The Letter of Approval was presented by Dr Vineet Joshi, Secretary, Chairman, UGC to Professor Michelle Jones, Director and Executive Dean, University of Bristol Mumbai Enterprise Campus, at a ceremony attended by Hon'ble Union Minister for Education Shri Dharmendra Pradhan, British High Commissioner to the Republic of India and Alison Barrett MBE, Country Director India, British Council.
The approval represents a significant step in the University's India journey and reflects the continued implementation of India's National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which seeks to expand access to globally benchmarked higher education and strengthen India's position as an international education destination. The Letter of Approval positions the University of Bristol among a select group of leading international universities to receive an approval to establish a physical presence in India.
Professor Evelyn Welch, Vice-Chancellor and President of the University of Bristol, said: "We welcome the University Grants Commission's decision to grant a Letter of Approval for our Mumbai Enterprise Campus. This marks an important milestone in our long-term commitment to India and reflects the strength of the educational and research partnerships we have built across the country. We are grateful to the UGC and all our partners for their support throughout this process, and we look forward to bringing a Bristol education to students in one of the world's most dynamic and fast-growing economies."
Professor Michelle Jones, Director and Executive Dean of the Mumbai Enterprise Campus, said: "Today is a significant step towards opening the University of Bristol's Mumbai Enterprise Campus and welcoming our first cohort of students in August. They will join a global Bristol community, gain access to internationally recognised degrees and develop the skills, knowledge and networks needed to thrive in an increasingly competitive world. We look forward to working with our partners across higher education, industry, government and wider community as we establish the Mumbai Enterprise Campus as a hub for learning, collaboration and innovation."
Lindy Cameron CB OBE, British High Commissioner to the Republic of India, said: “It's fantastic to welcome the University of Bristol, ranked 51st in the world, to India. Our education partnership lies at the heart of UK-India Vision 2035, our shared commitment to nurture the next generation of global talent. The University of Bristol’s arrival in Mumbai takes us another step closer to delivering on that joint ambition."
Alison Barrett MBE, Country Director India, British Council, said: "The University of Bristol receiving its Letter of Approval for its Mumbai Enterprise Campus is a welcome milestone in the next phase of India–UK higher education collaboration. As one of the UK’s leading research-intensive universities, Bristol’s India campus will provide a world-class education experience for students in India, while strengthening academic, research and industry collaboration between both countries. This development reflects the shared commitment of the India-UK Vision 2035 to deepen educational partnerships, foster innovation-led growth, strengthen skills development, and create greater opportunities for students and researchers to engage, learn and collaborate across borders."
The first cohort of the Mumbai Enterprise Campus is scheduled to begin in August 2026 at Cignus Powai in Mumbai. It will be located in one of Mumbai's leading innovation and technology hubs, directly opposite IIT Bombay.
In its first year, the University expects to welcome up to 250 students across undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in Data Science, Economics, Finance and Immersive Arts, with enrolment projected to exceed 2,500 students by year five. Students will benefit from a globally respected Bristol education, research-led teaching, and opportunities to develop the skills and perspectives needed to thrive in an increasingly interconnected world.
Ranked 51st globally in the QS World University Rankings 2026, the University of Bristol is internationally recognised for research excellence and innovation. Through the Mumbai Enterprise Campus, the university aims to strengthen academic, research and industry collaboration between India and the United Kingdom while expanding access to a world-class education experience for students in India.
The University has already established strategic collaborations with leading academic, industry and government stakeholders in India, including IIT Bombay, Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), the Government of Maharashtra and the British Council. These partnerships are designed to create opportunities for research, innovation, employability and real-world learning experiences for students.