
The University of Mumbai, informally known as Mumbai University (MU), is one of the oldest and most prestigious universities in India. It was established in 1857 and has since become one of the largest university systems in the world with over 500,000 students enrolled across its campuses and affiliated colleges. The university offers a wide range of undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral programmes, as well as certificate and diploma courses across various disciplines. In recent years, Mumbai University has seen a steady decline in student enrolment, with the number of candidates falling over two successive academic years due to factors such as economic distress and the emergence of more educational options.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of students | 549,000 (as of 2013) or 500,000 (as of 2025) |
| Student population growth | 60.35% increase between 2001 and 2011 |
| Number of campuses | 5 |
| Number of affiliated colleges | 700-711 |
| Number of departments | 56 |
| Number of courses | 200+ |
| Ranking in India | 61st (in 2024) |
| International ranking | 711-760 (in 2024 and 2025) |
| Student population trend | Steady drop since the pandemic |
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What You'll Learn

Student enrolment fell by 37,000 in 2021-22
Mumbai University, one of the first three universities in India, has seen a steady decline in student enrolment since the pandemic struck. The student population fell by over 37,000 in 2021-22 compared to the previous year. This decrease is attributed to various factors, including economic distress, the emergence of more educational options in India and abroad, and the rise of private and deemed universities.
The drop in enrolment was most significant in Mumbai, with a 12.5% decline in city and suburban colleges. The number of students in traditional programmes, including undergraduate courses, decreased sharply. Commerce courses recorded the most significant drop in numbers, with 21,147 fewer students, while science programmes saw the most significant percentage-based reduction at 18%.
The total student count in traditional streams in Mumbai fell to approximately 2.6 lakh in 2021-22, down from 3 lakh the previous year. This decline is not isolated to Mumbai, as experts note similar trends in nearby regions such as Thane, Palghar, Raigad, and Sindhudurg. The situation reflects a broader challenge affecting higher education during the pandemic era.
Several factors contribute to the declining enrolment at Mumbai University. Firstly, the pandemic's economic impact has left many students and their families unable to afford college fees and smartphones for online learning. Additionally, the emergence of alternative educational options, both within India and abroad, has given prospective students more choices beyond Mumbai University.
Despite the recent decline, Mumbai University remains one of the largest university systems in the world. With over 500,000 students across its campuses and affiliated colleges, the university offers a diverse range of undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral programmes, as well as certificate and diploma courses. The university's long-standing reputation and extensive academic offerings continue to attract students seeking quality higher education in India.
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The university has 5 campuses
The University of Mumbai is a public state university in Mumbai, India. It is one of the oldest and most prestigious universities in the country, established in 1857 following a dispatch from Sir Charles Wood, President of the Board of Control, to Governor-General Lord Dalhousie. The University of Mumbai is one of the largest university systems in the world, with over 549,000 students across its campuses and affiliated colleges.
The University of Mumbai offers a wide range of undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral programmes, as well as certificate and diploma courses across various disciplines. These include Engineering, Arts, Science, Management, and Law. The university has 56 departments and over 700 affiliated colleges. It is approved by the UGC and accredited with an A++ grade by NAAC.
The University of Mumbai has experienced a steady decline in student enrolment since the pandemic. This has been attributed to various factors such as economic distress, the emergence of more educational options in India and abroad, and the rise of private and deemed universities. Despite this decline, the university maintains its prestige and continues to be a leading educational institution in India.
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Over 50,000 students completed a Bachelor of Commerce in 2019
The University of Mumbai is a public state university in the city of Mumbai, India. It is one of the oldest and most prestigious universities in India, established in 1857. The university has approximately 500,000 students enrolled across its 5 campuses and 700+ affiliated colleges.
The University of Mumbai offers a wide range of undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral programmes, as well as certificate and diploma courses across various disciplines. The Bachelor of Commerce (B.Com.) is one of the popular undergraduate programmes offered by the university.
In 2019, over 50,000 students completed the Bachelor of Commerce programme at the University of Mumbai. The B.Com. programme is a 3-year undergraduate degree that provides students with a comprehensive understanding of commerce, business, and finance. The course covers essential subjects such as accounting, economics, business law, taxation, and financial management.
The University of Mumbai's B.Com. programme is well-known for its focus on academic excellence and practical exposure. It offers students hands-on learning through internships, workshops, and seminars. Additionally, the programme has experienced faculty and an industry-oriented curriculum, making it a popular choice for students aspiring to pursue careers in the corporate world or higher education.
The eligibility criteria for the B.Com. programme ensure that candidates have a strong academic background in commerce or related fields. Applicants are required to have completed their 10+2 education with a focus on commerce and maintain a competitive score in their qualifying exams. The university's merit-based admission system considers the number of applicants, overall performance in board exams, and category-specific reservations.
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The university has over 700 teaching staff
Mumbai University, informally known as MU, is one of the first three universities in India. It was established in 1857 and is one of the oldest and most prestigious universities in the country. The university has a wide array of faculty, comprising over 700 teaching staff and more than 2,000 non-teaching staff. MU students also benefit from visits by guest lecturers. The university maintains an excellent teacher-student ratio of 1:10.
Mumbai University offers over 200 undergraduate, postgraduate, diploma, doctoral, and certificate programmes across various disciplines, including engineering, arts, science, management, and law. The university also offers distance learning programmes from its Institute of Distance and Open Learning (IDOL Mumbai University). The university has 56 departments and over 700 affiliated colleges with around 500,000 students enrolled. The highest number of students was recorded in 2020, with approximately 300,000 students in Mumbai alone, which fell to 260,000 in 2021-22.
Mumbai University is a public state university and is one of the largest university systems in the world. It has two main campuses, Vidyanagri and Fort, and three sub-centers at Ratnagiri, Thane, and Kalyan. The university's library is housed in the Rajabai Clock Tower, one of Mumbai's landmarks, which was completed in the 1870s. The tower is 85 meters tall and has five storeys. It was modelled on the clock tower of the Palace of Westminster in London.
The university has produced several notable alumni who are now placed across different sectors, including human resources, business development, engineering, marketing, and politics. Some of the notable alumni of Mumbai University include Mahatma Gandhi, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, Lal Krishna Advani, Mukesh Dhirubhai Ambani, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Priyanka Chopra, Madhuri Dixit, and Ajay Devgn.
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The student population grew by 60% between 2001 and 2011
Mumbai University, also known as the University of Bombay, is a public state university in Mumbai, India. It is one of the largest university systems in the world, with over 549,000 students enrolled across its campuses and affiliated colleges. The University of Mumbai was established in 1857 following a dispatch from Sir Charles Wood, who advocated for educational reforms in India, including the establishment of universities in major Indian cities.
The student population at Mumbai University witnessed a significant growth phase between 2001 and 2011, with enrolment increasing by 60.35%. Specifically, student numbers rose from 3.42 lakh in 2001 to 5.49 lakh in 2011. This substantial increase highlights the university's growing appeal and expansion over the decade.
During this period, the number of affiliated institutions also increased notably. In 2001, the university had 317 affiliated colleges, and by 2010, this number had surged to 653 colleges, representing a remarkable 106% growth. This expansion in affiliated colleges likely contributed to the overall increase in student enrolment, providing more options and accessibility for aspiring students.
The University of Mumbai offers a diverse range of courses, including science, commerce, and the arts, catering to a large student body. The rise in student population can also be attributed to the university's strong reputation and the establishment of new departments and centres of study. The university's ranking within India and Asia has been consistently high, attracting students from across the region.
However, more recent data from 2021 to 2022 indicates a downward trend in student enrolment. The university has experienced a steady decline in student numbers, with the highest drop observed within the city of Mumbai, where enrolments fell by 12.5% in the aforementioned period. This decrease has been attributed to various factors, including the emergence of more educational options within India and abroad, as well as economic hardships faced by prospective students and their families.
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Frequently asked questions
As of 2011, Mumbai University had around 5,49,000 students enrolled. However, recent reports from 2022 show a steady decline in student enrolment over the last two years.
Mumbai University has 5 campuses in total, 2 main campuses and 3 sub-centres. The main campus is a 93-hectare site in suburban Kalina, and the three sub-campuses are located at Ratnagiri, Thane, and Kalyan.
Mumbai University maintains an excellent teacher-student ratio of 1:10, with over 700 teaching staff.
Bachelor of Commerce (BComm) is the most popular course at Mumbai University, with over 50,000 students completing the course in 2019.











































