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Go forth: Who’s helping Western unis open their Indian campuses?

India is becoming the next transnational education (TNE) hotspot, with at least 18 universities having announced plans to open overseas branch campuses out there. Earlier this year, the University of Southampton became the first of this new tranche of UK universities campuses to open its doors, with several others close behind.

As the TNE boom continues, several universities have revealed the independent providers that are helping them set up their campuses in India. Meanwhile, other providers have expressed an interest in this space.

Here’s our list of who’s working with who.

Who’s opening a campus in India?

Nine UK universities have confirmed they are joining the TNE movement into India. They are:

  1. The University of Southampton
  2. The University of Liverpool
  3. The University of York
  4. The University of Aberdeen
  5. The University of Bristol
  6. Coventry University
  7. The University of Surrey
  8. Lancaster University
  9. Queen’s University Belfast

Many other global universities are also expanding into India. The list (not definitive) includes:

  1. Illinois Institute of Technology, USA in Mumbai as reported on The PIE.
  2. University of Western Australia opening in Mumbai and also considering Tamil Nadu, as reported on The PIE.
  3. University of Wollongong, Australia, was one of the first Australian unis to open in GIFT City.
  4. As was Deakin University, which inaugurated its campus in GIFT City, Gujarat, in July 2024.
  5. Western Sydney University is opening its international campus in mid-2026 in Greater Noida, 25 miles southeast of Delhi.
  6. UNSW, Australia is opening in Bengaluru in August 2026.
  7. La Trobe University, Australia, confirmed to The PIE its plans to open in India in July this year. It is also opting for tech hub Bangalore, also known as Bengaluru.
  8. Victoria University, Australia also shared plans in the same article to offer higher education and vocational training via its block model at a Delhi hub.
  9. IED in Italy has announced it is the only current Italian institution to receive the LOI (letter of intent) from the Indian government to set up with an expected venture in Mumbai.

Who are these universities working with?

Oxford International Education Group (OIEG) – Southampton has confirmed it worked with OIEG in setting up its campus in Gurugram, which opened earlier this year. OIEG provided the financial backing and the professional services needed to set up the campus

India Business Group – Another provider assisting Southampton on the ground, India Business Group is providing the university with strategic support.

Emeritus and Daskalos – The University of York has confirmed it is working with the edtech platform Emeritus to set up its Mumbai campus. Working alongside Emeritus is Daskalos – a new venture from Atul Khosla, the founder and vice-chancellor of Shoolini University, as confirmed by Khosla in a LinkedIn post. Khosla has said Emeritus and Daskalos’s partners include “three Russell Group Universities, one of the oldest universities of the world, a top tier US university and a leading Australian university”.

Khosla has also confirmed on LinkedIn that Daskalos and Emeritus are working with the University of Liverpool on its Bengaluru campus, as well as the University of Bristol on its Mumbai campus. Meanwhile, it appears that the University of Aberdeen may be another institution working with the duo, with a job posting advertising an Emeritus job at the university.

Study World Group – The education infrastructure company Study World is working with Coventry on its GIFT City campus, according to local news reports. The company’s group chief operating officer Kate Gerrard is quoted as saying: “Study World has over two decades of experience in delivering a wide range of educational services in partnership with leading international universities around the world. This association with Coventry University in India will be highly beneficial for students in India and the wider region.”

Amity Education Group – This fast growing private education group, with an India HQ and 16 overseas campuses, is understood to be working with IIT in the US to set up its Mumbai campus. It also works with Harrow School on its Bangalore campus, as discussed in an interview with The PIE and Group VC Dr Gurinder Singh.

GUS Global Services – The University of Surrey has confirmed it it is working with GUS Global Services, with GUS leading on strategic support services such as Indian student enrolment support, advice on the local market and campus and operational management.

For their part, Lancaster University and Queens University Belfast have remained tight lipped on which providers they are working with as they explore setting up campuses in India. However, Lancaster University has a track record of working with Navitas – it operates its Leipzig Germany campus with the company, which it announced in 2019.

Which other providers are well placed to advise and execute?

GEDU Global Education – the UK-headquartered company has already invested in several campuses in GIFT City, making it a prime provider to step in and help institutions set up overseas branches in India.

UniQuad – an arm of Australia’s ECA, which has previously partnered with UK universities to run overseas campuses and other TNE projects, UniQuad is a new division with a specific goal of introducing university partners to India’s evolving educational landscape, meaning it’s well placed to help in this area.

UKIBC – The UK-India Business Council is in conversations with a number of universities about in-country operations, leaning on its long-term legacy in the country and a strong partnership with Deloitte in India.

Acumen (Sannam S4 Group) – the strategy, advisory and in-country rep provider Acumen already works with a large number of universities on recruitment and strategy in-country and is supporting clients on ongoing plans.

OneStep Global – a market entry firm specialised in higher education and with a number of global university clients already, OneStep Global is another company in a prime position to support.

British Council India – while the British Council isn’t a private provider, it is a key strategic enabler for institutions looking to set up in India. It can help with policy dialogue and advocacy, support through the UK Universities in India Alliance, as well as providing market intelligence, helping institutions decide which partners are right for them.

MH Global Group – This UK-based company has deep roots in setting up campus operations in Bangladesh and with a business network in India, it is also advising partners of opportunities in India.

The post Go forth: Who’s helping Western unis open their Indian campuses? appeared first on The PIE News.

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