Mumbai is set to become a hub for global education as two prominent universities—the University of York from the UK and the University of Western Australia (UWA)—announced plans to establish campuses in the city.
The announcements were made during the inaugural World Audio Visual and Entertainment Summit (WAVES), hosted by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting from May 1–4 at the Jio World Centre. The University of York becomes the sixth UK university and the fourth Russell Group member to unveil India campus plans. According to the university, its Mumbai campus is expected to open in the 2026–27 academic year, offering undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in computer science with artificial intelligence and cybersecurity, business, economics, and creative industries. The initiative will also focus heavily on research in areas such as food security, climate change, and future technologies. Professor Charlie Jeffery, Vice-Chancellor of York, met with Prime Minister Narendra Modi to present the university’s India vision. “This venture is guided by our commitment to public good, and we look forward to contributing to India’s ambitious goals for economic growth and global leadership,” Jeffery said.
The Mumbai campus will initially operate from an existing building in a business district and will eventually expand into a full-fledged complex. Students will graduate with a York degree after completing the curriculum taught to UK standards. UWA, a member of Australia’s Group of Eight, also declared its intent to establish a campus in India, marking the first such move by a Go8 institution. The campus will offer degrees in STEM, business, and creative disciplines, including programmes from its Conservatorium of Music. Though a launch date is yet to be confirmed, UWA Chancellor Diane Smith-Gander credited India’s recent regulatory reforms for making the move feasible. “India’s policy shift opened new doors for international campuses. The demographic strength and student demand made it an ideal location,” Smith-Gander told Times Now Digital. Students at the India campus will have the option to transfer to UWA’s main campus in Perth. Both institutions are awaiting approvals from the University Grants Commission. UWA is also evaluating a second campus site in Tamil Nadu.
These announcements align with Maharashtra’s vision to turn ‘Third Mumbai’, a planned development near Navi Mumbai, into a major education and innovation zone. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis expressed pride in attracting globally reputed universities to the region. The developments follow similar expansions by UK’s University of Southampton and Australian institutions Deakin and Wollongong in Gujarat’s GIFT City. They arrive amid financial uncertainty in both UK and Australian higher education sectors, which are grappling with budget cuts and funding shortfalls, making international ventures increasingly strategic.
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