Indian students show growing interest in foreign university campuses at home

Growing appetite for foreign campuses in India

Indian students are showing a marked preference for studying at foreign university campuses located in India, according to a new report by online education company Emeritus. The Gen Z Outlook Report 2026, based on quantitative research conducted in March 2026 and qualitative interviews held in January, found that 68% of the 1,010 respondents surveyed aged 15 to 28 across major Indian cities said they would be likely or extremely likely to study a programme offered by an international university in India.

The interest is strongest among "transitioning" students—those enrolled in undergraduate programmes or preparing for postgraduate study. Among this group, 69% said they would prefer an India-based international programme over going abroad specifically to avoid visa uncertainty. At the same time, 78% of transitioning students said they would consider studying abroad, indicating that overseas education remains an attractive option even as domestic offerings gain traction.

The report, which also conducted qualitative interviews, captured this ambivalence. One 19-year-old transitioning student from Delhi said: "If these programmes offered four semesters in India, and for the final semester you come to the US — that approach would be the best of both worlds." A 23-year-old from Hyderabad echoed that sentiment after a visa denial: "It's great — I got denied a visa to go abroad. If the same education is provided here, it is more beneficial. I could stay here, get the same exposure as someone going for foreign education."

What is driving the shift

Cost and quality perceptions appear to be central to the appeal. The survey found that 72% of respondents believed an India campus would be more affordable than studying at the same university abroad, and an equal 72% believed such a campus would provide exposure to global teaching methods and high academic standards. Another 71% said an India-based international programme could improve their opportunities in the global job market, and for 70% of respondents, their families viewed such a programme as a good investment.

Among those considering studying abroad, 48% said their interest had declined compared with a year earlier. Cost was the primary barrier for 40% of respondents who remained interested but concerned, while 32% pointed to visa requirements and immigration policies and 31% cited being away from family. Among those whose interest had actively declined, 37% attributed it to rising costs and 24% to safety and political uncertainty in other countries.

The survey also found that 35% of respondents considering overseas education would consider the United States, but 42% of this group said their interest in the US had declined over the past year, with cost cited by 41%, visa and immigration policies by 34%, and lack of family support by 31%.

Programme format preferences

Fully on-campus programmes in India emerged as the most preferred format, chosen by 44% of pre-college respondents and 50% of transitioning students. Fully online programmes attracted 34% of respondents in both groups. A pathway model—combining study in India with partial study abroad or a semester exchange—was preferred by 27% of pre-college respondents and 39% of transitioning students.

Among respondents preparing specifically for postgraduate study, 50% said they would consider a fully on-campus international programme in India, and for 38% it would be their first choice.

Regulatory landscape and costs

Foreign university campuses in India operate under two regulatory gateways: the International Financial Services Centres Authority (IFSCA) GIFT City framework under the ministry of finance, and the University Grants Commission (UGC) regulations under the ministry of education. Both restrict entry to institutions ranked among the top 500 in the subject-wise category of global rankings such as the QS World University Rankings.

The cost advantage of these satellite campuses can be substantial. A typical one-year postgraduate programme at the University of Liverpool's home campus costs roughly £30,000 in tuition, with £15,000 in living costs, totalling above ₹60 lakh, according to Damera, who was quoted in the Livemint report. For four-year bachelor's programmes at Illinois Tech, international student tuition in the US is $35,000 annually with living expenses of $15,000, bringing the four-year cost to nearly ₹2 crore. The university's Mumbai campus, however, sets total four-year tuition at around ₹40–50 lakh including accommodation, slashing costs to about a quarter of the overseas price.

Experts urge caution

Despite the strong interest, satellite campuses remain in their infancy, and experts and parents are adopting a wait-and-watch approach. Since only Deakin University in Gujarat has graduates so far, there is no long-term placement data to assess job outcomes. Employers remain cautious: while mid-tier consulting firms and startups have recruited from satellite campuses, none of the large employers have hired from these campuses yet.

Amit Goel, a business owner, expressed a wait-and-watch stance, noting that flagship programmes may not be delivered with the same skill at satellite campuses. One university started BSc Economics admissions but later cancelled the programme. Preeti Zende, an investment advisor, advised checking fee structures and how banks view these institutions for loans. Experts also advise parents to physically inspect sites before committing; Bakhtawar called for physical inspections.

As the sector develops, the enthusiasm among students appears genuine, but the caution from parents and experts underscores the untested nature of these institutions. The coming years, as more cohorts graduate and enter the job market, will be critical in determining whether these campuses fulfil their promise.