British Council Champions Climate Skills, Multilingualism, and Innovation in Education

silient UK–India Academic Collaboration Paves Way for Inclusive, Global Learning

The UK government introduced significant revisions to its immigration policies with the release of its Immigration White Paper on 12 May. These changes aim to establish a more structured and stringent framework for entry via work, study, and settlement pathways, affecting both international professionals and students. Notably, the Graduate Route visa duration is proposed to be reduced from 24 to 18 months, which could impact international graduates seeking employment post-study. Despite these adjustments, Alison Barrett MBE, British Council Country Director for India, reassured prospective students that the UK remains steadfast in offering a high-quality academic environment. She emphasised that UK institutions continue to uphold their global reputation for excellence, diversity, and inclusivity, ensuring Indian and other international students can still access world-class education. While policy shifts may present certain challenges, the UK’s broader commitment to international education remains unchanged.
Although no timeline has been set for the phased implementation of the new immigration policies, Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson reaffirmed that international students are valued as key assets to UK universities, communities, and the nation. The UK’s high education standards, global recognition, and international exposure maintain its appeal as a prime destination for Indian students. Furthermore, the government remains committed to attracting global talent and ensuring a positive experience for international learners.

UK institutions continue to promote openness, diversity, and inclusivity, supporting students’ contributions to campus life, research, and the economy. The Graduate Route visa, which permits graduates to stay post-study, remains available, with prospective students advised to rely on official sources for updates and to prioritise programme quality and personal interests. In a major development for transnational education, several UK universities are expanding their presence in India. The University of Southampton will open a campus in Gurugram by August 2025, the University of Liverpool plans to launch in Bengaluru in 2026, and Queen’s University Belfast will start operations in GIFT City, Gujarat, later this year. Other UK institutions are also preparing similar expansions. Since the introduction of India’s 2023 academic collaboration regulations, there has been a notable rise in jointly developed postgraduate and master’s programmes between Indian and UK universities.

The British Council has played a pivotal role in advancing educational collaboration between India and the UK. It supports policy dialogues such as the 2022 Mutual Recognition of Qualifications (MRQ) agreement, offers regulatory feedback, publishes research, and guides UK universities on India’s regulatory landscape. The establishment of UK university campuses in India marks a strategic phase to meet growing demand for quality education, offering affordable global experiences and fostering local and international networks for graduates. This presence is also expected to attract British students to India, enhancing cross-cultural exchange and academic ties.

The MRQ agreement facilitates formal recognition of degrees across both countries, easing student mobility for further study and employment. Recent reforms by the University Grants Commission (UGC) introduced a transparent, technology-driven system to recognise foreign qualifications, addressing previous delays and uncertainties. As a result, UK degree holders covered by the MRQ no longer require additional certification in India. However, professional qualifications in fields such as Medicine, Engineering, Pharmacy, Nursing, Law, and Architecture remain regulated by India’s Statutory Councils and are excluded from the agreement.

This agreement aims to boost academic mobility, joint degrees, collaborative research, and career opportunities. The British Council actively supports this internationalisation by facilitating academic partnerships, contributing to policy development, and guiding institutions in cross-border collaboration to maximise benefits for students, educators, and employers in both countries. The remarkable 274% increase in Indian student enrolments in the UK from 2019 to 2023 highlights the success of initiatives like the Graduate Route visa, which allows graduates to remain in the UK for up to 18 months for work experience. The UK and India collaborate through strategic programmes such as Internationalising Higher Education (IHE), the UK–India Education and Research Initiative (UKIERI), and the Going Global Partnerships scheme, which has facilitated over 100 institutional collaborations in the past three years.

These initiatives aim to strengthen academic-industry linkages, build institutional capacity, and support joint curriculum development, research, and dual degree programmes. To further align the higher education systems, the British Council signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the UGC in December 2024, facilitating knowledge exchange between ENIC UK and the UGC, supporting the UGC’s ENIC UK database membership, and exploring further collaboration to enhance mutual recognition and understanding.

Meanwhile, the Union Budget 2025–26 reaffirmed the Indian Government’s commitment to education and skills development. It announced the establishment of five National Centres of Excellence for Skilling and the development of global skilling partnerships to prepare youth for a competitive global economy. Additionally, ₹500 crore was allocated to establish a Centre of Excellence for Artificial Intelligence in Education, while Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) will expand infrastructure to accommodate 6,500 additional students, enhancing the nation’s technical and digital capabilities.

In a complementary effort, the Bharatiya Bhasha Pustak scheme was recognised for promoting inclusive education and preserving regional languages by providing digital access to Indian language publications. The British Council expressed readiness to collaborate with the Indian government on such initiatives, aiming to empower youth both locally and globally. Furthermore, the British Council recently conducted the Climate Skills – Seeds for Transition India facilitator training, part of a global programme developed with HSBC. This initiative equips young people and communities with the skills necessary to address climate change and support the transition to a net-zero future.

Climate skills were defined as encompassing knowledge, values, and practical abilities that enable individuals to understand climate change, respond effectively, and promote sustainable development. The programme adopts a cross-cultural approach, beginning with core life skills like communication, leadership, and empathy, which are then enhanced by technical competencies through experiential learning. These include climate literacy, environmental leadership, and community engagement, all aimed at fostering climate-positive solutions tailored to local contexts.

The crucial role of educators was emphasised, highlighting their responsibility to ensure climate education is evidence-based, contextually relevant, inclusive, and action-oriented. Recently, over 55 educators from leading Indian institutions, the Energy and Resources Institute, Hyderabad Sind National Collegiate University, and the University of Mumbai, were trained through this programme to deliver innovative climate skills education to youth. These educators are now better equipped to guide students in understanding environmental challenges, developing practical solutions, and fostering leadership and resilience. The initiative aims to train 290 master trainers and engage approximately 2,000 young people across India within the next year.

Presented as a long-term international commitment, the programme emphasises collaboration from local to global levels. It seeks to move beyond dialogue by partnering with governments, communities, and institutions to implement practical, grassroots climate solutions. Many strategies align with UNESCO’s 2023 report, Seeds of Change, to which the British Council contributed. Importantly, climate skills are vital not only for youth but also for educators, who act as key agents of change, empowering students to confront the climate crisis at local, national, and international levels.

India’s linguistic diversity was recognised as a major asset, with the National Education Policy (NEP) promoting regional languages and multilingual education (MLE) to strengthen early literacy. Simultaneously, English remains a global lingua franca essential for international education, research, and employment, providing Indian students and professionals with a competitive edge. It was emphasised that the promotion of regional languages and English education is complementary, not mutually exclusive. Using a learner’s home language as a foundation supports better comprehension and deeper understanding in acquiring English and other languages. The British Council has been actively collaborating with Indian government bodies and stakeholders to promote multilingual education alongside high-quality English language teaching, learning, and assessment. It strongly supports the NEP’s vision of multilingual classrooms and the integration of India’s linguistic richness into education.

By fostering both multilingualism and English proficiency, India is well-positioned to achieve inclusive growth, strengthen connections between local and global communities, and prepare its youth to thrive in a globalised world. English usage is expected to rise, maintaining its dominance as the world’s leading language for at least the next decade, while coexisting with increasing linguistic diversity, according to the British Council’s report The Future of English: Global Perspectives. English is projected to remain a vital bridge language across key sectors such as education, international business, diplomacy, science, and technology. Proficiency in English will continue to be essential for accessing global educational opportunities, employment, and career advancement. Its prominence in the digital domain is notable, being the most widely used language on the internet, and with the rise of artificial intelligence, machine learning, and large language models primarily developed in English, its significance is set to grow further.

English’s global reach and abundant learning resources provide distinct advantages over other languages. As the most widely taught foreign language worldwide, it often serves as a prerequisite for participation in international academic, professional, and digital arenas. In multilingual societies, English frequently acts as a neutral medium, fostering inclusive dialogue and effective collaboration. While its role is evolving amid global linguistic shifts, English is expected to continue offering considerable social, educational, and economic benefits alongside other world languages. The evolving educational and linguistic landscape highlights the enduring importance of UK-India collaboration, climate education, and multilingualism, positioning both nations for inclusive growth and sustainable global engagement.

Editor’s Note

The UK’s Immigration White Paper signals a shift towards stricter post-study opportunities, with the Graduate Route visa being reduced from 24 months to 18 months. However, alongside these restrictions, UK–India academic collaborations are expanding, highlighting the complex balance between national policies and global education engagement.UK universities establishing campuses in India reflect a strategic adaptation, aligning with India's investments in skills, AI, and multilingual learning under the NEP. Agreements like the MRQ and ongoing collaborative initiatives ensure smoother academic mobility and stronger institutional ties. Meanwhile, the British Council’s emphasis on climate education, multilingualism, and skills development reinforces a model of international cooperation that extends beyond academia. As education continues to evolve, the focus remains on inclusivity, adaptability, and real-world impact. 

According to Skoobuzz, the evolving UK–India education partnership, despite policy shifts, reflects a steadfast commitment to global collaboration, innovation, and inclusive growth in an ever-changing world.