Australian and UK Universities Get Approval to Establish Campuses in India

EDUCAST, New Delhi — In a significant boost to India’s international higher education landscape, four reputed foreign universities from Australia and the United Kingdom have received Letters of Intent (LOIs) to establish campuses in India. The approvals were announced on the sidelines of the Akhil Bhartiya Shiksha Samagam 2025, organised to mark the fifth anniversary of India’s National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.

The universities granted approval include Australia’s La Trobe University, Victoria University, Western Sydney University, and the UK’s University of Bristol. While GIFT City in Gujarat has remained a key hub for international universities, the latest developments indicate growing interest in North India, particularly Noida and Greater Noida, as emerging global education destinations.

La Trobe University Confirms India Expansion

La Trobe University has officially confirmed its plans to establish a campus in India, stating that the move aligns with its Strategic Plan 2025–2030, which prioritises deeper engagement with India.

“As a global university with a long and deep association with India through diverse educational partnerships, pioneering research, and industry engagement, we are excited at the potential to expand our real-world impact in India,” a La Trobe spokesperson said.

According to India’s Ministry of Education, La Trobe plans to offer bachelor’s programmes in business, computer science, and public health, drawing on its strengths in smart cities, molecular sciences, and biotechnology. While detailed announcements regarding the proposed Bengaluru campus are expected soon, the university already maintains a strong presence in India through joint PhD programmes, industry collaborations, and student mobility initiatives. These include a joint civil engineering degree with Mahindra University and a three-decade partnership with Lady Shri Ram College for Women.

Western Sydney University and IRU Leadership

Western Sydney University (WSU), also a member of Australia’s Innovative Research Universities (IRU) network, is planning a branch campus in Greater Noida. The campus will offer undergraduate programmes in business analytics, marketing, logistics and supply chain management, along with an MBA in innovation and entrepreneurship.

Paul Harris, Executive Director of IRU, stated that the approval of La Trobe and WSU campuses highlights how IRU members are leading innovation in transnational education (TNE).

“Nearly one-third of all international students across IRU universities are studying offshore, which is significantly higher than the Australian average,” Harris said, adding that the network is also focusing on strengthening transnational research (TNR) across the Indo-Pacific region.

Victoria University to Launch Noida Campus

Victoria University (VU) is also set to establish a campus in Noida, further reinforcing the region’s growing appeal as an international education hub. The dual-sector university, offering both higher education and vocational training, plans to introduce undergraduate, postgraduate, and research programmes at its Delhi NCR campus.

The university will implement its globally recognised VU Block Model, which allows students to study one subject at a time in intensive four-week blocks through interactive, workshop-style teaching.

“We are delighted at the opportunity to share our unique VU Block Model with industry, students, and teachers in India,” said Professor John Germov, Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Chief Academic Officer at Victoria University. He noted that the model is designed to ensure graduates are industry-ready and aligned with evolving economic needs.

Victoria University will become the first university from the Australian state of Victoria to establish a physical campus in India.

UK Universities Expand Presence

On the UK front, the University of Bristol has joined a growing list of British institutions—including Southampton, Liverpool, York, and Aberdeen—that have either launched campuses in India or received official approvals.

Bristol’s proposed Mumbai Enterprise Campus, scheduled to open in summer 2026, aims to bring expertise in data science, artificial intelligence, economics, fintech, and immersive arts to India, according to the university.

A Growing Global Education Hub

With multiple international universities receiving approval under NEP 2020, India is rapidly positioning itself as a global destination for cross-border higher education. While GIFT City continues to attract early movers such as Deakin University and the University of Wollongong, the rising interest in Noida and Delhi NCR reflects a broader geographic expansion of international campuses across the country.

Experts believe these developments will not only enhance academic diversity but also strengthen research collaboration, industry linkage, and student mobility between India and leading global education systems.