India anchors UK’s £40 billion global education push

India has emerged as a central focus of the United Kingdom’s £40 billion international education strategy, with London identifying the country as a key partner for student mobility, research collaboration, transnational education, and skills development.

The UK government’s strategy places strong emphasis on deepening education ties with India, citing the country’s scale, demographic profile, and growing demand for global qualifications. India is already one of the largest source countries for international students in the UK, and officials see scope for sustained growth across higher education, vocational training, and academic research.

According to the strategy, the UK aims to expand education exports to £40 billion annually by 2030. India is positioned as a priority market within this plan, alongside efforts to strengthen partnerships in teaching, joint degrees, faculty exchange, and digital delivery models. British universities are being encouraged to widen their presence in India through collaborative programmes and offshore campuses, while also supporting Indian institutions seeking global exposure.

Student mobility remains a major pillar. The UK continues to attract large numbers of Indian students, particularly at the postgraduate level. The strategy underlines the importance of maintaining the UK’s appeal as a study destination by offering high-quality education, strong employability outcomes, and long-term academic links with partner countries such as India.

Research collaboration also features prominently. The document highlights existing joint research initiatives between Indian and UK institutions and calls for further cooperation in areas such as science, technology, climate studies, health, and innovation-led sectors. These partnerships are seen as mutually beneficial, contributing to economic growth and knowledge creation in both countries.

The strategy aligns with broader bilateral engagement between India and the United Kingdom, including recent agreements on education, skills, and mobility. Officials note that collaboration with India supports the UK’s ambition to remain a leading global education hub while responding to rising international demand.

By placing India at the centre of its international education agenda, the UK signals its intent to build long-term, structured partnerships that go beyond student recruitment, spanning research, skills, and institutional collaboration as part of its £40 billion export ambition