Russell Group unis that plan to open campuses in other countries despite being low on money

In case you’ve missed it, even the fanciest Russell Group unis are struggling for funds right now. Way fewer international students go to university in the UK now, and unis’ bank accounts are feeling the difference. Despite this current financial crisis, loads of Russell Group unis are spending lots of money on new campuses in other countries.

Outside of the Russell Group, the University of Surrey and the University of Coventry are also planning to open campuses in India. I guess their logic is that if fewer international students are coming to unis in the UK, then the UK unis might as well go to the international students?

So, here are all the Russell Group unis which are planning to open new campuses in other countries, despite all their financial woes.

University of Exeter

Part of Ain Shams University’s campus used to be a palace
(Image by Marwa Fayez via Creative Commons)

In January 2025, Exeter Uni announced it will open a new branch campus in Egypt. It’s the first Russell Group uni to start a partnership like this anywhere in Africa. The new campus will be located at Ain Shams University in Cairo. Students can do courses there accredited by the University of Exeter, and also some “dual degree options” run by both unis. There will be plenty of exchange programmes between the Cairo campus and the main Exeter campus in the UK.

Newcastle University

Regulations in India were changed in 2023, so foreign unis are now allowed to open campuses there.

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The uni already has international campuses in Malaysia and Singapore. Newcastle is contemplating opening a new campus in India.  A Newcastle University spokesperson told The Tab: “We are in the very early stages of exploring new education partnerships in India. We are keeping staff informed of our plans and how they will help to strengthen our future as one of the world’s top universities.”

This is a controversial plan, because Newcastle Uni is struggling with money right now. Staff announced last week that they’d be going on strike because of proposed job cuts. The uni has an operating deficit of £5.2 million from the 2024/2025 academic year. Newcastle aims to dispose of around 300 jobs, to save £20 million.

The secretary of the Newcastle branch of the University and College Union (UCU), Jo Grady, said: “The vice-chancellor now needs to concentrate on resolving this dispute and avoiding strike action at home before thinking about opening up new campuses in India.”

Queen’s University Belfast

Will Queen’s University Belfast also open an Irish pub in India? Bc I honestly think that’s the main appeal of that uni

Queen’s is opening a campus in Gujarat International Finance Tec City in Ahmedabad – a new business district with tax exemptions to encourage foreign businesses. The University of Surrey announced in February 2025 that it’s looking into starting a campus in the same place.

Students can start Queen’s University Belfast courses there in 2026. The uni is investing somewhere between £5 million and £7 million into this new campus.

A lot of the staff and students at Queen’s aren’t impressed with this plan. They don’t think the uni should be investing money into a new campus right now. In February 2025, Queen’s announced they were resorting to saving money through job cuts. The uni started a voluntary severance scheme to get rid of 270 people – which is about 5 per cent of the staff.

University of Southampton

University of Southampton Delhi will pen in August 2025. The new campus is part of International Tech Park Gurgaon. To start with, students will be able to do undergrad degrees in accounting and finance, economics, computer science and business management. The campus is also offering postgrad courses in finance and international management.

It will be way cheaper for Indian students to study at this new campus than in Southampton. Tuition fees at the Delhi campus are expected to be around half of what the fees are for international students on the same course in Southampton. Plus, you don’t have to pay for Visas and loads of flights. Or live in Southampton.

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