University of Bristol to Launch Its First Overseas Campus in Mumbai by 2026
In a significant step towards strengthening global education partnerships, the University of Bristol from the United Kingdom is all set to open its very first international campus — and it’s coming to India. Set to begin operations by the summer of 2026, the new campus will be located near central Mumbai, a city chosen for its dynamic ecosystem of technology, innovation, and the arts.
This development was formally announced during the fifth-anniversary celebrations of India’s National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 in New Delhi. At the event, Vineet Joshi, Secretary of Higher Education and Acting Chairman of the University Grants Commission (UGC), handed over the Letter of Intent to Professor Evelyn Welch, the Vice Chancellor and President of the University of Bristol, along with a visiting delegation from the UK university.
The move is a landmark decision not only for the University of Bristol but also for India’s evolving higher education landscape. As one of the top-ranked universities globally — placed 51st in the QS World University Rankings 2026 — Bristol’s decision signals growing academic interest in establishing long-term educational footprints in India.
Why Mumbai?
The University of Bristol highlighted that Mumbai stood out as an ideal location thanks to its strong reputation as a hub of cutting-edge technology, vibrant arts, and innovation-driven industries. The planned campus will reflect these strengths by offering specialised courses tailored to India’s rapidly growing knowledge economy.
Initially, the Mumbai campus will offer undergraduate and postgraduate programs in high-demand areas such as data science, finance and investment, economics, immersive arts, and financial technology. There are also plans to expand into fields like artificial intelligence, computer science, business, and management in the near future. Additionally, the University is expected to roll out scholarship opportunities to support deserving students.
A Milestone in Internationalisation
Professor Evelyn Welch described the initiative as a “pivotal transformation” in the University’s 150-year journey. “Creating a new campus in Mumbai is not just about physical presence,” she said, “it’s about building a globally inclusive future. An in-country base in India has always been part of our long-term strategy to become one of the world’s top 50 universities.”
This venture aligns well with India’s broader educational ambitions under NEP 2020, which encourages the internationalisation of higher education and facilitates the entry of prestigious global universities to set up campuses in India.
Global Institutions Heading to India
The University of Bristol is not alone in this academic leap. A wave of top global universities is now looking to India to establish satellite campuses. The University of York (UK), University of Aberdeen (UK), University of Western Australia (UWA), Illinois Institute of Technology (USA), and IED Istituto Europeo di Design (Italy) are among the institutions approved to open branches in India soon.
In addition, three major Australian universities — Western Sydney University, Victoria University, and La Trobe University — were also granted Letters of Intent this week. Western Sydney University will establish its campus in Greater Noida, Victoria University in Noida, and La Trobe University in Bengaluru.
A Growing Trend
This trend follows the University Grants Commission’s 2023 announcement of new regulations for the setting up and operation of foreign higher educational institutions in India. These reforms are designed to make India an attractive destination for global academic partnerships, research collaborations, and world-class learning environments.
So far, more than 50 international universities have expressed interest in setting up campuses in India, marking a clear shift in how global education networks are evolving. With its first overseas venture in Mumbai, the University of Bristol joins this exciting new chapter in India’s educational journey — a chapter that promises to bring quality, diversity, and innovation to students right at home.
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