Bengaluru City University (BCU) took shape in 2017 when Bangalore University was divided into three universities. This Karnataka state university works under the state government, has UGC recognition and holds NAAC Grade A accreditation. In 2025, it received the name Dr. Manmohan Singh Bengaluru City University to honour the former Prime Minister.

Arts, commerce, computer applications and foreign languages are among BCU's main areas of study. Its central campus stands at Jnana Jyoti, Dr Ambedkar Veedhi, in central Bengaluru. Government Arts College and Ramnarayan Chellaram College of Commerce and Management are its constituent colleges on campus. More than 200 affiliated colleges serve the Bengaluru metropolitan and urban area, with courses in arts, science, commerce, engineering, education and professional fields.

BCU has operated independently only since 2017 and does not yet feature in NIRF or other major Indian rankings. Students can study at undergraduate, postgraduate, research, diploma and certificate levels. Eligible students can receive state or Central Government scholarships, while constituent and affiliated colleges arrange placement drives, mainly for technology and management graduates.

  • BA students can choose humanities subjects such as Sociology, Journalism, History, English and Economics.
  • Commerce options include B.Com Accounting and Finance and B.Com (Hons).
  • BBA is available in its general form and with a Business Analytics specialisation.
  • Computer application choices cover general BCA, BCA Data Science and BCA AI/ML, which focuses on artificial intelligence and machine learning.
  • B.Sc subjects include Fashion and Apparel Design, Statistics, Mathematics and Computer Science.
  • Students interested in social work can take the Bachelor of Social Work (BSW).
  • At postgraduate level, students can choose MA subjects, including Foreign Languages; general or specialised M.Com; MBA; MCA; science-based M.Sc courses; M.Ed; MSW; and Master of Library Science.
  • Research study through Ph.D programmes covers Education, Management, Science, Commerce and Arts.
  • Diploma and certificate study includes foreign languages such as Russian, Chinese, Spanish, Korean, Japanese, German and French.

Bengaluru City University Important Dates

The provisional schedule for 2027-28 places the next application opening in June 2027, following Karnataka's academic calendar. The dates below remain tentative. Separate entrance examination and counselling schedules apply to the relevant admission routes.

Tentative University Admission Schedule for 2027-28

EventDate
Opening of undergraduate applications for 2027-28June 2027, tentative
Undergraduate merit lists and admission for 2027-28July to August 2027, tentative
PGCET-based postgraduate admission for 2027-28August to September 2027, tentative
Start of the 2027-28 academic sessionAugust 2027, tentative

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

Karnataka PGCET Counselling 2026

EventDate
Round 2 fee payment deadline for Choice 1 and Choice 2 candidatesOctober 19, 2026
Round 2 deadline for Choice 1 candidates to report to their allotted collegeOctober 23, 2026

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

KMAT 2026

The official KMAT schedule lists the following registration deadline.

EventDate
Last date to register online for KMAT 2026October 31, 2026

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

GATE 2027

Applicants using GATE for the relevant research admission route can follow the official GATE 2027 calendar.

EventDate
GATE 2027 application correction windowOctober 14 to October 21, 2026
GATE 2027 examination city notificationJanuary 4, 2027
GATE 2027 examinationsFebruary 6, 7, 13, 14, 20 and 21, 2027
GATE 2027 result announcementMarch 19, 2027

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

UGC-NET December 2026

The updated official UGC-NET information bulletin gives these dates for the December 2026 examination.

EventDate
Online registration and application submissionOctober 8 to October 28, 2026, up to 11:50 PM
Deadline for successful examination fee payment without a late feeOctober 28, 2026, up to 11:50 PM
Application submission with an additional late fee of INR 500October 29 to October 31, 2026, up to 11:50 PM
Deadline for successful payment with the late feeOctober 31, 2026, up to 11:50 PM
Online correction of application detailsNovember 2 to November 4, 2026, up to 11:50 PM
Examination city notificationNovember 23, 2026
Admit card downloadDecember 7, 2026
UGC-NET December 2026 examinationsDecember 14 to December 18, 2026, and December 21, 2026

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

Bengaluru City University Courses and Fees

BCU's courses span Arts, Commerce, Management, Computer Applications, Science, Social Work, Education and Foreign Languages. Students can progress from undergraduate study to postgraduate and doctoral courses, or choose diploma and certificate programmes. All amounts in the table are General Category fees for the complete course.

CourseDurationEligibilityFee
BA: Economics, English, History, Journalism or Sociology3 years10+2 in any streamINR 25,234
B.Com (Hons)3 years10+2 in any streamINR 60,456
B.Com Accounting and Finance3 years10+2, preferably CommerceINR 1,07,785
BBA or BBA Business Analytics3 years10+2 in any streamINR 83,266
BCA, BCA AI-ML or BCA Data Science3 years10+2 with MathematicsINR 1,10,722
B.Sc Computer Science, Mathematics or Statistics3 years10+2 in Science with 45%INR 80,188
Bachelor of Social Work (BSW)3 years10+2 in any streamINR 25,234
MA: Economics, English, History, Sociology and other subjects2 yearsA bachelor's degree in the relevant subjectINR 23,269
MA: French, German, Japanese or Spanish2 yearsA bachelor's degree with a background in the languageINR 34,737
MBA2 yearsA bachelor's degree with 50%, plus PGCET or KMATINR 1,06,159
M.Com, general2 yearsA B.Com degreeINR 28,272
M.Com Accounting and Finance, Financial Analysis or International Business2 yearsA B.Com degreeINR 1,09,670
MCA2 yearsA bachelor's degree with MathematicsINR 92,484
M.Sc: Biochemistry, Botany, Chemistry, Physics, Zoology and other subjects2 yearsA B.Sc degree in the relevant subjectINR 29,945
M.Sc Biotechnology or Microbiology2 yearsA B.Sc degree in Life SciencesINR 58,835
Ph.D in Arts, Commerce or Science3 to 5 yearsA postgraduate degree with 55%, plus the Research Entrance Test (RET)INR 1,13,167 to 1,51,671

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

Foreign language study is also available through Certificate, Diploma and Post Graduate Diploma courses. Languages include French, German, Japanese, Korean, Spanish, Chinese and Russian. Total charges range from INR 12,883 for a Certificate to INR 16,105 for a Post Graduate Diploma. These courses attract students from Bengaluru's IT and trade sectors.

Bengaluru City University Admission Process

Karnataka's admission rules guide selection at BCU. The university handles admissions to its constituent colleges, while the Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) manages the relevant science undergraduate and postgraduate routes. Depending on the course, selection uses qualifying marks, an entrance score or counselling. Ph.D admission announcements follow BCU's notification cycle.

Steps to Apply

  1. Check the qualification, subjects and minimum marks needed for the chosen course.
  2. Apply online through the relevant college, BCU portal or KEA process, depending on the admission route.
  3. Use the required entrance examination score where applicable, or take part in selection based on qualifying examination marks.
  4. Follow the college or university merit list, or attend the relevant counselling process. Seats are allotted according to merit and Karnataka government reservation rules.

Admission Routes by Course Group

Course GroupAccepted Examination or Merit BasisSelection Route
B.Sc Computer Science, Mathematics, Statistics and other science streamsKCET, CUET UG or meritKEA process or direct admission
BA, B.Com, BBA and BSWCUET UG or graduation meritSelection by merit through the BCU portal
BCA and its specialisationsCUET UG or 10+2 meritSelection by merit through the BCU portal
MBA and specialised M.ComPGCET, KMAT or CUET PGKarnataka PGCET counselling or direct admission
MA, general M.Com, M.Sc, MCA and M.EdPGCET or graduation meritPGCET counselling or the BCU merit list
Ph.DUGC-NET or BCU Research Entrance TestSelection by the BCU admission committee

Undergraduate Eligibility and Selection

For BA, B.Com, BBA, BCA, B.Sc and BSW, applicants must pass 10+2 from a recognised board. General Category B.Sc applicants need the relevant science subjects at that level and at least 45%. Mathematics at 10+2 is required for BCA and BBA.

Arts and Commerce applicants may be selected through HSC marks or a valid CUET UG score. B.Sc admission may instead use KCET scores and KEA counselling. For BA, B.Com and BBA, colleges or the BCU portal publish merit lists. Applications are online, with seat allocation following merit and the state's category reservation rules.

Postgraduate Eligibility and Selection

PGCET, the Karnataka Post-Graduate Common Entrance Test, is the main entrance route for science, management and computer application courses. Graduation marks determine admission to MA and general M.Com programmes.

MBA and MCA applicants need a bachelor's degree, the prescribed minimum percentage and a valid PGCET, KMAT or CUET PG score. MBA requires 50% in graduation, while MCA requires Mathematics in the qualifying degree. M.Ed applicants must hold a B.Ed with at least 55%.

Research Admission

A relevant postgraduate degree with at least 55% is needed for Ph.D admission; the requirement is 50% for reserved categories. Selection can use BCU's Research Entrance Test (RET), or a valid UGC-NET or GATE score in the relevant discipline. Humanities, Commerce, Science, Management and Education departments offer research seats.

Bengaluru City University Placements

Placement support at BCU is organised through its constituent colleges and selected affiliated institutions with training and placement cells. As a state university focused on teaching and research, it serves a broad college network. Recruitment drives mainly support technology, management and commerce students, with BCA, B.Sc Computer Science and MBA graduates receiving much of the structured assistance.

Placement AspectDetails
Typical entry-level salary range in Bengaluru technology and management rolesINR 3 LPA to INR 6 LPA for recent graduates
Main courses receiving structured placement supportBCA, B.Sc Computer Science and MBA
Recruitment arrangementsConstituent colleges and selected affiliated colleges with dedicated placement cells
Consolidated NIRF placement reportingBCU does not publish university-wide placement statistics through NIRF

The salary range reflects entry-level opportunities with Bengaluru employers in the city's IT and services market. Packages and recruiters differ substantially across affiliated colleges, departments and individual student profiles.

Arts, science, social work and foreign language graduates often choose further study, government competitive examinations or independent employment.

Bengaluru-based multinational companies employ MA French, MA German and MA Japanese graduates in jobs needing bilingual skills. BSW and M.Ed graduates commonly move into NGOs, government service or teaching, including roles reached through state competitive examinations.

Bengaluru City University Campus and Infrastructure

Jnana Jyoti Central College Campus, on Dr Ambedkar Veedhi in central Bengaluru, houses BCU's main campus. The historic site contains Government Arts College and Ramnarayan Chellaram College of Commerce and Management, its two constituent colleges. Students can reach it through BMTC bus services and the city metro network, and it is accessible from Bengaluru City Railway Station.

Academic facilities include laboratories for chemistry, physics, biology and computer science. A central library provides print and digital collections, while departments have seminar halls alongside administrative facilities. The university's examination board manages assessments for more than 200 affiliated colleges in urban Bengaluru.

Affiliated institutions such as Government Science College, Jyoti Nivas College and St. Joseph's College of Commerce extend BCU's reach into Bengaluru's northern, southern, eastern and western zones. This network gives students access to courses in both government and private colleges under the university's affiliation.

Bengaluru City University Scholarships

Karnataka state and Central Government schemes help eligible students at BCU and its affiliated colleges meet tuition and other fees. Support is available for SC, ST, OBC and EBC students, subject to each scheme's conditions. These benefits add to the university's subsidised, concessional state university fees.

ScholarshipWho Can ApplySupport Available
Karnataka Government SC/ST Fee ConcessionSC or ST students domiciled in KarnatakaTuition fee waiver under Karnataka government rules
OBC/EBC ConcessionOBC or EBC students whose income is below the prescribed limitPartial fee reduction under state rules
Central Government NSP SchemesEligible minority, OBC and SC/ST students with at least 50% in the qualifying examinationINR 10,000 to INR 82,000 per annum, depending on the scheme and category
Karnataka Post-Matric ScholarshipSC/ST students taking higher education courses in KarnatakaFull or partial fee reimbursement and a maintenance allowance

Students should submit applications through the National Scholarship Portal (NSP) or Karnataka Scholarship Portal when each academic year begins. Subsidised fees also make BCU an affordable option in Bengaluru for students entering through merit-based selection and for open-category students.

Bengaluru City University, Bengaluru North University and University of Mysore Compared

BCU and Bengaluru North University were both formed when Bangalore University was split into three institutions. University of Mysore offers a much longer history as one of Karnataka's oldest established state universities. Students comparing these choices can consider their location, courses, fees and research background.

ParameterBengaluru City UniversityBengaluru North UniversityUniversity of Mysore
Year established201720171916
Institution typeKarnataka state universityKarnataka state universityKarnataka state university
LocationCentral BengaluruNorth Bengaluru / TumkurMysore city
Undergraduate BA / B.Sc feesINR 25,234 / INR 80,188State-prescribed feesState-prescribed fees
Main academic strengthsArts, Commerce, BCA and Foreign LanguagesAffiliated colleges in Engineering and AgricultureHighly ranked Science, Humanities and Research
Affiliated college coverageMore than 200 colleges in urban BengaluruColleges in north Karnataka and the Bengaluru regionColleges in Mysore and nearby districts
NIRF positionNot yet rankedNot yet rankedRanked in the University category

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

Students seeking lower-cost higher education within Bengaluru city can consider BCU's large affiliated college network and urban academic setting. Bengaluru North University is a similarly young institution serving colleges in the northern belt. University of Mysore has a longer record, NIRF recognition and stronger research output, particularly in Science and Humanities.

Bengaluru City University FAQs

Ques. Which name does BCU use following its 2025 renaming?

Ans. Dr. Manmohan Singh Bengaluru City University is the name adopted in 2025 to honour the former Prime Minister. BCU remains its commonly used short name. The university began in 2017 after Bangalore University was divided into three institutions.

Ques. Who runs BCU, and what recognition does it hold?

Ans. The Government of Karnataka established BCU as a state university. Its recognition comes from the UGC, and its accreditation is NAAC Grade A. State regulations govern all its fees.

Ques. How much should a General Category student budget for the complete BCA or BBA course?

Ans. A 3-year BCA costs INR 1,10,722, including the AI/ML and Data Science options. The full 3-year charge for either general BBA or BBA Business Analytics is INR 83,266. Students from reserved categories can qualify for state government fee concessions.

Ques. What are the duration, cost and entry requirements for BCU's MBA and MCA?

Ans. Both degrees take 2 years. General Category fees are INR 1,06,159 for MBA and INR 92,484 for MCA. To enter MBA, students need a bachelor's degree with 50% and a valid PGCET, KMAT or CUET PG score. MCA applicants need a bachelor's degree with Mathematics.

Ques. Where does BCU stand in the NIRF University list?

Ans. BCU has not yet entered the NIRF University rankings. It became an independent university in 2017. It nevertheless has UGC recognition and NAAC Grade A accreditation.

Ques. Which languages and qualification levels can students choose at BCU?

Ans. Foreign language options include Russian, Chinese, Spanish, Korean, Japanese, German and French, with Certificate, Diploma, Post Graduate Diploma and MA programmes available. Students interested in IT, trade and international business careers often choose these courses. Certificate fees begin at INR 12,883, while foreign language MA programmes cost INR 34,737.

Ques. Through which schemes and portals can BCU students seek financial support?

Ans. Eligible students can seek Karnataka's SC/ST and OBC fee concessions, the state's Post-Matric Scholarship for SC/ST students, and Central Government schemes linked to NSP. Applications go through the National Scholarship Portal or Karnataka Scholarship Portal at the beginning of the academic year.