The University Grants Commission (UGC), under the Ministry of Education, Government of India, on June 4 formally presented a Letter of Approval to the University of Liverpool, enabling it to establish a campus in Bengaluru, Karnataka, from August 2026. Liverpool joins University of Southampton to become the second UK university to have been granted approval to open an international branch campus (IBC) in India under the University Grants Commission regulations.
The approval underscores the deepening collaboration between India and the UK in higher education, research, innovation and skills development. It also supports the internationalisation goals of India’s National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which seeks to expand access to world-class education opportunities right here in India and strengthen India’s position as a global education hub.
The letter of approval was handed over by Dr. Vineet Joshi, Secretary, Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Education and Chairman, University Grants Commission (UGC), to Professor Richard Grose, Provost, University of Liverpool Bengaluru, in the presence of Union Minister for Education Shri Dharmendra Pradhan, External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar, Yvette Cooper, Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Development Office of the United Kingdom, Lindy Cameron CB OBE, British High Commissioner to the Republic of India, Alison Barrett MBE, Country Director India, British Council.
Senior representatives from both governments highlighted the role of education as a cornerstone of the India–UK Vision 2035 and a key driver of economic growth, innovation and people-to-people ties.
Yvette Cooper Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs UK on this occasion remarked, “I am delighted to see the University of Liverpool become the next UK university to open an international campus in India. It is a powerful example of what the UK–India partnership can achieve, creating new opportunities for students, researchers and the next generation of innovators. Education is a cornerstone of our relationship, and the continued expansion of UK universities in India reflects our shared commitment to widening access to world-class education, deepening research collaboration, and strengthening the exchange of skills, knowledge and ideas between our two countries.
Through the India–UK Vision 2035, we are opening the door to deeper cooperation across education, research, innovation and technology. By bringing together governments, universities and institutions, we are turning our shared ambitions into tangible opportunities for young people and delivering long-term growth and prosperity for both nations.”
Professor Tim Jones, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Liverpool said, “We are delighted to have received approval to open our Bengaluru campus this August and are excited at this opportunity to provide a world-class, industry-connected education, which has been carefully designed to meet India’s evolving talent needs. Located in the innovation-rich Alembic City in Whitefields, our purpose-built campus offers an exceptional, integrated learning environment with smart classrooms and specialist laboratories. We also look forward to developing a strong research culture, strengthening and deepening existing partnerships in India and building new ones.”
