In a landmark development for India’s higher education landscape, six foreign universities have committed a combined ₹1,000 crore scholarship pool as they prepare to open their India campuses and begin student admissions starting August–September 2026. The initiative is aimed at making globally accredited international degrees accessible to Indian students without the cost and complexity of studying abroad.
The six universities are: University of Aberdeen, University of Bristol, Illinois Institute of Technology (Illinois Tech), University of Liverpool, Victoria University, and University of York. Their India campuses are being set up in partnership with Singapore-based edtech firm Eruditus, with most campuses located at the CIDCO-developed International Education City near the Navi Mumbai International Airport — India’s first such dedicated education hub.
Which 6 Universities Are Offering Scholarships?
Here is a quick overview of the six participating universities and their scholarship offerings:
| University | Country | Scholarship Offered | India Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Aberdeen | UK (Scotland) | ₹2 lakh annual tuition waiver (Pioneer Scholarship) | International Education City, Navi Mumbai |
| University of Bristol | UK | ₹5 lakh/year (UG), ₹10 lakh/year (PG with 2–4 yrs experience) | Mumbai Enterprise Campus |
| Illinois Institute of Technology | USA | Up to ₹20 lakh | Navi Mumbai |
| University of Liverpool | UK | Part of the ₹1,000 crore pool | Bengaluru (KWIN Hub) |
| Victoria University | Australia | ₹3 lakh annual waiver (VU Block Model India Scholarship) | Navi Mumbai |
| University of York | UK | Part of the ₹1,000 crore pool | International Education City, Navi Mumbai |
What is India’s International Education City (EduCity)?
The International Education City is a first-of-its-kind 250-acre academic zone being developed by CIDCO (City and Industrial Development Corporation) near the upcoming Navi Mumbai International Airport. Planned as a 5-km-long education hub, it will exclusively house campuses of top global universities. The Maharashtra state government, in partnership with the central government’s National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and the UGC’s 2023 Foreign Higher Educational Institutions (FHEI) regulations, has spearheaded this initiative to position Mumbai as a global education hub.
Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan presented formal Letters of Intent (LoIs) to five of these universities in June 2025 at a high-profile event. The UGC has since granted formal approval to institutions including the University of Bristol and the University of Aberdeen, enabling them to commence admissions.
Why Does This Matter for Indian Students?
Currently, India sends nearly 19 students abroad for every one international student it receives, contributing to an estimated USD 70 billion in annual overseas education spending. These new India campuses are expected to offer the same curriculum, faculty standards, and degree credentials as the UK, US, and Australian home campuses — but at 25–40% lower fees than studying abroad.
The scholarship framework includes both merit-based and need-based support, with a special focus on students from Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities, first-generation learners, and those enrolling in high-demand disciplines like AI, Data Science, and STEM.
Programmes and Courses Offered
The universities will offer both undergraduate (UG) and postgraduate (PG) programmes. Key academic disciplines include:
- Artificial Intelligence and Data Science
- Computer Science and Cyber Security
- Business Management and MBA
- Economics
- Computational Biosystems Design
- Engineering (Illinois Tech)
- Creative Industries (University of York)
- Life Sciences and Energy Research (University of Aberdeen)
Students graduating from these India campuses will receive the same degree as students at the home campus in the UK, USA, or Australia, accredited under the respective country’s standards (TEQSA for Australia, UK higher education framework, US accreditation for Illinois Tech).
Admission Timeline
| University | First Intake |
|---|---|
| Illinois Institute of Technology | August 2026 |
| University of Aberdeen | September 2026 |
| University of Bristol | Summer / August 2026 |
| University of Liverpool | August–September 2026 |
| Victoria University | 2026 (as per programme) |
| University of York | August–September 2026 |
Official Website and Important Links
- UGC Official Website: ugc.ac.in
- Ministry of Education: education.gov.in
- CIDCO (EduCity): cidco.maharashtra.gov.in
- Admission Details – AglaSem: admission.aglasem.com
- CUET UG 2026 (AglaSem): admission.aglasem.com/cuet/
- Scholarships (AglaSem News): news.aglasem.com – Scholarships
This initiative represents a major turning point in India’s efforts to become a global education destination. Students interested in enrolling should track the official admission portals of each university and watch for UGC notifications on foreign campus admissions at ugc.ac.in.
