GIFT City is a thriving international finance and technology centre in India.  

With already strong academic collaborations in the country, the new campus will help reinforce partnerships and opportunities for innovation with local industry, government and business sectors across India and Northern Ireland. 

This commitment represents a significant milestone and cements Queen’s position as a leading global university that is committed to fostering international collaborations. It feeds directly into Queen’s’ Strategy 2030, in which building partnerships and collaborations around the world is a key priority for the coming years.  

The new international campus will offer a portfolio of five postgraduate programmes initially, tailored to the specific needs of the Indian economy. There are plans to increase the range of courses in the coming years and to welcome PhD students who will support the growth of the India campus into a hub for research and innovation.  

Initial Master’s programmes will focus on equipping students with high-demand skills in the areas of finance, technology and business analytics providing an enriching student learning experience with Queen’s proven pedagogy and industry-ready curriculum. 

Plans are currently being developed around recruitment opportunities for the project, and Queen's look forward to offering a transformative learning environment that connects global expertise with local relevance. 

Queen’s President and Vice Chancellor Professor Sir Ian Greer said: 

“We are delighted that work is underway to bring Queen’s University’s world-class education to the wider student base in India. Our campus will offer opportunity and potential for a diverse range of students whilst also delivering social value and economic impact to the region.” 

“With a focus on innovation and collaboration, our GIFT City campus will create opportunities for knowledge exchange and advance the shared goal of sustainable economic development.” 

Lindy Cameron, British High Commissioner to India, said: 

“I am thrilled to see Queen’s University Belfast come to Gujarat. As one of the UK’s oldest universities and a member of the Russell Group of institutions renowned for research excellence, I am confident this new campus will bring incredible value to India’s talented young minds. UK-India collaboration in the space of academia has contributed not only to significant scientific breakthroughs and economic growth but also to the deep, lifelong friendships between our people.” 

“This announcement is particularly special for me - I am a Northern Irishwoman with a long connection to Queen’s. My parents studied and met there, and I was very proud to be awarded an honorary doctorate last year.  So, I can personally testify to the value of its degrees.”  

Stephen Hickling, British Deputy High Commissioner to Gujarat and Rajasthan, said: 

“I congratulate Queen’s University Belfast on their ambitious venture at GIFT City, becoming the first UK university to open a campus here. We look forward to continuing to support the team as the project develops. Queen’s is the latest in a roster of leading British organisations to look to Gujarat for its Indian collaboration.”  

Also commenting on the announcement Dr. Dipesh Shah, Executive Director of the International Financial Services Centre Authority (IFSC) in Gift City said: 

“We welcome Queen’s University Belfast to GIFT IFSC. The International Branch Campus regulations of IFSC Authority enables seamless onboarding of top foreign universities in GIFT City. This would be first UK University entering GIFT IFSC.” 

For more information on GIFT City, please visit: https://www.qub.ac.uk/india/

Media

For media enquiries please contact Leanne Barnett, Head of Strategic Communications at Queen’s University Belfast via email: l.barnett@qub.ac.uk