£1billion milestone hit as Coventry University to become first English university in India’s GIFT City, ET Education
Coventry University is set to become the first English university to be granted a licence to open a campus in India’s new GIFT City.
The branch campus will be at the heart of the smart city in the Indian state of Gujarat and could see the first students enrolled and learning in 2026.
Two courses will initially be launched at Coventry University GIFT City – a BSc Honours in International Business Management and BSc Honours in Business and Finance – with plans to add further courses in the future.
The new campus, which has been given in-principle approval by the International Financial Services Centres Authority (IFSCA), would add to Coventry University Group’s current presence in the country following the opening of the Group’s India Hub in New Delhi earlier this year.
It also brings the level of planned investment by partners in the university’s branch and branded campuses around the world over the last five years to £1 billion. This includes campuses in Egypt, Morocco, China, Kazakhstan, Singapore and now India.
The approval was officially announced at the 13th UK-India Economic and Financial Dialogue (EFD) which took place today (9 April) at the London Stock Exchange where guests and speakers included the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves, the Governor of the Bank of England, Andrew Bailey, and the Indian Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman.
Professor John Latham CBE, Vice-Chancellor of Coventry University and Group CEO, 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.”
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, 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.”
Shri K. Rajaraman, chairperson of the International Financial Services Centres Authority, 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.”
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