Mumbai has taken a significant step towards strengthening its position as a global higher education destination with four international universities establishing campuses in the city and beginning operations. The University of Bristol, University of York, Illinois Institute of Technology and University of Aberdeen have commenced their presence in Maharashtra and welcomed their first cohorts of students, bringing internationally connected academic opportunities closer to learners in India.
The arrival of the four universities is also aligned with the state’s growing focus on building an environment where global institutions can contribute to education, research, innovation and talent development.
With the new campuses, students will have opportunities to pursue internationally oriented curricula and academic experiences without having to leave the city. The institutions are also expected to create possibilities for collaboration in research, innovation and industry, allowing students and academics to engage more closely with global academic networks while remaining connected to India’s rapidly developing knowledge economy.
Welcoming the development, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis described the opening of the four international campuses as an important milestone in the state’s vision of becoming a global destination for higher education. He said the initiative would expand access to globally benchmarked education for students while contributing to Mumbai’s academic, research and innovation ecosystem. He also welcomed the University of Bristol, University of York, Illinois Institute of Technology and University of Aberdeen to Maharashtra and highlighted their potential contribution to the state’s growing knowledge economy.
The initiative also has the strategic support of Emeritus, which is serving as the universities’ joint venture partner in India.
According to Emeritus CEO and Co-founder Ashwin Damera, the entry of four international universities into Mumbai represents an important development for Indian higher education by bringing globally connected learning closer to students while creating scope for stronger academic, research and industry engagement.
The institutions are expected to create opportunities for learners to engage with fields that are increasingly relevant to changing industry requirements and a rapidly evolving global economy.
Beyond classroom education, the campuses are expected to strengthen links between students and international academic communities.
Last updated on 18 Sep 2026
