Tips to choose the Top University in Bengaluru

We all know how crucial it is to decide on a university to ensure a quality education and subsequently, a quality career. Having to determine the right university indeed requires much attention, time, knowledge, and smartness. It also requires you, the student, to be absolutely sure of the course you want to pursue – this is a pre-requisite before you step ahead to choose one of the best universities to make your dream a reality. But once you know where your focus is, what next? Use the list below to make your right pick.

Accreditation

This is the most important of all criteria while opting for a university. Universities have different categorizations – central, deemed, private, etc. The central and deemed-to-be universities function at the national level and have a more diverse student and faculty fraternity. The deemed-to-be universities are those institutes of higher education and are declared by Section 3 of University Grants Commission (UGC) Act, 1956. They have complete autonomy in formulating their curriculum, assessment of examination performance, regulation of their own admission measures, and managing their faculty.

Another factor to consider is the accreditations awarded by major and important organizations like the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC), National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF), etc. They accredit and rank institutes of higher education.

These organizations determine and carefully investigate and review the universities based on various essential criteria like faculty, curriculum & pedagogy, infrastructure, research facilities, and social impact. A university that is recognized by such organizations are top-notch and can guarantee a learning experience of excellence.

Programs and their Respective Faculty

Look for indicators of a strong department - departmental (student-faculty) strength, activities conducted, the curriculum administered, lab facilities, departmental affiliations, source and quality of the faculty, mode of teaching, the ratio of the amount of work done by the faculty and the students, internships or training, journals & adequate study materials, academic activities (workshops, guest lectures, seminars, short-term courses), etc.

The simplest way to unearth all this information is by inquiring with alumni and the current students. That will give you both a glimpse of the past and of the present, helping you gauge the changes that may have happened. Besides, the student community is easy to connect with and most probably don’t lie or hide information even if they are not acquainted with you, giving you a rather clearer picture. But be sure to speak to a bunch of students to prevent biased opinions coming in the way.

Although it is certain that you will pursue only one course, it is always wise to have a look at the quality of all the programs. This will give you a wider picture of how the university functions as a whole. Of course, your main focus should still be the specific course you are seeking information for.

Basic Facilities

This is not a very difficult criterion to look out for. Most notable universities must have the following basic facilities – canteen options (including in the vicinity of the campus), accommodation options, a sound infrastructure (both academic & physical), transportation, access to research systems & an updated library, safety measures, first aid & medical facilities, sports facilities, recreational activities, counselors & career counselors, etc.

Miscellaneous Factors

There are other miscellaneous factors you might also have to consider, like - achievements made by faculty / students, placements records, industry-institution collaborations & affiliations, interdisciplinary activities, student-exchange & cross-cultural programs, etc.

Social Atmosphere

When you get to speak with the students, faculty, alumni, and the management of a university observe the quality and level of their interaction. This will speak volumes of the campus culture, attitudes infused, and the values they uphold. A greater diversity in terms of communities and ethnicities will indicate the university’s openness to both local and global students. The social environment of your place of study is equally important as any of the above-mentioned factors.

One of the renowned universities in the country that you can consider is Jain (Deemed-to-be University). It has been awarded ‘A’ Grade by National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) and has consistently been ranked as one of the top universities in India. This premier institution has over 200 programs spread across many streams at various levels, apart from offering high-quality research facilities in different domains. The University’s student community has pockets of over 35 countries, making it a culturally vibrant campus.

So, keep this factors handy when you are about to single out the ideal university that will mold you and your career the right way.