University of Bristol opens first international campus in Mumbai, welcomes inaugural cohort

The University of Bristol has opened its first international campus in Mumbai and welcomed its inaugural cohort, expanding the UK university's academic presence in India as foreign institutions establish physical campuses under the country's evolving higher education framework.

The Mumbai Enterprise Campus, located at the Cignus Powai development near Powai Lake and opposite the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay, will offer programs in areas including finance and data science. The campus is also expected to support research, innovation and industry collaborations.

The launch on Sept 11 marks a significant milestone for the University of Bristol, which is celebrating its 150th anniversary this year. Earlier this week, the university also opened its new Temple Quarter Enterprise Campus in Bristol.

The two campuses, despite being around 4,500 miles apart, share a focus on preparing students for rapidly developing fields such as data science and finance.

Bristol said the Mumbai campus reflects its long-term commitment to India and its confidence in the country's talent, innovation ecosystem and expanding role in the global knowledge economy.

Mumbai campus to focus on finance, data science

The Mumbai campus is located at the Cignus Powai development near Powai Lake, one of the city's major technology and innovation hubs. Situated opposite IIT Bombay, it will benefit from the university's strategic partnership with the institute, with collaboration planned in research and teaching.

Official approval for the campus was granted in July 2025 at an event in New Delhi marking the fifth anniversary of India's National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. The policy has sought to modernize India's higher education system and promote greater internationalization.

Professor Evelyn Welch, Vice-Chancellor and President of the University of Bristol, said, "Today marks a defining moment in the University of Bristol's 150-year history and an important milestone in our relationship with Maharashtra. We are confident in India's extraordinary talent, ambition and growing role in shaping the future of education, research and innovation.”

"Through our Mumbai Enterprise Campus, we aim to create new opportunities for research, innovation and knowledge exchange while providing students with a world-class Bristol education that is focused on the opportunities and challenges of the future,” Prof Welch added.

Inaugural cohort begins with global futures program

The inaugural students began their academic program with a three-week pre-semester course called the Bristol Global Futures Lab. The program included industry-led sessions and experiential learning designed to introduce students to the academic and professional environment they will encounter during their studies.

Degrees offered at the Mumbai campus are based on programs available at the University's Bristol campus but have been adapted to equip graduates with skills relevant to employers in India.

Students will have access to research and innovation opportunities, internships, industry relationships, experiential learning and global engagement.

Undergraduate students will also be able to access the University's Global Mobility opportunities, allowing selected students to undertake part of their studies at the UK campus.

“Undergraduate students will also have access to the University’s Global Mobility opportunities, enabling selected students to undertake part of their studies at the University’s UK campus. The programme will provide international academic exposure and opportunities to build cross-cultural and professional networks, further connecting the Mumbai campus with Bristol’s global community,” Bristol said in a statement.

Professor Michelle Jones, Director and Executive Dean of the Mumbai Enterprise Campus, said the university had received a positive response from students and parents as it began its first academic year in India.

"We are committed to India and to a more globally connected model of higher education in the country, and have received such a positive response from students and parents as we embark on our first year.”

"The activities that marked the opening of the campus, including industry dialogues, leadership conversations and experiential learning opportunities, are an early example of how we intend to connect academic excellence with industry, innovation and society. We look forward to building a vibrant community that strengthens collaboration between India and the UK while preparing students to succeed in an increasingly interconnected world."

Maharashtra students receive full tuition scholarships

Four students from Maharashtra were also present at the launch as recipients of the University of Bristol-Government of Maharashtra Scholarship, a scheme jointly established by the university and the state government earlier this year.

The scholarship provides a 100% tuition fee waiver to four students for the full duration of their studies. It also includes internship opportunities at the Chief Minister's Office.

Neha Kushe, one of the recipients of the University of Bristol-Government of Maharashtra Scholarship, said, "Receiving the Chief Minister's Scholarship is a moment that I am extremely grateful for. For me, it is not just an opportunity, but also it fuels my belief that my aspirations are worth investing in.

"Coming from a background in Physics and choosing to pursue a Master's in Finance and Investment is a completely new direction for me, and this scholarship has given me the confidence to take that step. Being able to study at the University of Bristol's Mumbai Enterprise Campus allows me to gain a globally recognised education while remaining in Mumbai.”

"I am grateful to the Government of Maharashtra and the University of Bristol for this opportunity and see it as an investment in young people and what we can contribute in the future."

Bristol campus adds to India's foreign university expansion

The Bristol campus is part of a broader expansion of international universities in India following regulatory changes that created a formal pathway for overseas higher education institutions to establish physical campuses in the country.

University Grants Commission regulations notified in 2023 established a framework for foreign higher education institutions to set up campuses in India, subject to requirements covering areas such as admissions, fees and academic standards.

The government has subsequently approved several overseas universities for campus development in the country.

Bristol is the fifth foreign university to have an operational campus in India, following Deakin University, the University of Wollongong, the University of Southampton and UNSW Sydney.

Deakin University began operations at GIFT City in Gujarat in 2024 and became the first independent foreign branch campus in India. Its campus includes digital classrooms and cybersecurity labs and focuses on the digital economy, with programs including a Master of Business Analytics and a Master of Cyber Security. Its first batch graduated in March 2026.

The University of Wollongong opened its GIFT City campus in November 2024. The Australian university has partnerships with companies including IBM and Odoo and has focused on finance-related programs, including a Master of Financial Technology and a Graduate Certificate in Financial Technology.

The University of Southampton began classes at its Gurugram campus in August 2026. It is the first foreign university to establish a campus in India under the standard UGC regulations outside the GIFT City special economic zone. The Russell Group university initially offers programs in business, management and computing.

More foreign universities preparing to open campuses

Other overseas institutions are also preparing to establish campuses in India. Western Sydney University is expected to begin operations in Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh, in late 2026 or early 2027, with proposed programs in agricultural technology, computer science and engineering.

Queen's University Belfast is expected to begin operations in GIFT City in 2027, with programs planned in areas including finance, software engineering and technology management.

Several other institutions have received Letters of Intent or formal approvals and are at different stages of campus development.

The Mumbai Enterprise Campus is Bristol's first overseas campus and builds on its existing academic and research connections with Indian institutions, including IIT Bombay.

Through the new campus, Bristol aims to expand access to its research and education while strengthening links between students, researchers, industry and institutions in India and the UK.

Alison Barrett MBE, Country Director India at the British Council, congratulated the university on the launch of its first international campus.

"Congratulations to the University of Bristol on the launch of its Mumbai Enterprise Campus, its first international campus globally.

"This milestone reflects the growing momentum of India–UK education collaboration and the shared ambitions of India's National Education Policy 2020 and India-UK Vision 2035.

"By bringing Bristol's research excellence and strengths across finance, technology, creativity and enterprise closer to students in India, the campus will expand access to globally recognised education, strengthen connections with industry and research, and equip learners with the skills and international perspectives needed for the future."