Karnatak University, Dharwad (KUD) traces its history to 1st March, 1950 and is the second-oldest university in the state. The University Grants Commission has recognised it as a “Potential of Excellence” institution. Its campuses are in Haveri, Belgaum, Dharwad, Bijapur and Gadag, and it has 249 affiliated colleges.

The university provides MA and M.Sc programmes along with other courses through its Science, Arts, Commerce, Law and Education departments. Its academic portfolio includes 50 PG courses, 4 Advanced Diploma courses, 11 Certificate courses, 26 M.Phil courses and 42 Ph.D courses. UG and PG programmes are also available through the Directorate of Distance Education. Students should confirm the current course fees through the university's official website.

At its Dharwad campus, the university runs the National Apprenticeship Training Scheme under the Ministry of Human Resource Development, Government of India. The scheme gives Engineering and Technology skill training to fresh graduates and diploma holders. The university also has three PG centres associated with higher education:

  • Karnatak University PG Centre, Belgaum
  • Karnatak University Karwar PG Centre
  • Karnatak University Bijapur PG Centre

Karnatak University Dharwad Distance UG Admission

The Directorate of Distance Education serves students who are unable to attend regular classes. Its undergraduate distance courses run for 3 years. Applicants must have passed the 10+2 or an equivalent examination from a recognised institution. Diploma holders who studied English as a paper may also apply.

Department Courses Eligibility
Arts Bachelor of Arts (BA) in: English Applicants must pass 10+2 or an equivalent examination from a recognised institution. Diploma holders who studied English as a paper are also eligible.
History & Archaeology
Anthropology
Sociology
Economics
Political Science
Sanskrit
Marathi
Urdu
Hindi
Kannada
Commerce Bachelor of Commerce (B.Com) in: Financial Accounting
Secretarial Practice
Managerial Economics
Modern Marketing

Karnatak University Dharwad PG Admission

Postgraduate programmes are offered across several departments, and each course has a duration of 2 years. For most programmes, the university prepares a merit list for admission. Applicants generally need a graduate degree in the relevant subject with at least 45% marks. SC and ST applicants receive a 5% relaxation, and Kannada must have been taken as an optional subject during the bachelor's degree.

Departments Courses Eligibility
Arts Master of Arts in: Kannada Applicants must graduate in the relevant discipline with at least 45% marks. SC and ST applicants receive a 5% relaxation. Kannada must have been studied as an optional subject during the bachelor's degree.
English
Folklore
Urdu & Persian
Music
Sanskrit
Marathi
French
Linguistics
Hindi
Social Science MA in: Anthropology
Criminology & Forensic Science
Economics
History & Archaeology
Ancient Indian History
Jainology
Library & Information Science
Mass Communication
Philosophy
Psychology
Social Work
Sociology
Science M.Sc in: Biochemistry
Botany
Chemistry
Electronics
Geography
Applied Geography
Applied Genetics
Mathematics
Microbiology
Physics
Statistics
Zoology
Computer Science
Biotechnology
Commerce M.Com in: General
Corporate Secretary
Law LLM
Education Master of Physical Education (MP.Ed)
Master of Education (M.Ed)
Management Master in Tourism Administration (MTA) MBA applicants must have at least 50% marks in any bachelor's degree. MTA follows the same eligibility conditions as the other PG courses.
Master in Business Administration (MBA)

Students seeking admission to these PG courses must apply through the university's official website. MBA and MTA selection is based on the PG Common Entrance Test, or PGCET, conducted by the CPAC at the VTU campus in Belgaum.

Karnatak University Dharwad Distance PG Admission

The university also conducts postgraduate degree programmes through distance education. Applicants need a bachelor's degree. Admission is first offered on a first-come, first-served basis. The university then prepares a merit list and calls the selected students to complete final admission.

Department Course Eligibility
Arts Master of Arts (MA) in: Sociology A bachelor's degree is required to apply.
Sanskrit
Marathi
Urdu
Hindi
English
Kannada
Archaeology
History
Political Science
Philosophy
Commerce Master of Commerce (M.Com) in: Marketing Management
Financial Management
International Business
Strategic Management
Organizational Behaviour

Karnatak University Dharwad Ph.D Admission

Karnatak University admits research scholars to 42 regular Ph.D courses. Applicants must hold a postgraduate degree in the relevant subject with at least 55% marks. The final merit list gives equal weight to postgraduate performance and the entrance examination, with 50% marks assigned to each.

Department Course Eligibility
Arts Kannada A postgraduate degree in the related discipline with at least 55% marks is required for every Ph.D course.
English
Folklore
French
Hindi
Linguistics
Marathi
Sanskrit
Urdu & Persian
Music
Commerce General
Corporate Secretary
Education Education
Physical Education
Management Management
Law Ph.D in Law
Social Sciences Ancient Indian
History & Epigraphy
Anthropology
Criminology & Forensic Sciences
Economics
History & Archaeology
Library & Information Science
Mass Communication & Journalism
Science Applied Genetics
Mathematics
Geography
Geology
Chemistry
Computer Science
Biochemistry
Biotechnology & Microbiology
Botany
PG Centre (Haveri) Mass Communication & Journalism
Sociology
Social Work
Political Science
Psychology
Philosophy
PG Centre (Karwar) Marine Biology
Physics
Statistics
Zoology

Selection Process

The Ph.D entrance test carries 100 marks and contains multiple-choice questions. Those who pass the written examination must attend a personal interview. Applicants who have qualified GATE, NET, SLET or JRF, as well as FIP or QIP fellows, are exempt from the written test.

Application Process

Ph.D applicants must complete the application form on the university's official web portal and pay the required amount online. They should keep printed copies of both the completed form and the payment slip for later use.

Karnatak University Dharwad PG Diploma Admission

The PG Diploma programmes have a duration of 1 year. A graduate degree in a related discipline is required for admission to each course listed below.

Department Course Eligibility
Arts Functional Hindi Applicants for every PG Diploma course must hold a graduate degree in a related discipline.
Kanaka Studies
Basava Studies
Prachyalekhana Adhyayana
Folklore
Translation in Kannada
Translation & Official Communication in Hindi
Linguistics
Social Science Ambedkar Studies
Epigraphy
Gandhian Studies
Jainology
Women’s Studies
Yoga Studies
Archaeology & Museology
Conservation & Heritage Management
International Diploma in Reproductive Health Management
Science Satellite Oceanography (Karwar campus)

Karnatak University Dharwad Application Process

Students applying for distance UG or PG courses must complete the following steps:

  • Download the prescribed distance learning application form from the university's official web portal.
  • Complete the form and submit it in person to the nearest affiliated college selected as the study centre.
  • Pay online for the study material supplied by the university.

Karnatak University Dharwad FAQs

Ques: How many programmes and study areas are available at Karnatak University?

Ans: The university has 50 postgraduate courses, 4 advanced diploma courses, 11 certificate courses, 26 M.Phil courses and 42 Ph.D courses. These cover Science, Arts, Commerce, Law and Education. UG and PG courses are also taught through distance education.

Ques: Which tests may be used for Karnatak University admission?

Ans: The accepted examinations include the Karnatak University Admission Test, JEE, GATE, NET, SLET, JRF, CMAT, GMAT and KMAT.

Ques: How does the university select students for its MBA programme?

Ans: MBA applicants must take the PG Common Entrance Test, or PGCET, conducted by the CPAC and obtain a valid score.

Ques: Who can submit an application for a PG Diploma at Karnatak University?

Ans: An applicant must have a bachelor's degree in the relevant discipline from a recognised university or institute. The PG Diploma courses do not set a minimum marks requirement or an age limit.

Ques: How is the Ph.D admission merit list calculated?

Ans: Applications are submitted through the university's official website. Selection uses a merit list in which postgraduate marks carry 50% weight and the entrance test carries the remaining 50% weight.

Ques: Can a diploma holder apply for a distance undergraduate course?

Ans: Distance UG applicants normally need to pass 10+2 or an equivalent examination from a recognised institution. Diploma holders may also apply if English was a compulsory paper in their diploma.

Ques: Which subjects can students choose in the M.Sc programme?

Ans: M.Sc options include Chemistry, Mathematics, Biotechnology, Physics, Zoology, Biochemistry, Botany, Computer Science, Microbiology, Marine Biology, Applied Genetics, Statistics, Applied Geology, Electronics and Geography.

Ques: What degree choices and durations are offered through distance education?

Ans: Distance learners can study BA, B.Com, MA and M.Com. BA and B.Com each take 3 years, while MA and M.Com each have a duration of 2 years.