British Universities Take Their Campuses To the Students
British universities are so hard pressed for funds that they’re not waiting for students to come to them — rather, they’re going to the students. U.K. universities, including the prestigious ones like University of Southampton, are flipping the script on study abroad and setting up physical campuses in India.
Why India? Because Indian students are currently the largest group of international students in the United Kingdom.
University of Southampton is one of the many UK universities that are seeking greener pastures and a better future for itself. Its campus near Delhi, which opened in August last year with around 120 students and aims to grow to more than 5,000 over the next decade.
Nine U.K. universities including the University of Surrey, the University of York, the University of Liverpool, the University of Bristol will follow suit.
Educational cooperation is part of the most recent India-UK deal. It includes a broader strategy to build long-term partnerships in higher education, talent development, and the rapidly expanding tech industry.
But the timing of this is noteworthy. New Delhi made some regulatory changes that now allow foreign universities to open campuses directly in the country. This is to meet India’s projected need for 70 million university places by 2035. Under these new rules, foreign institutions can cut back on tuition fees, but not on standards.
Politically, this bodes well for the UK. It wants to shift its international education model away from recruiting students to study in Britain, but rather have their classrooms come to where they are. This leaning towards creating overseas education hubs is thanks to tighter visa regimes and a bleak job market for fresh graduates.
Our analysts just identified a stock with the potential to be the next Nvidia. Tell us how you invest and we’ll show you why it’s our #1 pick. Tap here.
Universities, both big and small, have traditionally relied heavily on international student fees particularly from students who come to Britain and pay premium tuition. Recent policy changes, including tougher visa restrictions and a yearly fee on international students, have squeezed this revenue stream and shooed bright minds away. With nearly half of English higher education institutions forecast to run a deficit in the current academic year, many are seeking ways to diversify income.
Expanding into India allows universities to build a presence where demand is booming while potentially stabilizing long-term finances.
Indian students are currently the largest group of international students in the United Kingdom.
