The announcement was made on April 9 at the 13th UK-India Economic and Financial Dialogue held at the London Stock Exchange, attended by key leaders including UK Chancellor Rachel Reeves, Bank of England Governor Andrew Bailey, and Indian Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman.
The new branch campus in Gujarat has received in-principle approval from the International Financial Services Centres Authority (IFSCA). Coventry University plans to launch two undergraduate programmes initially—BSc Honours in International Business Management and BSc Honours in Business and Finance—with scope to expand course offerings over time.
Professor John Latham CBE, Vice-Chancellor and Group CEO of Coventry University, called the approval a “massive vote of confidence” in the university’s global strategy and UK higher education at large. “The opportunity to make a real difference for the next generation of learners in India is one that we have grasped with both hands,” he said.
The GIFT City campus adds to Coventry University Group’s growing presence in India, following the launch of its India Hub in New Delhi earlier this year. It also contributes to a broader 1 billion pounds investment by partners in Coventry’s global campuses over the past five years, including locations in Egypt, Morocco, China, Kazakhstan, and Singapore.
British High Commissioner to India Lindy Cameron CB OBE welcomed the move, highlighting its role in deepening the UK-India education partnership. “It is great to see Coventry University coming to GIFT City, an important global financial centre,” she said. “This will help more Indian students access British education closer to home.”
Alison Barrett MBE, British Council’s Director for India, described the announcement as a “landmark achievement” that aligns with India’s National Education Policy 2020. She added, “Thousands of students will benefit from the high-quality education the university can offer.”
Shri K. Rajaraman, Chairperson of IFSCA, called the development a “significant milestone” for GIFT City and a testament to the growing UK-India partnership. He noted that the campus will contribute to India’s evolving education ecosystem by offering programmes aligned with industry and job market demands.
