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British Private Schools Open New Campuses Across India

Schools are shifting expansion to India to offset new domestic VAT charges and stricter regulations in the Chinese market.

Updated on Oct. 23, 2026 in Secondary Education

Gouache-painted illustration of a colonial-style brick archway building nestled in lush tropical trees, representing international school expansion.
British private schools including Harrow and Bedford are accelerating campus expansion into India to manage rising domestic costs and regulatory pressures abroad. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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British private schools, including Harrow and Bedford, have rapidly expanded into India by opening new satellite campuses. This shift comes as schools face a 20% VAT on domestic fees introduced on January 1, 2025, and tighter educational regulations in China.

Why it matters

Schools are diversifying their international footprint to offset the financial pressure caused by Britain's new 20% tax on private school tuition. The move also serves as a strategic pivot following China's 2024 mandate requiring schools to integrate patriotic education.

Between 2011 and 2023, 50 UK schools generated £152.4 million in profit from 151 overseas campuses. Currently, schools like Harrow School operate in India with 60% international staff to meet local demand among the 250 million children enrolled in the country's school system.

The players

Harrow School

A historic British independent boarding school that has aggressively expanded its international presence to Bengaluru.

Bedford School

A long-standing British educational institution that established a new satellite campus in Mohali, India.

Shrewsbury School

A prestige British private school currently operating a satellite campus in Bhopal.

Wellington College

A prominent British independent school that maintains a satellite location in Pune.

The details

British institutions operate in India through partnerships with local investors, allowing them to scale quickly while sharing overhead. These schools maintain their brand identity by implementing the Cambridge curriculum from primary levels through A-levels. This model helps schools hedge against rising costs in Britain, where full boarding annual fees can reach £15,000, while navigating away from the restricted regulatory landscape in China.

Timeline

  1. 2011-2023: British schools generated £152.4m in overseas profit.

  2. 2023: Harrow School opened its Bengaluru campus.

  3. 2024: China enacted a law requiring patriotic education in schools.

  4. January 1, 2025: Britain introduced a 20% VAT on private school fees.

  5. 2026: Bedford School Mohali opened.

The Home Front

This international expansion follows a pattern of UK schools seeking new revenue streams to stabilize budgets against shifting domestic tax policies. It highlights a move away from the Chinese market following the 2024 law requiring schools to integrate patriotic education.

Families exploring private education should monitor how these international partnerships influence long-term tuition costs and curriculum stability at home. It is worth reviewing the specific accreditation of satellite campuses to ensure credits are transferable if relocating internationally.

The takeaway

Schools are increasingly looking toward India to maintain financial stability amid new domestic tax burdens. Parents should consider how these global shifts affect the long-term value and consistency of international private school programs.

Further reading

For more on the changing landscape of global schooling, visit the Secondary Education section.

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Do you believe the arrival of elite foreign private schools improves education in your community?