Gurugram, 16 July 2025: In a landmark development under India’s National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, the University of Southampton, a QS Top 100 global university and a founding member of the UK’s Russell Group, officially inaugurated its first Indian campus in Gurugram, Haryana.
The inaugural ceremony was led by Union Minister for Education Shri Dharmendra Pradhan, along with Haryana Chief Minister Shri Nayab Singh Saini, in the presence of senior dignitaries from both India and the United Kingdom.
UK’s Premier Institution Becomes First to Establish Physical Campus in India
This Gurugram campus is the first foreign university to become operational in India under the University Grants Commission’s (UGC) new framework that allows foreign higher educational institutions to set up campuses in the country.
“This is a proud moment for NEP 2020 and a big leap in internationalisation of education at home,” said Shri Dharmendra Pradhan. “It strengthens the education pillar of India–UK cooperation as envisioned in the India-UK Roadmap 2030.”
Campus to Offer Globally Recognised UG and PG Programmes
Beginning in 2025, the Gurugram campus will offer:
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Undergraduate (BSc) programmes in:
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Computer Science
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Economics
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Accounting & Finance
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Business Management
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Postgraduate (MSc) programmes in:
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Finance
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International Management
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Students will also have the option to study for up to one year at Southampton’s campuses in the UK or Malaysia, ensuring global exposure and continuity with UK academic standards.
Pradhan: Gurugram Campus Symbolises India as Global Knowledge Hub
Shri Dharmendra Pradhan praised the speed and vision of the University of Southampton, which set up the Gurugram campus within a year of receiving the Letter of Intent on 29 August 2024. He emphasised:
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India’s emerging identity as a global knowledge destination
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The need to revive India’s intellectual legacy, from Nalanda to Gurugram
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His invitation to global universities to join India’s higher education transformation
He also urged the University to introduce STEM programs and position the campus as a solution hub for global challenges.
Support from UK and Haryana Governments
Shri Nayab Singh Saini, CM of Haryana, welcomed the university, reaffirming the state’s goal to become a global education and innovation hub.
Lord Patel OBE, Chancellor of the University and Member of the UK House of Lords, and Ms. Lindy Cameron, British High Commissioner to India, also shared their optimism about deepening India–UK education partnerships.
Academic Excellence with Global Faculty and Diverse Students
The first cohort of students includes aspirants from across India, UAE, and Nepal. The campus will hire 75+ full-time faculty members, all meeting UK academic criteria and trained in Postgraduate Certificate in Academic Practice. Faculty will bring experience from leading academic institutions across UK, UAE, Singapore, Germany, Japan, Australia, and the US.
With a global alumni network of over 290,000, including 1,700+ Indians, Southampton’s alumni are expected to serve as mentors and industry ambassadors for the Gurugram campus.
NEP 2020 in Action: Streamlining Global Partnerships
Dr. Vineet Joshi, Secretary, Higher Education and Chairman, UGC, hailed this as a “proud milestone” for India’s education system. He noted that:
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NEP 2020 envisions India as a research and innovation powerhouse
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The UGC has ensured a streamlined, transparent process for foreign institutions
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The new campus strengthens India’s digital and economic future
“Southampton’s Gurugram campus will be a beacon of excellence and collaboration between Indian and international academia,” he said.
Source: PIB
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