Once the 12th results are out, an entirely new picture emerges in relation to the selection of the right college or institute. While course selection in itself becomes a dilemma, selecting the right college or university adds another layer of challenge. Apart from the normal colleges, there are different types of universities and colleges that you should know about before proceeding with your admissions. Let’s uncover them!
Different Types of Universities and Institutions
The type of college you select will not only layout the quality of education but also how you pursue it. Following are the different types of universities and institutions and their key characteristics:
- State Universities
The state universities are set up and backed by the state governments. The entire university, administration and overall functioning are supervised by the state government. The state government is autonomous in deciding the curriculum and academics of the course. State universities have multiple colleges affiliated with them. The fees of state universities are usually lower than the private institutions due to funding backed by the state government.
- Private Universities
Private universities are usually established by private organisations or trusts and they operate independently from the state or central government. Private universities usually provide modern infrastructure, learning environments and specialised programs. Unlike state and central government institutions, private universities do not rely on government funds to operate. They generally have more academic freedom. The tuition fees charged by private universities are comparatively higher. The primary reasons behind the same are that firstly, it does not rely on government funds and secondly, they usually provide high-end infrastructure and facilities in many cases.
- Autonomous Universities
Autonomous universities are universities with some extent of academic freedom. These universities are permitted to manage their own curriculum, academic policies and examinations. These universities may be state/public universities or even private universities. They have minimum interference from the state administration. They have the autonomy to adopt innovative teaching styles and have specialised courses.
- Deemed Universities
This refers to the institutions that are granted the status of university by the Ministry of Education based on the excellence in teaching and reputation education. These universities have full autonomy in academic matters. These institutions can be private or public universities. Due to the autonomy, these universities can design their own curriculum, academics and fee structure. These universities are recognized by the UGC and are popular for offering distant learning programs.
- Central Institutions
Central institutions or universities are those that are managed under the administration of the central government. These universities or institutions may have a presence across India. For instance, IITs, IIMs and NITs are among the top central institutions. Their curriculum, academic policy, fee structure etc. are decided by the central government administration.
Which One You Should Select?
Selecting the right college or university is important as it not only determines the quality of your education but also the future scope and opportunities. Having graduated from a reputed college gives you an edge in your initial career phase. A lot will depend on where you stay, your budget for higher education and your education and career goals. Choose wisely!