The City of Joy, Kolkata, has always been looked upon as a center of learning, culture, and education in the subcontinent since the British period. A city with a rich heritage to boot is also looked upon as the birthplace of modern Indian literary and artistic thoughts. Moreover, the presence of revered educational and learning centers such as the National Library of India and the Ramkrishna Mission Institute of Culture gives this city an edge over many others.
Kolkata, the city which has some of India’s oldest institutes, lists 41 among India’s 1000 Most Trusted, making it the fifth-best education hub in India.
Kolkata is home to some of the best Indian universities for higher education. Moreover, she is a relatively inexpensive city to live in as compared to other metro cities in India, such as Mumbai or Bengaluru, with a diverse culture and palatable food traditions. The college campuses are spacious and have always been known to nurture young minds.
Calcutta University (CU) secured the top spot among all state-run universities in the country in the QS World University Rankings 2022 for Asia (ranked third among all universities in India). One of India's first three universities, CU secured the 154th position among all universities in Asia. Let's find out more about this and other top-rated universities in Kolkata, along with their various course details.
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Calcutta University (CU)
Calcutta University is a public state research university that has the distinction of being the first multidisciplinary and western-style institution in Asia. The University has 151 affiliate colleges and 21 affiliate institutes. CU is a ‘5-star University’ with a Grade ‘A’ NAAC accreditation. The University Grants Commission (UGC) also awarded Kolkata University with the status of a center with potential for excellence in a particular area.
Course Details
- B.A. (Hons)
- Duration: 3 years
- Specialization: General
- Eligibility: The candidate must have cleared the 12th exam
- Selection: On the basis of entrance exam conducted by the University
- B.Sc. (Hons)
- Duration: 3 years
- Specialization: Food and nutrition, human development
- Eligibility: The candidate must have cleared the 12th exam
- Selection: On the basis of entrance exam conducted by the University
- B.Com. (Hons)
- Duration: 3 years
- Specialization: General
- Eligibility: The candidate must have cleared the 12th exam
- Selection: On the basis of entrance exam conducted by the University
- M.Sc.
- Duration: 2 years
- Specialization: Agriculture, anthropology, geography, physics, tourism, Zoology, museology, archaeology, etc.
Eligibility: Candidates who have completed their 10 + 2 + 3 in the respective subjects are eligible - Selection: On the basis of entrance exam conducted by the University
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- MBA
- Duration: 2 Years
- Specialization: Financial Management, Marketing, Finance
Eligibility: The candidate must hold a bachelor degree in the relevant specialization - Selection: On the basis of qualifying scores in CAT or MAT and group discussion and interview and work experience
- M.A.
- Duration: 2 years
- Specialization: Bengali, English, linguistics, Pali, Sanskrit, Hindi, Urdu, Arabic, Persian, French, comparative Indian language, literature, Buddhist studies, science, sociology, history, Islamic history and culture, ancient Indian history and culture, Archaeology
- Eligibility: Candidate must have clear graduation in the relevant stream in bachelor of arts
- Selection: On the basis of entrance exam conducted by the University
- Pre-M.A.
- Duration: 1 year
- Specialization: Pali, French, Arabic, Persian
- Eligibility: The candidate must have a graduation degree in BA
- Selection: On the basis of entrance exam conducted by the University
- M.Com.
- Duration: 2 years
- Specialization: Accounting and Finance, marketing
- Eligibility: Candidate must have clear graduation in the relevant stream in bachelor of Commerce
- Selection: On the basis of entrance exam conducted by the University
- MCA
- Duration: 2 years
- Selection: On the basis of marks scored in WB JECA
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- M.Phil.
- Duration: 2 years
- Specialization: Bengali, English, Hindi, pali, Sanskrit, Urdu, commerce, women's studies, History, political science, philosophy, sociology
- Selection: On the basis of entrance exam conducted by the University
- Ph.D.
- Duration: 3 years
- Selection: On the basis of scores of RET/ UGC NET/ CSIR NET
The West Bengal National University of Juridical Sciences (NUJS)
NUJS, an autonomous law university, offers undergraduate and postgraduate courses and is considered to be one of India's most elite national law schools. The University offers a five-year integrated B.A./B.Sc. LLB(Hons.) degree program at the undergraduate level and a master of laws at the postgraduate level.
Research Centers
- Centre for Gender research Law
- Centre for Human Rights and Citizenship Studies
- Centre for WTO Law
- Centre for Women and Law
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Schools in NUJS
- The School of Criminal Justice &Administration (SCJA)
- The School of Economic & Business Laws (SEBL)
- The School of Legal Practice & Development (SLPD)
- The School of Private Laws & Comparative Jurisprudence (SPLCJ)
- The School of Public Law & Governance (SPLG)
- The School of Social Sciences (SSS)
- The School of Technology, Law & Development

Jadavpur University (JU)
Jadavpur University has been ranked 17th in the NIRF 2021 overall category rankings. Moreover, JU's B.Tech course has been ranked at the 17th position by NIRF 2021. Besides B.Tech, JU offers several courses under its UG, PG, and Doctoral curricula in the areas of Arts, Science, Education, along with professional domains such as Architecture, Engineering, Pharmacy, etc. There are 2 campuses of the University, one at Jadavpur and the other at Salt Lake.
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Course Details
- B.A.
- Duration: 3 years
- Eligibility: Applicants should have done 10+2 level from a recognized board & the minimum percentage required might vary as per specific specializations
- Selection: Entrance test conducted by the university
- B.Sc.
- Duration: 3 years
- Eligibility: Students must pass 10+2 with at least 75% marks in aggregate in the related field from a recognized board
- Selection: Entrance test conducted by the university
- B.Tech
- Duration:4 years
- Eligibility: Candidates need to complete 10+2 level with PCM combination with 60% marks in aggregate & English as a compulsory subject with 30% marks in aggregate
- Selection: WBJEE Scores
- B.E.
- Duration: 4 years
- Eligibility: Students should have completed 10+2 level with PCM subjects combination with 60% marks in aggregate
- Selection: WBJEE Scores
- B.Arch
- Duration: 5 years
- Eligibility: Applicants must pass 10+2 with PCM subjects combination from a recognized board
- Selection: Entrance Test conducted by the university
- B.Pharm
- Duration: 4 years
- Eligibility: Candidates must pass 10+2 from a recognized board
- Selection: Merit-based
- B.Lib.Sc.
- Duration: 1 year
- Eligibility: Students need to complete graduation in the same field from a recognized university
- Selection: Entrance Test conducted by the university
- B.P.Ed
- Duration: 3 years
- Eligibility: Applicants must pass graduation in relevant discipline from a recognized university
- Selection: Entrance Test conducted by the university
- B.Ed.
- Duration:1 year
- Eligibility: Students are required to pass graduation in the related stream from a recognized university
- Selection: Entrance Test conducted by the university
- M.A.
- Duration: 2 years
- Eligibility: Candidates should pass graduation in the related field from a recognized university
- Selection: Entrance Test conducted by the university
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- M.Sc.
- Duration:2 years
- Eligibility: Applicants need to pass B.sc from a recognized university in the concerned subject
- Selection: Entrance Test conducted by the university
- M.Tech
- Duration: 2 years
- Eligibility: Students should have passed B.E or B.Tech with 60% marks in aggregate in the related field from a recognized university
- Selection: GATE scores
- M.E.
- Duration: 2 years
- Eligibility: Candidates must pass B.E or B.Tech with 60% marks in aggregate in the concerned subject from a recognized university
- Selection: GATE/GPAT scores
- M.Arch
- Duration: 2 years
- Eligibility: Applicants should have completed B.Arch from a recognized university
- Selection: GATE/GPAT scores
- MCA
- Duration: 3 years
- Eligibility: Students need to complete BCA with 60% marks in aggregate from a recognized university
- Selection: Valid Score in WB - JCA
- M.Lib.Sc.
- Duration: 1 year
- Eligibility: Applicants are required to pass B.Lib.Sc from a recognized university
- Selection: Entrance Test conducted by the university
- M.Pharm
- Duration: 2 years
- Eligibility: Candidates should pass B.Pharm from a recognized university
- Selection: GPAT Score
- M.Phil.
- Duration: 1 year
- Eligibility Criteria: Students must have completed a Master’s degree in the concerned subject from a recognized university
- Selection:
- Entrance Test conducted by the university
- Students who have passed NET/SET are exempted from the entrance test
- Ph.D.
- Duration: 3 years
- Eligibility Criteria: Candidates are required to complete a Master’s degree or M.Phil course in the related subject from a recognized university
- Selection:
- Entrance Test conducted by the university
- Students who have passed NET/SET are exempted from the entrance test

The JU website is a fairly comprehensive one with the admission and application processes clearly outlined. Jadavpur University has an online application process, while the selection depends on both the entrance exam result and the merit of the student. Some national-level entrance test results are also accepted by the university such as WBJEE, GATE, NET, SET, etc.
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R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital
One of Kolkata's oldest and most respected medical colleges, R.G. Kar offers both UG and PG courses, such as MBBS, MS, MD, M.Ch, and DM, across various specializations. Admission to these courses is based on an entrance test and requires an online application. Applicants must register themselves first for the NEET exam online.
Once NEET results are announced, candidates are required to appear for the R G Kar Medical College counseling for the final round of admission formalities. Students interested in courses like MD and MS must also have completed their MBBS diploma from a university of repute, along with the required internship.