Aberdeen to become first Scottish university to open campus in Mumbai in India

Aberdeen is set to become the first of the UK’s ancient and Scottish universities to open a campus branch in India.

Plans for the university’s global expansion ambitions took a step forward after India’s University Grants Commission (UGC) gave permission to progress with proposals to open a branch campus in Mumbai in September 2026.

The proposal will now go to the university’s governing body court for approval next month.

The University of Aberdeen was granted a Letter of Intent at a special ceremony on Saturday in Mumbai, hosted by the Indian Government, as discussions remain ongoing between the UGC and Transnational Education partners in India.

The University of Aberdeen was granted a Letter of Intent at a ceremony in Mumbai on Saturday. Aberdeen University via Supplied

The new Mumbai campus will offer Computing and Data Science, Business Management, Economics, Artificial Intelligence programs and an MBA with future expansion into Mathematics and International Business Management and Information Systems, Public Health, Film Studies and Psychology.

A follow up second phase would see the university aim to establish a research and innovation office on the proposed new campus to expand research collaborations and industry partnerships in critical areas such as AI, Energy and Life Sciences.

Professor Siladitya Bhattacharya, vice-principal of global engagement at the University of Aberdeen, said: “We are excited to progress our global ambitions after the Indian Government gave us approval to proceed with our intention for a campus.

“As a country of over 1.4bn where 50% of the population are under 25, India has long been a priority area for our global engagement strategy focusing on student recruitment, articulation partnerships, research collaborations and alumni networks.

“We are looking forward to collaborating with our Indian partners to bring this vision to life and further bolster ties between Scotland and India through education and research.”

Alison Barrett MBE, country director India at the British Council, said: “The University of Aberdeen’s decision to progress with a campus in Mumbai marks an important moment in deepening the education partnership between India and the UK.

“It reflects our shared commitment to advancing the internationalisation of higher education, research, and innovation, as envisioned in India’s National Education Policy 2020.

“As the first Scottish university to be granted permission to set up a campus in India, this is more than just an institutional milestone; it underscores how education can serve as a bridge between nations, fostering cultural exchange, mutual respect, and creating global opportunities for students and academics alike. We are proud to support initiatives that bring world-class education closer to students in India.”