University of Calcutta
Kolkata, India • Founded 1857 • QS 2027 #901-950
Updated May 2026
Overview
Established in 1857, the University of Calcutta is a non-profit public higher education institution located in the urban setting of the large metropolis of Kolkata (population range of over 5,000,000 inhabitants), West Bengal.
Officially recognized by the University Grants Commission of India, University of Calcutta (CU) is a large-sized coeducational Indian higher education institution. University of Calcutta (CU) offers courses and programs leading to officially recognized higher education degrees such as bachelor's degrees in several areas of study.
This 167-year-old Indian higher-education institution has a selective admission policy based on entrance examinations. International applicants are eligible to apply for enrollment.
CU also provides several academic and non-academic facilities and services to students including a library, housing, sports facilities, financial aids and/or scholarships, study abroad and exchange programs, as well as administrative services.
Location & Contact
Address book entry for University of Calcutta: location, phone, email, web, and social channels. The press or media office handles institutional inquiries; admissions handles student-specific queries.
Academic Details
The academic indicators below give context on how University of Calcutta operates at scale. A lower staff-to-student ratio generally signals more faculty access, though research-heavy institutions skew the read.
Academic Structures
To understand where programmes live within University of Calcutta, the academic structure is mapped below. Some institutions run joint faculties with external bodies — credentialing in those cases is shared.
Unit 8 items
- Faculty of Agriculture
- Faculty of Arts
- Faculty of Commerce, Social Welfare and Business Management
- Faculty of Education, Journalism and Library Science
- Faculty of Engineering and Technology
- Faculty of Fine Arts, Music and Home Science
- Faculty of Law
- Faculty of Science
Faculties & Divisions
All faculties operate under University Grants Commission of India.
Agriculture (Faculty) 6 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Agriculture
- Agronomy
- Horticulture
- Plant and Crop Protection
- Soil Science
- Veterinary Science
Common Career Paths
- Agricultural Scientist
- Agronomist
- Farm Manager
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Arts (Faculty) 24 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Ancient Civilizations
- Ancient Languages
- Arabic
- Archaeology
- Arts and Humanities
- Asian Religious Studies
- Economics
- English
- Heritage Preservation
- Hindi
- History
- Indic Languages
- Islamic Studies
- Linguistics
- Literature
- Museum Studies
- Persian
- Philosophy
- Political Sciences
- Sanskrit
- Sociology
- South Asian Studies
- Southeast Asian Studies
- Urdu
Commerce, Social Welfare and Business Management (Faculty) 2 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Business Administration
- Business and Commerce
Common Career Paths
- Operations Manager
- Project Manager
- HR Manager
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Education, Journalism and Library Science (Faculty) 9 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Education
- Educational Administration
- Film
- Journalism
- Library Science
- Mass Communication
- Media Studies
- Psychiatry and Mental Health
- Radio and Television Broadcasting
Common Career Paths
- Journalist
- Editor
- News Producer
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Engineering and Technology (Faculty) 19 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Applied Physics
- Bioengineering
- Chemical Engineering
- Computer Science
- Electrical Engineering
- Electronic Engineering
- Electronics and Automation
- Engineering
- Materials Engineering
- Measurement and Precision Engineering
- Meteorology
- Optics
- Petroleum and Gas Engineering
- Pharmacology
- Polymer and Plastics Technology
- Power Engineering
- Radiophysics
- Rubber Technology
- Technology
Common Career Paths
- Engineer
- Project Manager
- Technical Consultant
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Fine Arts, Music and Home Science (Faculty) 4 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Fine Arts
- Home Economics
- Music
- Nutrition
Common Career Paths
- Artist
- Curator
- Art Educator
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Law (Faculty) 3 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Civil Law
- Criminal Law
- Law
Common Career Paths
- Lawyer
- Legal Consultant
- Compliance Officer
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Science (Faculty) 35 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Analytical Chemistry
- Anthropology
- Applied Mathematics
- Archaeology
- Biochemistry
- Biophysics
- Biotechnology
- Botany
- Chemistry
- Clinical Psychology
- Computer Science
- Electronic Engineering
- Genetics
- Geography
- Geology
- Geophysics
- Industrial and Organizational Psychology
- Inorganic Chemistry
- Instrument Making
- Marine Science and Oceanography
- Mathematics
- Microbiology
- Molecular Biology
- Natural Sciences
- Nuclear Physics
- Optics
- Organic Chemistry
- Physical Chemistry
- Physics
- Physiology
- Psychology
- Solid State Physics
- Statistics
- Toxicology
- Zoology
Common Career Paths
- Research Scientist
- Lab Technician
- Analyst
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Programs Offered
All active programmes at University of Calcutta are listed by degree level. Cross-reference against the divisions section to identify which faculty owns each programme — that determines admissions handling.
81 programmes on record. Each level below shows a sample. Compare these on the programs page All programs in India
Bachelor's Degree 27 programmes
Showing 10 of 27.
Master of Business Administration 1 programme
Master of Philosophy 2 programmes
Master's Degree 28 programmes
Showing 10 of 28.
Doctorate 18 programmes
Showing 10 of 18.
Diploma 4 programmes
How to apply to University of Calcutta
Step-by-step guidance for applying to University of Calcutta, covering the typical sequence from programme selection to admissions follow-up.
-
1
Research programmes at University of Calcutta
Begin by reviewing the programmes section above. University of Calcutta offers 81 programmes grouped by qualification level. Decide on a target tier (bachelor's, master's, or doctoral) before narrowing by subject.
-
2
Review admissions criteria
Each programme at University of Calcutta has its own entry requirements — academic minimums, language proficiency, supporting documents, and sometimes interviews or portfolios. Check the programme-specific page or contact admissions to confirm eligibility.
-
3
Gather supporting documents
Most applications require certified academic records, identification documents, language test certificates (IELTS, TOEFL, or equivalent for English-medium programmes), CV/résumé, and a statement of purpose. Allow extra time for document authentication.
-
4
Lodge your application
Apply directly via University of Calcutta's online portal at www.caluniv.ac.in. Complete the application form, upload supporting documents, and pay any application fee. Confirmation emails typically arrive within a few business days.
-
5
Confirm receipt and track progress
After submitting, confirm receipt with the admissions office and track your application status through the portal. Reach the institution by phone at +91 (33) 2241 3288. Set reminders for any interview requests, additional document submissions, or admission decision deadlines.
Frequently Asked Questions about University of Calcutta
Quick reference for University of Calcutta: founding, control type, student body, rankings, and recognition status in one place.
When did University of Calcutta open?
University of Calcutta traces its founding to 1857 (approximately 169 years ago).
Where is University of Calcutta located?
University of Calcutta is located in Kolkata, India.
What is University of Calcutta's control type?
It is a public higher-education institution.
What is the student enrolment at University of Calcutta?
Student enrolment at University of Calcutta is around 15,000-19,999.
What is University of Calcutta's ranking?
It ranks QS 2027 #901-950.
What programmes are available at University of Calcutta?
University of Calcutta delivers bachelor's, master's and doctoral programmes across its academic units.
What is University of Calcutta's academic structure?
University of Calcutta has 8 academic units.
Is University of Calcutta accredited?
University of Calcutta is accredited by University Grants Commission (UGC).
How do I find University of Calcutta online?
You can find University of Calcutta online at www.caluniv.ac.in.
Top-Ranked Universities in India
These are the most highly ranked universities in India. Putting University of Calcutta alongside them gives a clearer picture of where it sits in the national academic landscape, especially when reputation matters for credential portability.
Members of Association of Indian Universities (AIU)
Other members of Association of Indian Universities (AIU) are listed below.
Faculties at nearby universities
Also in Kolkata: universities located close to University of Calcutta.
Where Else to Study Philosophy & Ethics
Below: other India universities that offer Philosophy & Ethics programmes.
Universities Compared with University of Calcutta
The institutions below are of a similar academic scale to University of Calcutta.
Studying in India: guides and resources
Spotted something outdated or missing?
Help us keep this page accurate — it takes about 30 seconds.
