Global Careers Begin Here: Deloitte Joins Forces with Southampton Delhi Campus

Skills-First Future: Southampton-Deloitte Alliance Equips Students for Tomorrow’s Workforce

In today’s evolving employment landscape, the demand for practical, job-ready skills continues to outpace traditional qualifications. A 2025 survey conducted by hiring platform Indeed revealed that 80% of Indian employers now follow a skills-first hiring strategy, underscoring a fundamental shift in recruitment priorities, particularly in sectors such as technology, finance, and digital transformation. Responding to this trend, the University of Southampton’s Delhi campus has established a strategic partnership with Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu. As reported on 23 June 2025, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed to formalise this collaboration, aimed at expanding opportunities for internships, placements, and graduate employment.

Scheduled to open in August, the Delhi campus will be the first international university in India approved under the National Education Policy. It will launch undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in economics, finance, computing, and business disciplines tailored to meet the requirements of a global job market. Alongside in-person academic support, students will gain access to a suite of career development tools, including digital resources, tailored workshops, and personalised guidance.

Through its collaboration with Deloitte India, the University aims to embed industry expertise within its academic offerings. Students are expected to benefit not only from placement opportunities but also from guest lectures, experiential learning, and career mentoring, particularly at Deloitte’s Gurgaon office. Furthermore, this initiative is intended to lay the groundwork for sustained partnerships in innovation, community outreach, and collaborative research.

Professor Andrew Atherton, Vice-President for International and Engagement, emphasised the University’s commitment to excellence in teaching, research, and global engagement, values mirrored in the establishment of its India campus. He expressed that the collaboration with Deloitte would offer students direct exposure to industry leaders and real-world experiences integral to career success. Echoing this sentiment, Kamlesh Vyas, Partner at Deloitte India, noted that high-quality higher education is crucial to unlocking India’s demographic potential. He highlighted the arrival of globally recognised universities as a pivotal development and reaffirmed Deloitte’s commitment to equipping future graduates with the capabilities needed to contribute meaningfully to national progress.

This new partnership joins an expanding portfolio of industry collaborations at the Delhi campus, including existing ties with Investec and Comviva, demonstrating the University of Southampton’s ongoing effort to integrate industry engagement into the core of its educational model. Together, these initiatives represent a robust step toward bridging the gap between academic learning and employability in India’s fast-changing economy.

Editor’s Note:

In today's job market, skills are paramount, often outweighing the importance of degrees. Students require more than just theoretical knowledge; they need practical experience, industry exposure, and the self-assurance to tackle demanding roles from the outset. The collaboration between the University of Southampton's Delhi campus and Deloitte India addresses this need directly. This partnership distinguishes itself through its strong ties to crucial job sectors such as technology, finance, and digital strategy. Deloitte's participation significantly enhances the University's commitment to employability, transforming it into a tangible outcome. Students will not only gain knowledge about the industry but also become integral to it through internships, mentorship, and hands-on learning experiences.

Skoobuzz highlights that to remain globally competitive and create local impact, Indian higher education requires such pertinent collaborations. These partnerships help bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and the evolving needs of modern workplaces.