The Calcutta University colleges list covers roughly 155 affiliated institutions, according to the University of Calcutta’s own affiliated colleges page. About 79 of them are inside Kolkata, and the rest are spread across South 24 Parganas, Howrah and Hooghly. Most students shortlist by stream. St. Xavier’s, Scottish Church, Asutosh and Surendranath are popular general arts and science names. City College of Commerce and Goenka College of Commerce are well known for commerce and business. Bethune, Lady Brabourne and Loreto are leading women’s colleges, and Surendranath Law College is a familiar law option. Every college runs its own application and merit process within the university’s framework, so cutoffs, fees and seat numbers differ widely. Use this guide to shortlist colleges by stream and area, then confirm current seats, fees and dates on the official websites before you apply.
How Many Colleges Are Affiliated to Calcutta University?
The University of Calcutta, established in 1857, is one of the oldest universities in South Asia. Its official affiliated colleges page groups around 155 colleges by district: about 79 in Kolkata, 46 in South 24 Parganas, 22 in Howrah and 8 in Hooghly. The mix includes government colleges, aided colleges, minority institutions and self-financed colleges, and the exact count can change when new affiliations are granted or old ones lapse. Treat any list, including this one, as a starting point and check the university site for the current position.
It also helps to know what is not on the list. Some well-known Kolkata names, such as Presidency University and Jadavpur University, run their own admissions as separate universities. For those, see our guides to Presidency University and Jadavpur University.
Calcutta University Colleges List by Stream
Best General Degree Colleges for Arts and Science
General degree colleges offer BA, BSc and often BCom honours and programme courses. Well-known names in Kolkata include St. Xavier’s College (autonomous), Scottish Church College, Asutosh College, Surendranath College, Vidyasagar College, City College, Maulana Azad College, Bangabasi College, Gurudas College, Maharaja Manindra Chandra College, Sanskrit College, Syamaprasad College, Victoria Institution, Vivekananda College and Prafulla Chandra College. Many more operate in areas such as Behala, Jadavpur, Netaji Nagar and Ballygunge. For subject-wise detail, read our guides to the best BA colleges and the best B.Sc colleges in Kolkata.
Commerce and Business Colleges
For commerce and business administration, City College of Commerce and Business Administration, Goenka College of Commerce and Business Administration and the Indian Institute of Social Welfare and Business Management are commonly listed under the university. Several general degree colleges also run strong BCom departments, including evening sections. Compare options in our B.Com colleges guide.
Women’s Colleges
Kolkata has a long tradition of women’s education, and the affiliated list includes Bethune College, Lady Brabourne College, Loreto College, Jogamaya Devi College, Gokhale Memorial Girls’ College, Rani Birla Girls’ College, Vidyasagar College for Women, Women’s Christian College, Sivanath Sastri College, Surendranath College for Women and Seth Soorajmull Jalan Girls’ College, among others. Families weighing campus safety and housing can also read our guide to girls’ PGs and women’s hostels in Kolkata.
Law, Teacher Training and Specialised Institutions
Law colleges on the list include Surendranath Law College, Jogesh Chandra Chaudhuri Law College, South Calcutta Law College and Shyambazar Law College. Teacher training options include David Hare Training College and the Institute of Education for Women. Specialised institutions such as the Institute of Jute Technology and the Government College of Art and Craft also appear. For law entrance routes and fees, see our law colleges guide.
How to Choose the Right Affiliated College
With so many options, a clear shortlist saves time. These factors matter most:
- Course and honours subject: Not every college offers every honours subject, so check the subject list first.
- Admission route: Most undergraduate seats are filled on marks through the university’s centralised or college-level process. Our admission process and dates guide explains the usual sequence.
- Location and commute: A college near a metro station or bus corridor cuts daily travel time and cost.
- Fees and extras: Government-aided colleges tend to charge much less than self-financed ones, but confirm current fees directly.
- Day or evening shift: Some colleges run morning, day and evening sections, which suits working students.
Government-Aided vs Self-Financed Colleges
Government and government-aided colleges usually have lower tuition and highly competitive cutoffs, while self-financed colleges may have more seats and different fee structures. Exact figures vary by college and year, so avoid relying on third-party lists for fees. Use the college notice board or website, and the university portal, as the final authority.
Where to Verify the Latest Information
Affiliation status, seat matrices, eligibility and dates are published by the University of Calcutta and each college. Check the University of Calcutta website and the notice section of your shortlisted colleges. For a wider overview of streams and routes, start with our complete college and university guide.
Calcutta University Colleges: Frequently Asked Questions
How many colleges are affiliated with Calcutta University?
The university’s affiliated colleges page lists about 155 colleges, with roughly 79 in Kolkata. The number can change, so verify it on the official site.
Is St. Xavier’s College affiliated with Calcutta University?
Yes. St. Xavier’s College, Kolkata is listed as an affiliated college and has autonomous status. Read our St. Xavier’s College guide for details.
Which Calcutta University college is best for commerce?
City College of Commerce and Business Administration and Goenka College of Commerce are widely mentioned, but the best fit depends on your marks, budget and commute. Compare current cutoffs before deciding.
Are there Calcutta University colleges outside Kolkata?
Yes. Affiliated colleges are also located in South 24 Parganas, Howrah and Hooghly, including Serampore College and Uluberia College.
Where can I find the official college list?
The University of Calcutta publishes its affiliated colleges on its website, and each entry links to the college’s own site where available.
