UK’s Southampton University Becomes First Foreign Varsity To Get Nod For Setting Up Campus In India Under NEP 2020

The University of Southampton in the United Kingdom has become the first international university which has been granted the right to establish a comprehensive campus in India.

On Thursday (29 August), External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar attended the handing over of Letter of Intent to the University of Southampton.

The British university which will be establishing its campus in India under NEP 2020, Jaishankar informed in a post on X.

"This reflects both the vision of elevating our educational standards to the highest global levels and delivering on the education pillar of India-UK cooperation. Confident that such endeavors will further make our youth world ready and foster a spirit of global understanding and cooperation," he added.

The Education Ministry said that this move represents a major step towards realising the goals of internationalisation as envisioned in the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.

The National Education Policy 2020 (NEP 2020) places a strong emphasis on attaining the highest global standards in higher education quality. 

University of Southampton is ranked among the top 100 Higher Educational Institutions globally, and its presence in India will enhance the educational landscape of India and offer students a unique opportunity for global exposure while receiving an education rooted in Indian values, the ministry said.

The British University will be the first foreign varsity to be issued LoI under the UGC Regulations for setting up of Indian campuses of foreign universities.

The British High Commission in India said that the Southampton University will also be the first ever international branch campus of a UK-based varsity in India.

The University will award a wide range of qualifications approved by the University Grants Commission (UGC), the British High Commission said.

The branch campus will offer programmes in a wide array of disciplines, including business and management, computing, law, engineering, art and design, biosciences, and life sciences.

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