Higher Education System and Support in India.
India's higher education system is the third largest in the world after China and the United States. The main governing body at the tertiary level is the University Grants Commission (UGCI), which enforces its standards, advises the government and helps coordinate between the centre and the state.
Most of the universities and higher centers of learning and research are autonomous in function. A good number of universities have a federal structure composed of affiliated colleges on one tier and the university departments on the other. The affiliated colleges teach, in general, undergraduate courses, whereas the university departments conduct postgraduate teaching and advanced research. The university decides the criteria of admission into colleges and coordinates the first degree examination in the undergraduate programmes and award of degree.
Some other types of universities teach both undergraduate and postgraduate courses in general disciplines as well as in technical and professional courses. There are no affiliated colleges attached to them.
There is a third category of universities and institutions where technical and professional courses are taught at undergraduate and postgraduate levels. Names like Indian Institute of Technology, Birla Institute of Technology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Indian Forest Research Institute, Indian Veterinary Research Institute etc.. Some institutes only offer postgraduate and research courses such as Indian Agricultural Research Institute and Post Graduate Institute of Medical Research.
Courses and Degrees.
Undergraduate Courses
Undergraduate courses, in general, are of three years leading to the final examinations. The universities and higher institutes award Bachelor's degrees in Arts, Science, Commerce, etc. However, undergraduate courses leading to a first degree in professional subjects like Engineering, Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmacy are of a longer duration ranging from four to five and a half years.
Postgraduate Courses
Courses in Arts, Science and Medicine are of two years ending with a Master's degree. For Engineering and Technology, it is of one and a half years. In some specialized fields for instance, for a Bachelor of Education (B.Ed) degree, the possession of a Bachelor's degree in any other discipline is required before admission can be obtained.
Some universities and higher institutes offer a diploma or a certificate course of shorter duration in disciplines like Engineering, Agricultural Sciences and Computer Technology. The duration of these courses varies from university to university.
Medium of Instruction.
In most of the universities the medium of instruction is English. Some universities and colleges have switched over to Hindi and regional languages. The medium of instruction is English for scientific, technical and professional education.
Admission Procedure for Foreign Students :
Educational Consultants India Ltd. (EDCIL) arranges admission of foreign students in several Arts, Science and Professional courses in various Indian universities. For details of the various institutions where admission can be secured, fee structure, courses available etc. the following may please be contacted...................more
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