India has Top Liberal Education Universities that offer courses that help students broaden their scope in the employment sector. Before engineering, and medicine becomes globally dominant streams, liberal education has been coming down to change the race. Globalization has impacted the working culture which in turn has led to the demand for youth to have a multi-dimensional approach along with a required qualification.
“A Liberal Education provides the framework for an educated and thoughtful citizen.” – James Engel
So, by the end of this blog, you will have an idea about what is liberal education and the top colleges that provide this course.
What is Liberal Education?
Liberal Education is an approach to undergraduate education that promotes learners to process information and think analytically across curriculum and co-curriculum in order to develop learning outcomes that are essential for aspects like work, citizenship, and life.
The study of liberal education is taken up by students after schooling as it helps build a base for students who plan to expand their knowledge in various fields.
The simple reason to opt for liberal education today is that people graduate with technical degrees which lends them to become unidirectional.
Liberal Education Universities in India
For students who want to discover the road not taken, Mindler lists the universities which offer a course in Liberal Education. It must be noted that the universities mentioned below are not in any ranking order.
1. Ahmedabad University
Ahmedabad University is a non-profit private research university that offers liberal education focusing on interdisciplinary learning and research thinking.
Their academic environment offers students, researchers, and faculty the chance to take part in the unique learning process, fieldwork, and projects that enable them to get deep creative insight, analytical experimentation, and fulfilling careers.
Admission Process:
They accept online applications only. Admission at Ahmedabad University includes Personal interaction with faculty and students are required to write a Personal Statement.
2. Ashoka University
Ashoka University is a private university that is philanthropy-driven and is located in the National Capital Region of India and focuses on liberal education in the field of Humanities, Social Sciences, and the sciences.
The University emphasizes providing in-depth knowledge by clearing all the basics of the subject. Ashoka University is UGC approved and is accredited “A” Grade by NAAC.
Admission Process:
If you are planning to pursue MA in Liberal Arts at Ashoka University then please note that this course is restricted to graduates of the Young India Fellowship. This is a degree program that is taken by students who have graduated with a diploma in Liberal Education.
3. Atria University
Atria University is one of India’s First Liberal Sciences that offers a project-based learning approach. It aims at providing a unique learning experience in the form of projects, peer-to-peer appraisal, flexible learning procedures, and many more.
Artia University has eminent leaders from reputed industries and institutions like Harvard, MIT, Oxford, the London School of Economics, and many more.
Admission Process:
Interested candidates are required to apply online from the official website. The candidates are selected based on their performance on the online application and also at the Student Engagement and Interaction Day.
4. Azim Premji University
This University in Bengaluru was set up in 2011 that offers admission in undergraduate and postgraduate courses. The fees for courses are based on the annual family income. It is a non-profit private university recognized by UGC under section 2F.
Admission Process:
After applying online candidates will have to appear for an entrance test and the candidates who qualify will be shortlisted for a personal interview round.
5. Bennett University
Situated in Greater Noida (UP), this university was set up in 2016 that offers admission to Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Liberal Arts. one of the exciting parts of this University is that students can draw out their curriculum which ranges from various diverse electives and courses.
Along with specialization students at every stage will be given the option to select inter-disciplinary courses and electives.
Admission Process:
Students should have completed their 12th with a minimum of 45% in 4 specified subjects and English is a compulsory subject. The candidate must have passed class 12 in the application year. The eligible candidates first need to apply online. The selection is merit-based along with SAT scores. The selected students will be called for a personal interview after clearing these 2 rounds admission will be offered.
6. Christ University
Christ University was established in 1969 and was known as Christ College. In 2008 this institute was granted the status of deemed to be university. This is one of the first institutes in India accredited by the NAAC. Also, it has been ranked in the 8th position in India Today Rankings 2021.
The courses are designed in a way that at the end of 3 years students can take a major in any one discipline.
7. FLAME University
Set up in 2015 this university, this university is known as the pioneer of Liberal Education in India. It provides a variety of specializations with the aim to provide exposure to students which allows personal growth and professional development.
FLAME also allows students to take up major-minor combinations, and open elective courses thus providing exposure to students in multiple dimensions.
Admission Process:
Candidates will have to appear for FLAME Entrance Aptitude Test (FEAT). Candidates who qualify for the exam and have strong academic backgrounds will be called for a personal interview. The selection will be based on FEAT, Essay, Personal Interview, Academic Record, Achievements, and Statement of Purpose.
8. Jagran Lakecity University
This private university was established under section 2 of the UGC Act 1956 in Bhopal, MP. This university offers 50+ programs to more than 2500 students coming from 8 countries and 27 states of India.
This university is approved by UGC, AICTE, AIU, and NCTE.
Admission Process:
The admission is merit as well as entrance exam scores. Admissions are conducted both online and offline mode. The eligibility criteria for all courses are similar to the general entry mode.
9. Karnavati University
Established in 2017, this University is located in Uvarsad near Gandhinagar. This University offers courses in UG, PG, and Doctorate levels with multiple specializations. In 2019, this University was granted membership in the Association of Indian Universities, New Delhi.
The University’s prime motive is not only to produce designers, lawyers, and dentists but also those professionals who have good human value and can make contributions to society for the welfare of people. Along with several courses in Computational Intelligence, and Dentistry, this university also focuses on Liberal Education.
Admission Procedure
The candidates must have an aggregate 50% score from any recognized Higher Secondary School Board. However, for B.Sc honours and BBA LLB Honors the candidate must have a mathematics and an aggregate score of 45% respectively.
For admission to the UG Programme, the evaluation criteria are of two tiers-
Tier 1: This is the test conducted by the University called Karnavati University Admission Test (KUAT)
Ties 2: Personal Interview
10. KREA University
Known for its diverse courses offered by KREA University offers admission to UG courses in humanities, social sciences, literature, arts, and sciences.
They offer a three-year course to students with specialization along with an option to do an additional year i.e 4th year of advanced studies.
Admission Procedure:
Candidates will have to apply online on the official website and will have to meet the eligibility criteria set up by the university. On the immersion day, candidates will have to give some tests and then the shortlisted candidates will be called for admission.
Conclusion
Advocated in the 19th century, Liberal Education is no more a new concept and it is being slowly accepted. If you wish to discover this field but don’t know whether it will be helpful then feel free to contact our online career coaches who will help you understand this vast field of liberal education.
The academic curriculum of Liberal Education is designed in a manner that provides an opportunity for students to choose among various subjects and it helps to develop interpersonal skills. Students pursuing liberal education develop an interesting trait to think outside of the box.
So, feel free to explore this field and stand out from the crowd. Don’t forget to check out the 2nd part of this blog which lists some more renowned liberal education universities in India.