GetMyUni's Verdict on Goa University

Parvathy Krishnakumar

“Offering a wide array of academic programs and extracurricular activities, Goa University is one of the most celebrated universities in the state. Yet, its placement records fail to convince larger groups of students to be part of the university.”

Located in one of the most picturesque states in the country, Goa University is known for its serene campus environment and its academic excellence. Though it is a comparatively more minor university, Goa University offers a wide range of programs across different disciplines, such as science, arts, commerce, management, law, and many more. Along with the academic programs, the university also offers various opportunities for students to enhance their personal and professional development. 

However, the university has limited industrial exposure in some fields. This may be an issue for students seeking specific career opportunities that are more prevalent in metropolitan areas and universities. The disadvantage of being away from the commercial centres in the country may also limit access to internships and industry collaborations. 

Nonetheless, the university has a successful track record of producing graduates who have excelled in various fields. It remains one of the top 100 universities in the country and is well-recognized on the global platform. With good faculties, decent infrastructure, and a variety of extracurricular activities, the students are assured of a wholesome campus experience while obtaining a reputed degree in their desired field.

Wide Range of Courses

The university offers a wide variety of academic programs across different disciplines at the undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral levels. Along with that, it also provides several diplomas, PG diplomas and certificate courses in multiple disciplines. The university provides students with numerous opportunities to pursue their desired fields of study and acquire knowledge in their chosen fields of interest.

However, while it offers a range of programs, the university does not have the same breadth and depth of offerings as large universities or more specialized institutions. Students who aim to pursue highly specialized or niche courses have limited options at the university. 

Nonetheless, the university offers various opportunities for research, internships and other career opportunities to its students by collaborating with different companies and industry leaders. 

As mentioned earlier, the university offers a wide variety of courses across various disciplines, among which the top courses recommended by the students and educational experts are as follows:

• Bachelor of Arts (BA) in English Literature
• Bachelor of Computer Applications (BCA)
• Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA)
• Bachelor of Commerce (B.Com)
• Bachelor of Education (B.Ed)
• Bachelor of Laws (LLB))
• Master of Business Administration (MBA)
• Master of Computer Applications (MCA)
• Master of Science (M.Sc) in Marine Biology

In addition to the traditional academic system, the university also collaborates with institutions in Japan to offer students the opportunity to participate in student exchange programs for projects and other research activities.

Course Fees

The course fee structure at the university varies according to the course type, specialization and duration of the program. The university also revises the course fees at regular intervals. However, the annual fee structure is comparatively lower than that of private universities in the country.

In addition to the yearly tuition fees, students are also required to pay other fees for laboratory, annual internet, library, and refundable caution deposit. 

The yearly tuition fees for undergraduate programs, like BA, B.Sc and B.Li.Sc are INR 5070, INR 9870 and INR 5000. The annual fees for postgraduate programs, such as MA, M.Com, M.Sc, MBA and MCA courses are INR 3,103, INR 6195, INR 20,000, INR 5000 and INR 8995. In addition to that, the course fees for M.Phil programs range from INR 6195 to INR 6990 and from INR 6078 to INR 12,130 for PhD programs. 

The university also offers numerous scholarships and financial assistance programs based on the students’ academic merit and categories to ensure all deserving students have a chance at receiving quality education from a reputed university. 

Attendance Policy

Students at the university must maintain a minimum attendance of 75% across all subjects, for both theoretical and practical classes, to be eligible to appear for the final examination. In case of a low attendance percentage, students will have to re-admit for the program in the subsequent year.

Qualified & Experienced Professors

The professors at the university are said to be well-qualified with sufficient experience both in their respective fields and in the teaching arena. The faculty members are capable of providing students with guidance and support through their academic pursuits. They have core knowledge of what the students need to learn and know to ensure they excel in their careers. Along with that, most professors are well-connected with the current developments in the industry, which makes it easier for them to impart relevant information and training.

The professors at the university are responsible for the well-structured course curriculum, which consists of the required theoretical and practical concepts. Most professors employ innovative teaching methods to make their classes more engaging and interactive, while some professors stick to traditional teaching methods.

According to students’ reviews on online platforms, there also are professors who lack compassion for the students and teach for the sake of money. They are said to be not as helpful as the other professors with solving doubts or academic problems. However, such professors are fewer in number and are only present in some departments.

Overall, students are generally satisfied with their experience with the professors. They have mentioned that the professors are insightful and easily approachable to discuss with the academic curriculum and their career goals. 

Vast & Well-Facilitated Infrastructure

Nestled on the Taleigao Plateau, the university campus is spread across 402 acres of land, overlooking the Zuari estuary. The university infrastructure is well-maintained and consists of all the necessary facilities catering to the academic and extracurricular needs of the students. Based on their reviews, some areas require improvement. However, the university infrastructure is said to provide a conducive learning environment. 

The academic infrastructure at the university comprises spacious classrooms with the necessary facilities and amenities. Most of the classrooms are air-conditioned and well-equipped with audio-visual aids, such as projectors, whiteboards and modern technology. In addition to the traditional classrooms, the university also has lecture halls and seminar halls for academic events and to accommodate larger groups of students.

The university infrastructure consists of laboratories for designated departments equipped with the required instruments and facilities. Though the newer departments have more modern laboratories, the older laboratories are also upgraded and maintained. The university is also working towards improving the facilities and equipment in these more senior laboratories.

An integral part of the university’s infrastructure is its well-stocked library, which holds an extensive collection of books, journals, and audio-visual materials for all disciplines. Students can also find materials for light reading in the library. 

Along with the printed materials, the library also houses a vast collection of electronic resources, like e-books, e-journals and online databases, which can be accessed through the computer systems available within the library. 

The university library is well-staffed with experienced and qualified librarians who are ready to assist students with accessing printed and electronic resources. It has several seating areas where students can read and study peacefully. They also have access to Wi-Fi connectivity, photocopy and scanner facilities.

Another significant feature of the university is its sports infrastructure, which includes various facilities for both indoor and outdoor sports activities. There are courts and grounds for cricket, football, basketball, volleyball, kabaddi and Kho-Kho, along with an athletics track and concrete batting pitch.

The indoor sports facilities are available for chess, weight-lifting, power-lifting, judo and taekwondo. The university also has a well-equipped gymnasium for students to maintain their physical fitness.

The university has two different canteens where a variety of food and beverages are available at nominal prices. Students have mentioned that though the quality of food served is satisfactory, general hygiene and cleanliness need to be maintained. 

Students are generally impressed by the university’s infrastructure. Though some certain facilities and areas need to be upgraded and properly maintained, the university has an inclusive infrastructure with accessible facilities for students with disabilities.

On-Campus Housing Facilities

The university provides two separate hostel facilities, one for male and one for female students, within the university campus. The hostel rooms are primarily allotted for students pursuing postgraduate and research studies.

Undergraduate students are allocated rooms based on the availability of vacant rooms. They are advised to apply for the hostel accommodation while completing their admission process to secure a place in the hostels. However, the university hostels have limited capacities. 

Both single and double occupancy rooms are available at the hostels, but the number of single rooms is less, and the first preference is for those students who are pursuing higher studies at the university. Nonetheless, the rooms are well-furnished, with separate beds, chairs, tables, cupboards, and attached bathrooms. The hostels have high-speed internet connectivity, and TV rooms and sports facilities are available for women’s hostels. 

Each hostel has separate mess facilities through which timely meals are served thrice a day. The quality of food is generally good, and the dining areas are well-maintained by the hostel staff members. The hygiene and cleanliness at the hostel mess and dining facilities are satisfactory.

The safety and security of the students living in the hostel are assured by the 24/7 security guards patrolling the campus. Additionally, the hostels have strict rules and regulations regarding the curfew timings and guest visiting. The student’s discipline within the hostel premises is overseen by designated wardens.

A convenient factor of living in the hostel is the availability of transportation facilities at regular intervals on working days. Students can utilize this facility to reach their classes on time and return to the hostels hassle-free.

According to the latest fee structure, the monthly accommodation fee for hostelers is INR 6000 for postgraduate students and INR 1000 for research scholars. In addition to the accommodation fee, students must pay the refundable caution deposit of INR 3000 at the time of admission, along with INR 25 for application and processing fees. There are separate charges for mess facilities.

As there are limited on-campus housing facilities, students often prefer to stay in PGs and private apartments available within a radius of the university campus. The monthly rents for the PGs available differ based on the luxuries and facilities available. Typically, the monthly rents for PGs range between INR 3000 and INR 33,000.

Exciting Campus Life

According to students’ reviews on online forums, campus life at the university is filled with numerous opportunities for students to participate in a variety of extracurricular activities, such as cultural events, clubs and societies, and sports. The university is said to have a balanced equilibrium between academics and extracurricular activities.

In addition to these activities and events, the university’s lush green, well-facilitated infrastructure ensures students have a peaceful and vibrant campus experience that helps them mould a good personality and professional career.

Students have several clubs and societies they can be involved in, ranging from tech and sports activities to cultural and literary activities. The university conducts different annual events for various programs, namely sports tournaments, cultural competitions and tech fests. These events provide students with other platforms to showcase their talents, skills and innovative ideas.

The university also organizes inter-college competitions during which a sense of community is instilled within the students.

The university also conducts academic events, such as guest lectures, seminars and workshops where students can interact with industry professionals. These educational events help students gain insights into their fields of interest and learn more about their career prospects. According to most students, the university organizes the best events within the state, which offers them a vibrant and enriching campus experience.

Additionally, the university is actively involved in social service activities, which teach students the value of different things and help them give back to the community. 

Overall, the students at the university are assured of having a wholesome campus life with various activities, sports competitions and academic events. These activities enhance personal and professional development, provide networking opportunities and contribute to a well-rounded educational experience. Moreover, the university’s location enables students to explore and engage in different activities during their holidays and weekends. 

Diversity on Campus

The university fosters a diverse student body with aspirants from all walks of life gaining educational and personal development. It attracts students from various regions of the country. The university has a healthy, diverse environment that allows students to interact with people from different cultures, regions and socioeconomic backgrounds. 

The university has a decently balanced gender ratio. It also has separate cells and committees for students from underrepresented communities to express their grievances and seek support for different issues. Students at the university are also encouraged to celebrate diversity through festivals.

Dress Code

Though the university does not have a defined uniform, students are expected to follow a modest and decent dress code appropriate to the academic setting. Students are refrained from wearing revealing, ripped/distressed and offensive clothing. The authorities at the university may take disciplinary action against students who break the dress code.

Subpar Placements

While the university offers a decent academic environment, it falls behind in providing students with successful career opportunities. One of the primary reasons for the lack of good placement opportunities for students is said to be the university’s location, which limits its exposure to specific industries and job markets that are more prevalent in urban and metropolitan areas. Additionally, the placements are different across different disciplines, with some departments holding more robust placement records than others.

Based on the previous year’s records, 77 graduates from 3-year postgraduate programs were offered job opportunities with the median package at INR 1.20 LPA. Meanwhile, only 39 students from 2-year postgraduate programs were offered placements with the median salary package at INR 2.34 LPA.

Overall Impression of Goa University

It can be concluded that Goa University is a decent university for those aspiring to pursue their education in specific areas. Located in a natural, serene environment, the university has a plethora of academic programs, well-facilitated infrastructure and a vibrant campus. 

However, it fails to provide students with successful career opportunities in their respective fields. In addition to that, the university is said to have poorly maintained and outdated facilities in some departments, which restricts students from performing cutting-edge research.

Students are advised to connect with current or former students at the university to learn more about their desired courses and career prospects available at the university. It is also recommended that prospective students visit the campus and attend information sessions that can help them gain valuable insights into the university’s offerings.

Some of the pros and cons of Goa University are listed below for better understanding.

*Source: Goa University Facebook