As demand for global education in India grows, University of Southampton Delhi is redefining what it means to study at a world-class institution without leaving home.

“We are not just here to teach. We are here to do research, and we are here to look at the impact of that research on society,” said Professor Eloise Phillips, Academic Provost and Associate Vice-President International at University of Southampton Delhi, while speaking at the NDTV LearnNXT Conclave 2026.

Bringing together leading voices from the global higher education sector, the conclave explored the evolving future of international education in India and the increasing demand for globally recognised degrees delivered closer to home.

Professor Phillips was part of a panel discussion on ‘Global classrooms: Study abroad in India’ focused on the opportunities and impact of international university campuses in India. Joining her on the panel were Alison Barrett, Country Director India at British Council India, and Ravneet Pawha, Vice President Global Engagement and CEO South Asia at Deakin University.

Speaking during the discussion, Professor Phillips shared how University of Southampton Delhi is bringing the same academic quality, student experience and global outlook associated with Southampton’s UK campuses directly to students in India through a UK degree in India model.

A natural step forward for global education in India

Reflecting on the University’s decision to establish its India campus, Professor Phillips explained that Southampton’s long-standing relationship with India made the move both strategic and meaningful.

“We have worked with India very closely for many, many years, so opening a branch campus here was a natural decision as soon as the new regulations were announced,” she noted.

As the first university to establish a campus under the new UGC regulations, Southampton has drawn upon its extensive international experience including its successful campus in Malaysia to shape its approach as a leading foreign university campus in India.

For Professor Phillips, the vision extends far beyond infrastructure alone.

“For us, it was about bringing the Southampton experience to India,” she said, describing the University’s “Triple Helix Approach” combining world-class education, globally recognised research and enterprise-driven impact.

“We are not just here to teach. We are here to do research, and we are here to look at the impact of that research on society.”

This commitment reflects Southampton’s ambition to contribute not only to academic excellence, but also to innovation, knowledge exchange and meaningful engagement with industry and communities across India.

Delivering the same academic rigour as a UK degree in India

One of the strongest themes emerging from the discussion was the importance of maintaining consistent academic standards across international campuses.

Professor Phillips emphasised that students studying in Delhi receive exactly the same high-quality education as those at Southampton’s UK campus or its Malaysia campus.

“All our academic modules are exactly the same,” she explained. “We replicate the same programmes that we deliver in the UK here in Delhi.”

The level of academic consistency extends to assessments, moderation and governance processes. According to Professor Phillips, some assessments are even conducted simultaneously across campuses to ensure fairness and academic integrity.

“All our assessments follow really strict peer moderation processes from UK colleagues. They have to be approved by external examiners, and that ensures academic standards are maintained consistently across all our campuses.”

She further highlighted the University’s rigorous recruitment and induction processes for faculty members, many of whom bring extensive international teaching and industry experience from the UK, the United States and the United Arab Emirates.

“We have an amazing group of faculty members for our first launch. Many of them have lived and worked in the UK for many years, so they bring that international exposure and experience into the classroom.”

Importantly, degree certificates and transcripts issued to students in Delhi are identical to those awarded in the UK reinforcing the global recognition and equivalency of Southampton qualifications.

“That is what gives students a globally recognised qualification that can take them anywhere in the world,” Professor Phillips added.

Building graduates ready for global education and beyond

The panel also explored how international campuses can prepare students not only academically, but professionally and personally for an increasingly global workforce.

For Professor Phillips, employability is deeply connected to developing adaptable, well-rounded graduates equipped with both technical expertise and transferable life skills.

“It is having those key academic skills, but also the work-ready skills,” she explained.

She stressed the importance of communication, teamwork, adaptability and lifelong learning qualities increasingly valued by employers worldwide.

“Having the opportunity to study abroad, work in a different country or experience different cultures gives students life skills that cannot simply be taught through an academic curriculum.”

Professor Phillips also highlighted the value of flexibility within modern global education pathways, noting that students today are seeking greater choice in how and where they study.

“We are already seeing students who completed their undergraduate degree in Southampton in the UK returning to India for postgraduate study at our Delhi campus. It is about giving students more options.”

Whether students choose to study fully in India, pursue semester exchange opportunities abroad, or continue postgraduate studies in the UK, Southampton’s model is designed to provide internationally connected pathways without compromising on academic quality.

Expanding access to global education in India

As Indian families increasingly seek internationally recognised education with greater accessibility and affordability, the emergence of global university campuses in India represents a significant shift in higher education.

Through its Delhi campus, University of Southampton Delhi aims to provide students with access to the same academic rigour, global exposure and career opportunities associated with a leading UK university while allowing many students to remain closer to home.

The discussion at the NDTV LearnNXT Conclave 2026 reinforced a broader message shaping the future of global education in India: world-class learning is no longer defined solely by geography, but by the quality, consistency and global relevance of the educational experience itself.

Author: University of Southampton Delhi

Date: Monday 15 June 2026

This article reflects the thoughts, opinions and experiences of the author, and do not necessarily represent the official view of University of Southampton Delhi. You should confirm and check factual information presented in this article before making decisions based on its content.