The University of Bristol, ranked 51st in the QS World University Rankings 2026, has received approval from India’s University Grants Commission (UGC) to establish its first international campus in Mumbai, set to commence operations in summer 2026. The announcement, made during the fifth anniversary celebrations of India’s National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, marks a historic step in transnational education for the 150-year-old UK institution.
The Mumbai Enterprise Campus, located near central Mumbai, was chosen for the city’s vibrant technology, innovation, and arts ecosystem, aligning with Bristol’s strengths. “We are delighted to create a campus in Mumbai, a pivotal transformation in our history,” said Vice Chancellor Professor Evelyn Welch, emphasizing the move’s role in Bristol’s ambition to remain a top 50 global university. The campus will mirror Bristol’s new Temple Quarter Enterprise Campus, opening in September 2026, focusing on data, AI, and immersive technologies with an emphasis on innovation and inclusion.
Initial programs will include data science, economics, finance and investment, immersive arts, and financial technology, expanding to computer science, AI, business, and management. Graduates will benefit from global-standard curricula and industry linkages, fostering international career pathways and bolstering India’s skilled workforce. The university plans to offer scholarships through its Think Big program to enhance accessibility.
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The Letter of Intent was presented to Professor Welch by UGC Acting Chairman Vineet Joshi during NEP 2020’s anniversary event in New Delhi, attended by Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, who noted over 50 foreign universities applied for UGC approval. Mumbai’s selection reflects its alignment with Bristol’s interdisciplinary strengths, as highlighted by Professor Michele Acuto, Pro Vice-Chancellor for Global Engagement: “This is a purposeful extension of our vision to meet learners with deep local engagement.”
Alison Barrett MBE, British Council India Director, praised the initiative as a testament to NEP 2020’s success in fostering UK-India educational ties. The campus, starting with 200–300 students and aiming for 10,000 within a decade, will blend Bristol’s research ethos with India’s innovation ecosystem, offering identical UK-accredited degrees and industry partnerships with firms like Tata and Sun Pharma.
This move, alongside other foreign universities like Illinois Tech and the University of York establishing Mumbai campuses, positions India as a global education hub, aligning with NEP 2020’s vision for 2047.
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