Welcome to the UK Education HUB

India and UK endorsed the new India-UK Vision 2035  in July 2025, an ambitious and future forward agreement which includes Education as one of the flagship pillars. Education is one of the UK’s most powerful tools for global engagement. It builds trust, strengthens systems, and creates lasting connections between people and nations.  

In July 2020, India adopted a bold and transformative National Education Policy (NEP) setting out an ambitious agenda to increase access, inclusion and quality in higher education. With over 40 million students already enrolled today, the country will need 30 million new student places to reach its target of 50% GER by 2035. In response, the University Grants Commission (UGC) launched a series of new regulations which allow the establishment of joint and dual degrees as well as International Branch Campuses in India. 

The UK is uniquely placed to respond. Nine UK universities have now committed to opening campuses in India - in autumn 2025, the University of Southampton Delhi became the first UK and the first foreign university to open a campus in India under these new UGC regulations.

The India–UK Vision 2035, India’s National Education Policy 2020, the UK’s recently published International Education Strategy 2026 all point in the same direction - towards deeper collaboration, stronger partnerships, and a long-term approach to education, research and innovation.

The British Council, with over 78 years leading education cooperation between the UK and India, the British Council has established the UK Education HUB to help deliver this shared vision - enabling engagement, collaboration, and alignment through a single platform

Purpose of the Hub 

  1. Facilitate bilateral education collaboration aligned with the UK-India Vision 2035 strategic partnership.
  2. Serve as a catalyst for UK universities navigating new opportunities in India’s liberalised Transnational Education (TNE) landscape.

This is being led by the British Council from our Delhi office and delivered in consultation with FCDO, Department for Education, Department for Business and Trade, and Science and Technology Network. 

The Hub will not:  

  • replace legal or technical services for market research, negotiating joint ventures, ensuring tax compliance, or investor vetting—universities must engage consultants and law firms. 
  • conduct due diligence or bear liability for losses from its advice. 
  • sign off or approve applications or business/commercial models. 
  • share their data without explicit consent from universities. 
  • manage MEA or MOCA relationships, trade, or commercial activities. 

Central to this initiative is the formation of the UK Universities in India Members Programme (UKIN) — a collaborative network to strengthen India-UK higher education partnerships.

UK Universities in India Members Programme (UKIN) : Overview and objectives

 The UKIN aims to:

  • Provide unbiased advice and support to UK universities planning or operating international branch campuses in India.
  • Assist universities in identifying Indian partners and navigating regulatory frameworks for collaborative ventures.
  • Elevate the collective profile and reputation of UK universities within the Indian higher education ecosystem.
  • Maximise value in student recruitment, stakeholder engagement, and networking through coordinated events, fairs, and initiatives.
  • Foster a community of knowledge-sharing to address common challenges and jointly develop solutions.
  • Promote TNE partnerships encouraging more Indian students to earn UK qualifications locally while strengthening alumni networks. 

Next Steps :

Please fill out the form here if you are interested to be a part of the UKIN. Once we receive the completed form we will send you the details for making payment and the next steps.

For more information please refer to our handbook.

Easy Step Guide for UK Universities on Indian Regulations

UK Universities who are not a member of the HUB can access the general services through the  visit request form.

Who can join ?

  • UK universities with existing or planned International Branch Campuses in India.
  • UK universities engaged in or interested in joint, dual, or twinning degree partnerships with Indian institutions.

Based in the British Council’s Delhi building, the UKIN benefits from:

  • A dedicated physical space co-located within the Education Hub.
  • Access to advanced video conferencing facilities, auditoriums, libraries, and event spaces in Delhi and Kolkata.
  • Support for hosting university events, meetings, and outreach activities.

  • Development of a distinct brand identity and dedicated web portal.
  • Biannual face-to-face and virtual meetings to strategise, share insights, and address challenges.
  • Knowledge workshops and masterclasses involving UK and Indian higher education leaders.
  • Formation of special interest groups (e.g., marketing, student experience, recruitment) for targeted collaboration.
  • Engagement with Indian higher education bodies, industry forums, and international counterparts for broader networking.

Enable UK universities to realise opportunities in India by leveraging the strength of the UK higher education brand and providing tailored, institution-specific support.

What we do

  • Convene a contribution-based UKIN
  • Provide bespoke advice on regulation, partners, locations, and market entry
  • Support marketing coordination, industry links, strategic communications, and local engagement
  • Build goodwill, networks, and partnerships to support long-term success in India
  • Complimentary access to British Council venues for key events (e.g., alumni gatherings, admissions, counselling).
  • Advisory support from British Council higher education specialists on partnerships, stakeholder relations, and outreach.
  • Premium membership offers personalised support during branch campus setup, including engagement with government stakeholders.

Who is it for

Individual UK HEIs and UK university consortia operating in or entering India

Strengthen UK–India education cooperation by delivering the UK- India Vision 2035 education pillar. 

What we do

  • Support the delivery of Annual UK–India Strategic Education Dialogue
  • Promote and support growth of UK TNE in India 
  • Support two - way mobility

Who is it for

UK and Indian governments, regulators, and sector bodies

Department for Business and Trade, UK Government: 

Our work in higher education and science aims to strengthen and extend international connections between India and the UK by building relationships and enabling collaboration through partnerships and joint research. We achieve our objectives by working closely with the higher education sector and partners in UK and India at systemic, institutional and individual levels. This includes policymakers in government, higher education providers, sector bodies, universities, research institutions and students and those that influence them. British Council delivers this mandate through Going Global Partnerships programme and UK India Education and Research Initiative (UKIERI) aimed at promoting internationalisation of higher education in India through joint academic and research partnerships, policy dialogues and capacity strengthening initiatives.

Research Innovation Corridor (RIC) - Science Technology Network BHC 

The UK-India Research & Innovation Corridor (RIC) is a flagship bilateral initiative, agreed by the Prime Ministers of the United Kingdom and India on 24 July 2025. The RIC aims to enhance science, research, and technology partnerships between the two countries, promoting collaboration, identifying opportunities, and driving strategic, evidence-based decision making. The RIC is both a data analysis initiative, enabling us to bilaterally track our work and inform strategic decision making, while also serving as our overarching framework to engage both India and UK ecosystems in a more coordinated and strategic manner. The RIC is delivered under the oversight of the UK-India Science & Innovation Council (SIC), a ministerial dialogue, building on 25 years of collaboration and aligning with the UK-India Vision 2035.

Legal Disclaimer: 

The British Council provides advisory support only. Universities are strongly advised to consult professional legal, tax, or regulatory advisors before entering any formal agreements in India.

The UKIN is not a substitute for commercial consultancy services. The British Council will maintain transparency in working with external service providers to support member institutions.
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