In a landmark development for India’s education sector, the University of Southampton, a top 100 global institution, has received a Letter of Intent from India’s Ministry of Education to establish its first campus in the country. This move, announced in New Delhi on August 29, 2024, is a significant step towards realizing the objectives of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.

The University of Southampton’s new campus will be the first foreign university to operate in India under the University Grants Commission (UGC) regulations for international institutions. The university has outlined a 10-year plan, starting with programs in fields such as computer science, business management, accounting, finance, economics, and international management. Over time, it will expand to include additional courses in engineering, law, art and design, biosciences, and life sciences.

Key figures including External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan attended the formal announcement, highlighting the initiative’s alignment with NEP 2020’s vision of globalizing education and enhancing India’s status as an international education hub.

The establishment of the campus is expected to provide Indian students with global exposure while remaining rooted in local values. This development is also seen as a testament to the strengthening education collaboration between India and the UK.