India's higher education landscape is undergoing a seismic shift as foreign universities in India establish full-fledged campuses, driven by enrollment crises abroad and the transformative opportunities presented by the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. Global institutions from the UK, Australia, US, and beyond are flocking to cities like GIFT City, Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Gurugram, offering students world-class degrees without the hassles of visas or exorbitant overseas costs. This influx promises to bridge India's massive capacity gap in higher education, where the Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) stands at around 34 percent, far short of the 50 percent target by 2035, creating demand for millions more seats.

With Indian students abroad seeing a sharp decline—from over 9 lakh traveling overseas in 2023 to about 6.26 lakh in 2025, a 31 percent drop in two years—domestic options are gaining traction. Factors like US visa delays with 50 percent fewer Indian arrivals, UK financial deficits affecting 45 percent of institutions, and Australian caps on international numbers have pushed universities to bring education to students rather than vice versa.

🌍 NEP 2020: Unlocking Doors for Foreign University Campuses in India

The National Education Policy 2020 (NEP 2020) marks a pivotal reform in India's higher education framework, explicitly encouraging top global universities to set up campuses. Full form: National Education Policy. It envisions India as a global education hub by allowing foreign higher educational institutions (FHEIs) ranked in the top 500 worldwide to operate independently. The University Grants Commission (UGC) formalized this through the UGC (Setting up and Operation of Campuses by Foreign Higher Educational Institutions in India) Regulations, 2023.

Step-by-step process for establishment: First, the FHEI applies to UGC with proof of top ranking (QS, Times Higher Education, etc.), financial stability (corpus of at least INR 4,000 crore initially), and academic credentials. UGC reviews and issues Letter of Intent (LOI). The institution then registers as a 'Foreign University Campus' under Societies Registration Act or similar, sets fees (no cap but market-driven), hires faculty (PhD preferred, equivalent to parent campus), and starts operations. Degrees awarded are equivalent to parent campus, recognized globally without needing separate UGC approval.

This policy aligns with 100 percent FDI in education under automatic route, fostering multidisciplinary, skill-based learning. As of early 2026, the Ministry of Education has issued LOIs to over 16 FHEIs, with three operational and many launching this year. Cultural context: India's youth bulge—155 million in 18-23 age group—meets rising middle-class aspirations, making it fertile ground.

The Push Factors: Enrollment Crises Gripping Western Universities

Abroad, higher education providers face unprecedented headwinds. In the US, Indian student arrivals plummeted nearly 50 percent in 2025 due to visa policy shifts and delays, with overall international enrollment down 19 percent. UK universities, reliant on international fees (often 2-4 times domestic), grapple with a new £925 levy per student, post-study work visa curbs, and net migration focus, projecting deficits for 45 percent of English institutions in 2025-26.

Australia imposed per-university caps amid housing strains, while Canada deals with diplomatic tensions. Indian students, once the largest cohort, are deterred by costs (₹30-60 lakh annually abroad vs. ₹10-20 lakh locally) and uncertainties. Ministry data shows outbound travel for study fell 15 percent to 7.7 lakh in 2024, then 19 percent further in 2025. UK vice-chancellors like those at York and Surrey emphasize diversification: 'Universities must go to students,' as Prof. Andrew Atherton of Southampton notes.

• US: 204,000 Indian students in 2024, down 13 percent from 2023.
• UK: International income vital but volatile amid strikes, pension rows.
• Australia: Deakin and Wollongong pivot to India for stability.

Spotlight on Pioneers: Deakin and Wollongong Lead in GIFT City

Gujarat International Finance Tec-City (GIFT City), India's premier smart city, hosts the first wave. Deakin University, Australia's QS #207, opened in 2024 as the world's first foreign campus in an International Financial Services Centre (IFSC). Programs: Master of Business Analytics and Master of Cyber Security (Professional), both 18 months full-time. Fees: AUD $39,600 (~₹22 lakh) for 2026 intake, with 20 percent bursaries for new students.

First cohort achieved 100 percent placements, including at National Australia Bank. Achievements: #1 in Australia for international student satisfaction. University of Wollongong (UOW) followed, offering postgraduate Fintech and Data Analytics. Both leverage GIFT's tax benefits, industry ties (IBM, ANZ), and modern facilities, drawing students seeking Australian degrees locally.

Photo by Trần Văn Sơn on Unsplash

US and UK Entrants: Illinois Tech and a UK Armada in 2026

Illinois Institute of Technology (Illinois Tech) pioneers US entry, approved first by UGC. Mumbai campus in sustainable Godrej Business District, Vikhroli, opens fall 2026. Programs: UG/PG in CS, AI, data science, business—mirroring Chicago curriculum with Elevate internships. Initial intake ~250-300, building on 10,000+ Indian alumni.

UK dominates with nine approvals: Southampton (Gurugram, operational, 120 students scaling to 5,500), Liverpool (Bengaluru, 2026), York/Aberdeen/Bristol (Mumbai), Lancaster (Bengaluru), Surrey/Coventry/Queen's Belfast (GIFT). Aberdeen's Mumbai campus: computing, AI, MBA from Sept 2026. These focus STEMB, business, offering £10-12k fees vs. £25k+ in UK.

Benefits for Indian Students and Economy

Foreign university campuses in India democratize access. Concrete examples: Save ₹20-40 lakh vs. abroad, no visa waits (e.g., US F-1 delays), stay with family. Degrees globally recognized, credit transfer options (2+2 models). Placements strong—Deakin's NAB hires; UOW industry partnerships.

Stakeholder views: Students like Sadhika Mehrotra prefer 'international perks at home.' Economy gains: Jobs (faculty, admin—check higher ed jobs), FDI, research collaborations. Boosts GER, reduces $113B forex outflow projected. For careers, enhances resumes; explore higher ed career advice.

• Cost savings: 50-70 percent lower.
• Industry-aligned curricula: AI, fintech hot.
• Global networks: Exchanges, alumni.

Ministry of Education NEP page

Challenges and Criticisms: Not Without Hurdles

Critics like SOAS VC Adam Habib call UK expansions 'deluded,' doubting quick profits amid high setup costs (INR 4,000Cr corpus). Fees premium (₹8-20L vs. local ₹2-5L), limited seats initially, program scope narrow. Quality assurance vital—UGC mandates parent equivalence, but faculty shortages loom.

Balanced multi-perspective: Indian regulators ensure equity (no reservations mandated), but protests over equity rules paused. Solutions: Scholarships (Deakin 20 percent), phased scaling. Experts urge local adaptation, industry ties for viability.

Broader Impacts on India's Higher Education Ecosystem

This trend catalyzes competition, pushing Indian HEIs toward quality. NIRF rankings show 54 Indian unis in QS 2026 (up from 11 in 2015). Collaborations rise: 103 Indian HEIs offer twinning with foreigns. Research booms—patents up 115 percent since 2014.

Regional context: Tier-1 cities dominate, but expansions eyed in Jaipur, Kochi. For faculty aspirants, opportunities abound via professor jobs or India university jobs. Student mobility reverses—fewer abroad, more inbound options.

Photo by sahil prajapati on Unsplash

Future Outlook: 30 Campuses by 2030?

Projections: 15 FHEIs by end-2026, 30+ by 2030, educating 560,000+ students. NITI Aayog pushes 'campus-within-campus' models. Actionable insights: Students, research scholarships, pathways; unis, localize curricula; policymakers, monitor quality.

Optimistic yet cautious—success hinges on execution. As India aims global hub status, this influx positions it competitively. Stay updated via higher education news; rate experiences at Rate My Professor.

In summary, foreign universities expanding campuses in India heralds a win-win: relief for strained globals, premium choices for Indians. Explore openings at higher ed jobs, university jobs, career advice, or post a job at post a job.

Deakin GIFT City | Reuters on UK Expansion