Bristol University's international campus in Mumbai develops its first scholarships

Image: CGI of the Cignis Powai development near Powai Lake Mumbai which is set to be the location of the University of Bristol's Mumbai Enterprise Campus - courtesy Cignis Powai

The University of Bristol is looking towards the opening of its Temple Quarter Enterprise Campus in the city this year and developing its first international campus in Mumbai.

The Government of Maharashtra is to support the scholarship scheme at the Mumbai Enterprise Campus. Up to ten scholarships will be offered, with the University and Chief Minister's Office working with schools to identify promising students from across the region.

The landmark initiative is aimed at widening access to high-quality international higher education for talented students from Maharashtra, with a focus on identifying those who face significant personal challenges.

A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the University of Bristol and the Government of Maharashtra has been signed and Professor Evelyn Welch, Vice-Chancellor and President of the University of Bristol, said: "The Mumbai Enterprise Campus will bring together world-class research, outstanding education and meaningful industry collaboration in one of the world’s most dynamic cities. We are honoured to work with the Government of Maharashtra to widen access to international education and create lasting impact for students in India."

Scheduled to open in August 2026 at the Cignus Powai development near Powai Lake, the Mumbai Enterprise Campus will be located within one of Mumbai's leading innovation and technology hubs. Situated across from Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay, the campus will benefit from a strategic partnership with this world-renowned partner, aligned with India's National Education Policy (NEP) and focusing on translational research and innovative teaching.

The Mumbai Enterprise Campus marks the University of Bristol’s first international campus and represents a significant milestone in its 150th anniversary year. By combining academic excellence, government partnership and industry collaboration, the initiative is set to create a globally connected education and research ecosystem in the heart of Mumbai.

The University of Bristol is also preparing to open its Temple Quarter Enterprise Campus in September 2026. It says:

'Located in the heart of Bristol, TQEC will allow us to develop a new relationship with the city. The new campus is encouraging initiatives that signal our commitment to make a positive contribution to our region, such as inclusive employment and participatory art commissions. Much of the campus will be publicly accessible and aims to serve as a welcoming space for local communities.

'Sustainable travel connections in the area will be upgraded, with a new harbour walkway and additional Eastern Entrance at Bristol Temple Meads leading directly to the campus. The buildings will be set within an extensive, regenerated green landscape for all to use.

'Our new campus is a catalyst for the wider redevelopment of Bristol Temple Quarter, one of the UK's largest urban regeneration sites. Bristol Temple Quarter will be a community built on partnership and an engine for sustainable and inclusive growth. With a renewed Bristol Temple Meads train station at its heart, it will be a neighbourhood that celebrates our city's historic fabric yet is designed for a fast-changing future.'

Karen Mercer, CEO, Bristol Temple Quarter LLP, told Future Cities Forum at its October 'Innovation Cities' discussion event, hosted at Deloitte:

'So you know what has been set up building upon the growth plan, the (West of England) Combined Authority, Bristol City Council and Network Wales is to create a partnership with Homes England to enable to work with the private sector and also with the universities as well. So at the moment we are, we're doing depending on which areas we look at because Temple Quarter is quite extensive from going from around Temple Mead Station which we're really looking at connectivity, linking back into the communities, linking back into the city, looking at what we're actually how we create the place to attract people, to be able to attract the innovation and the businesses around.

'We are very blessed with Bristol Temple Meads station, which is a fantastic asset that we can be doing something with, which can be housing, can be flexible space to be able to house those businesses that come from Science Creates and spin-outs from the University and others. And in St Philip's Marsh at the moment we are currently working up a master plan and engaging very closely with the universities, with West of England Combined Authority and also Homes England, again looking at how we create this place.

'There are 160 businesses within Bristol Temple Quarter that go from the everyday economy leading up to Science Creates and we're speaking to businesses within Science Creates about future expansion. We're working with them as to what they need. They're very excited to stay in Bristol, want to stay in Bristol, but need the housing, need the local centre, need the open space in order to make sure that people want to stay and and build their families and communities there.

'So what we can be doing is providing that framework. We are working to allow flexible office space to come forward, and we are looking at clean energies and what they need to be and what types of buildings, where the locations should be. I think it's really important to recognize that flexibility is incredibly important. What we start now is going to be different in 10, 20 years time. So we need to be building that in, in any case. And so I think a lot of this actually rests upon partnerships, working closely together, engaging. There are difficult conversations to have and you've mentioned residential and viability and those issues, but it's very much providing that framework, accepting flexibility and sort of working it through and being able to seize those opportunities as and when they arise.'

Image: Bristol cityscape with added CGIs showing Bristol Temple Quarter Enterprise Campus to the right front of Temple Meads station (courtesy Buro Happold)