Foreign Universities at GIFT City: A New Era of Global Education in India
The globalisation of higher education has taken a bold new step in India with the establishment of foreign universities at Gujarat International Finance Tec-City (GIFT). Situated in Gandhinagar, Gujarat, GIFT IFSC is India’s first operational International Financial Services Centre, and it is fast evolving into a comprehensive global hub not just for finance and tech, but also for education. With regulatory innovation, strategic global collaborations, and robust academic infrastructure, GIFT City has opened its doors to world-class foreign universities, enabling Indian and international students to access top-tier global education without leaving the country. This initiative is poised to redefine India’s academic landscape while offering students global exposure, high-quality faculty, and industry-aligned curricula.
International Financial Services Centres Authority (IFSCA)—a unified regulatory body established under the IFSCA Act, 2019. As the principal regulator for all financial services in GIFT City, IFSCA is entrusted with the mandate of developing and regulating financial products, services, and institutions in the International Financial Services Centre (IFSC). In furtherance of this mandate, IFSCA has created an enabling ecosystem that spans banking, insurance, capital markets, fintech, and now, education. The enabling framework that has catalysed this transformation is the IFSCA (Setting up and Operation of International Branch Campuses and Offshore Education Centres) Regulations, 2022, notified by the International Financial Services Centres Authority (IFSCA). These pioneering regulations allow globally reputed Foreign Universities to establish International Branch Campuses (IBCs) or Offshore Education Centres within GIFT IFSC. Only institutions ranked among the QS 500 globally, either in overall or subject-specific rankings, are eligible to apply. These regulations allow foreign universities to offer full-time degree and diploma programmes, including in fields such as financial management, science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Notably, these degrees are recognised as equivalent to those offered in the home country of the institution creating a seamless academic experience with international credibility.
As of mid-2025, four foreign universities have formally established their presence at GIFT IFSC. The two pioneer institutions—Deakin University which ranks 197 in QS Global World University Ranking and University of Wollongong which ranks 167 in QS Global World University Ranking, both hailing from Australia commenced operations in 2024. They have set a precedent for academic excellence and global collaboration. Deakin University has established a strong foothold by launching postgraduate programmes in areas such as Business Analytics and Cybersecurity, tailored to meet the dynamic needs of India’s rapidly growing tech and finance sectors which includes Banking, Insurance, Funds, Fintech, Techfin, Treasury, Capital Markets, Metal and Commodities, Ship Leasing, Aircraft Leasing etc..
Deakin’s GIFT campus concluded its first placement cycle in May 2025 with remarkable success. Nearly a quarter of its first cohort of Master of Business Analytics students secured job offers from the National Australia Bank (NAB) Innovation Centre India. This placement cycle is not just a landmark for Deakin but also a testament to the promise that GIFT IFSC holds as a vibrant academic and employment ecosystem. Students, for the first time, are receiving a globally recognised degree from a foreign university while studying entirely in India—a development that could prove transformative for Indian higher education.
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The University of Wollongong, another top-tier Australian institution, has also established operations and offers courses in areas aligned with industry demand, such as business, computing, and information technology at GIFT City, Gujarat. With a commitment to academic innovation and student-centric pedagogy, Wollongong is drawing attention from both Indian and international aspirants looking for globally relevant education in a local setting.
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Following in the footsteps of these institutions are two prominent UK universities: Coventry University and Queen’s University Belfast, both of which are set to commence academic operations at GIFT IFSC from January 2026. Their entry will further diversify the academic offerings at the IFSC, introducing students to a broader range of disciplines, research opportunities, and international partnerships. Coventry’s strength in design, health, and engineering, coupled with Queen’s focus on innovation, science, and interdisciplinary learning, will elevate GIFT City’s status as a global education destination.
Beyond the universities that have already received regulatory approvals, Several institutions from the UK, USA, France, and Australia are actively engaging with GIFT City and exploring the setup of campuses, with discussions progressing at various stages. The engagement of such globally reputed universities underscores GIFT IFSC’s rising prominence as a fertile ground for academic expansion and innovation.
One of the distinctive enablers of this educational ecosystem is the involvement of Academic Infrastructure Service Providers (AISPs). These entities play a crucial role in supporting the operational, logistical, and academic needs of foreign universities entering GIFT City. Some of the key AISPs onboarded by GIFT IFSC include Global University Systems (GUS) and GEDU Education from the United Kingdom, and the Education Centre of Australia. Their involvement significantly lowers the entry barriers for foreign universities by handling back-end operations, including infrastructure setup, regulatory compliance, student services, and faculty onboarding. The result is a smooth, end-to-end model of academic deployment that prioritizes educational quality and student satisfaction.
In addition to academic excellence, GIFT IFSC facilitates deep industry-academia integration. Students benefit from direct exposure to companies located within the IFSC, including global names in banking, insurance, capital markets, fintech, and professional services. Institutions such as the HSBC, Standard Chartered, Bank of America, JP Morgan, EY, PwC and KPMG GIFT City office provide potential internship and placement opportunities. This proximity allows universities to co-develop industry-aligned curricula and offer live projects, mentorship, and on-ground training modules.
GIFT City has not limited its vision to classrooms and curricula it is investing in holistic social infrastructure to ensure that students studying in this global academic zone have access to a vibrant campus life and modern amenities. From multi-cuisine restaurants and cafés to recreational spaces like the GIFT Club, the city is building a comprehensive student experience. Moreover, a centrally located riverfront is under development, along with the Central Park, which will offer green spaces for recreation, events, and cultural gatherings. The vision is clear: to make GIFT City not just an academic destination but a thriving urban ecosystem where students, faculty, and professionals can live, learn, and grow together. GIFT IFSC is emerging as the nucleus of a broader Knowledge Corridor that stretches across the Gandhinagar-Ahmedabad belt. The corridor includes institutions like IIT Gandhinagar, National Forensic Sciences University, Gujarat National Law University, Pandit Deendayal Energy University, and DAIICT, forming a rich ecosystem of interdisciplinary research, academic exchange, and innovation. Foreign universities within GIFT can tap into this corridor for faculty collaborations, student exchange, and joint research programmes.
A major addition to this vision is the dedicated Foreign University Building, currently under development. This building will serve as a consolidated academic space tailored for the needs of multiple foreign universities, complete with classrooms, labs, libraries, innovation centres, and student lounges. It reflects the long-term commitment of both GIFT IFSC and participating universities to build an enduring educational presence rooted in excellence and accessibility. For foreign universities, establishing a campus at GIFT IFSC offers a unique regulatory and operational advantage. The single-window clearance mechanism, 100% repatriation of profits, tax neutrality, and dedicated education regulations under IFSCA simplify the entire setup process. The availability of world-class infrastructure, growing student demand, and collaboration opportunities with international companies based in GIFT make it a compelling proposition for global educational institutions.
In a country where outbound student mobility has traditionally meant high costs and cultural dislocation, the model being implemented at GIFT IFSC offers a compelling alternative. Students can access internationally benchmarked education while staying closer to home, saving significantly on tuition and living expenses, and simultaneously enjoying the benefits of a global curriculum, international faculty, and strong placement linkages with multinational employers.
The coming years are likely to witness a surge in student applications, institutional tie-ups, and collaborative research from the GIFT City Education Zone. With supportive regulations, active government facilitation, and strong international interest, the foreign universities at GIFT IFSC represent more than just academic expansion they symbolise a paradigm shift in India’s approach to internationalisation in education. As this ecosystem grows, it has the potential not only to stem brain drain but also to turn India into a global hub for transnational education right from the heart of Gujarat.
In summary, the emergence of foreign universities at GIFT IFSC is a significant chapter in India's educational journey. It embodies a confluence of global academic excellence, forward-thinking regulation, and visionary urban planning. With institutions like Deakin and Wollongong already setting benchmarks and others like Coventry and Queen’s Belfast on the horizon, GIFT IFSC is not just hosting universities it is fostering a new world of opportunity, ambition, and academic transformation. Connectivity is another key enabler of GIFT IFSC’s attractiveness. The city is linked via the Ahmedabad – Gandhinagar Metro, with direct access to major urban centres. It is also well-connected by rail and express highways to key cities in Gujarat and neighbouring states. The Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad, just 20 minutes away, provides direct international connectivity—making the campus experience seamless for both domestic and international students and faculty.
Looking for Global Education Without Leaving India?
GIFT City is now home to globally ranked foreign universities offering internationally recognised degrees right here in India. Whether you're a student seeking world-class education or an institution looking to collaborate, GIFT IFSC provides an unparalleled platform to explore, engage, and excel.
Reach out to GIFT IFSC- Head IFSC - [email protected] / Asst. Manager IFSC - [email protected] to partner with us to become part of India’s global education revolution.