The University Grants Commission (UGC) has officially granted Letters of Intent (LoIs) to five globally renowned foreign universities, allowing them to set up campuses in India. The universities selected are from the UK, USA, Australia, and Italy. These new institutions are expected to be established in Mumbai and Navi Mumbai, with admissions likely to begin by December 2026.
Universities Included in the List
The five universities approved to establish campuses in India are:
- University of York (UK)
- University of Western Australia (Australia)
- University of Aberdeen (UK)
- Illinois Institute of Technology (USA)
- IED Istituto Europeo di Design (Italy)
Among these, the University of Western Australia will also set up a second campus in Chennai, in addition to its Mumbai location.
Formal Ceremony in Mumbai
The LoIs were handed over during an official ceremony in Mumbai, attended by Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, other state officials, acting UGC Chairperson Vineet Joshi, and vice-chancellors of the respective universities.
Timeline for Admissions and Launch
With the issuance of the LoIs, the selected universities are expected to start campus operations within 18 months. This means admission cycles for the new campuses are likely to start before the end of 2026.
The move is part of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020’s emphasis on internationalisation of higher education, aiming to bring world-class academic institutions directly to Indian students.
First-Time Approval for Scottish Institution
The University of Aberdeen has become the first Scottish university and one of the UK’s oldest to receive UGC’s permission for establishing a campus in India. The proposal is currently pending approval from the university’s governing body.
Location and Infrastructure Plans
The new campuses will be primarily located in Navi Mumbai, within a proposed ‘International Education City’ being developed near the upcoming Navi Mumbai International Airport. This education city will span five kilometers and is intended to host international university campuses in one integrated space.
CIDCO (City and Industrial Development Corporation) is overseeing the development of this education zone, with strong backing from the Maharashtra government. It will be the first such education hub of its kind in the country.
Other Foreign Universities Already in Progress
Prior to this announcement, the University of Southampton and the University of Liverpool had also declared plans to establish Indian campuses. The University of Southampton is set to begin admissions in September 2025 at its Gurgaon campus, while the University of Liverpool is expected to start operations in Bengaluru by September 2026.
