GetMyUni's Verdict on Integral University

Parvathy Krishnakumar

“Considered among the top universities in the state, Integral University offers a plethora of programs across various disciplines and an enriching campus experience. Yet, the inconsistency in placement opportunities cannot be overlooked.”

One of the top universities in the state, Integral University is a private university located in Lucknow that offers a plethora of courses and programs. Most students believe the university is a good institution with a pleasant learning environment and qualified faculty members. However, according to students' organic reviews on online platforms, it lacks in certain areas compared to the other top private universities in the country.

The university has a decent infrastructure with essential facilities available for students. As multiple disciplines are available, there is an opportunity for interdisciplinary learning that can help students develop overall. Although it is considered a landmark institution in Lucknow, students have mentioned online that some areas need improvement in terms of its infrastructure and quality of education across the disciplines. 

Despite most students being satisfied with their university experience, based on the online reviews, the management's money-making mind has caused numerous problems for students. Apart from the course fees being expensive, the management is said to yield money from the students in the name of attendance or paperwork mistake corrections, which may not be the student's fault. 

Table of Contents

• Broad Spectrum of Disciplines & Programs
• Qualified & Supportive Professors
• Comparatively Good Infrastructure
• Large Capacity Housing Facilities
• Nourishing Campus Experience
• Inconsistent Placement Records
• Overall Impression of Integral University

Broad Spectrum of Disciplines & Programs

The university offers a diverse range of courses across various disciplines at the undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral levels. It also has several diploma and certificate programs in these fields. Students who intend to pursue professional degree programs have a wide range of specialisations.

Although the university offers multiple courses in the disciplines mentioned above, the quality of education is not uniform, as some courses have better reputations than others. The professional courses, such as B.Tech, MBBS and MBA courses available at the university, have a minimum standard of academic excellence.

However, it is recommended that the students who intend to gain maximum knowledge and exposure through these courses join better universities and institutions, as when compared to these universities, the overall quality is lower at Integral University.

In any case, the departments in the university that have experienced and qualified professors and successful placement rates are as follows.

• MBBS
• B.Tech in Mechanical Engineering/Computer Science & Engineering/Civil Engineering/Biotechnology
• Bachelor of Architecture (B.Arch)
• Bachelor of Science (B.Sc) in Computer Science/Agriculture/Nursing, etc.
• Bachelor of Computer Application (BCA)
• Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA)
• M.Tech in Computer Science & Engineering/Mechanical Engineering/Electronics & Communication Engineering
• Master of Business Administration (MBA)
• Master of Law (LL.M)
• Master of Education (M.Ed).

Besides the traditional undergraduate and postgraduate courses, the university has diploma programs at these levels. It also offers more than 25 specialisations at the doctoral level. Students who wish to pursue higher studies in a particular discipline must connect with past and present-year scholars to learn more about the prospects and overall quality of these PhD programs.

Reasonable Course Fee Structure

The annual average fees for the courses offered by the university are comparatively lower than that of the other private universities in the country. The basic tuition fees for professional courses in the Engineering, Medical Sciences, Commerce and Management fields are nominal. However, the course fees vary depending on the course level, specialisation and year of study. 

The average annual fees for B.Tech programs range from INR 1,00,000 to INR 1,75,000; M.Tech programs fall between INR 40,000 and INR 80,000. The per annum tuition fees for BCA, BBA, MCA and MBA programs are INR 70,000, INR 80,000, INR INR 1,00,000, and INR 1,25,000, respectively. The annual fees for other undergraduate and postgraduate programs range between INR 40,000 and INR 1,00,000, based on the disciplines and specialisations. 

Even though the annual fees for most programs at the university are affordable, the course fees for MBBS are slightly higher. The per annum fee for MBBS programs is INR 17,00,000.

The university offers scholarships based on multiple factors, such as merit, relation to alumni, staff, and regional factors. The university took this initiative to ensure that all deserving students have a chance at obtaining a minimum educational qualification, irrespective of their regional, cultural and financial backgrounds.

Attendance Policy

Like in almost all universities in the country, Integral University also mandates students to meet a minimum attendance requirement of 75% in all subjects. Failing to meet this requirement will result in disciplinary action, and students will not be allowed to appear for the end-semester examinations. 

Qualified & Supportive Professors

According to students' reviews on online platforms, the professors at the university are qualified. Still, they seem more impressed by the fact that these professors are highly supportive and encourage students to learn new concepts and succeed in their respective fields. Though there are variations in the quality of teaching across different disciplines, the overall standard of the professors at the university is appreciated. 

Furthermore, most university teachers devise various teaching methods to ensure all students understand complex concepts more effectively. They are also easily approachable and are available to clear doubts outside the classroom. 

Although a few industry visits, workshops and other academic activities are organised by the university, the experienced professors provide students ample opportunities to explore their subjects. Additionally, their practical learning classes are also helpful to students to get hands-on experience. 

As mentioned earlier, teachers' quality varies from department to department. However, the professors for prominent courses, like MBBS, B.Tech, MBA, etc., are supposed to be among the best the state offers. Yet, there are exceptions for some departments, where the professors are hostile and lack experience. Such teachers rely solely on the academic curriculum and are not ready to clarify students' doubts outside the syllabus. But there are more good professors than these kinds of professors.

Overall, students have had good experiences with their faculty members, who have assisted them through the course curriculum and research work. It does, however, have below-average professors like in all universities.

Comparatively Good Infrastructure

Though its infrastructure is not the best among the other private universities in the country, it is still better than most of the universities and institutions in the state. Spread across a large area of land, the university has all the necessary facilities and amenities to cater to the needs of its wide array of courses. The university has ample greenery and is spacious enough to accommodate large crowds of students.

As it was established in the early 2000s, the academic infrastructure is modern, with well-maintained classrooms equipped with audio-visual equipment for interactive learning environments. The university has laboratories for all related subjects, which are well-equipped with modern technology and instruments to ensure students have an enhanced practical learning experience. 

A notable feature of the university's academic infrastructure is the Robotics Lab, which has the necessary equipment and facilities for students interested in innovation and creativity.

The university has a central library and departmental libraries consolidated into a single system. The central library holds an extensive collection of print and electronic resources for all the departments, and it is located in the centre of the university, making it easy for students from all sections to access the library. 

The library is designed based on modern architecture and is spacious enough to accommodate large groups of students. There are ample seating areas for students to read and study in peace. There are digital resources for students to access online materials. The university's library system is said to be one of the best among the institutions in the city.

The university has several facilities in its sports complex. Students can access various sports facilities, such as a volleyball court, basketball court, cricket pitch, football field, etc. Apart from outdoor sports, the university has several indoor sports facilities, such as pool tables, carrom boards, etc. Students are also encouraged to maintain their physical health by utilising the well-equipped gymnasium on campus.

The university has three main canteens that serve various food and beverages at nominal prices. The canteens are well-staffed and have a combined seating capacity to accommodate more than 450 students. These are located in three different campus locations, making it convenient for students from different departments.

Overall, the university's infrastructure is decently maintained and caters to the academic and extracurricular needs of the students. However, there are certain limitations regarding equipment availability in some laboratories and maintenance issues in some university areas. Nonetheless, the university is easily accessible and has transportation facilities.

Large Capacity Housing Facilities

The university campus has ample housing facilities that accommodate more than 2500 students. The hostels are spread over 8 blocks, with separate buildings for boys and girls. The hostels have single occupancy and multiple sharing rooms, which are well-furnished with the necessary facilities and amenities. 

The hostels have common rooms, indoor and outdoor facilities, a gymnasium, reading rooms, and other common facilities. Students also have access to a Wi-Fi connection. The hostel rooms have separate beds, tables and chairs for each student, and most rooms have attached bathrooms. Students can also avail of laundry facilities, provided they pay additional charges.

Timely meals are served thrice a day through clean and hygienic facilities. The meals are served in well-maintained dining areas. However, the food quality is mediocre, and there is a lack of options. It is still better than the meals provided by the other university hostels.

The safety and security of students are assured by the security personnel placed at all the gates. In addition, the campus hostels are always under CCTV surveillance, making them safe spaces for students to move around without encountering dangerous situations.

Similar to the course tuition fees, the hostel fees for Medical students are slightly higher than those for students from other programs. Also, the annual rents vary for non-medical students depending on the room type and occupancy. The annual hostel fees for single and triple occupancy rooms are INR 95,000 and INR 75,000, respectively.

Additionally, students must pay a security deposit of INR 5000 at admission, which is refundable. Students who opt for laundry facilities must also pay INR 4800 annually. The annual hostel fee for Medical students is INR 2,50,000, and they must pay INR 1,00,000 as a security deposit at admission. 

Students can also opt for PGs around the university besides the on-campus housing facilities. The monthly rents for the PGs near the university range between INR 10,000 and INR 25,000, depending on the amenities and facilities available.

Nourishing Campus Experience

Apart from receiving a quality education with a good academic curriculum, students also have a great atmosphere to enjoy their campus life. As there are students from multiple disciplines, the campus is vibrant, with smart and talented students involved in myriad extracurricular activities. There are several clubs and societies for students to participate in based on their interests and creating lasting friendships with like-minded students. 

Since there are multiple departments, the campus is always active with one event or the other. The major student societies in the university are for students interested in Robotics, Music and Law. Besides cultural events, the university also organises academic programs, such as seminars, Moot Courts for Law students, quiz competitions, national conferences, and guest lectures. 

The university conducts several competitions where students can showcase their talent and skills in different areas, such as arts, crafts, literature, debate, photography, dance, etc. These competitions are organised by different departments and mostly conducted by students, helping them improve their leadership and management skills. Students also have the opportunity to pursue their interests and passions alongside academics.

Its strong focus on sports is another factor that makes the campus experience lively. The university has multiple sports teams, and tournaments are conducted regularly. Some major sports events the university conducts include tournaments and championships for cricket, badminton, football, hockey, table tennis, and other athletic events. The annual sports event at the university is known as Fiesta Sports. These interdisciplinary events educate students about healthy competitions and team spirit.

Religious and cultural festivals are celebrated on campus, which gives students exposure to different traditions and contributes to instilling a sense of community. Overall, campus life at the university is dynamic and enriching, and every student has a space to perform well and be appreciated.

Diversity on Campus

The university has a diverse student population with students from different cultures, genders, regions and socioeconomic backgrounds. It aims to promote equality in education by providing ample opportunities to deserving students irrespective of their background. The university provides scholarships and seat reservations for students who belong to minority groups. 

In terms of gender ratio, the university has almost equal male and female students and faculty members. There is a special women's cell that takes care of the welfare of female students. Different societies and departments organise events and talks about gender equality and diversity. In general, the university has a vibrant cross-cultural diversity and equality around the university.

Dress Code

The university does not have a strict uniform or any rules regarding the dress code for its students. However, the students are only allowed to wear formal clothes and maintain a basic decorum on campus. Students are refrained from wearing informal or casual clothing and footwear. The students must wear modest, decent clothes that abide by the university's culture. 

Inconsistent Placement Records

Although the university has a strong academic reputation, the placement opportunities available for students vary from course to course. While the highest placement rate is for Engineering programs, career prospects available for the other programs are disappointing. Nevertheless, the university has an active career guidance and development centre that assists students in performing well in the placement interviews. 

Students from the Computer Science and Information Technology branches have a better chance of being recruited by multinational companies. Electronics and Communication, Electrical Engineering and Electrical Engineering students can also participate in the placement programs conducted for the Computer Science branches. There are fewer opportunities for students from the Mechanical Engineering and Civil Engineering branches. 

Like the computer science and engineering branches, students with a computer applications background also have ample placement opportunities at reputed companies. Though reputed companies participate in the placement drives held for MBA graduates, the salary package offered to these students is lower than that offered to students from other business schools. 

In addition to the lack of participation by reputed companies, there is tough competition among students. Hence, it is recommended that students start building their resumes and portfolios well ahead of the placement drives and be well-prepared for the interviews.

According to past years' records, over 400 students from Engineering branches and over 100 students from MBA programs were placed at top companies. The median salary packages for Engineering and MBA graduates were INR 3.50 LPA and INR 3 LPA, respectively. The median salary packages for the other graduate programs in the Pharmacy, Architecture, Law, etc., disciplines ranged from INR 1.56 LPA to INR 5.40, with the highest salary packages for postgraduate students.

Overall Impression of Integral University

It can be concluded that Integral University is one of the top universities in the city. However, there are certain drawbacks compared to other private universities in the country. Although the university offers a wide array of programs across multiple disciplines, the quality of education is inconsistent. Nonetheless, students appreciate the dedicated and friendly professors in most departments and the number of sports and extracurricular activities that allow them to pursue their interests alongside obtaining a degree.

The university's admission process is lenient and based on merit and the category of students. Moreover, the university's mixture of cultures and overall ambience prepares students for the real world. Though some courses lack good placement opportunities, the placement cell is working towards increasing the placement rates.

Students are advised to connect with the past and present students of the university and do a detailed study about the course they intend to join and the career prospects available. 

Furthermore, the pros and cons of Integral University are listed below for better understanding.

*Source: iul.ac.in