- Illinois Institute of Technology has received approval from India's University Grants Commission to open a standalone degree-granting campus in Mumbai, the first U.S. university to do so.
- Set to begin in 2026, the campus will offer undergraduate and graduate programs in computer science, engineering, and business, mirroring Illinois Tech’s experiential curriculum in Chicago.
- This move signals growing global interest in India’s transnational education market, posing new competition for UK and other international universities in attracting Indian and regional students.
Illinois Institute of Technology (Illinois Tech), a technology-focused American university, has received Indian University Grants Commission approval to operate a degree-granting campus in Mumbai. This is the first time that an American university has been granted permission to open a stand-alone campus in India.
With operations scheduled to begin in August/September 2026, the Mumbai campus will have undergraduate and graduate programs in areas of high demand like computer science, engineering, and business. Curriculum will be a replication of Illinois Tech's Chicago campus, which focuses on experiential learning with internships, research, and industry projects being included as part of the curriculum.
British Council remarks
The Indian University Grants Commission said a series of top universities from the U.S., U.K., Australia, Germany, and Italy are in advanced stages of establishing campuses in India. This move is part of a larger plan to bring world-class education to Indian students along with drawing international students from South Asia and Africa.
Illinois Tech's foray into India's transnational education market reflects the increasing number of premier institutions looking at this as an option. From the universities' point of view in the UK, this implies a new level of competition where Indian students who may have been inclined to study overseas can now pursue other competitive pathways.
While UK programmes remain well respected and well supported by strong interest, it is important to take account of changing value perception as increasingly students consider the cost-benefit of various learning routes. In addition to academic quality, there is also a call for curricula that combine experiential learning, improve employability opportunities, and foster entrepreneurial capability. UK universities can also emphasize their strong international connections and networks, streamlined routes to international careers, and rich opportunities for research and internships.
