University of York to open Mumbai campus by 2026, offering AI, Business, and creative courses

Backed by India–U.K. collaboration, the campus will deliver high-demand degrees in tech, business, and innovation-led disciplines

The University of York, one of the U.K.'s research-intensive institutions and a member of the Russell Group, plans to open a new campus in Mumbai, officials said on Friday. During the ongoing WAVES Summit in Mumbai, the university’s vice-chancellor, Charlie Jeffery, discussed the initiative with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. A formal memorandum of understanding (MoU) has been signed with the Maharashtra chief minister, paving the way for the new campus.

The proposed campus is expected to welcome its first cohort of students in 2026. Subject to the final regulatory approvals from the University Grants Commission (UGC), it will offer undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in Computer Science with Artificial Intelligence and Cyber Security, Business, Economics, and creative industries.

It will initially open its doors in an existing building in a business quarter of Mumbai, with plans to develop a full campus complex over the coming years. Students will study in India and follow the York curriculum taught at its U.K. base, graduating with a University of York degree.

Programmes in emerging fields like AI, Cyber Security, and creative industries will be designed with global industry input, boosting job readiness in high-demand sectors and opening career pathways for Indian learners. "York's global reputation rests on its outstanding achievements in teaching and research and it is one of the only four universities in the U.K. alongside Oxford, Cambridge and Imperial College London which is both in the top 10 in the U.K. for the quality of its research and has a gold ranking for the quality of its teaching," Mr. Jeffery said.

 Mr. Jeffery added, “We have research strengths that align with India’s priorities, especially in the areas of digital technologies, creative industries and the real-world applications for AI systems. We look forward to working with our partners in India to welcome students and establish new research opportunities”.

The UGC had, in 2023, announced the setting up and operation of campuses under the Foreign Higher Educational Institutions in India Regulations. The U.K.'s Southampton University is in the process of setting up its campus in India this year.

Two Australian universities, Deakin and Wollongong, already have campuses in the Gujarat International Finance Tec-City (GIFT City). The Queen's University Belfast and the Coventry University have also received approval for setting up campuses in the GIFT City. So far, no U.S. university has an offshore campus in India.