UK’s University of Bristol to open offshore campus in Mumbai

The University of Bristol, a prestigious institution in the UK, will set up its first offshore campus in Mumbai by 2026.

The decision comes as part of India’s initiative to internationalize higher education under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which allows foreign universities to establish campuses in the country.

The announcement was made during a British Council-organized media interaction in New Delhi, where a delegation from the university shared plans for the Mumbai venture.

This marks one of the first concrete steps by a UK university to establish a physical presence in India under the new policy regime.

While the location within Mumbai is still being finalized, the university has confirmed that it will offer undergraduate and postgraduate programs aligned with both UK and Indian academic standards.

The courses will focus on areas of mutual interest such as data science, public health, and climate change.

Bristol Vice-Chancellor Prof. Evelyn Welch emphasized the significance of the move, calling India a “priority partner” and stating that the new campus would enable more Indian students to access global-quality education without leaving the country.

She also mentioned plans to collaborate with Indian industry and research institutions for joint projects and innovation.

The University of Bristol is ranked among the top 10 in the UK and the top 60 globally. The move follows recent policy developments in India, including UGC’s draft regulations that allow foreign universities in the top 500 global rankings to set up campuses in India with significant academic and financial autonomy.

UGC Chairman Prof. M Jagadesh Kumar welcomed the development and said it aligns with the government’s broader goal of making India a global education hub.