Birkbeck, University of London becomes the latest foreign university to have received a Letter of Intent (LoI) from the University Grants Commission (UGC), Government of India to establish its global campus in Bengaluru.
The LoI was handed over formally in Delhi on April 14 at a ceremony attended by Vineet Joshi, Chairperson, UGC and Secretary, Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Education; Lindy Cameron, British High Commissioner to India; Sally Wheeler, Vice-Chancellor, Birkbeck, University of London; Alison Barrett, Country Director India, British Council; and K. M. Prafulachandra Sharma, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Education, GoI, along with senior officials from the government, UK Embassy, British Council, and academic leadership from Birkbeck University of London.
Founded in 1823, Birkbeck, University of London is globally recognized for its flexible, career-focused education model. It is hoped its Bengaluru campus will bring this legacy to India integrating academic excellence with employability and industry engagement.
With the establishment of its Bengaluru campus, Birkbeck will offer Indian students access to globally recognised University of London degrees at nearly 60% lower cost, while maintaining the same academic standards, research-led teaching, and industry-integrated curriculum as its UK counterpart.
Highlighting the significance this initiative, Vineet Joshi, Chairperson, UGC said, “The handing over of the Letter of Intent marks a gateway to global learning for Indian students. It reflects the confidence that leading international institutions have in India’s rapidly evolving higher education ecosystem.”
Professor Sally Wheeler, Vice-Chancellor, Birkbeck, University of London, said, “We are proud to be part of India’s education journey. This campus represents our commitment to making high-quality, transformative education more accessible to students in India.”
