University of York to Open Mumbai Campus in 2026: A New Chapter in Global Higher Education
In a landmark move for international higher education, the University Grants Commission (UGC) has issued Letters of Intent to five foreign universities to establish independent campuses in India. Among these is the University of York, which is set to open its Mumbai campus by September 2026.
Why India, Why Now?
India’s rapidly growing youth population and progressive education policy were key drivers behind York’s decision. “India is probably the most exciting location in the world right now for international higher education,” Prof. Jeffery remarked.
With 20% of the world’s youth and 50% of its population under 25, India presents a demographic advantage unmatched elsewhere. Combined with the National Education Policy (NEP) that actively facilitates international collaboration, Prof. Jeffery said York found a “clear and predictable pathway” in India, unlike other nations where regulations often prove ambiguous or unfriendly to foreign institutions.
Mumbai as the Launchpad
Explaining the choice of Mumbai, Prof. Jeffery highlighted the city’s dynamism in biotechnology and creative industries, both areas where the University of York holds academic and research strength. The Mumbai campus will provide a gateway to cutting-edge innovation, building on York’s expertise in research-led education and integrating local industry from day one.
Campus Vision: Start Small, Grow Big
The Mumbai campus will initially launch with 200–300 students but is expected to expand rapidly to accommodate 10,000 students over the next decade. The early offerings will focus on:
- Business
- Computer Science
- Creative Technologies
These courses will be identical in structure and accreditation to those delivered at York’s home campus in the UK. A University-appointed provost will oversee academic standards, ensuring parity in teaching quality and curriculum delivery.
“We’re starting small to make sure we set everything up effectively, but then we’re going to grow rapidly,” Prof. Jeffery said.
Research Meets Industry: CoSTAR and More
The Mumbai campus will also serve as a satellite to York’s CoSTAR Live Lab—a UK government-funded initiative with £76 million invested in creative technologies. Speaking about this, Gavin Kearney, Co-Director of the Live Lab, shared that the new campus would enable Indian students to work on cross-border research projects and benefit from direct access to advanced UK-backed innovation.
This collaboration will tap into Mumbai’s thriving media and entertainment sector, allowing students to gain hands-on experience with cutting-edge tools and industry-relevant projects.
Degrees That Travel, Careers That Stay
A significant part of York’s India strategy is to blend global degrees with local career opportunities. While academic quality and certification remain unchanged from its UK counterpart, the Mumbai campus will offer placement and internship frameworks tailored for Indian students.
York has already signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Tech Entrepreneurs Association of Mumbai and has existing ties with industry giants such as Sun Pharma and Tata. These partnerships are expected to play a central role in the campus’s employability and innovation ecosystem.
“Indian students and parents expect strong career outcomes, and we’re committed to delivering on that from day one,” Prof. Jeffery noted.
York’s Indian Campus: Not a Migration Workaround
Addressing speculation that the India campus might serve as a workaround to increasingly tight UK immigration policies, Prof. Jeffery clarified:
“This isn’t about diverting students who might have gone to York in the UK. It’s about meeting India’s growing demand for higher education.”
He added that the environmental cost of global student mobility is also a factor. “Flying to the UK brings an environmental cost. Bringing the university to where students already are makes sense,” he said.
Global Standards, Local Delivery
York’s Mumbai campus won’t be a diluted version of its UK operations. Prof. Jeffery emphasized that York is one of only four UK universities with elite ratings in both teaching and research, alongside Oxford, Cambridge, and Imperial College London.
To maintain this quality:
- Courses will be UK-accredited
- Academic oversight will be maintained by York-appointed leadership
- Faculty will be recruited globally, with a long-term plan to build local expertise
“The University of York in Mumbai will be just as much York as our original campus,” he said.
A Nobel Vision for Mumbai
Looking beyond degrees and student numbers, Prof. Jeffery shared an ambitious long-term goal:
“It took us 61 years to get our first Nobel Prize back in York. It’s our ambition that it won’t take that long in Mumbai.”
The aim is to make the Mumbai campus not just a satellite of York’s excellence but a center of global research, innovation, and recognition in its own right.
Conclusion: A New Era of International Education in India
With the University of York’s Mumbai campus set to open in 2026, India’s higher education landscape is poised for transformation. Powered by a forward-thinking National Education Policy (NEP), global academic standards, and strong industry collaboration, the campus promises to deliver international education without leaving Indian soil.
As Prof. Jeffery put it, “We’re not just coming to India. We’re becoming a part of India’s educational journey.”
