GetMyUni's Verdict on WBSU

Parvathy Krishnakumar

“Consistently ranked among the top universities in West Bengal for its academic excellence and favourable faculty-to-student ratio, the placement rates have yet to exhibit an impressive trend.”

Since its inception in 2008, West Bengal State University (WBSU), located in Barasat, has been well-respected with an excellent academic record. The university is consistently ranked among the top universities in the state for its faculty's wide range of programs, but the university has yet to attain a reasonable placement rate. It has constantly improved the infrastructure by including modern facilities every year.

A common opinion about the university is that it is easier for the students to score higher marks in the examinations here compared to the other universities in the state. As a relatively new university, it strives to reach academic excellence by introducing new teaching methods and improving its infrastructure. 

The university is famous for its faculty-student ratio, which gives the students an environment where they can interact with the teachers. It can be said that WBSU is a good choice for students who intend to pursue higher education at affordable fees. The university is committed to providing a holistic education and is well-positioned for future growth.

Table of Contents

• Broad Selection of Courses
• Professors With Requisite Qualifications
• Developing Infrastructure
• Availability of Housing Facilities
• Captivating Campus Atmosphere
• Mediocre Placement Records
• Overall Impression of WBSU

Broad Selection of Courses

WBSU offers a wide range of undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral programs in various disciplines, including Science, Arts, Commerce, Education, Physical Education and Business Administration. Students who intend to pursue their studies must have obtained minimum marks in the qualifying examination to get admission to the university. Comparatively, the curriculum at WBSU is not as challenging. However, students are advised to prepare for the exams well to score higher marks. 

Several degree programs are available at the university at different levels. The top honours courses in various disciplines are as follows.

• English
• Political Science
• Economics
• Sociology
• Bengali
• Urdu
• Botany
• Geology
• Geography
• Economics
• Commerce
• Business Administration
• Education
• Computer Science
• Journalism & Mass Communication
• Law
• Hotel Management
• Physical Education.

Besides the undergraduate and postgraduate programs, the students who intend to pursue higher studies in the abovementioned fields have adequate facilities and resources to complete their research efficiently. Various specialisations are available for PhD programs in different areas at the university.

Academics at Affordable Fees

The course fees at the university are affordable to make education accessible to students from different backgrounds. However, the fee structure varies based on the course, program level and the category of students.

The average annual tuition fee for undergraduate courses ranges from INR 5000 to INR 10,000; for postgraduate programs, it falls between INR 10,000 and INR 15,000. An additional cost, which is also nominal, is required to appear for the exams. The exam fees for undergraduate students are between INR 500 and INR 1000, and for postgraduate students, it is between INR 1000 and INR 2000.

Reserved category students, such as SC/ST and OBC, are eligible for fee waivers and scholarships, which helps reduce the overall education cost.

Attendance Policy

The university has a strict attendance policy where the students must maintain a minimum attendance of 75% in all subjects. Failure to maintain the minimum attendance will result in disciplinary action, such as failing grades in the respective subject.

Professors With Requisite Qualifications

The university has diverse faculty members with various teaching methods and expertise in the respective fields. Most professors are dedicated to imparting quality knowledge to the students and supporting them to succeed in their careers. The professors are well-qualified, experienced, and committed to providing students with rigorous and engaging learning experiences. 

Another exciting aspect of the university is its good faculty-student ratio, which means students can access more individualised attention from their professors. According to past and present students, the professors are easily approachable and accessible outside of class, and most of them are willing to spend more time with the students who are struggling academically. 

However, there are a few exceptions to this. Some professors are in the minority and are not as well-regarded as the other professors. Most of the students have had the best educational experience with the teachers at WBSU, who are passionate about their subjects and experienced in the field. They ensure students understand complex concepts by devising various teaching methods. 

Several professors at the university have refused offers from other reputed institutions to contribute to the upliftment of their department at the university. 

Developing Infrastructure

WBSU has a modern and well-maintained infrastructure, which caters to the academic and extracurricular needs of the students. As the university was established in the late 2000s, the university has newer architecture and the facilities available are updated. Nevertheless, the university is still working on improving the infrastructure by including the missing facilities and amenities per the industry's new developments. 

Regarding the university's academic infrastructure, the classrooms are spacious and well-equipped with updated technology and equipment, such as projectors whiteboards and consists of comfortable seating arrangements for the students with sufficient natural lighting and ventilation. 

The university has well-equipped laboratories for various science departments, giving students the chance for hands-on experience in their respective fields. As mentioned earlier, the facilities available at the laboratories are fresh and well-maintained. The multiple computer labs at the university have ample computers and internet facilities, enabling students to access online resources for academic and research work.

The library at the university has state-of-the-art facilities with an extensive collection of books, magazines, journals and digital resources. Students can access a variety of academic materials, such as textbooks, research papers and online databases at the library. There is adequate seating to accommodate students who wish to read or study at the library.

The university boasts a well-maintained sports complex with various sports facilities, including courts for football, basketball, volleyball, badminton, cricket fields, and swimming pool. The gymnasium at the university provides students access to various exercise equipment, which assists them in maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

The university has a cafeteria that provides students with affordable food options. The canteen is located at the centre of the campus, making it easily accessible for students and faculties. The canteen offers a diverse menu of both vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes, served hygienically in a clean environment.

Availability of Housing Facilities

The university offers hostel accommodation to both male and female students located within the campus. The hostels provide comfortable and secure living conditions for students, enabling them to focus on their studies and extracurricular activities. The hostels have shared rooms that are well-furnished with comfortable beds, desks and wardrobes. Basic amenities available at the hostel include laundry and washing facilities and common areas for study, recreation and socialisation.

Timely meals are served in clean and hygienic dining halls. To ensure the safety of the students, the university has set up 24-hour security and warden supervision. The hostel room allotment is based on the merit of the students and vacancies in the rooms. Students are advised to apply for hostel accommodation to secure rooms at the beginning of the academic year. The hostel has strict rules regarding cleanliness, noise levels, guest policies and curfew timings.

The hostel fees at WBSU are comparatively lower, considering the facilities available and services provided. The annual prices typically range from INR 10,000 to INR 15,000, based on the room type and occupancy.

Additionally, there are multiple PGs around the university for those students who prefer to stay outside campus. The average rent for PGs near WBSU is between INR 5000 and INR 10,000 monthly. The rent varies depending on the location, room type and amenities available at these PGs.

Captivating Campus Atmosphere

The university offers a vibrant and engaging campus environment for its students with possibilities of diverse extracurricular activities, student organisations, and cultural and tech events catering to different interests and talents. The university encourages students to participate in extracurricular activities that enhance their development and widen their horizons. 

Many clubs and societies are dedicated to different interests, such as dance, music, debating, drama, sports, literature and social service. These clubs also include photography groups, film societies and environmental clubs, which provide students a platform to share their passions, pursue their hobbies and connect with like-minded people.

The university has a student council, which is the official representative body of the student community, that organises various events and initiatives to promote student welfare and address their concerns. Departmental committees conduct academic seminars, guest lectures and social events to enable students to learn more about the industry and the real world.

The cultural events organised by the student-led clubs include dance performances, drama productions, music concerts, and literary events where students have the platform to showcase their skills and talents. The university also conducts an annual cultural fest, a significant student event.

Various traditional festivals are celebrated on campus that provide students with a glimpse into the rich cultural traditions of the state. The university also encourages students to engage in social service activities to create awareness regarding the different situations in the community.

Diversity on Campus

WBSU campus is diverse and inclusive of students from all backgrounds and walks of life. The university is committed to providing a welcoming and supportive environment to all students, regardless of gender, religion, sexual orientation, ethnicity and socioeconomic status.

The university has a relatively balanced gender ratio, with almost 48% female and 52% male students. It also focuses on creating awareness among the students and professors regarding the importance of inclusivity by promoting diversity in clubs and organisations.

Dress Code

There is no defined uniform for the students at WBSU. It also has a relaxed dress code compared to the other universities in the country. There are no strict rules regarding the clothing of the students. However, students are expected to wear decent, modest, clean clothes for lectures and extracurricular events.

Mediocre Placement Records

With an average placement rate of 50%, the career prospects available at the university are less than its counterparts. Nevertheless, the placements at WBSU have seen an increase in the rates over the years. The university works on increasing the chances of getting good placement records through its placement cell by engaging with reputed companies and organisations to attract recruiters and provide students with opportunities to showcase their talents and skills.

The placement cell at the institute prepares the students for the placement drives by giving them appropriate training, mock interviews, resume-building workshops and company presentations. These services have resulted in an increase in placement rates in recent years.

According to the past years’ placement records, the highest salary package offered to eligible students was INR 5 LPA, and the lowest was INR 2.5 LPA. The average salary package offered to the 50% of students was INR 4.95 LPA. Some of the top recruiters who have participated in the placement drives at the university in recent years are as follows.

• Wipro
• Infosys
• Tata Consultancy Services (TCS)
• Tech Mahindra
• HCL Technologies
• Accenture
• Capgemini
• Larsen & Toubro
• Cognizant.

Overall Impression of WBSU

In conclusion, WBSU is a good option for students who wish to pursue their education in the Arts, Science, Commerce and Education fields. With a wide range of programs, the university has attained minimum respect in the area within a few years. The university is an ideal place for those who wish to pursue a career in academia and research, as the placement rate is lower than the other universities in the state. 

However, the university has a vibrant campus with an extra focus on diversity and inclusivity. The student-to-faculty ratio adds to the academic benefits available to the students. Nevertheless, the university is expected to attain bigger achievements in the future.

The pros and cons of West Bengal State University are as follows.

*Source: wbsu.ac.in