As part of the internationalisation of higher education, the University Grants Commission (UGC) has approved 18 public and private universities in Karnataka to enter into Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with foreign universities to offer twinning, joint degrees and dual degrees.
The UGC has released a list of universities eligible to offer these, which have National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) A+ and A++ grades.
Karnataka has permitted foreign universities to establish their campuses in the State. The United Kingdom (U.K.)-based University of Liverpool is already set to start functioning from the next academic year and has begun admissions. Others, such as Lancaster University, have signed MoU with the State government to start functioning.
In addition, many foreign universities have started research centres in public and private universities, including the U.K.-based University of Wolverhampton, which has started a research centre at Bengaluru City University. The Imperial School of London has taken steps to start a research centre.
Foreign universities that are unable to open campuses or research centres in the State have been allowed to offer twinning programmes, joint degrees and dual degrees in collaboration with universities here.
Eligible universities
According to the UGC list, the eligible universities are Bangalore University, Manipal Academy for Higher Education, PES University, Nitte University, KLE Academy of Higher Education and Research, Swami Vivekananda Yoga Anusandana Sansthan, Alliance University, Rewa University, M.S. Ramaiah University of Applied Sciences, J.S.S. Academy of Higher Education and Research, Karnataka State Open University, Dayananda Sagar University, Sri Siddhartha Academy of Higher Education, Yenepoya University, University of Agricultural Sciences-Bangalore, Christ University, Jain University and Adichunchanagiri University.
They have been allowed to offer degrees in Economics, Maths and Science.
The programmes
Under the twinning programme, any student can study any course for two years in a native university and then go to a foreign university for the third year. A dual degree programme allows a student to earn two separate degrees by studying two different fields, one at a native university and another one from a foreign university at the same time. Under a joint degree programme, students will awarded through integrated curricula by different universities at the same time.
Speaking to The Hindu, Higher Education Minister Dr. M.C. Sudhakar said, “The government has taken steps to make higher education international, and many foreign universities have already signed agreements with the State government and started operations. We have requested foreign universities that have not started campuses in the State to sign an MoU with local universities and offer joint degrees or dual degrees”.
Research centres
“Many foreign universities have started research centres in the State and have emphasised quality education. The University of Wales Trinity Saint David of the U.K. has entered into agreements with eight public universities in the State to set up research centres. That University will provide a total of £37,000 in funding, with each university receiving £4,500. The State government will cover the remaining amount. In addition, steps have also been taken to set up faculty exchange programmes with foreign universities,” he added.
Published – November 25, 2025 06:42 pm IST
