ASU officials have promoted the ASU London option as a way for Indian students to avoid ongoing struggles with the U.S. visa process, New Delhi-based news outlet BW Education first reported.
The students would earn a bachelor's degree in the U.K., and the University would allow them to earn a master's degree in the U.S. ASU Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Chris Howard told BW Education that the University is seeking to improve access to programs for international students as it deals with the current visa restrictions.
"This is the world we're in, and we're trying to deal with it as best we can," he told BW Education.
In a written statement, a University spokesperson said ASU London Centre for Advanced Learning is an independent, U.K.-accredited institution allowing students to earn a bachelor's and master's degree in four years.
"ASU London is designed for globally minded students—from the U.K., U.S., and around the world—who want a hands-on, internationally immersive education with a clear pathway to U.S.-based graduate study and expanded career opportunities in both the U.K. and U.S.," the spokesperson said in the statement.
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Students in the program will complete a three-year undergraduate degree in London in collaboration with the Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering and W. P. Carey School of Business, the spokesperson said. They can then finish their master's degree at ASU in the U.S.
Howard told BW Education that the University is offering financial aid options for students, including a $6,743.78 scholarship for eligible students and India-specific loan pathways for students planning to study in London.
The program comes as international enrollment at ASU has declined.
The University enrolled 3% fewer international students in the Fall 2025 semester compared to the previous year, according to ASU News. Challenges in booking visa appointments were cited as the primary cause of the enrollment decrease.
In October 2025, ASU President Michael Crow said in an interview with The State Press that Indian students had faced particular difficulties obtaining visas.
The University has previously promoted an online option for international students who cannot obtain a U.S. visa. Crow told The State Press that students have the pathway to begin their degree programs virtually and study in the U.S. when their visas are approved.
Tharun Goud Dasugari, a graduate student studying management of technology and an international student from India, said his visa application was rejected three times before he could successfully enter the U.S.
"You cannot control the regulations (or) the outcomes," he said.
Dasugari said some of his friends wanted to attend ASU but ultimately did not due to visa issues. He said international students who want to study at ASU can utilize the London pathway to do so.
However, this is not a straightforward solution. Ryka Rajkumar, a junior studying information technology and an international student from India, said the initiative may introduce a new layer of visa complexity.
Even if students obtain a U.K. visa for their undergraduate studies, it's not guaranteed that they can obtain a U.S. visa for their graduate degree, Rajkumar said.
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That issue brings uncertainty, Rajkumar said, particularly for students who invest three years in London expecting a guaranteed transition to the U.S.
She also questioned whether the London experience could fully replicate the in-person networking opportunities that draw some international students to ASU in the first place. A hybrid pathway may not fulfill that desire, Rajkumar said.
"As an international (student), I feel like it is important to network," she said. "It's not just come here, study, get a degree and go."
Still, Rajkumar said she recognizes the initiative's value for students who are hesitant or unable to study directly in the U.S. It could potentially improve flexibility and reduce risks, she said.
"I do see this as a supportive option, but the effectiveness will depend on how well it aligns with each student and their goals," Rajkumar said.
Edited by Carsten Oyer, Senna James, Emilio Alvarado, Sophia Braccio and Ellis Preston.
Reach the reporter at swang496@asu.edu.
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Quinn is currently a first-year Barrett student studying Business Data Analytics & Supply Chain Management with a minor in fashion. She is the Professional Development Intern for ASU's DECA Chapter and a part of Phi Alpha Delta in addition to being a politics reporter at the State Press.
