Policy engine powers India-UK academic ties: British Council CEO McDonald

Collaboration between India and the UK in international education and student mobility is accelerating at an unprecedented pace following the signing of the India-UK Vision 2035 document and recent policy reforms in India, said Scott McDonald, chief executive officer of British Council.

 

With nine UK universities receiving approval to establish operations in India over the past year, the number is expected to rise to 15 in the near future. “We’ve seen nine UK universities set up here in India in just one year. I’ve never seen anything this fast or focused, and we believe there will be 15 very soon,” McDonald said.

 

 

In 2023, the University Grants Commission (UGC) notified regulations allowing foreign universities ranked among the world’s top institutions to establish campuses in India and offer undergraduate, postgraduate, and research programmes, subject to regulator approval.

 

Alison Barrett, country director for India at British Council, added that with India positioning itself as a hub for education, the UK enjoys a first-mover advantage in delivering high-quality university education.

 

The India-UK corridor remains resilient amid geopolitical tensions, McDonald said, referencing the escalating conflicts in West Asia.

 

“Your goal as a country, whether the UK or India, is to be stable so you attract more people through all periods. Both of us are currently stable, and we’ll work hard on both sides to maintain that stability, and we’ll benefit from it in an unstable world,” he added. 

Under the India–UK Vision 2035, the two countries have committed to expanding educational cooperation, including encouraging UK universities to establish campuses in India, promoting joint and dual degree programmes, and strengthening mutual recognition of qualifications.

 

Of the nine UK universities that have announced plans to establish campuses in India under the UGC’s 2023 regulations, only the University of Southampton has begun operations, with the others expected to launch between 2026 and 2027.

 

“Opportunities in the UK remain very attractive for Indian students, and studying there can also open the door to work opportunities in other countries,” Barrett said.

 

The two countries are also exploring collaboration in skilling and vocational training, with further policy discussions planned, McDonald observed. 

The India–UK Free Trade Agreement, signed in 2025 between India and the United Kingdom, seeks to expand bilateral trade in goods and services while also addressing the mobility of students and professionals. The agreement includes provisions to support cooperation in education, encourage partnerships between universities, and facilitate the movement of students and skilled workers between the two countries.  

 

Earlier this week, British Council signed a memorandum of understanding with an initiative backed by Smriti Irani under the Alliance for Global Good — Gender Equity and Equality to support around 100,000 women entrepreneurs in India by providing training in English, communication, and digital skills to help them scale their businesses.

 

“India places a lot of importance on skilling because of its vast employment challenge, but the UK faces a similar challenge. We’re exploring the right mix of university and vocational training and how to design these systems effectively,” he added.

 

India has increasingly prioritised skill development through initiatives such as the Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana and the Skill India Mission, which aim to expand vocational training and certification, improve workforce participation, and address employment gaps.

 

Artificial intelligence (AI) is having a growing impact on education, and policy changes must account for its effects on academics, skilling, and employment, McDonald said.

 

“AI is affecting every part of what we do. We’re thinking a lot about how it applies to education and the ethics around it,” he explained.

 

McDonald added that educational institutions will need to partner tech industry players to keep pace with the rapidly evolving AI landscape and integrate AI tools into their operations.