Prime Highlight
- The University of Cambridge is expanding its engagement with India by launching a new research hub and widening undergraduate access for high-performing Indian students.
- The initiative aims to strengthen long-term academic, research, and innovation partnerships between the UK and India.
Key Facts
- Cambridge will establish the Cambridge-India Centre for Advanced Studies, operating across multiple locations in India through partnerships rather than a single campus.
- The university will accept CBSE Class 12 qualifications for select undergraduate courses and has created a new foundation to fund Indian students and joint research projects.
Background
The University of Cambridge announced on Tuesday that it is expanding its work with India by launching a new research hub and widening access for high-performing Indian undergraduate students. The initiative marks a fresh push to strengthen academic and research links between the UK and India.
At the centre of the expansion is the Cambridge-India Centre for Advanced Studies (CAS), which will focus on innovation, research, and learning. The centre will act as a key hub for Cambridge’s presence in India and support collaboration across education, policy and social impact. Unlike a traditional campus, the centre will work across multiple locations in India through partnerships, without being tied to a single physical site.
Cambridge Vice-Chancellor Deborah Prentice said the new centre offers an opportunity to work closely with India’s leading researchers and innovators. During a visit to Delhi this week, she also announced that the university will accept the CBSE Class 12 qualification for some undergraduate courses, along with additional requirements.
The university has also set up the Cambridge India Research Foundation to raise funds for Indian students. The foundation will support bursaries, tuition fees, living costs, and joint research projects. It will also explore new ways to fund scholarships for talented Indian students.
British High Commissioner to India Lindy Cameron said the initiatives support the UK-India Vision 2035, which focuses on building future global talent through education and research cooperation.
Beyond academics, Cambridge is also strengthening cultural ties. The Cambridge University Men’s Cricket Team will tour India in March 2026 for the first time in 15 years, with plans for the women’s team to visit next year. The university will also host a UK-India partners event at Lord’s during the Oxford-Cambridge Varsity match.
Cambridge highlighted its long connection with India, noting alumni such as Srinivasa Ramanujan, Amartya Sen, Jawaharlal Nehru, and Subrahmanyam Chandrashekhar. The university said it aims to build on this legacy to form modern and dynamic partnerships with India.
