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The University of York, one of the Russell Group universities, is set to launch its Mumbai campus next year, offering UK-equivalent degrees and scholarships.
University of York to open Mumbai campus next year offering UK-equivalent degrees.
As India opens its doors to global universities under NEP 2020, another foreign institution, the University of York, is set to establish its campus in the country. York will be among the first Russell Group universities to enter India, following the University of Southampton’s campus launch in Gurugram.
Ahead of its Mumbai launch next year, News18 spoke to Dr Akshay Malhotra, Chief Operating Officer of the University of York, Mumbai, about admissions, faculty hiring, degree equivalence and the academic philosophy the institution plans to introduce in India.
Here are the edited excerpts of the interview:
Q. When is the Mumbai campus expected to officially launch, and what will be the timeline for admissions, academic calendar, and the start of classes?
We are very excited about the launch of University of York Mumbai campus and with the progress we are making towards starting classes in the next academic year. We have already completed hiring for key leadership positions and have also begun faculty recruitment.
We will offer undergraduate programmes in Computer Science with Artificial Intelligence and Cyber Security, Business, Economics, and the Business of Creative Industries, and postgraduate programmes in Finance, Management and Artificial Intelligence
The application link is now live on the University of York Mumbai website. Classes for the first batch are planned to begin in the first week of September next year.
Q. Will York Mumbai offer scholarships, financial aid, or early campus immersion programmes for incoming students, and how will students become eligible for them?
We will be offering merit-based, need-based, and special achievement scholarships. The aim is to build a diverse and inclusive campus where exceptional merit is recognised, and at the same time, a student is not held back by their financial circumstances. Students from all Indian boards, such as CBSE, ICSE, and the various State Boards, as well as IB and A-Level students will be eligible to apply. We will be offering a number of mobility opportunities, more details on which will be announced very shortly.
Q. What academic philosophy or teaching DNA from York UK do you consider non-negotiable to maintain at the Mumbai campus?
For me, three aspects of York’s academic DNA are absolutely central to the Mumbai campus. First is the commitment to research-led teaching, where students are exposed to active scholarship and inquiry rather than rote content, so they learn to think, question and innovate. Second is a pedagogy rooted in small-group teaching, personal mentorship and flexibility, which ensures that we nurture individuals rather than batches. And finally, our commitment to holistic student development, which includes cultivating critical thinking, ethical awareness, global exposure and support for overall wellbeing, because a university must educate the whole person and not merely produce graduates.
Q. As India pushes for internationalisation through NEP 2020, how do you see York Mumbai fitting into India’s higher-education landscape and competing with existing global collaborations or foreign branch campuses?
I would start by complimenting the Indian policymakers for NEP 2020. It is a milestone for Indian education, and with the entry of foreign universities, it has the potential to become a milestone for global education as well. I don’t see this as competition at all, but in fact, as a lot of opportunities for collaboration. India has space for many good institutions, as long as they are focused on value-driven, industry-oriented and high-quality education. At York, we are very mindful of the legacy we bring, and we are fully aware of both the responsibility and the tremendous opportunity that the Mumbai campus represents for us in this new landscape.
Q. The quality of faculty is the backbone of research-driven education. Are you planning to recruit primarily from global academia, Indian institutions, or a mix? What will be your benchmark of faculty excellence?
We have already begun the process of faculty hiring, and we have been very particular about one thing – that is, our emphasis on making sure the faculty we bring on board meets the same standards that we expect at our UK campus. Our faculty will be a mix of colleagues that we will have hired – both internationally and from India – and those on secondment from York UK
The idea is to build a truly global campus, and the diversity of experience and perspective this group will bring is a very important part of that vision. The benchmark for faculty excellence in Mumbai will be exactly the same as in the UK: outstanding teachers, impactful research, and engaged mentors and role models for our students.
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Q. Students and parents will have a key concern: Will a degree from York Mumbai hold the same weight globally as one from York UK?
The degree that our students at the University of York Mumbai will receive is exactly the same as the one awarded at York UK. The Mumbai campus is our branch campus in India and so they will earn the same degree, enjoy all the benefits of being University of York alumni, and their qualification will carry the same weight and recognition as the degrees awarded by the University of York, in the UK.
Q. What kind of industry partnerships, research labs or experiential learning spaces are being planned for the Mumbai campus to ensure students graduate with global readiness and employability?
The University of York already has a strong track record of global industry collaboration, and we plan to extend that approach in India by building partnerships with leading companies across technology, finance and the creative industries. At the Mumbai campus, we are working on setting up industry-linked research and innovation spaces in areas such as computing, data science, sustainability and the creative economy, where students can work on real-world projects alongside industry partners.
We will also be looking to develop experiential learning spaces to ensure students can gain practical skills and hands-on exposure. Our aim is to create an ecosystem where every student graduates with global readiness, relevant industry experience and strong employability.
Click here to add News18 as your preferred news source on Google. December 09, 2025, 12:44 IST
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