Top Universities in GIFT City: Courses and Opportunities

With the government of India pushing to improve higher education and curb brain drain, the opportunity for Indian students to earn an international qualification without leaving India has been met with great enthusiasm. GIFT City, India’s first operational smart city, has offered the perfect opportunity and location for global universities to extend their operations to India. The special economic zone status and the regulatory advantages have already attracted two Australian universities to GIFT City, with more expected to follow suit.

Only foreign universities within the top 500 on global rankings or universities well-reputed in their home jurisdiction have been granted permission to set up in India. The emphasis is on programs in financial management, fin-tech, science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and related research. All programs here have a student-welfare approach, from internship and work opportunities across several reputed corporates, stock exchanges, and prominent AIFs located in GIFT City.  There are regulations that safeguard students in situations where the university decides to discontinue.

Why is GIFT City a prime location for universities?

• IFSCA governance: All the universities in GIFT City are free of domestic regulations and fall under the jurisdiction of IFSCA. This means they will be exempted from the scrutiny of the University Grants Commission (UGC), the All-India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), the Higher Education Commission of India, and other such bodies like the National Assessment and Accreditation Council and the National Board of Accreditation.
• SEZ Status: The special economic zone status of GIFT City grants universities an extended set of relaxations. There are no specific infrastructure requirements, such as minimum square footage, to which they are required to adhere. Moreover, they will also have a free hand in the university operations like admissions, entry qualifications, examination patterns, fee structure, curriculum, qualifications offered, etc.
  
• Financial incentives: All university transactions can be made in freely convertible foreign currency, but only certain transactions can be made in INR through Special Non-Resident Rupee (SNRR) Accounts. Similar to all the organisations set up in GIFT City, universities will also enjoy a 10-year tax holiday along with the freedom to completely repatriate their profits.
• Infrastructure assistance: There is a provision for availing the services of Academic Infrastructure Service Providers (AISPs). They cater to all of the universities' requirements, from built-up campuses with labs, R&D blocks, and libraries to managing student housing, support staff hiring, and other related tasks.

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List of Top Universities in GIFT City

Deakin University:

The first international university to inaugurate a campus and begin operations in India is the Deakin University in GIFT City. With its parent entity in Victoria, Australia, Deakin is ranked 197 on the QS World University Rankings 2025.

University of Wollongong:

Also an Australian institution, it ranks 167 on the QS World University Rankings 2025.

Queen’s University Belfast and Coventry University:

Both these British universities are in their application phase. They plan on starting with post-graduate programs and a research wing and eventually expanding to undergraduate programs.

University of San Diego:

Although they don't have a campus of their own, the University of San Diego has signed an MOU with the Indian Institute of Technology Gandhinagar (IITGN) to offer joint double masters, dual degrees, and collaboration in research.

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​Deakin University in GIFT City 

Advantages of Studying in GIFT City for International and Indian Students  

Location: In 2024, more than 7,50,000 Indian students pursued higher education abroad, enticed by the quality of education. This signifies a strong demand for international education, making the presence of global universities in India a welcome opportunity for resident students to access prestigious degrees without relocating. On the other hand, for international students, these campuses offer cultural exposure and the chance to study in a rapidly emerging financial hotspot.

Tuition fee: Without compromising the quality of education, the fees at the GIFT City campuses are considerably lower than what parent entities charge. The University of Deakin charges INR 21.4 lakhs for Master's programs, offering students the same degree at a lower fee. Further, the scholarship support and the lower cost of living in India add to the appeal.

Industry landscape: The appeal of GIFT City campuses is enhanced by their proximity to the global fintech giants and the growing exchanges. This helps the students get relevant industry exposure at sought-after companies.

Future of Education in GIFT City

With the growing demand for foreign education, these international campuses are guaranteed to make GIFT City not only a financial hub but also a centre for learning. Given that the first hurdle of setting up campuses has been overcome, universities will shift their focus on diversifying their program offerings. 

Beyond providing very relevant master's programs, university partnerships have begun to enhance the volume and quality of research as well. The hands-on exposure that is guaranteed from such a financial hotspot is also a great reason to pursue education from GIFT City. The limited competition at this initial stage has made it the ideal time to study and work here. 

The regulatory policy of GIFT City is guaranteed to attract more universities in the near future. Many universities are in different stages of their application process. Additionally, the assistance of the Academic Infrastructure Service Providers (AISPs) has made it possible for universities to set up faster in India.

How GIFT City Compares to Other Educational Hubs?

​Conclusion

Despite the tax incentive, there are speculations about the future of these universities in GIFT City beyond the holiday period. Even the profitability of these institutions has played into the difficulty of more universities expanding to India.

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However, even with these worries, more students are expected to opt for GIFT City universities over moving abroad, given the affordability, education quality, and strong industry presence. A centre for international financial services, GIFT City will soon also be known as a centre of global institutions.

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