Isabella Thoburn Degree College (ITDC), Lucknow, began in 1870 and is a private aided degree college for women. It is recognised by UGC, affiliated with the University of Lucknow, and accredited with a NAAC Grade A. The Methodist Church in India operates the college through the Isabella Thoburn College Society. ITDC is regarded as one of Southern Asia's earliest women's colleges.

The college is not currently listed in the NIRF rankings. In the India Today 2024 rankings, it secured the 42nd position out of 186 Arts colleges and the 43rd position out of 229 Commerce colleges.

Located at 7 Faizabad Road in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, the college has a 22-acre campus. Its main academic resource is the Sarah Chakko Memorial Library, which commemorates a pioneering alumna.

  • BA (Hons.) provides 10 subject choices, including English, Economics, History, Psychology, Sociology, Political Science, Geography, and other subjects. The yearly fee is INR 12,000.
  • B.Sc is available in Biology, Home Science, and Mathematics streams, with an annual fee of INR 25,000.
  • B.Com is a general commerce course that costs INR 25,000 per year.
  • BBA is completed in three years. Students pay INR 1,20,000 annually and INR 3,60,000 in total.
  • MBA runs for two years and has a yearly fee of INR 1,98,000, bringing the total to INR 3,96,000.
  • MA can be studied in Economics, English, Geography, Sociology, or Women Studies. Its annual fee is INR 31,900.
  • M.Sc options include Biotechnology, Chemistry, Nutrition and Food Processing, and Zoology. The course fee is INR 61,000 per year.
  • B.Ed lasts two years and costs INR 11,085 in Year 1 and INR 9,085 in Year 2. The one-year B.Lib course costs INR 25,000.

Placement information reported through NIRF shows that 88 undergraduate students found placements in 2023-24, with a median annual salary of INR 3,34,000. The postgraduate median salary for that year was INR 5,46,000 per annum.

Admission Update: Admissions for the 2026-27 session are complete. The ITDC entrance examination in May 2027 will begin the 2027-28 admission cycle, while postgraduate applications for that session will open in June 2027.

ITDC Admission Dates 2027

The 2026-27 admission process has ended. For 2027-28, undergraduate admissions are expected to begin with ITDC's entrance test in May 2027. MA, M.Sc, and MBA applicants will follow a separate merit-based route, with forms expected to be available from June 2027.

EventDate
ITDC undergraduate entrance examination for the 2027-28 cycleMay 2027
Undergraduate result and merit list for the 2027-28 cycleJune 2027
Undergraduate admission and fee payment for the 2027-28 cycleJune to July 2027
MA, M.Sc, and MBA application period for the 2027-28 cycleJune to July 2027
Postgraduate merit list for the 2027-28 cycleJuly 2027
B.Ed admission through the state processAccording to the UP B.Ed JEE 2027 schedule
Start of the 2027-28 academic sessionJuly to August 2027

Subject to revision. Kindly check with the official sources to confirm

Admission requirements differ by programme. ITDC uses its own entrance examination for undergraduate courses, while postgraduate and professional courses have separate selection routes.

CourseExam AcceptedMode of Admission
BA / B.Sc / B.Com (Hons.)ITDC Entrance ExamOffline, based on merit
BBAITDC Entrance ExamOffline, based on merit
MA / M.Sc / MBAGraduation merit plus written test or interviewMerit-based selection through an offline application
B.EdUP B.Ed Joint Entrance ExamState counselling
B.LibGraduation meritDirect merit-based admission

ITDC Courses and Fees

ITDC provides undergraduate, postgraduate, and professional education only to women. Every course is affiliated with the University of Lucknow. Annual charges start at INR 12,000 for BA and reach INR 1,98,000 for MBA.

CourseDurationEligibilityAnnual FeeTotal Fee
BA (Hons.), 10 subjects3 years, with a 4-year NEP option10+2 from a recognised boardINR 12,000INR 36,000 for 3 years / INR 48,000 for 4 years
B.Sc in Biology / Home Science / Mathematics3 years, with a 4-year NEP option10+2 with ScienceINR 25,000INR 75,000 for 3 years / INR 1,00,000 for 4 years
B.Com3 years, with a 4-year NEP option10+2 from a recognised boardINR 25,000INR 75,000 for 3 years / INR 1,00,000 for 4 years
BBA3 years10+2 with 45%INR 1,20,000INR 3,60,000
B.Ed2 yearsGraduation with 50% plus UP B.Ed JEEINR 9,085 to INR 11,085INR 20,170
B.Lib in Library Science1 yearGraduation from a recognised universityINR 25,000INR 25,000
MA in Economics / English / Geography / Sociology / Women Studies2 yearsGraduation in the relevant subject with 45%INR 31,900INR 63,800
M.Sc in Biotechnology / Chemistry / Nutrition / Zoology2 yearsB.Sc in the relevant subject with 50%INR 61,000INR 1,22,000
MBA2 yearsGraduation with 50%INR 1,98,000INR 3,96,000

Subject to revision. Kindly check with the official sources to confirm

Among the postgraduate choices, the MA in Women Studies reflects ITDC's 155-year history in women's education. Home Science is available as a B.Sc stream, while Nutrition and Food Processing is offered as a specialisation at the M.Sc level.

ITDC Admission Process

ITDC selects students for every undergraduate course through an entrance test conducted by the college each May. Seats in individual programmes are offered according to entrance-test merit and availability.

  1. Choose the course and confirm that its academic eligibility conditions have been met.
  2. For BA, B.Sc, B.Com, or BBA, complete the college's undergraduate application and take the ITDC written entrance examination.
  3. For MA, M.Sc, or MBA, submit the offline application. Selection considers graduation marks and may also include a written examination or interview.
  4. B.Ed applicants must take UP B.Ed JEE and participate in centralised state counselling.
  5. B.Lib applicants are assessed directly through their graduation merit.
  6. Selected students must complete document verification and pay the required fee to confirm admission.

UG Admission (BA / B.Sc / B.Com / BBA)

Applicants need a 10+2 qualification from a recognised board. After the college's written entrance test, ITDC publishes a merit list. BA students select their subject combination during admission, and the final steps are document checking and fee payment.

PG Admission (MA / M.Sc / MBA)

A bachelor's degree in the relevant field is required. The minimum qualifying score is 45%, except for M.Sc, which requires 50%. Applicants submit forms offline, and graduation results determine the merit list. Certain programmes also use a written test or interview.

B.Ed Admission

Seats in B.Ed are filled through the state-level UP B.Ed Joint Entrance Examination conducted by Lucknow University. Centralised state counselling assigns colleges according to each applicant's JEE rank and stated preferences.

B.Lib Admission

Any graduate of a recognised university may apply for the one-year B.Lib programme. The limited seats are assigned in graduation-merit order.

ITDC Career Outcomes

Career directions differ across ITDC's liberal arts, science, education, library science, and management courses. Many arts and science students move into higher education, teaching, civil services, or other government work. Management and corporate positions are common routes for BBA and MBA graduates.

NIRF 2024 data for the 2023-24 placement year records 88 placed undergraduate students with a median salary of INR 3,34,000 per annum. At the postgraduate level, 36 students obtained placements, and their median annual salary was INR 5,46,000.

Career PathwayTypical OutcomeRelevant Programmes
Government services at the civil or state levelPreparation for UPSC, UPPSC, or SSC examinations after graduationBA and MA in Economics, Sociology, or History
Teaching and educationSchool or college teaching after B.Ed or MAB.Ed, MA, and M.Sc
Corporate and management workStarting positions in BFSI, FMCG, retail, or human resourcesBBA and MBA
Research and academicsLecturer and research careers after qualifying NET or JRFM.Sc in Biotechnology, Chemistry, or Zoology
Library and information scienceLibrarian positions in schools, colleges, and public institutionsB.Lib

The college's MBA serves women seeking management education in Lucknow. Its two-year fee is INR 3,96,000.

ITDC Rankings

India Today ranks ITDC in the Arts, Science, and Commerce undergraduate categories. The institution does not currently appear in the NIRF ranking framework.

Ranking BodyCategory2024 Rank2023 Rank
India TodayArts, BA colleges42 out of 18642 out of 173
India TodayScience, B.Sc colleges47 out of 211Not available
India TodayCommerce, B.Com colleges43 out of 229Not available

ITDC held the 42nd position in the India Today Arts rankings in both 2024 and 2023, although the number of ranked colleges changed from 186 to 173. Its academic systems and infrastructure have also received NAAC Grade A accreditation.

ITDC Campus and Infrastructure

ITDC's 22-acre campus is at 7 Faizabad Road, with access from major parts of Lucknow. More than 3,000 students study across over 20 departments, supported by a faculty of more than 100 members.

The Sarah Chakko Memorial Library is the central library. It is named for Dr. Sarah Chakko, an ITDC alumna and former principal who later became the first woman president of the World Council of Churches. Biology, Chemistry, and Zoology laboratories serve students enrolled in B.Sc and M.Sc courses.

Outstation students can use the campus hostel facilities. Other amenities include a canteen, common room, and grounds for sports and co-curricular events. Annual festivals and student societies form part of campus life and continue the college's 155-year tradition of educating women.

ITDC vs Loreto College vs Mahila PG College Lucknow

ITDC, Loreto College Lucknow, and Mahila PG College Lucknow are women-only institutions affiliated with the University of Lucknow. Students considering Arts, Science, or Commerce can compare them by location, management, course range, accreditation, history, and ranking.

ParameterITDC LucknowLoreto College LucknowMahila PG College Lucknow
Location7 Faizabad Road, LucknowHazratganj, LucknowLucknow
TypePrivate aided, Methodist ChurchPrivate aided, CatholicGovernment women's college
AffiliationUniversity of LucknowUniversity of LucknowUniversity of Lucknow
GenderWomen onlyWomen onlyWomen only
NAAC GradeAANot publicly listed
Established187019421960
Management ProgrammesBBA and MBA availableBBA availableLimited
India Today Arts 202442 out of 186Not rankedNot ranked

Founded in 1870, ITDC is the oldest of these three colleges and the only one listed here with a dedicated MBA course. Loreto College, situated in Hazratganj, has a focus on Arts and cultural activities. Government funding allows Mahila PG College to charge lower fees, making it a choice for students from economically weaker backgrounds.

ITDC FAQs

Ques. Who can apply to Isabella Thoburn Degree College?

Ans. Only women can seek admission because ITDC is an exclusively women's degree college. This condition covers BA, B.Sc, B.Com, BBA, MBA, MA, M.Sc, B.Ed, and B.Lib.

Ques. Which accreditation and affiliation does ITDC hold?

Ans. ITDC has a NAAC Grade A. It is also recognised by UGC and affiliated with the University of Lucknow.

Ques. How are students selected for the different ITDC courses?

Ans. BA, B.Sc, B.Com, and BBA applicants take ITDC's own entrance test, which is conducted each May. B.Ed selection takes place through the state-level UP B.Ed Joint Entrance Examination. For MA, M.Sc, and MBA, candidates submit offline forms and are selected on merit.

Ques. How much does the BA course at ITDC cost?

Ans. BA students pay INR 12,000 each year. The total is INR 36,000 for three years or INR 48,000 under the four-year NEP format.

Ques. What are the annual and total charges for ITDC's MBA?

Ans. The annual MBA fee is INR 1,98,000. Across the full two-year programme, students pay INR 3,96,000.

Ques. Where did ITDC place in the India Today 2024 rankings?

Ans. India Today 2024 placed ITDC 42 out of 186 for Arts, 47 out of 211 for Science, and 43 out of 229 for Commerce across India.

Ques. Can students from outside Lucknow stay in an ITDC hostel?

Ans. Yes. The campus provides hostel accommodation for outstation women. Places are assigned by priority, so applicants should ask the college about current availability and hostel charges.

Ques. What is the history behind the founding of ITDC?

Ans. American Methodist missionary Isabella Thoburn founded the institution as a school in 1870. It became a degree college affiliated with the University of Lucknow in 1886 and is recognised as one of Southern Asia's first women's colleges.