DBT Bureau
Pune, 27 March 2025
upGrad, a provider of online skilling and lifelong learning, has partnered with the State University of New York (SUNY) Delhi to expand its footprint in India. SUNY is the largest public university system in the United States, with 64 campuses through its initiative, Global Academy, to enable Indian learners to pursue undergraduate education in some of the leading Top 100 American schools at a significantly lower cost, including Cornell University, an Ivy League school.
For study abroad aspirants, largely coming out of Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities, studying abroad often feels out of reach due to high costs, cultural unpreparedness, and complex credit transfers. With limited seats and intense competition, these hurdles block countless talented students from accessing global education.
This exclusive partnership offers transfer opportunities to prestigious institutions like Stony Brook University, the University of Buffalo, and the University of Albany and introduces an innovative pathway model for India’s high school graduates. It allows learners to pursue Year 1 credits from SUNY GA Online and transfer them to any of the 64 campuses within the SUNY system.
Some of the broad areas of study include the most sought-after domains like Computer Science, Business, Engineering & Tech, Nursing and Health, Architecture, Economics, Law, and Liberal Arts, among others. Learners receive academic support, transfer advisory, and career guidance from SUNY advisors and upGrad coaches to ensure a tailored experience from the beginning.
The curriculum entails both academics and experiential leadership development, offering Harvard Business Review case studies, leadership modules, research opportunities, and academic mentorship from SUNY advisors to ensure learners are set up for success in academics and culturally in the U.S. From career advisory to a seamless integration in the U.S., every step has been designed to set learners up for a successful global migration. The shortlisting process involves an entrance exam and two interview rounds to assess academic aspirations.
Talking about the expansion and opportunity, Sarah Bjorks, Executive Director, SUNY, said:
“We are excited to introduce this prestigious partnership, a collaboration rooted in our shared commitment towards undergraduate studies for students in India. Together, we aim to develop academic readiness, provide pastoral care, and ensure students are holistically supported
Throughout before they transfer on-campus. This partnership with upGrad will allow students to transfer to SUNY campuses with advanced academic standing and empower them to make an informed decision on which major to choose. This partnership is dedicated to helping students develop a sharper career foresight and a deeper understanding of their academic goals, positioning them for long-term success. We are confident that our collaboration will play a critical role in shaping not only their educational path but also their personal and professional future in the United States.”
Mayank Kumar, Co-founder, upGrad, added:
“It is very interesting to witness the internationalisation of India’s higher education space—the increasing scale and size of student mobility to some of the world’s leading universities. There’s a significant rise in affluence levels among Indian households and a growing aspiration for world-class education among families to send their children overseas. We are one of the largest and most favorable talent platforms for global universities looking to expand into hybrid modalities, and this collaboration will drive that opportunity. It is an enabler that will empower Bachelor’s aspirants in India with access to high-quality American education while also elevating our global standing as the talent capital.”
