UK grows network of international campuses in India
Prime Minister Keir Starmer has confirmed on 9 Oct that the University of Lancaster and the University of Surrey have been given approval to open new campuses in India, to help meet the country’s booming demand for higher education places.
Currently, there are 40 million students at university in India, but 70 million places are needed by 2035. The UK’s world-renowned higher education sector is capitalising on that demand by giving thousands of Indian students the chance to study for a UK degree without leaving home – while bolstering our economy by millions of pounds.
International education brought over £32 billion of export revenue to the UK in 2022, with nearly £1 billion of that coming from international campuses – showcasing its power as a growth market.
With this announcement, the UK is set to become the country with the biggest higher education footprint in India – in a major boost for the UK’s reputation abroad.
The UK’s network of international campuses in India is growing – the University of Southampton opened a campus in Delhi earlier this year. The University of York, University of Aberdeen, University of Bristol, University of Liverpool, Queen’s University Belfast, and the University of Coventry will open campuses from as early as next year.
The Prime Minister is on a two-day trade mission to strengthen ties with one of the fastest growing economies in the world and put money back into the pockets of hard-working British people.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer said, “Our great British universities are admired all over the world for their teaching excellence, high-quality research and commitment to innovation.
“I’m delighted that more Indian students will be able to benefit from a world-class British education in the near future – strengthening the ties between our two countries while pumping millions back into our economy and supporting jobs at home.”
Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson added, “British higher education is world-leading – and this expansion shows its global appeal.
“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.
“As we prepare to set out our International Education Strategy, these new campuses are a marker of our ambition: building long-term partnerships that deliver growth, innovation and opportunity for both countries.” fiinews.com