Foreign university campuses in India struggle to attract first batches despite global rankings

Foreign universities setting up campuses in India are yet to translate their global reputations into large student intakes, with early enrolment figures falling short of institutional targets.

As many as 13 foreign universities were actively recruiting students for 91 academic programmes at their Indian campuses for the 2026-27 academic year. The number of institutions is expected to reach around 20 by 2027-28. However, the initial response from students has been modest, according to an analysis by DrEducation Research.

The analysis examined seven of the 13 campuses for which first-cohort enrolment data was publicly available. It found that the median size of an inaugural batch was 120 students, with a median of 20 students per programme. The first cohorts ranged from nine to 300 students.

Leading universities also fall short of targets

Some of the most highly ranked institutions have struggled to meet their initial enrolment goals.

The University of New South Wales (UNSW), which ranks among the top 20 universities in the QS rankings, had aimed to enrol 120 students across four programmes at its Bengaluru campus. However, it admitted 60 students, according to the Australian Financial Review.

The University of Bristol, the highest-ranked UK university among the 13 institutions at 57th in the QS rankings, also fell short of its target. Its Mumbai campus had aimed for 250 students but reportedly enrolled fewer than half that number.

The figures suggest that international rankings alone may not be enough to persuade Indian students to choose a new campus, particularly when institutions have yet to establish a track record in the country.

Late regulatory approvals and shorter recruitment periods affected the admission targets of some campuses. However, the analysis also points to uncertainty around graduate employment prospects as a factor that could make students and parents cautious.

With the campuses still building their first cohorts, there is limited evidence on placement outcomes and whether their graduates will secure better employment opportunities or higher salaries than those from established Indian private universities.

Higher fees add to the challenge

The cost of studying at these campuses could also influence enrolment decisions.

The DrEducation Research study, titled Landscape of International University Campuses in India 2026, compared average first-year undergraduate tuition fees at 11 foreign universities offering undergraduate programmes with fees at a selected group of tier-I private universities in India and the institutions' own campuses abroad.

It found that studying at an international campus in India costs, on average, 115% more than studying at a selected tier-I private university in the country. However, the fees are approximately 36% of the cost of studying at the same university's overseas campus.

While the Indian campuses offer students an opportunity to earn a foreign university degree without moving abroad, the higher fees compared with domestic private institutions raise questions about the value they offer.

Foreign campuses seek to establish their credentials

The entry of foreign universities into India follows the internationalisation agenda outlined in the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. The policy initially sought to attract the world's top 100 universities to establish campuses in the country.

Subsequent regulatory changes allowed foreign higher education institutions ranked among the world's top 500 to set up campuses in India. The framework gives eligible institutions autonomy over fee structures and allows them to award degrees equivalent to those offered at their home campuses.

The growing number of foreign campuses has expanded the options available to Indian students seeking international qualifications without studying overseas. However, the early enrolment figures indicate that institutions will need to demonstrate the academic and career value of their programmes to attract larger cohorts.

The analysis recommends that foreign universities make admissions and placement information more transparent, engage more closely with schools, parents and employers, and demonstrate the quality of the student experience. Their ability to establish credibility in the Indian higher education market will depend on more than their international rankings.