UGC approves three foreign universities to open campuses in India

The University Grants Commission (UGC) has approved three foreign universities to establish campuses in India, enabling them to begin admissions for their first batches of students.

The approvals have been granted to the University of York and the University of Bristol for their Mumbai campuses and to UNSW Sydney for its Bengaluru campus.

The development is part of the UGC's framework allowing foreign higher education institutions to operate in India under the National Education Policy's internationalization initiative.

The approvals were handed over on June 9 at an event in New Delhi attended by Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and senior representatives from the universities and government.

Those present included UGC Chairman and Higher Education Secretary Vineet Joshi, University of York Vice-Chancellor Charlie Jeffery, University of Bristol Mumbai Enterprise Campus Director Michelle Jones, British High Commissioner Lindy Cameron, and British Council India Director Alison Barrett.

The University of York said it has received its Letter of Approval from the UGC and will begin admissions for the 2026 academic session at its Mumbai campus.

The university plans to offer undergraduate courses in business, economics, and computer science, along with postgraduate programs in artificial intelligence, finance, and management.

The University of Bristol has also received approval for its Mumbai Enterprise Campus. The institution said its first batch is expected to begin classes in August 2026 from a temporary location at Cignus Powai in Mumbai.

During the first year, the university plans to admit up to 250 students across undergraduate and postgraduate programs in data science, economics, finance, and immersive arts.

UNSW Sydney has been cleared to set up its first international campus in Bengaluru. Academic activities are scheduled to begin in August 2026 at Embassy Manyata Business Park.

The university will initially offer undergraduate degrees in business, computer science, and data science, along with a postgraduate program in cybersecurity.

With the approvals granted to the University of Bristol, the University of York, and UNSW Sydney, the UGC has now issued five Letters of Approval to foreign higher education institutions planning campuses in India. The other approved institutions are the University of Southampton and the University of Liverpool.

The University of Southampton has already started academic operations for the 2025-26 academic session.

According to the UGC, 10 Letters of Intent have also been issued since last year to universities from the UK, the US, Australia, and Italy interested in establishing campuses in India.

Separately, Deakin University, the University of Wollongong, and Queen's University Belfast are already operating from GIFT City in Gujarat.