Amid geopolitical tensions, new-age Indian universities emerge as alternatives to foreign undergraduate education

Universities such as Ashoka, Plaksha, and Masters Union have taken steps to make it easier for students with admits in foreign universities to apply to their institution. Others note increasing inquiries from students and parents who either face visa rejections or are apprehensive of going abroad     

At a time when studying abroad is getting tougher, new-age private universities that position themselves on their global education system are emerging as an alternative for students who typically pursue a foreign undergraduate education. These institutions have also taken special efforts to capture attention of these students.

Universities such as Ashoka, Plaksha, and Masters Union are among private universities who have taken steps to make it easier for students with admits in foreign universities to apply to their institution and have also seen interest under such separate application tracks. Others such as FLAME University note increasing inquiries from students and parents who either face visa rejections or are apprehensive of going abroad.

Plaksha University extended its application deadline for students holding firm acceptance offers from global engineering universities.

Rajiv Khosla, VP - Ext Engagement, Plaksha University, said, “We introduced this initiative to accommodate exceptionally talented students who were considering alternative pathways despite already securing places at prestigious institutions abroad. We’re very pleased with the interest it generated, and the extended deadline has now closed.”  

“At Plaksha, our curriculum is built on interdisciplinary learning and is supported by partnerships with renowned universities such as UC Berkeley,” he added.

Ashoka has specifically opened up a special admissions track for those holding US admissions and said that this was to support students and families seeking academic continuity and a world-class education, as they navigate increasing concerns around safety, visa delays, and shifting global policies.

Gurugram-based Masters’ Union, which offers undergraduate degrees in tech and business management, data science and other courses in partnership with other educational institutions, has allowed students with foreign admits to skip their entrance test and directly invites them for group discussion this year. “We opened this a week ago and we have seen around 30 applications in this timeline, and we can take up to 60-70 students in this track,” Swati Ganeti, Director of Undergraduate Programmes at Masters’ Union, said.

Though FLAME University has closed its admissions for the year and not extending it for such students, Ms. Anju Deoskar, Director - Admissions Outreach (UG), FLAME, says they are getting calls from students with foreign admits who now face visa rejection or are apprehensive of studying aboad. “In fact some of these requests and queries are also from second year students in the US,” she adds.

Further, universities with joint degree programmes, which involve two years in India and two in partner foreign universities are also seeing increased takers.

“At BITS, we are seeing good traction for our joint degree programmes wherein students do 2 years in India and 2 abroad. W have tie ups with universities in the US, Australia and France for that. It saves up to 40 per cent of tuition costs for the parents and also makes them comfortable to send their children abroad after two more years,” V Ramgopal Rao, vice chancellor BITS Pilani group of institutions, said.

Education experts said that while the new-age universities are not a substitute for students who have secured admissions in marquee US institutions, they are fast emerging as an alternative to global education.

Ramkumar Ramamoorthy, former Chairman and MD, Cognizant India, says that new-age private universities, especially those funded by corporate houses and collective philanthropy efforts, have reimagined higher education in India and are setting benchmarks in a very short period. “These universities have attracted some of the best faculty globally, established collaborative linkages with the best global institutions, and brought in inter-disciplinary thinking and immersive learning,” he added.

This article has valuable insights from Ms. Anju Deoskar, Director of Admissions Outreach (UG), FLAME University.