Coventry University to open first English campus in India’s GIFT City by 2026

Institution becomes first English university to secure approval in India’s flagship smart city development

(LtoR): Steve Hickling, British Deputy High Commissioner to Gujarat and Rajasthan; Richard Wells; Coventry University's Deputy Vice-Chancellor (International); Coventry University's Vice-Chancellor and Group CEO, John Latham; Regional Managing Director of Coventry University's India Hub, Leena Arora Kukreja; Coventry University's Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research).

Coventry University has received in-principle approval to open a campus in India’s Gujarat International Finance Tec-City (GIFT City), becoming the first English university to do so.

The new site is expected to begin enrolling students in 2026, with an initial academic offering that includes BSc (Hons) degrees in International Business Management and Business and Finance.

The decision was announced during the 13th UK-India Economic and Financial Dialogue at the London Stock Exchange, attended by senior government officials from both countries. It follows the opening of the university’s India Hub in New Delhi earlier this year, part of Coventry University Group’s wider international strategy.

Campus adds to expanding international footprint

Coventry University Group has seen nearly £1 billion in planned investment by partners into branch and branded campuses globally over the past five years. Its international presence includes locations in Egypt, Morocco, China, Kazakhstan, Singapore, and now India.

The GIFT City campus is part of the Indian government’s effort to build a globally competitive hub for financial services and innovation, with education a key area of development. The campus approval was granted by the International Financial Services Centres Authority (IFSCA), which oversees regulatory operations in the city.

Professor John Latham CBE, Vice-Chancellor and Group CEO of Coventry University, said: “The opportunity to make a real difference for the next generation of learners in India is one that we have grasped with both hands and will continue to do so.

“We are delighted approval has been given to commence the set-up process for Coventry University GIFT City and know that many students will benefit from the high-quality education we can offer over the years to come as we expand our course offering to students.

“We were part of a universities delegation, organised by the UK Government’s Department for Business and Trade (DBT), that visited GIFT City in 2023 and want to thank the DBT and the British Council for their support in helping our GIFT City campus come to life.

“GIFT City will bring the investment by our various partners into Coventry University branded or branch campuses to £1 billion in just five years which is a massive vote of confidence in us and the value of quality UK higher education.”

UK-India education ties reaffirmed

The announcement was welcomed by representatives from the British High Commission and the British Council, who emphasized the role of international education partnerships in supporting India’s economic and social development goals.

Lindy Cameron CB OBE, British High Commissioner to India, said: “It is great to see Coventry University coming to GIFT City, an important global financial centre. The UK-India education partnership adds immense value to both our countries and is crucial to building modern, forward-looking connections between our people.

“I’m delighted that even more Indian students will be able to access Coventry University’s resources closer to home and hope it encourages deeper academic collaboration between the talented minds in India and the UK.”

Alison Barrett MBE, Director India at the British Council, said: “Congratulations to Coventry University for being the first English university to establish a campus in the GIFT City of India. This is testament to their long relationship with India and yet another landmark achievement in the India-UK partnership.

“It emphasises our shared commitment to the internationalisation of education, as highlighted in the National Education Policy 2020. Thousands of students will benefit from the high-quality education that the university can offer in the years to come. I am confident this campus will serve as a vital platform for students, equipping them with the skills necessary for a dynamic future in a globalised world.”

Regulatory support and institutional backing

Shri K. Rajaraman, Chairperson of IFSCA, said: “The in-principle approval granted to Coventry University for setting up its International Branch Campus marks a significant milestone in developing GIFT International Financial Services Centre as a global hub for higher education.

“It also stands as a testament to the strong and growing partnership between the United Kingdom and India for the development of India’s maiden International Financial Services Centre in GIFT City. We are confident that Coventry University will make meaningful contribution to the growing higher education ecosystem by offering high-quality programmes that are closely aligned with industry standards and emerging job market requirements.”

Broader engagement with India

Professor Ray Lloyd, Deputy CEO of GEDU Global Education, said: “GIFT City is an innovative project, opening up the educational landscape in a focused way as part of the Indian Government’s development strategy.

“GEDU’s mission is to change lives through education, by making high-quality education affordable and accessible to all, regardless of location or economic situation and providing our students with exceptional career outcomes. Collaborating with Coventry University Group to establish a campus in this development is another step forward in realising our ambitions.”

Steve Hickling, British Deputy High Commissioner to Gujarat and Rajasthan, said: “I congratulate Coventry University on their ambitious venture at GIFT City. We have enjoyed supporting their journey to this point and look forward to continuing to work with the team as the project develops. Coventry University is the latest in a roster of leading British organisations to look to GIFT City for its Indian collaboration.”