universities from the UK, the USA, and Australia are most active in India, operating either through full campuses or partnerships with Indian higher education institutions.
3. What is the difference between a branch campus and a partnership?
When a university sets up and autonomously runs its campus in a foreign country, it’s called a branch campus. A partnership is when it operates in the foreign country in collaboration with the country’s higher education institution.
4. Are degrees from foreign universities in India globally recognised?
Yes, all degrees from foreign universities operating in India are globally recognised.
5. Do students always have to travel abroad to finish their twinning programme?
No. Under the UGC’s latest guidelines, students can opt to finish their twinning programme in the Indian higher education institution if they’re unable to attend the foreign university.
