The University of Western Australia is opening its first international branch campus in Mumbai on September 18, 2026, giving Indian students another route to earn an overseas university degree without moving abroad. UWA is also the first Australian Group of Eight university to establish a campus in India.
The 70,000 sq. ft. campus in Andheri East begins after UWA received its final Letter of Approval from the University Grants Commission. Western Australia Premier Roger Cook and Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis are named for the launch alongside UWA leaders. UWA says Mumbai is the first of its two India campuses to begin operations, with Chennai scheduled to open in October.
What Opens At UWA Mumbai From September 18?
The Mumbai centre is designed as a full branch campus rather than a coaching or franchise facility. According to the official UWA Mumbai campus page, it has technology-enabled classrooms, project and innovation spaces, student hubs, group-work areas and collaboration facilities. Its Andheri East location is also close to Mumbai’s airport, Metro network and major business districts.
For students, the bigger change is academic. The degree will be awarded under the name and seal of the University of Western Australia, not through an Indian partner college. UWA says its India expansion is self-funded through an initial $80 million investment covering its Mumbai and Chennai campuses.
Key points from the launch include:
- Mumbai becomes UWA’s first international branch campus and its first operating campus in India.
- Courses focus heavily on computing, artificial intelligence, cyber security, data, business and management.
- Students are expected to receive internship, mentoring, networking and employer-engagement opportunities alongside classroom study.
- UWA has also introduced a 30-hour AI Jumpstart programme with HCLTech before regular academic work begins.
How Will A Foreign University Campus Operate Under UGC Rules?
UWA’s Mumbai campus comes under the UGC’s rules for foreign higher educational institutions. Those regulations allow an approved foreign university to frame its own admission criteria, decide its fee structure and recruit faculty from India or overseas. Fees must be disclosed transparently, while eligibility, seats, refund rules and admissions information must also be published.
The campus cannot simply run as an online degree provider. UGC says programmes under these regulations cannot be delivered through open or distance learning, while online lectures may account for no more than 10% of programme requirements.
What The UGC Rules Mean For Students
The qualification earned at the India campus is treated as equivalent to the corresponding qualification at the university’s home campus. UGC also says such degrees are equivalent to corresponding Indian higher-education qualifications, so students do not need a separate equivalence certificate for ordinary higher-study or employment purposes.
The regulations also permit mobility and credit transfers between the main foreign campus and its Indian branch. That can create a route for eligible students to move between campuses, although the exact options will depend on course rules and availability.
Which Courses, Fees And Scholarships Are Available?
UWA India is advertising undergraduate and postgraduate programmes across Computer Science, Cyber Security, Data Science, Artificial Intelligence, Business Management, Global Business, Enterprise and Innovation, Economics, an MBA and a Master of Information Technology. Students can check the current options through the UWA India course listings.
For 2026 starters, UWA lists the first-year domestic tuition fee for Bachelor of Business (Business Management) and BSc Computer Science at ₹14.52 lakh. The Master of Information Technology is listed at ₹19.25 lakh, while the MBA programme is ₹23.10 lakh for domestic students. Tuition can be reviewed annually.
Scholarship support is part of the rollout. UWA’s Academic Merit Award offers a 25% tuition-fee waiver to eligible students, while its Premier Academic Award offers up to six 100% tuition scholarships each year for qualifying students from Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu. A separate 5% India fee waiver has also been listed for eligible 2026-27 students not receiving another UWA tuition reduction.
Mumbai is quickly becoming part of India’s foreign-campus story. The University of Bristol opened its first international campus in Mumbai on September 10, 2026, while the University of Southampton has operated its Delhi campus since 2025.
FAQs
Is UWA Mumbai officially approved by the UGC?
Yes, UWA received final UGC approval before beginning academic operations at its Mumbai branch campus.
Where is the University of Western Australia Mumbai campus located?
The campus is in Andheri East, close to Mumbai airport, Metro access and corporate offices.
Will students receive an Australian university degree in India?
Yes, graduates receive a UWA qualification carrying the Australian university’s name and official institutional seal.
Can UWA Mumbai set its own admission rules and fees?
Yes, UGC regulations permit approved foreign campuses to set admissions and fees within disclosure requirements.
What subjects can students study at the Mumbai campus?
Courses include computer science, artificial intelligence, cyber security, data science, business, management and information technology.
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