The University of Aberdeen has made an admissions call to all aspiring students in India to its new branch campus in Mumbai after Principal and Vice-Chancellor Professor Peter Edwards signed a Joint Venture agreement with a leading India-based education provider in the country on Tuesday 13 January.
The signing ceremony represents a significant step forward in the University’s global expansion ambitions – as they become the first Scottish university to open an in-country presence in India.
In collaboration with partners EruLearning Solutions Pvt. Ltd. (a subsidiary of the Eruditus/Emeritus Group), the University plans to open the facility in Powai, a suburb of Mumbai, in August 2026 with teaching beginning in September.
Initially, teaching will focus on AI, management, and computing and data science programmes, aligned with India’s National Education Policy 2020.
As part of his visit to Mumbai, Professor Edwards also strengthened industry-academia collaboration in the country with a number of official agreements (MoUs) with key India-based companies in the entrepreneurial and health and wellness sectors.
The Principal and Vice-Chancellor also chaired a roundtable on the impact of artificial intelligence on early-career talent, with industry leaders discussing how universities and employers can better prepare graduates for an AI-driven workplace.
The new campus underpins the University’s commitment to India and its vision of fostering world-class education, cutting-edge research and transformative innovation in collaboration with Indian institutions.
Building on decades of partnership working between the University of Aberdeen and more than 200 Indian universities and research centres including IITs – the Indian Institutes of Technology; AIIMS – All India Institute of Medical Sciences; ICAR - Indian Council of Agricultural Research; and the International Institute of Information Technology - Bangalore, the branch campus will serve as a hub for academic excellence and global problem-solving.
A follow up second phase will see the University aim to establish a research and innovation office on the new campus to expand research collaborations and industry partnerships in critical areas such as AI, Energy and Life Sciences.
Professor Peter Edwards, Principal & Vice-Chancellor of the University of Aberdeen, said: “For more than five centuries, the University of Aberdeen has stood for academic excellence, purpose-driven learning, and global engagement. Our entry into India reflects our commitment to delivering world-class, future-focused education to one of the world’s most dynamic talent ecosystems. As we prepare to welcome our first cohort, we look forward to building a globally connected academic community and working closely with stakeholders to foster meaningful collaborations that support India’s education and innovation ambitions.”
Alison Barrett MBE, Country Director India at the British Council, said: “I congratulate the University of Aberdeen on opening admissions for its Mumbai campus. International campuses are aligned with the priorities of the UK-India Vision 2035 and the National Education Policy 2020, and will expand access to globally recognised education, strengthening academic collaboration, and creating meaningful opportunities for students and educators. As the first Scottish university to be granted permission to establish a campus in India, Aberdeen’s entry reflects the growing trust and shared ambition between India and the UK.”
Harjinder Kang, British Deputy High Commissioner to Western India and His Majesty's Trade Commissioner to South Asia, said: “The University of Aberdeen opening its first Indian campus in Mumbai brings the India-UK Vision 2035 to life. As the first Scottish university to take this step, Aberdeen is expanding access to world-class UK degrees and equipping young people with future-ready skills in AI, data, and business. This is what our education partnership looks like in action - a shared commitment to nurture the next generation of global talent.”
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