Degrees without borders: India’s rise in transnational education

In recent strategic discussions with academic leaders and international collaborators, one topic recurs: the evolving aspirations of Indian students and the shifting dynamics of global education. The conversation is no longer just about where students wish to study, but how, why, and at what cost. 

A 2024 IC3 Institute survey found that 43 per cent of Indian parents exploring international education cited uncertainty in immigration and higher education policies as a key concern—up from 28 per cent in 2022. Changing political climates, fluctuating visa norms, and evolving compliance requirements have made the journey less predictable.

Others are reassessing the cost-benefit equation. A 2023 RedSeer repost estimated that families now spend Rs 5-7 lakh merely on preparatory services, standardised testing, and admissions consultants. The study abroad journey — promoted as a high-investment pathway to global success — inspires ambition but demands students navigate increasing complexity.

These concerns point to something deeper: a quiet reckoning about the shifting terrain of global education and a growing interest in transnational education (TNE)—earning international qualifications without leaving India. 

The recent growth of UK universities launching dual-degree programmes and branch campuses here reflects this shift. According to a 2024 British Council–FICCI report, India is now among the top three target countries for UK TNE expansion, signalling a model of mobility in which the knowledge, not the student, travels.

The desire for high-quality education and global exposure still drives Indian students abroad. In the past five years, their numbers have risen by 52.2%. The US, UK, and Canada remain top destinations, with India recently surpassing China as the largest source of international students in the US. In the UK, Indian student numbers have grown nearly 300% in just five years.

However, this momentum may plateau — or even reverse — for two reasons.

First, India’s higher education ecosystem is expanding rapidly. The country now has 1,168 universities, 45,473 colleges, and 12,002 stand-alone institutions. To reach a 50% gross enrolment ratio (GER), capacity must more than double — a challenge, but also an opportunity.

Second, the number of Indian universities in international rankings has risen by 318%, a result of deliberate reforms under the National Education Policy (NEP), which champions “internationalisation at home”.

Building global bridges

Indian universities are embracing global best practices through online courses, faculty exchanges, dual and joint degrees, and twinning programmes — not as symbolic gestures, but as part of a strategic shift towards sustainable, high-impact TNE. 

The University Grants Commission (UGC) has introduced enabling regulations for twinning, joint, and dual degree programmes. Programmes like GIAN (Global Initiative for Academic Network) and SPARC (Scheme for Promotion of Academic and Research Collaboration) are fostering partnerships and bringing global expertise into Indian classrooms.

The International Financial Services Centres Authority (IFSCA) has also opened doors for foreign universities—including the UK’s Coventry, Queen’s University Belfast, and the University of Surrey, along with Australia’s Deakin and Wollongong—to establish campuses in GIFT City, Gandhinagar. The US’s Illinois Institute of Technology will soon open in Mumbai. Other leading global universities are setting up campuses across India: Imperial College London and the University of Liverpool in Bengaluru; the University of Southampton in Delhi NCR; and the University of Aberdeen and York University in Mumbai. 

Under the British Council’s Going Global Partnerships (GGP), 108 India-UK collaborations have been launched with £3 million in grants, involving 115 Indian and 58 UK institutions. These partnerships are co-developing TNE strategies, globally comparable curricula, and joint degree pathways.

The recent endorsement of ‘India-UK Vision 2035’ by the two prime ministers will further bolster education and skills partnerships, nurturing the next generation of global talent. 

Initiatives like the UK-India Education and Research Initiative (UKIERI) are also strengthening research, leadership, and skills links. UKIERI’s latest round includes 34 research grants in climate change, AI, net zero, and sustainable development. Targeted scholarships — such as the GREAT and Women in STEM awards — are widening access to high-demand fields.

With higher education enrolments projected to reach 92 million by 2035, the opportunity is immense. The Annual Status of Higher Education (ASHE) 2024 report names Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Karnataka as frontrunners. Their GERs — 47% for Tamil Nadu, 41.3% for Kerala, and 36.2% for Karnataka — far exceed the national average of 28.4%. They also lead in institutional density and pupil-teacher ratios, creating more supportive learning environments.

These states are also pioneers in TNE. Tamil Nadu and Karnataka are collaborating with UK institutions to reform curricula and enhance student mobility. Telangana has partnered with the Welsh Government to deepen research and academic ties. Both Karnataka and Tamil Nadu have participated in the British Council’s SCOUT programme (Scholars of Outstanding Undergraduate Talent), sending students to the University of East London and Durham University, respectively. Karnataka has signed MoUs with nine global universities for its upcoming KWIN City education hub. 

Kerala, meanwhile, is investing Rs 25,000 crore in its ‘Study in Kerala’ initiative to position itself as a global education destination. Inbound student mobility is also rising, with increasing numbers from Asia and Africa choosing Indian institutions—a trend likely to grow if southern India’s model is adopted more widely.
For many Indian families, studying abroad remains a financial stretch. The arrival of internationally branded degrees within India offers a compelling alternative. It combines the prestige and exposure of global education with the accessibility and cost-efficiency of a domestic degree.

The convergence of international collaboration, institutional ambition, and student aspiration is positioning India—and particularly its southern states—as architects of a new global education paradigm. This is more than a moment of transformation; it is a movement towards a future where India is not only participating in the global knowledge economy but also helping to shape and lead it.

(The writer is Director of South India, British Council)