UGC Approves Five Foreign Universities to Set Up Campuses in India; UWA to Launch in Mumbai and Chennai
Mumbai, 16th June 2025: In a major push towards internationalising Indian higher education, the University Grants Commission (UGC) has approved five foreign universities from the United Kingdom, the United States, Australia, and Italy to establish campuses in India. Official letters of consent were issued on Saturday, marking a significant step aligned with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which promotes global integration in Indian academia.
Among the institutions receiving approval is the University of Western Australia (UWA), a globally ranked institution that belongs to Australia’s prestigious Group of Eight universities. UWA will be setting up its first international campuses in Mumbai and Chennai — a landmark move as these will be its first full-fledged campuses outside Australia.
UWA has long-standing collaborations with Indian academic institutions and researchers. Recognising India as a rapidly evolving education market with a high demand for globally recognised degrees, the university sees this as the ideal moment to establish a stronger presence. With Indian government policies now encouraging foreign institutions to operate locally, UWA aims to deliver world-class education to Indian students without requiring them to leave the country.
Students enrolling at these Indian campuses can expect the same academic experience and curriculum as UWA’s Australian counterparts, at significantly lower tuition costs. There may also be opportunities for students to spend part of their course duration in Australia through exchange programmes.
The university selected Mumbai and Chennai for their status as leading hubs for education, business, and youth talent. Both cities also maintain strong historical and commercial ties with Perth, UWA’s home base, making them strategic choices for international expansion.
UWA will initially offer undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in business and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) fields. Over time, short-term programmes tailored to Indian industry needs may also be introduced.
The teaching faculty will include a blend of professors from Australia and India, combining international perspectives with local expertise. The university has assured that the academic standards and quality of instruction will be identical to those at its Australian campus.
Beyond academics, UWA plans to engage in student exchange initiatives, collaborative projects with Indian industries, and efforts to foster innovation and research. Over the coming years, the university hopes to emerge as a key player in the Indian higher education landscape.
