In a boost to the internationalisation of higher education under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, the Ministry of Education on Tuesday issued Letters of Approval (LoAs) to three globally reputed foreign universities – the University of Bristol, University of York, and University of New South Wales – to establish campuses in India.
The Letters of Approval were handed over by Higher Education Secretary and University Grants Commission (UGC) Chairman Dr. Vineet Joshi in the presence of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan at a ceremony attended by representatives of the universities, foreign missions, the UGC, and the Education Ministry.
Speaking at the event, Pradhan said the establishment of campuses by the three institutions marks another significant milestone in advancing the internationalisation vision of NEP 2020. He noted that the move would strengthen access to quality education, foster global learning partnerships, and promote research collaboration in India.
The minister highlighted that the University of Bristol and the University of York will establish campuses in Mumbai, while the University of New South Wales (UNSW) will set up its campus in Bengaluru. He described the two cities as major centres of knowledge, technology, innovation, and entrepreneurship, adding that Bengaluru has emerged as a global technology hub.
The University of Bristol’s Mumbai Enterprise Campus will offer programmes in areas such as immersive arts, finance, data science, economics, business management, entrepreneurship, and innovation.
The University of York will establish its first overseas campus in Mumbai, with proposed courses in finance, computer science with artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, business, economics, creative industries, and management.
Meanwhile, UNSW Bengaluru is scheduled to begin operations in August 2026 at Manyata Business Park. The campus will offer programmes in business, computer science, and cybersecurity, while also supporting research and collaboration in sectors such as renewable energy, health, transport, and education.
The Ministrysaid the initiative is part of the broader internationalisation agenda under NEP 2020, which seeks to bring global standards of higher education to India and position the country as a leading international study destination.
The UGC’s regulations governing the establishment of foreign higher educational institutions in India provide a transparent, streamlined, and time-bound framework for globally reputed universities to set up campuses while maintaining academic autonomy and international standards.
According to the ministry, the new campuses are expected to expand access to high-quality international education within India, encourage academic mobility, strengthen research and innovation, and create new opportunities for Indian students.
With the latest approvals, five foreign universities have now received Letters of Approval under the UGC regulations, including the University of Southampton and the University of Liverpool. The University of Southampton has already commenced academic operations in India from the 2025–26 academic session.
The UGC has also issued 10 Letters of Intent to other reputed foreign institutions from the United Kingdom, United States, Australia, and Italy for establishing campuses across the country. Additionally, the Deakin University, University of Wollongong, and Queen’s University Belfast have already begun operations in GIFT City.
The Ministry said the growing interest from leading global institutions reflects increasing confidence in India’s regulatory and academic ecosystem and supports the development of a globally competitive, inclusive, and future-ready higher education sector.
