We are first global top 100 university to set up campus in India: University of Southampton Delhi, Deputy VP

Shiksha spoke with Kieron Broadhead, Deputy Vice-President Operations at the University of Southampton, about the various opportunities offered by the university for Indian students. Read below the excerpts of the insightful interview. 

Q: What makes the University of Southampton Delhi an attractive destination for Indian students?

Kieron: For Indian students joining our new Delhi campus, we’re bringing a world-class experience closer to home. What sets us apart is our academic reputation – we’re the first global top 100 university to set up a campus in India – and the inclusive and supportive environment we’re creating right here in India. Students will benefit from learning from a curriculum underpinned by academic excellence, research and engagement with employers. In fact, the most recent HESA statistics show that 97% of our graduates are either in employment or further study.

Having long welcomed Indian students to our UK campus, we’re excited to bring the same exceptional education closer to home. Our vibrant Indian student community is already over 400 strong in the UK, and our 1,700 Indian alumni are making an impact across the country and beyond. We look forward to growing this network through our Delhi campus and helping the next generation of Indian students thrive both locally and globally.

Q: What are the most sought-after programs among Indian students for University of Southampton Delhi?

Kieron: The University of Southampton India campus will offer a range of undergraduate and postgraduate programmes designed to equip students with globally relevant skills. At the undergraduate level, for August 2025 entry we offer BSc Hons degrees in Business Management, Accounting and Finance, Computer Science, and Economics. For postgraduate students, the available programmes include MSc International Management and MSc Finance.

There’s been a solid level of demand across all our programmes offered, so far, we have seen greatest interest for our undergraduate degrees in Computer Science and Business Management and post-graduate degree in International Management.

Q: How does the university support Indian students academically and socially to ensure a smooth transition to the UK education system?

Kieron: We make it a priority to ensure our Indian students feel supported from the very beginning. Our Student Hub is available 24/7 to help with everything, from financial advice and well-being support to course administration and accommodation. We understand that transitioning to a new education system can be challenging, so we offer dedicated academic support, mentoring, and tailored career services to help Indian students adjust comfortably and confidently. At Southampton, we have a close-knit and diverse community that welcomes everyone.

Q: Are there any research collaborations between Southampton and Indian institutions that Indian students can benefit from?

Kieron: We have a very strong reputation for collaboration and a great focus on entrepreneurship and employability.

The University of Southampton's India Centre for Inclusive Growth and Sustainable Development is a fantastic example of our collaborative culture. The India Centre provides a platform for our research leaders to come together with policymakers, business and industry partners to deliver evidence-based solutions and unlock the opportunities for policy change, inclusive economic growth, technology and sustainable development for India.

Our work to establish our new campus in Delhi will be underpinned by research, business and industry collaboration and will provide opportunities for researchers in the UK and India to work together to help solve some of the world’s greatest problems. 

Q: What advice would you give to Indian applicants to make their personal statements and applications stand out?

Kieron: We provide some really good advice on our. The best bit of advice I’d give is that your personal statement is your time to shine. Tell us why you are interested in a particular course and try to explain what you’ve done to go beyond just taking an interest in the subject.

Q: What kind of career support and placement services does the University of Southampton Delhi plan to offer to Indian students?

Kieron: University of Southampton Delhi will have a clear focus on employability and careers from day one of the student’s journey at campus. Our Successful Futures skills model is embedded throughout the curriculum and many extra-curricular activities and focuses on creating subject experts, challengers, collaborators, entrepreneurs and solution finders.

The Head of Career Advancement Services at the university, along with her team, will mentor and guide students on internships, placements and short-term projects with the industry. University of Southampton has a global presence and global relationships with some of the largest multinationals. Such multinationals along with known Indian firms will support students’ aspirations with jobs and internships.

There is a lot of support on offer, and we recognise that our Indian students may have specific questions and needs that are different to those in the UK.

Q: How does Southampton’s curriculum prepare students for global careers?

Kieron: Our curriculum is built on a triple helix model, education, research, and knowledge exchange which means students are always learning in real-world contexts. We prepare students to think critically, adapt quickly, and lead with purpose. Whether you’re at our Southampton UK campus or Delhi campus, the degree you earn is the same, and it carries international recognition. Our students graduate ready to make an impact, wherever they go.

Q: What are the accommodation options for students in Delhi?

Kieron: We are in the process of finalising a dedicated accommodation building in a lovely, quiet residential location within a gated community. We want our students to feel safe and secure so we’ll have 24/7 on-site security staff. Our studio rooms cater for single or twin occupancy, with priority being given to undergraduate students and there will be separate male and female floors.

Q: What are the scholarships and funding opportunities for Indian students?

Kieron: The University of Southampton, Delhi offers scholarships as well as bursaries for students.

We offer two exclusive scholarship schemes for undergraduate and postgraduate students studying at the India campus — the Delhi Presidential Scholarship and the Future Talent Scholarship.

The Delhi Presidential Scholarship is a fully funded award granted to one exceptional undergraduate and one postgraduate student, covering the entire tuition fee.

The Future Talent Scholarship is designed to support high-achieving students and will be awarded to up to 12 undergraduate and postgraduate candidates. Recipients of this scholarship will benefit from a tuition fee reduction of ₹2.2 lakh.

There are also a limited number of bursaries available. All the relevant information is on our website delhi.southampton.ac.uk/ fees-and-funding.

Q: Tell us about the internship and placement opportunities.

Kieron: Our internship and placement schemes are integral to preparing students for the world of work and provide them with a wide range of opportunities to get real-life experience to make sure they are ready for the working world.

Our focus for all of our students – whether studying at our Southampton, Winchester, Malaysia or Delhi campuses – is to provide work-ready graduates who will make a real difference to the world around them. This is attested by our employability data, with the most recent HESA (Higher Education Statistics Agency) statistics showing that 97% of our graduates are either in employment or further study.

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