Bengaluru: University of Bristol, one of the top universities in the world and the UK, announced today that it has been granted approval from the University Grants Commission (UGC) to create a new campus in Mumbai, which is due to open in summer 2026. This is a step forward in Bristol’s ambition to meet learners where they are across the globe through a global civic commitment. The University of Bristol chose Mumbai due to the city’s strong reputation for technology, innovation and the arts areas which align closely with Bristol’s own strengths – with a planned location close to central Mumbai.
One the occasion of the fifth anniversary of India’s National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, the University of Bristol has received a letter of intent from the Indian government to create a new Enterprise Campus in Mumbai. This milestone further cements its position as an internationally leading university that delivers on its mission to make a positive impact locally, nationally and globally at the heart of one of the world’s most dynamic global cities. The Letter of Intent was formally presented to Vice Chancellor and President of the university, Professor Evelyn Welch and a delegation from Bristol, by the Hon’ble Secretary Higher Education & Acting Chairman UGC Vineet Joshi during the NEP 2020 anniversary celebrations held in New Delhi.
The Mumbai Enterprise Campus will be the first international campus that the University of Bristol will be establishing, enabling the institution to deliver world-class education in-country, expanding access and creating real, long-term impact for students, educators, and communities alike in Mumbai, India and the region more broadly. Graduates from the India campus will benefit from global-standard curricula and strong industry linkages, creating seamless pathways to international careers while strengthening India’s skilled workforce.
Bristol’s Mumbai Enterprise Campus will bring together industry, academics, students and partners within a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem. Mirroring the University’s new Temple Quarter Enterprise Campus, due to open in September 2026, it will focus on how data, AI and immersive technologies meet and will have a distinctive emphasis on innovation, interdisciplinary education and inclusion.
Initial subjects taught will focus on areas of global distinction for Bristol such as data science, economics, finance and investment, immersive arts and financial technology, expanding to computer science and AI, business and management. The University is also planning to offer scholarships as part of its award-winning Think Big programme.
Through this development, the University of Bristol, which was last month named the 51st best university in the QS World University Rankings 2026, will seek to blend Transnational Education (TNE) with its innovative research and distinctive global civic engagement. It will grow the university’s global reach while contributing tangibly to its long-term sustainability and resilience.
Professor Evelyn Welch, Vice Chancellor and President of the University of Bristol said: “We are absolutely delighted to announce our intention to create a new campus in Mumbai which would mark a pivotal transformation in our 150-year history and a powerful, globally inclusive future we’re proud to build in partnership. Developing an in-country base has long been part of our international strategy and supports our ambition to be a top 50 global university.