Visva Bharati Review and Verdict by CollegeDekho

Campus at Glimpse

Visva Bharati University, founded in 1921 by the first non-European Nobel Laureate Rabindranath Tagore, is a public central university situated in Shantiniketan town, about 162 kilometres away from Kolkata, West Bengal. The university is renowned for its academic excellence and was ranked 97 by NIRF in 2023. It was also recognized with a B grade by NAAC. Visva Bharati University offers a wide range of academic programmes, including UG, PG, M.Phil., and PhD programmes across 9 departments. The university is also home to the well-known Patha Bhavan School for elementary and secondary education. The faculty members at Visva Bharati are excellent, friendly, and always ready to help students with their studies and career guidance. It is worth noting that if you are not fluent in Bengali, you may face some language barriers as it is the primary language spoken on campus. However, Visva Bharati University provides well-maintained hostel facilities for both male and female students. While the university building is not very modern, it offers all the necessary facilities, including digital classrooms, laboratories, sports grounds, a library, a canteen, and a convenient shuttle bus service. If you are considering admission to Visva Bharati University, it's essential to keep in mind that the university's placement rate is 45% for UG courses and 27% for PG courses. Nonetheless, you will find numerous internship opportunities here.

Visva Bharati NIRF Ranking

Visva Bharati was ranked 97th out of 200 colleges in the NIRF ranking 2023, which is average. In the EduRank 2023 rating, it was ranked 73rd in India and 2667th globally.

Our Take

Visva Bharati University is a highly respected academic institution globally. However, its Grade B accreditation may have contributed to its average NIRF rankings. The recent political protests have led to a change in public perception, which may have resulted in the varsity's low position in NIRF rankings. To improve its perception and ranking, the university needs to focus on academic research and holistic development. The administration should address these issues and rectify any deviations from established rules and regulations while prioritizing education and academics to continue excelling in those parameters.

Visva Bharati Academia & Batch Size

Visva Bharati follows a choice-based credit system (CBCS) for UG courses which offers flexibility and scope to choose their desired courses.  However, the PG, M.Phil, and Ph.D. courses are incorporated as per the semester system according to the university’s official website.

Visva Bharati University conducts exams following a semester system, with six semesters for undergraduate courses and four semesters for master's degrees. Attending classes regularly is crucial to pass the semester exams, which are not considered difficult. The faculty at Visva Bharati University is very knowledgeable, and their teaching is highly effective. Their notes are sufficient to learn and pass the exam. According to the university's official website, students must maintain a minimum of 75% attendance to be eligible for the exam; otherwise, they will have to pay a fine.

Our Take

The academic experience at Visva Bharati is both challenging and rigorous, with a strong emphasis on research and innovation. The introduction of the CBCS semester system by Visva Bharati is a positive step that has helped to ease the academic burdens and distribute yearly exams in a way that reduces students' academic pressure. The university's strict commitment to a 75% attendance requirement is a good measure by the management to ensure that students attend classes regularly, which helps to maintain a proper academic environment. The fact that Visva Bharati students are satisfied with the lessons and study materials provided by their teachers is a testament to the faculty's competence and expertise in their respective fields. It also highlights their commitment to providing students with excellent knowledge and support, not only during exams but throughout the academic session.

Visva Bharati Infrastructure

Sprawling across a 1289-acre campus, Visva Bharati University has a very good infrastructure with modern amenities coming together with old architecture and structures.

• Classroom: Visva Bharati University has modernized its classrooms to assist teaching with new equipment and methodologies. The university features centrally located air-conditioned classrooms with Wi-Fi. The university has LCD projectors, tutorial rooms, and computers.

• Auditorium/ Seminar Halls/ Labs: The university has a fully equipped auditorium with a seating capacity for more than 100 students. The institute campus has new ramps, lifts, and special facilities for differently-abled students.

• Library: The Visva Bharati Central Library also called Cheena Bhawan has a book collection of 413563 volumes, a user base of roughly 10,000 people, and a daily transaction of 300 books. It has a library situated within the campus and has a seating capacity is 30 persons.
  

  

• Museum: The university campus houses a museum in the Bhavana, displaying various artefacts and the five homes lived in by Rabindranath Tagore, collectively known as the Uttarayan. It serves as one of the main tourist attractions in the town.

• Internet: The university is fully equipped with Wi-Fi and a proper internet connection.

• Hostel: Visva Bharati University offers 21 hostels (11 for males and 10 for female students). Every hostel has basic amenities such as water purifiers, a common area, a leisure room, a mess, a TV, laundry services, a security and monitoring system, and so on. The hostel fees are quite reasonable, ranging from INR 500 to INR 800 per month for the hostel and INR 1,000 to INR 2,000 for the meals.

• Activities: Visva Bharati University has various playgrounds and sports fields. Sports like football, cricket, badminton, etc are played on the campus. The university celebrates many festivals and cultural events, and co-curricular activities like singing competitions, dance competitions, etc. are all held.

• Cafe/ Hang-out Places: There are 15 kitchens at Santiniketan and Sriniketan hostels, including one general kitchen for girls. Furthermore, there are 5 canteens on campus. The food offered at the hostel mess is of good taste and hygienic.

Our Take

The Visva Bharati campus has a basic old-school design, but it is well-equipped and in excellent condition. Recently, the university upgraded its classrooms with digital screening, which is beneficial for students who learn through audio-video presentations. The Visva Bharati hostels are well-maintained and have proper security for girls. In the surrounding areas, there are plenty of rooms and PGs available for students at reasonable prices. The hostel fees, which include accommodation and meals, are nominal and affordable, especially for those with poor financial support. However, according to student reviews on Quora, the food quality at the hostel mess is poor and needs improvement. The university must hire proper cooks and staff to ensure that students do not miss home-cooked meals. Students who are not from West Bengal may find it difficult to adjust to the food offered at the hostel canteens. However, there are many small eateries around where they can explore other options. One of the best things about the university is the shuttle bus service that makes commuting easy for students. Additionally, there is a medical facility on campus to address any medical emergencies. Apart from academic excellence, Visva Bharati is also known for its rich culture and heritage, which is evident from the university's participation in various cultural events and co-curricular activities. These activities keep students motivated and allow them to engage in recreational activities.

Visva Bharati Internships and Placements

Visva Bharati Internship

At Visva Bharati University, students are provided with excellent internship opportunities. The university offers summer internship programmes that enable students to intern at renowned institutions such as IISER, BARC, NIUS, ISRO, and others. Under the guidance of professors, students can also participate in research projects and collaborations. Overall, the university ensures that students receive valuable hands-on experience and exposure to real-world scenarios.

Visva Bharati Placement

According to the data submitted for the NIRF report 2023, out of 3,136 UG and PG students at Visva Bharati University, 735 were placed during placements in 2022. The placement percentage for UG (4-year) students stands at 45%.

Visva Bharati University Salary Packages

The placement drive at Visva Bharati in 2022 offered an average package of INR 3.60 LPA to UG students (3 years) and INR 3.24 LPA to PG students (1 year).

Our Take

Based on the data provided, it appears that Visva Bharati University has a below-average record in terms of placements. The percentage of students placed after completing an undergraduate degree is only 45%, which means that more than half of the students graduate without a job offer. Moreover, the salary packages offered to the placed students are not up to industry standards, which is another drawback. The situation is even worse for postgraduate students, with only a handful of them being able to secure jobs. This paints a bleak picture for the students looking to pursue higher education at the university.

To improve the placement scenario, the university's placement cell should collaborate closely with companies to identify potential job opportunities and match the students with suitable roles. This could be achieved by holding regular job fairs and inviting companies from different sectors to visit the campus. It would also be beneficial for the university to form partnerships with companies in the technology industry, which can provide students with more opportunities for internships and employment.

Visva Bharati Diversity & Representation

The male-to-female ratio at Visva Bharati is 3925: 4382, according to the university's official website. The university has accommodation for 1100 male students and 1170 female students (including the school section) in 44 hostels. This indicates that there are more female students studying at the university. The university has a friendly atmosphere, and there is no culture of ragging. Senior students are welcoming towards freshers.

Visva Bharati Male Female Seat Intake

Based on data submitted by the university for NIRF ranking 2023, it has been found that Visva Bharati has a higher proportion of female students than male students. This demographic trend is a positive indication of West Bengal's success in promoting women's education and increasing literacy rates.

Visva Bharati State-Outside Seat Intake

According to the report submitted by Visva Bharati for the NIRF 2023, the university has a diverse student body with individuals from various states within the country and a few from other nations.

Our Take

The gender ratio at Visva Bharati University in West Bengal is impressive, with more female students pursuing higher education than male students. The data shows that the number of female students applying for the 2-year postgraduate programme is higher than that of male students, indicating a greater interest in PG programmes among female candidates. Additionally, many female students from Santiniketan, who are not willing to relocate to other cities and wish to pursue higher education closer to home, choose to enrol in this university. This may also be a reason for the higher number of female candidates seeking admission. The university also attracts students from other districts and states, indicating its reputation beyond West Bengal. However, most of the seats at Visva Bharati University are filled by students from West Bengal, and the lower number of seats filled by students from outside the state could be due to the language barrier. Reviews shared by students on Quora suggest that many candidates who are not familiar with the Bengali language choose to attend other colleges and universities where English or Hindi is spoken on campus. However, Visva Bharati University offers a rich cultural experience for students who choose to attend, as it is a melting pot of diverse cultures, languages, and traditions. Overall, Visva Bharati University provides an inclusive and diverse learning environment for students, and its male-to-female ratio and the number of within-state and outside-state seats are testimony to this fact.

Visva Bharati Faculty/ College Administration & Management

The student-to-teacher ratio at Visva Bharati University is 30:1. The faculty members include both male and female teachers. All the professors and assistant professors are well-qualified with doctorate degrees. The teachers are helpful and always willing to lend a helping hand when the students need it. They also offer lessons outside of class hours at no extra charge. Aside from the professors and staff, seniors are also quite helpful.

Our Take

Visva Bharati faculty members are well-qualified and are doing a commendable job in teaching students and maintaining a friendly environment so that they feel free to connect with them. However, since the majority of the students at Visva Bharati are from Bengal and generally give lectures in Bengali, it is sometimes hard for students to follow the instructions, as they often have to request them to translate the same into English. The faculty-student ratio is fairly good with one teacher appointed for a batch of 30 students. This allows the teachers to direct attention to students, which would have been a lot more difficult if the batch size was bigger. Nevertheless, the management must hire more teachers to improve the ratio so that every student gets proper attention and guidance from the faculty members. The university's administration is strict with anti-ragging rules and regulations and works hard to ensure that students are not harassed/harmed within the premises under any circumstances.

Visva Bharati Location

Visva Bharati University is situated in Santiniketan, West Bengal state of India. It is located in a culturally rich, and rural location, providing a calm educational environment. Though the university location is in the rural there are many grocery stores, eateries, and transport facilities outside the Visva Bharati campus. The university is also a popular tourist destination and a recognized UNESCO World Heritage Site. Every year, hundreds of travellers from all around the world visit this town. The institute houses all the amenities to meet the requirements of locals and visitors, such as students and tourists. In addition, the Visva Bharati also offers transportation services for students and faculty. Rabindra Bhavan, the Visva Bharati Museum is a major attraction among visitors. Many cultural events and festivals are also held in Santiniketan and nearby districts, which students can visit if they opt to study at Visva Bharati.

Our Take

If you wish to study in a quiet and peaceful environment, the Visva Bharati University location is ideal. The institution is far from the hustle and bustle of the city. Yet, it is not completely detached from the modern facilities needed for survival. A good network of transportation, like buses, local vans and autorickshaws ensures that students or visitors need not struggle to commute in and around the campus.

Expectation vs Reality CollegeDekho Verdict

Visva-Bharati University in Santiniketan is one of the leading universities in India known for its strong academic programs in the arts, humanities, and social sciences.  It has a reputation for its commitment to preserving and promoting Indian culture and heritage. The university has been recognized for its excellence in research and has received several awards and accolades. The institute has an impressive male-to-female ratio of 3925: 4382 and offers sufficient internship opportunities, as well as proper hostel and transportation facilities. Though the university is not located in any metropolitan city, students can find all the essential amenities nearby like department stores, hospitals, post offices, etc. One of the good aspects of the university is its well-qualified faculty members who are highly appreciated by the students and alumni. If you are a Bengal resident and do not want to relocate to another state for your higher education you may consider taking admission here. However, considering the facts, reviews, and data submitted by the university for the NIRF ranking, we would like to state that if you are someone who wants a degree with excellent placements, you must consider other colleges for your higher education, as Visva Bharati offers bare minimum placements with below average salary packages. The university administration has a lot of work to do in terms of building networks and inviting more recruiters to the campus for successful placements that will help improve its NIRF rankings in the coming years.

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