University of Calcutta M.A Review By Ria Chakraborty

University of Calcutta (CU) is established on 1857. It has its affiliation to the UGC, NAAC, AIU, AICTE, and BCI. It has secured the first place among all the Indian Universities and 3rd position among top higher Educational Institutions in India in Academic Ranking of World University. For admission, there are different cut off percentage in different departments. Students under the desired cut off have to sit for an entrance examination. Though the marking system is tough and as compared to other universities, the marking system is comparatively low in CU. But CU gives you the ultimate knowledge and insight on the topic vividly.

I joined University of Calcutta, Alipore Campus to complete my Post-Graduation degree in Political Science. Students who have secured 55% and above in UG course in Political science can get admission on merit basis. Those who did not obtain 55% in UG and students who have done their UG from any other university have to undergo an entrance exam. I am willing to join civil service for which an in-depth knowledge in Political Science is a necessary prerequisite. Thus, to enhance my knowledge and the ardent wish to get a Masters degree from one of the most reputed institution, I joined CU. The syllabus contains various themes of the discipline starting from Social Movements to Organisational Management to Political Economy which clears all the concept required to continue one's career in Political Science. Yes the course will definitely help to increase efficiency in the subject which will help in future endeavour.

In the Political Science Department, there are seven full time faculties and three guest lecturers. There are 60 departments organised into seven streams. There are approximately 1280 teaching staffs in the University of Calcutta. Most of the Professors contains a PhD degree. They've presented several papers on the topics that they teach. Having approx 20 years of teaching experiences, the faculty members have adopted different ways of teaching such as organising seminars, quiz sessions etc to impart proper and desired knowledge.

There is not a great scope for placement for the Political Science Department. For other specialisation and courses, companies like Haldia Petrochemicals, Worley, Technip FMC, Tata Power, TCS etc. For the engineering students from our batch, there was above 70% campus placement with an average package of Rs. 4-5L/ year. But unfortunately there is no scope for Political Science students. Though the department has initiated many social works which can be a boon to include in Curriculum Vitae.

There are approximately 16 hostels for the students studying in the University of Calcutta. The boys and girls hostel are separate. Every hostel is at distance of maximum 2 km from University campus. There is fooding facility in the hostel. The food quality is average in some hostels. The hostel maintains the safety and assures security of the students. The hostels are situated near the bus route or transportation route to the University.

The University of Calcutta (College street campus) is 2.7 acres approximately. The Satellite Campus area measures 16 acres approximately. The University of Calcutta Alipore Campus is situated in the centre of Kolkata, just opposite to the National Library. The lecture rooms are big in size, with a sitting capacity of approx 120 students together. The seminar halls are air conditioned. The library has all variety of books which suffices the note making process of students. The computers have access to different educational websites which helps the students to get access to different journals. There is an auditorium and a large playground.

My two years in University of Calcutta Alipore Campus was good. Holi and Vasant Panchami are celebrated with great joy in the campus. Many educational seminars are also being conducted at regular intervals. There's also a Social Science Forum which conducts various actives like celebrating women's week, maintaining wall magazine and organising paper presentations to build the confidence in students. The professor inculcates active learning by engaging into classroom interactions. The four semesters teaches the various themes of Political Science precisely and minutely so that one can understand the technicalities with ease.