The Union Education Ministry issued three Letters of Approval (LoA) to three Foreign Higher Education Institutions – University of Bristol, the University of York and the University of New South Wales (UNSW) on Tuesday (June 9, 2026).
The LoAs were handed over by Secretary, Department of Higher Education and Chairman, University Grants Commission (UGC), Vineet Joshi, in the presence of Union Minister for Education Dharmendra Pradhan.
Mr. Pradhan said the setting up of these university campuses in India marked another important step in advancing the internationalisation of education vision of NEP 2020. He said these institutions will further strengthen quality education, global learning partnerships and research collaboration in India.
He noted that with Bristol and York establishing campuses in Mumbai, and UNSW setting up its campus in Bengaluru, these universities were aligning with two of India’s most dynamic technology and innovation hotspots, and Bengaluru which was the new Silicon Valley of the eastern part of the world.
The University of Bristol will establish its Mumbai Enterprise Campus, with proposed programmes in areas including 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 programmes in areas such as finance, computer science with artificial intelligence, cyber security, business, economics, creative industries and management.
The University of New South Wales will establish UNSW Bengaluru, scheduled to open from August 2026 at Manyata Business Park, Bengaluru.
The campus will offer programmes in areas including business, computer science and cyber security, while also enabling deeper engagement with India in areas such as renewable energy, health, transport and education.
The LoAs were received in person by Executive Dean and Director, University of Bristol, Michelle Jones; Vice-Chancellor, University of York, Charlie Jeffery, and Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Education and Student Experience, University of New South Wales, Sarah Maddison.
Representatives from the British High Commission, Australian High Commission, British Council, Education Ministry, UGC, and the three universities were also present.
The establishment of these campuses forms part of the broader internationalisation agenda under NEP 2020, which places strong emphasis on attaining the highest global standards in higher education quality and promoting India as a global study destination.
The UGC Regulations for setting up and operation of campuses of Foreign Higher Educational Institutions in India provide a time-bound framework for globally reputed institutions to establish campuses in the country, while maintaining institutional autonomy and global standards.
These campuses are expected to expand access to high-quality international education within India, promote two-way academic mobility, strengthen research and innovation, create new opportunities for Indian students, and deepen India’s education partnerships with the United Kingdom and Australia.
With the handover of LoAs to the University of Bristol, University of York and University of New South Wales, five LoAs have now been issued under the UGC Regulations for Foreign Higher Educational Institutions, including the University of Southampton and University of Liverpool. The University of Southampton has already commenced academic operations from the 2025–26 session. The UGC has also issued 10 Letters of Intent (LoIs) to other globally reputed FHEIs from U.K., U.S., Australia, Italy, for establishing campuses across India. Additionally, Deakin University, University of Wollongong, and Queen’s University Belfast have already started operations in GIFT City.
Published – June 11, 2026 01:45 am IST
