Hyderabad
oi-Ashish Rana
Hyderabad is set to host the offshore campus of the University of London, with the institution planning to establish its presence in the city as part of Telangana’s broader push to build an international education ecosystem. If the plan moves ahead as expected, it will become the first international university to choose Hyderabad for such an expansion.
Hyderabad will host the University of London’s first offshore campus in India, with operations expected to begin in the 2027 academic year from a temporary location at Begumpet Lake View Guest House, as part of Telangana’s plan to become an international education hub.
The proposed campus is being positioned within the state’s planned Future City, where the Telangana government is aiming to create a dedicated international education hub by attracting leading global institutions.
Begumpet Lake View Guest House May Serve as Temporary Campus
To ensure academic activities can begin without delay, the Telangana government is working on interim arrangements for foreign universities entering the state. As part of this effort, the government has agreed to allow the University of London to use Begumpet Lake View Guest House as a temporary campus.
According to sources, the university is expected to begin academic operations in the 2027 academic year from this interim location while long-term infrastructure is developed.
Sources also said that representatives of the University of London have already initiated the application process with the University Grants Commission, which is a key step towards establishing the offshore campus in India.
Future City to House Permanent International Education Zone
The permanent campus is planned in the Future City education zone, where the Telangana government intends to build dedicated campuses for international universities. Chief Minister Revanth Reddy has reportedly been actively guiding officials to bring top global institutions to the state as part of this larger vision.
The government’s goal is to transform Hyderabad into a knowledge and innovation hub by setting up offshore campuses of leading international universities over the next two years.
Officials believe Hyderabad’s global infrastructure, cosmopolitan culture, and strong ecosystem of major software companies have made it an attractive destination for foreign universities looking to expand into India.
University of London’s Global Reputation Adds Weight to Move
The University of London’s proposed entry is significant not only because of its timing, but also because of the institution’s academic network and global reputation. Its affiliated institutions include globally recognised colleges such as King’s College London, London School of Economics, and London Business School.
This association is expected to strengthen Hyderabad’s appeal as a higher education destination and could encourage more international institutions to follow.
The city’s strengths in research, software, biotechnology, and life sciences are also emerging as major pull factors, with more universities in the United Kingdom reportedly exploring opportunities in Telangana.
More UK Institutions May Follow as NEP Opens the Door
Officials are also said to be in touch with the UK government to facilitate the entry of 13 institutions that have recently shown interest in setting up branch campuses in Hyderabad.
This momentum has been made possible by the National Education Policy 2020, which opened the door for international educational institutions to establish campuses in India. The policy shift has created a framework for foreign universities to directly operate in the country, paving the way for projects like the proposed University of London campus in Hyderabad.
If the current plan materialises on schedule, Hyderabad could soon emerge as one of India’s key destinations for international higher education, with the University of London becoming the first major global institution to anchor that transformation.
