Top Colleges in West Bengal 2026: Fees, Admission, Rankings, Placements & Courses
West Bengal has over 500+ top-rated government and private colleges, offering a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate courses across all streams, including Engineering, Science, Arts, Management, and Law. The best colleges in West Bengal include IIT Kharagpur, Jadavpur University, NIT Durgapur, and St. Xavier's College, Kolkata. The average course fees range significantly from as low as ₹4,000 per annum to over ₹2.5 Lakhs per annum, and admission is primarily based on entrance exams like JEE Main, WBJEE, and CAT, or merit. Graduates from top institutions can expect starting salaries ranging from ₹6 LPA to over ₹24 LPA, depending on the course and college.
Top Colleges in West Bengal (Quick List)
Choosing a college is complex. Here are the top 7 factors that make these institutions the best colleges in West Bengal:
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IIT Kharagpur: Globally recognised for Engineering and Management; it boasts the highest placement packages in the state (Highest Package up to ₹2.14 Cr).
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Jadavpur University (JU), Kolkata: A premier state-run university known for its extremely low fees and exceptional ROI across Engineering, Arts, and Science.
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National Institute of Technology (NIT) Durgapur: A top central government college for Engineering with strong average placements (Average Package around ₹7.35 LPA).
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St. Xavier's College, Kolkata: Consistently ranked among the top Arts, Science, and Commerce colleges in India for academic excellence and history.
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Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Calcutta: India’s premier institute for Management and one of the highest-ranked B-schools globally (Average Package over ₹34 LPA).
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IIEST Shibpur: A central government institute offering high-quality Engineering programs and robust placements.
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Presidency University, Kolkata: A historic government university with a strong focus on pure sciences and humanities.
Best Colleges in West Bengal (2026)
The ranking of the top colleges in West Bengal for 2026 is prepared using the latest NIRF data, placement records, teacher quality, and student-to-faculty ratio. This helps us give a true picture of each college’s academic level and return on investment.
Here are the best colleges in West Bengal.
| College Name | Ownership | Total Fees | Key Streams Offered |
| IIT Kharagpur | Government (Central) | ₹30,000 – ₹10 Lakhs | Engineering, Science, Law, Management |
| Jadavpur University, Kolkata | Government (State) | ₹1,200 – ₹1.68 Lakhs | Engineering, Arts, Science, Pharmacy |
| IIM Calcutta | Government (Central) | ₹25 Lakhs (PGDM) | Management (MBA) |
| NIT Durgapur | Government (Central) | ₹1.74 Lakhs – ₹6.25 Lakhs | Engineering, Science, Management |
| St. Xavier's College, Kolkata | Private (Autonomous) | ₹46,000 – ₹11.58 Lakhs | Arts, Science, Commerce, Management |
| IIEST Shibpur | Government (Central) | ₹90,000 – ₹6.25 Lakhs | Engineering, Management |
| Maulana Abul Kalam Azad University of Technology (MAKAUT) | Government (State) | ₹48,000 – ₹2.4 Lakhs | Engineering, Technology, Management |
| Presidency University, Kolkata | Government (State) | ₹3,840 – ₹5,400 | Arts, Science |
Top Government Colleges in West Bengal
Government colleges in West Bengal are very popular because they have low fees and a long-standing reputation. Admission is tough and mostly done through entrance exams.
| College Name | Ownership | Total Fees (Approx.) | Exams Accepted for UG/PG |
| Jadavpur University, Kolkata | State Government | ₹1,200 – ₹1.68 Lakhs | WBJEE, GATE, CUET-PG |
| IIT Kharagpur | Central Government | ₹30,000 – ₹10 Lakhs | JEE Advanced, GATE, CAT, IIT JAM |
| NIT Durgapur | Central Government | ₹30,000 – ₹6.25 Lakhs | JEE Main, GATE, MAT, CAT |
| Calcutta University, Kolkata | State Government | ₹3,960 – ₹24,000 | CU Entrance Exam, CUET |
| Presidency University, Kolkata | State Government | ₹3,840 – ₹5,400 | PUBDET, PUMDET |
| Lady Brabourne College, Kolkata | State Government | ₹44,530 – ₹88,530 | University Entrance Exam |
| Bethune College, Kolkata | State Government | ₹2,820 – ₹4.58 Lakhs | University Entrance Exam |
Top Private Colleges in West Bengal
Private colleges offer better infrastructure and specialised courses that match industry needs. Admission is usually through state or national entrance exams, but many colleges also have their own management quota seats.
| College Name | Ownership | Total Fees | Exams Accepted for UG/PG |
| St. Xavier's College, Kolkata | Private (Autonomous) | ₹46,000 – ₹11.58 Lakhs | College Entrance Exam, Merit |
| Institute of Engineering and Management (IEM), Kolkata | Private | ₹6 Lakhs – ₹8 Lakhs | WBJEE, JEE Main, IEMJEE, CAT |
| Heritage Institute of Technology (HIT), Kolkata | Private | ₹8.04 Lakhs (B.Tech) | WBJEE, JEE Main, JEMAT |
| Amity University, Kolkata | Private University | ₹72,000 – ₹6.28 Lakhs | Amity AUAT, CAT, JEE Main |
| Techno India University, Kolkata | Private University | ₹6.32 Lakhs (B.Tech) | JEE Main, WBJEE, TIUET |
| UEM Kolkata | Private University | ₹3 Lakhs – ₹5.85 Lakhs | IEMJEE, JEE Main, MAT |
Fees for UG/PG Colleges in West Bengal
Course fees in West Bengal colleges vary a lot. Government colleges have very low, subsidised fees, while private universities are much more expensive. Top government colleges like Jadavpur University offer very low fees, which means students get a very good Return on Investment (ROI).
| College | Course | Annual Fees (Approx.) | Total Course Fees (Approx.) |
| Jadavpur University | B.E/B.Tech | ₹2,000 – ₹5,000 | ₹12,000 – ₹20,000 |
| IIT Kharagpur | B.Tech (General) | ₹2.2 Lakhs | ₹8.8 Lakhs |
| Presidency University | B.A/B.Sc | ₹1,000 – ₹1,500 | ₹4,000 – ₹6,000 |
| NIT Durgapur | B.Tech | ₹1.74 Lakhs | ₹6.96 Lakhs |
| St. Xavier's College | B.Com (Hons.) | ₹70,000 – ₹90,000 | ₹2.1 Lakhs – ₹2.7 Lakhs |
| Heritage Institute of Technology | B.Tech | ₹1.5 Lakhs – ₹2 Lakhs | ₹6 Lakhs – ₹8 Lakhs |
Colleges in West Bengal With Low Fees
The colleges with the lowest fees are mostly run by the State or Central Government. They offer very good education at highly subsidised rates.
| College Name | Total Fees (Range) | Ownership | Key Courses |
| Presidency University, Kolkata | ₹3,840 – ₹5,400 | State Government | Arts, Science |
| Jadavpur University, Kolkata | ₹12,000 – ₹1.68 Lakhs | State Government | Engineering, Arts, Science |
| University of Calcutta | ₹3,960 – ₹24,000 | State Government | Arts, Science, Commerce |
| IIEST Shibpur | ₹90,000 – ₹6.25 Lakhs | Central Government | Engineering, Science |
| Lady Brabourne College | ₹44,530 – ₹88,530 | State Government | Arts, Science |
Eligibility for UG Courses in West Bengal
Eligibility criteria are consistent across most top colleges in West Bengal, though minimum marks vary significantly between premier government and private institutes.
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Age: Generally, there is no upper age limit for most UG courses, but some entrance exams (like NEET for Medical) have specific age criteria.
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Education: Candidates must have passed the 10+2 (Higher Secondary) examination or an equivalent examination from a recognised board (WBCHSE, CBSE, ISC, etc.).
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Subjects: Must have had the required subject combination for the chosen stream (e.g., PCM for Engineering, PCB for Medical, Commerce/Arts for respective courses).
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Minimum Marks:
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Government Colleges (e.g., JU): Typically require a minimum of 60% to 75% aggregate marks in the qualifying exam.
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Private Colleges: Varies from 45% to 60% aggregate.
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Entrance Exam Requirement: Mandatory qualification in a state-level (WBJEE) or national-level (JEE Main, CAT, NEET, CUET) entrance exam is required for most professional courses.
Admission Process for Top Colleges in West Bengal
Admission to the top colleges in West Bengal is a two-pronged process: Merit-based for many Arts, Science, and Commerce courses, and entrance-based for professional courses like Engineering, Management, and Law.
The process follows these steps:
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Step 1: Entrance Exam (Mandatory for Professional Courses): Appear for and qualify in the relevant entrance examination (WBJEE, JEE Main, CAT, PUMDET, etc.).
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Step 2: Application: Apply to the respective college or university portal using the entrance exam scorecard.
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Step 3: Counselling/Merit List:
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Entrance-based: Participate in the centralised counselling process (e.g., WBJEE Counselling) based on the rank obtained.
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Merit-based: Colleges release a merit list based on 10+2 marks.
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Step 4: Interview/GD (Only for select Management/PG courses): Candidates may have to attend a Group Discussion (GD) or Personal Interview (PI).
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Step 5: Document Verification & Fee Payment: Final admission is confirmed after physical document verification and payment of the first instalment of fees.
Entrance Exams for UG/PG in West Bengal
Entrance exams are the main way to get into the top colleges in West Bengal, especially the highly ranked government institutions.
| Exam Name | Conducting Body | Accepted By / Relevance |
| WBJEE | WBJEEB | UG Engineering, Technology, Pharmacy (Key for JU, HIT, IEM) |
| JEE Main / Advanced | NTA / IITs | UG Engineering (Mandatory for NITs, IITs, IIEST) |
| CAT | IIMs | PG Management (MBA/PGDM) - Mandatory for IIM Calcutta |
| PUMDET / PUBDET | WBJEEB | PG & UG Admission for Presidency University |
| JEMAT | MAKAUT | PG Management (MBA/PGDM) for MAKAUT-affiliated colleges |
| NEET UG | NTA | UG Medical (MBBS/BDS) |
| CUET | NTA | UG Admission to Central and some State Universities |
Best Colleges in West Bengal Without an Entrance Exam
While top government colleges strictly require entrance exam scores, several private and smaller colleges offer direct admission based on Class 12 marks (merit) or through a management quota, often involving a personal interview.
| College Name | Admission Mode | Total Fees |
| St. Xavier's College, Kolkata | Merit-Based + Interview (for many UG courses) | ₹2.1 Lakhs – ₹2.7 Lakhs (B.Com) |
| Techno India University | Merit-Based / University Level Test (TIUET) | Higher (Varies by course) |
| Amity University, Kolkata | Merit-Based / Amity AUAT / Direct Admission | Higher (Varies by course) |
| JD Birla Institute | Merit-Based | Varies by course |
| Several Private Colleges | Direct Admission (Management Quota) | Higher than normal fees |
Placements of Top Colleges in West Bengal
West Bengal’s top colleges have very strong placement records, which is why they are well-known and highly ranked across the country.
| College | Average Package | Highest Package | Top Recruiters |
| IIT Kharagpur | ₹24.30 LPA | ₹2.14 Cr | Google, Microsoft, Amazon, Salesforce |
| IIM Calcutta | ₹34.23 LPA | ₹1.45 Cr | BCG, McKinsey, Goldman Sachs, Bain & Co. |
| NIT Durgapur | ₹7.35 LPA | ₹51 LPA | TCS, Wipro, Cognizant, Infosys |
| Jadavpur University | ₹8.3 LPA | ₹57 LPA | Amazon, Microsoft, Adobe, Siemens |
| Heritage Institute of Technology | ₹4.78 LPA | ₹16 LPA | TCS, Wipro, Cognizant, IBM |
| UEM Kolkata | ₹8.48 LPA | ₹72 LPA | Cognizant, Infosys, PWC, Wipro |
Top Recruiters for UG/PG Graduates
Graduates from the best colleges in West Bengal are hired by leading multinational and Indian corporations across all major sectors.
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IT Services & Consulting: Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), Wipro, Cognizant, Infosys, Capgemini, Tech Mahindra.
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E-Commerce & Technology: Amazon, Microsoft, Google, Adobe, Oracle, Flipkart, PayTM.
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Core Engineering & Manufacturing: Siemens, L&T, Tata Steel, Johnson Controls, ITC Limited.
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Finance & Analytics (Management): Deloitte, PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), EY, Goldman Sachs, JP Morgan, Credit Suisse.
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PSUs & Government: ONGC, GAIL, ISRO (through competitive exams), and various state government services.
How to Choose the Best College in West Bengal
Choosing the right college, especially for a competitive field, requires strategic consideration beyond just the NIRF ranking.
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Accreditation & Ranking: Check the latest NIRF ranking (Top 100), NAAC grade (A++ is best), and NBA accreditation for technical courses.
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Fees vs. ROI: Prioritise government colleges (like JU) for the best ROI, where low fees ensure fast returns on investment. For private colleges, compare the average package against the total fees.
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Faculty Quality & Research: Look for faculty with PhDs, industrial experience, and a strong track record of research publications.
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Infrastructure & Facilities: Assess the quality of modern labs, library resources, and digital infrastructure (important for placements).
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Placement Transparency: Look for publicly audited placement reports, especially the Median Salary, which is a more honest indicator than the Highest Package.
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Internal Link Opportunity: Check if the college offers the required internal link opportunity.
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Location & Industry Tie-ups: Proximity to major cities like Kolkata often translates to better internship and placement opportunities due to industry clusters.
FAQs on Top Colleges in West Bengal 2026
Q1. Which are the best government colleges in West Bengal?
A. The best government colleges are IIT Kharagpur, Jadavpur University, NIT Durgapur, IIEST Shibpur, and Presidency University. They are consistently ranked highly by NIRF and offer excellent ROI.
Q2. What is the average fee structure for UG courses in West Bengal?
A. The average total fee for UG courses ranges from ₹10,000 to ₹50,000 at top government colleges to ₹4 Lakhs to ₹10 Lakhs at top private universities over the full course duration.
Q3. Is admission based on entrance exams or merit in West Bengal?
A. Admission is based on both. Engineering, Management, and Law courses primarily use Entrance Exams (WBJEE, JEE Main, CAT). Many Arts, Science, and Commerce courses use Merit (Class 12 marks).
Q4. Is Jadavpur University better than private engineering colleges in West Bengal?
A. Yes, for most students, Jadavpur University (JU) is considered better due to its extremely low fees, excellent faculty, and a consistently strong placement record with a very high ROI, despite high competition.
Q5. What is the eligibility criterion for a B.Tech course in West Bengal?
A. The primary eligibility is passing the 10+2 exam with PCM subjects (minimum 45%-60% marks) and achieving a valid rank in the WBJEE or JEE Main entrance examination.
Q6. What are the best low-fees colleges in West Bengal for Arts and Science?
A. Presidency University, University of Calcutta, and Lady Brabourne College are among the best low-fees (sub-₹50,000 total fee) government colleges for Arts and Science streams.
Q7. Do private colleges in West Bengal offer direct admission?
A. Yes, many private colleges and universities offer direct admission to certain courses based on Class 12 marks (merit) or through a small number of Management Quota seats, without a specific entrance exam.
Q8. Which entrance exam is mandatory for Engineering in West Bengal?
A. The WBJEE (West Bengal Joint Entrance Examination) is the primary state-level entrance exam for Engineering admissions in most colleges affiliated with MAKAUT, including Jadavpur University and top private institutes.
Q9. What is the highest placement package offered in West Bengal?
A. The highest placement package in West Bengal is consistently reported by IIT Kharagpur (over ₹2 Crore) and IIM Calcutta (over ₹1.45 Crore).
Q10. Are there any colleges in West Bengal that accept CUET scores?
A. Yes, Central Universities and several state and private colleges in West Bengal are increasingly using CUET (Common University Entrance Test) scores for admission to their UG and PG non-professional courses.
Showing 682 Colleges
IIT Kharagpur is a Public College, located in Kharagpur, West Bengal. IIT Kharagpur offers 13 courses at the Bachelors, Masters, Postgraduate Diploma, Doctorate Levels such as B.Arch, LLB, LLM, MPT, BSc, BTech Hons, MBA, MSc, MTech, PGDM, MHRM, PhD, PGD, Post Doctoral in multiple disciplines.
Calcutta University is a Public University, located in Kolkata, West Bengal. Calcutta University offers 18 courses at the Bachelors, Masters, Doctorate, Postgraduate Diploma, Certificate, Diploma Levels such as B.Lib.I.Sc, M.Ed, LLM, M.Lib.I.Sc, BA Hons, B.Ed, BSc Hons, BTech, MA, MBA, M.Com, M.Phil, MSc, MTech, PhD, PGD, MHRD, Certificate, Diploma, Advance Diploma in multiple disciplines.
Jadavpur University is a Public University, located in Kolkata, West Bengal. Jadavpur University offers 22 courses at the Bachelors, Masters, Doctorate, Postgraduate Diploma, Certificate, Diploma Levels such as B.Arch, Bachelor of Engineering, B.Lib.I.Sc, B.Pharmacy, B.P.Ed, M.Arch, MCA, ME, M.Lib.I.Sc, BA, B.Ed, BSc, BTech, MA, MBA, M.Pharm, M.Phil, MSc, MTech, PhD, PGD, Certificate, Diploma, Master of Bioprocessing Engineering in multiple disciplines.
IISER Kolkata is a Public College, located in Kolkata, West Bengal. IISER Kolkata offers 4 courses at the Bachelors, Masters, Doctorate Levels such as BSc, MSc, PhD, Post Doctoral in multiple disciplines.
IIEST Shibpur - Indian Institute of Engineering Science and Technology is a Public College, located in Howrah, West Bengal. IIEST Shibpur - Indian Institute of Engineering Science and Technology offers 6 courses at the Bachelors, Masters Levels such as B.Arch, MCA, BTech, MBA, MSc, MTech in multiple disciplines.
NIT Durgapur is a Public College, located in Durgapur, West Bengal. NIT Durgapur offers 7 courses at the Masters, Bachelors, Doctorate Levels such as MSW, BSc Hons, BTech, MBA, MSc, MTech, PhD in multiple disciplines.
Visva Bharati University is a Public College, located in Bolpur, West Bengal. Visva Bharati University offers 14 courses at the Bachelors, Masters, Doctorate, Postgraduate Diploma, Diploma Levels such as B.P.Ed, BSW, M.Ed, MFA, M.P.Ed, MSW, BA Hons, B.Ed, BSc, MA, MSc, PhD, PGD, Diploma, Advance Diploma in multiple disciplines.
IIM Calcutta is a Public College, located in Kolkata, West Bengal. IIM Calcutta offers 5 courses at the Masters, Doctorate, Postgraduate Diploma Levels such as Executive MBA, MBA, PhD, PGD, PGP in multiple disciplines.
Sister Nivedita University
Sister Nivedita University is a Private College, located in Kolkata, West Bengal. Sister Nivedita University offers 22 courses at the Bachelors, Masters, Diploma, Doctorate, Certificate Levels such as B.Arch, BBA Hons, BCA, BFA, LLB, B.Pharmacy, MCA, MFA, LLM, BA Hons, BCom Hons, BDes Hons, BSc Hons, BTech, MA, MBA, M.Com, MSc, MTech, GNM Nursing, Post Basic Nursing, PhD, Certificate, Diploma in multiple disciplines.
IEM Kolkata
IEM Kolkata is a Private University, located in Kolkata, West Bengal. IEM Kolkata offers 6 courses at the Bachelors, Masters, Postgraduate Diploma Levels such as BBA, BCA, BTech, MBA, MSc, MTech, PGDM in multiple disciplines.
IMI Kolkata is a Private College, located in Kolkata, West Bengal. IMI Kolkata offers 1 courses at the Postgraduate Diploma, Certificate, Doctorate, Postgraduate Certificate Levels such as PGDM, Certificate, Fellowship Program, PGC in multiple disciplines.
St. Xaviers College Kolkata is a Private College, located in Kolkata, West Bengal. St. Xaviers College Kolkata offers 14 courses at the Bachelors, Masters, Doctorate, Postgraduate Diploma, Certificate, Diploma Levels such as BMS, Executive MBA, LLM, MSW, BA Hons, BCom, B.Ed, BSc Hons, MA, MBA, M.Com, MSc, PhD, PGD, Certificate, Diploma in multiple disciplines.
IISWBM Kolkata is a Private College, located in Kolkata, West Bengal. IISWBM Kolkata offers 6 courses at the Masters, Postgraduate Diploma, Doctorate, Certificate Levels such as MSW, MBA, M.Phil, PGDM, PhD, PGD, PGP, Certificate in multiple disciplines.
JIS College of Engineering is a Private College, located in Kalyani, West Bengal. JIS College of Engineering offers 7 courses at the Bachelors, Masters, Diploma Levels such as BBA, BCA, MCA, BSc, BTech, MBA, MTech, Diploma in multiple disciplines.
Lady Brabourne College is a Public College, located in Kolkata, West Bengal. Lady Brabourne College offers 4 courses at the Bachelors, Masters, Diploma Levels such as BA Hons, BSc Hons, MA, MSc, Diploma in multiple disciplines.
NSHM Durgapur is a Private College, located in Durgapur, West Bengal. NSHM Durgapur offers 5 courses at the Bachelors, Masters Levels such as BBA, BHM, BSc, BTech, MBA in multiple disciplines.
Calcutta Business School
Calcutta Business School is a Private College, located in Kolkata, West Bengal. Calcutta Business School offers 1 courses at the Postgraduate Diploma Levels such as PGDM, PGP in multiple disciplines.
Institute of Post Graduate Medical Education and Research is a Public College, located in Kolkata, West Bengal. Institute of Post Graduate Medical Education and Research offers 7 courses at the Bachelors, Doctorate, Masters, Diploma Levels such as BPT, MBBS, BSc Hons, MD, Master of Chirurgiae [M.Ch], MSc, M.S, Diploma in multiple disciplines.
NIT - Narula Institute of Technology is a Private College, located in Kolkata, West Bengal. NIT - Narula Institute of Technology offers 5 courses at the Bachelors, Masters, Diploma Levels such as BBA Hons, BCA, MCA, BTech, MTech, Diploma in multiple disciplines.
BIBS Kolkata is a Private University, located in Kolkata, West Bengal. BIBS Kolkata offers 1 courses at the Masters Levels such as MBA in multiple disciplines.
Guru Nanak Institute of Technology - GNIT is a Private College, located in Kolkata, West Bengal. Guru Nanak Institute of Technology - GNIT offers 6 courses at the Bachelors, Masters, Diploma Levels such as BCA, BHM, MCA, BSc, BTech, MTech, Diploma in multiple disciplines.
South Calcutta Law College
South Calcutta Law College is a Private College, located in Kolkata, West Bengal. South Calcutta Law College offers 1 courses at the Bachelors Levels such as BA in multiple disciplines.
Goenka College is a Public College, located in Kolkata, West Bengal. Goenka College offers 2 courses at the Bachelors, Masters Levels such as BCom, M.Com in multiple disciplines.
Scottish Church College is a Private College, located in Kolkata, West Bengal. Scottish Church College offers 6 courses at the Bachelors, Masters Levels such as BBA Hons, BA Hons, BCom, B.Ed, BSc Hons, MSc in multiple disciplines.
Dinabandhu Andrews College is a Private College, located in Kolkata, West Bengal. Dinabandhu Andrews College offers 4 courses at the Bachelors, Masters Levels such as BA Hons, BCom, BSc Hons, MSc in multiple disciplines.
J.D Birla Institute (JDBI) is a Private College, located in Kolkata, West Bengal. J.D Birla Institute (JDBI) offers 5 courses at the Bachelors, Masters, Postgraduate Diploma Levels such as BCom, BSc Hons, M.Com, MSc, PGD in multiple disciplines.
Haldia Institute of Technology is a Private College, located in Midnapore, West Bengal. Haldia Institute of Technology offers 4 courses at the Masters, Bachelors Levels such as MCA, BTech, MBA, MTech in multiple disciplines.
