Daybreak Who benefits from the influx of foreign universities in India? Not students
Nov 10, 2025
The opening of the University of Southampton's campus in India marks a significant shift in higher education. States are eager to attract foreign universities for both prestige and economic gains. While institutions see financial benefits, the real impact on students raises concerns. Cheaper foreign degrees are enticing, yet students miss out on valuable international experiences and job opportunities abroad. The promise of partnerships for internships like those with Deloitte is overshadowed by job market fits that struggle to keep pace with new degree offerings.
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First British Campus In India
- Andrew Atherton spent his summer in Gurugram overseeing the University of Southampton's new Indian campus.
- Southampton became the first British university to open a campus in India by July 2025 after January 2024 approval.
One Policy Opened The Floodgates
- A December 2023 policy change let foreign universities open campuses in India and repatriate profits overnight.
- That single regulatory switch unlocked access to India's $65 billion higher-education market.
States Compete For Bragging Rights
- States began competing to host foreign campuses offering land, incentives and branding prestige.
- Hosting a foreign university signals openness and grants states bragging rights in investment and skills policy.