International universities like the University of York and the Illinois Institute of Technology have received Letters of Intent from the UGC to set up campuses in Mumbai and Navi Mumbai. Admissions to the new campuses should begin by December 2026.
Top UK, USA, Australian, and Italian universities have legally accepted Letters of Intent (LoIs) by the University Grants Commission (UGC) for them to set up campuses in Mumbai and Navi Mumbai regions.
University of York Vice Chancellor: “India is the most thrilling destination for global higher education.”
Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan held the handover ceremony in Mumbai today, with vice-chancellors of the participating universities, Vineet Joshi, acting chairperson of the UGC, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, and other deputy chief ministers.
Which five world universities are setting up campus in India?
The following institutions have received the LoIs: IED Istituto Europeo di Design (Italy), University of York (UK), University of Western Australia (UWA), University of Aberdeen (UK), and Illinois Institute of Technology (USA). In addition, there will be a second University of Western Australia campus in Chennai.
The oldest Scottish university to be approved for a branch campus in India is the University of Aberdeen, which is itself one of the oldest in the United Kingdom. The Court, the governing body of the University, will now take the proposal on board and make a decision whether or not to approve it next month.
What is the expected date of opening admissions to overseas campuses?
The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 vision of globalizing higher education in India is being realized to a large extent with the issue of LoIs. Accordingly, the recipient colleges have been approved to open campuses throughout the country.
The New Student has learned that universities now have 18 months to announce admissions for a fresh class after the UGC issued Letters of Intent (LoIs). For most of these universities, the admissions process is expected to begin prior to December 2026.
The University of Southampton and the University of Liverpool, two British universities, had earlier stated that they were setting up campuses in India. The University of Liverpool is expected to launch in Bengaluru in September 2026, while the University of Southampton is set to begin its first admissions cycle in September at its Gurgaon campus.
Where will the universities be located?
As part of a planned International Education City near the upcoming Navi Mumbai International Airport, the universities are to be set up in Navi Mumbai. The aim of the project, being driven by the Maharashtra government with support from CIDCO (City and Industrial Development Corporation), is to create the first 5-kilometer education hub in India where students can avail world-class international education without the need to go overseas.
Devendra Fadnavis, Maharashtra’s chief minister, announced in May that CIDCO would build a “Edu City” in Navi Mumbai where international university campuses would be located for the first time in India.
International institutions are providing India with additional opportunities. How?
The setup of global university campuses in India represents a revolutionary phase in the history of India’s higher education, providing an entry point to enormous new possibilities for students, educators, and the academic community in general. With established institutions such as the University of York, University of Western Australia, University of Aberdeen, Illinois Institute of Technology, and IED Istituto Europeo di Design opening up campuses in India, students can avail themselves of education that is world-recognized without incurring the financial and logistical expense of studying outside of the country. This step is in consonance with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which focuses on internationalization and the establishment of a world-class academic hub in India. The establishment of these universities introduces advanced curricula, international academics, research networks, and multicultural exposure to Indian shores. It opens up the opportunity for Indian students to earn globally competitive degrees while being based in their home country’s socio-economic parameters.
In addition to intellectual benefits, these campuses will likely drive employment generation, promote innovation, and facilitate knowledge exchange between international and domestic institutions. Students will gain from improved networking, internship with global companies, and the capacity to establish an international career path without necessarily having to move abroad. What’s more, this development would also stem the brain drain that has traditionally witnessed Indian students moving abroad for quality education. With the development of a strong global education system in India, the nation has the potential to hold on to talent and become a stronger global higher learning hub. Moreover, it provides opportunities for collaborative work for Indian researchers and teachers with foreign peers, raising the bar for academia and creating a culture of innovation. As they open for business—most by 2026—they are not only educational expansion, but a larger commitment to making India a hub for learning, innovation, and opportunity in the 21st century.
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