Foreign Universities to Open Campuses in Mumbai Under India’s NEP 2020

Top UK and Australian Universities to Launch Campuses in Mumbai Under NEP 202

Mumbai is poised to become India’s global education gateway as top foreign universities plan independent campuses in the city.

In a landmark development for India’s higher education sector, five prominent international universities including the University of Birmingham (UK) and Deakin University (Australia) have received Letters of Intent (LoIs) from the Maharashtra government to establish campuses in Mumbai. The move aligns with India’s National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which encourages top-ranked global institutions to operate independently within the country.

This marks a major milestone in the internationalisation of Indian higher education, with Mumbai emerging as the launchpad for this transformative shift.

Leading Institutions Enter Indian Market

Deakin University, which already made headlines by becoming the first foreign university to receive UGC approval under NEP 2020 for its Gujarat International Finance Tec-City (GIFT City) campus, now sets its sights on Mumbai for further expansion. Following closely is the University of Birmingham, which plans to start operations by 2026, bringing British academic excellence to India’s commercial capital.

Read More: UK Universities to Open Campuses in Gujarat’s GIFT City by 2026

Other institutions reportedly receiving LoIs include universities from USA and Australia, with negotiations ongoing for final approvals and operational planning.

Why Mumbai?

Mumbai offers a strategic advantage: world-class infrastructure, a thriving corporate ecosystem, and a cosmopolitan student base. It is not only a financial hub but also a rapidly growing educational destination, making it a natural choice for international universities seeking industry integration, internship pipelines, and strong post-study opportunities for students.

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Academic Offerings and Curriculum

The upcoming branch campuses are expected to offer undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in Business, Technology, Engineering, Data Science, and Health Sciences. These programs will mirror the quality, pedagogy, and academic rigour of their home campuses, featuring:

Globally-recruited faculty

Cross-border exchange programs

Research collaboration with Indian institutions and industries

World-class labs, infrastructure, and innovation hubs

Importantly, these degrees will hold the same value as those awarded overseas, giving Indian students access to international qualifications without having to travel abroad.

Policy Backing and Vision

The LoIs have been issued under the Maharashtra State’s commitment to implementing the Union Government’s NEP 2020 goals. The policy envisions attracting top 500 global institutions to set up Indian campuses, enabling cross-border academic exchange and improving the global ranking of Indian institutions through partnerships.

“This is a great leap towards transforming Mumbai into an international education hub,” said a Maharashtra education official quoted by the Times of India.

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With five universities already receiving LoIs, Maharashtra’s education department expects more foreign institutions to follow, turning Mumbai into a beacon for international education. This is likely to trigger increased student mobility, faculty exchange, and global research collaboration, contributing to India’s rise as a knowledge economy.

As NEP 2020 begins to take shape on the ground, the launch of these campuses marks a pivotal moment in Indian higher education, setting the tone for a future where global learning comes home.