“Preparing Future Leaders: The Transformative Education of Ashoka University”
“Adapt. Innovate. Educate: The Future Demands it”
Liberal arts is an academic discipline that encompasses a wide range of subjects in the humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences. It focuses on providing students with a well-rounded education that cultivates critical thinking, intellectual curiosity, and a broad understanding of human society and the world.
Liberal arts education offers a diverse range of subjects, fostering interdisciplinary learning and essential skills like communication and critical thinking. It nurtures intellectual curiosity, creativity, and a lifelong passion for learning. Graduates of liberal arts programs are well-prepared for diverse career paths in education, journalism, public service, law, business, and the arts.
New age universities recognize the value of a well-rounded education and integrate liberal arts principles to offer comprehensive learning experiences. By blending liberal arts education with modern approaches, these universities aim to produce adaptable graduates equipped for the evolving job market, emphasizing the importance of combining broad knowledge with specialized skills in the 21st-century world.
Ashoka University, an eminent institution of the Modern Age, is committed to fostering student growth and development through its dedication to providing a transformative educational experience.
Distinct Features of Ashoka University:
Multidisciplinary Curriculum: Ashoka University is a leading liberal arts institution in India that offers a multidisciplinary curriculum. It encourages intellectual curiosity, critical thinking, and a deep understanding of various disciplines. Students have the opportunity to explore diverse subjects and gain a well-rounded education.
Structure and Curriculum
To graduate with a Bachelor’s degree from Ashoka University, students must pass courses that are broadly divided into three categories –
- Foundation Courses
- Major Courses (including Interdisciplinary Majors)
- Co-Curricular Courses
Each course carries credit points, and in order to earn their degree at the end of three years, students pursuing a pure major need to have accumulated a minimum of 100 credits, students pursuing an interdisciplinary major a minimum of 116 credits.
The course divisions and credits pure majors need to acquire within three years are as follows:
9 Foundation Courses (36 credits)
12 Major Courses (48 credits) * , **
2 Co-Curricular Courses (4 credits)
Other (Elective, Minor, Concentration) (12 credits)
*Students working towards an approved Interdisciplinary Major must take a minimum of 16 (64 credits) courses – i.e. four courses more than what is required for a pure Major.
**Some departments have implemented additional requirements such as a higher number of required Major Courses. Students should consult the website of the respective programme or inquire with the respective department to ensure that they are aware of the requirements specific to their Major.
Students can also take additional courses during the three years. A number of Minors are also offered at Ashoka. To qualify for a Minor, students must take 6 courses (24 credits) in a programme outside their field of Major specialisation.
Undergraduate, Master, and Ph.D. Programs: Nurturing Intellectual Curiosity
It provides a wide range of educational programs to cater to diverse interests and career goals. At the undergraduate level, students have the freedom to choose their Major from 12 pure disciplines or 9 interdisciplinary options. Additionally, they can pursue Minors from a pool of 21 disciplines and concentrations from 19 fields. Throughout their undergraduate journey, students engage in 9 Foundation Courses and 2 Co-curricular Courses, fostering a holistic and well-rounded education.
A Seamless Application Process: Unlocking Your Potential
Applying to Ashoka University is a straightforward process that allows applicants to showcase their unique abilities and aspirations. The application form comprises several steps:
- Personal Information: Applicants provide their basic details, including Name, Gender, Date of Birth, and Nationality.
- Contact Details: Contact information, such as Email Address, Contact Number, and Residential Address, is collected.
- Parent/Guardian Details: Essential information about the applicant’s parents or guardians, including their Name, Date of Birth, Contact Number, Email Id, Education Details, Employment Details, and Annual Income, is required.
- Academics: Academic performance is highlighted, encompassing Class 10th, Class 11th, and Class 12th marks (including predicted scores if boards are yet to be taken). Results of acceptable entrance examinations, such as SAT, ACT, and CUET, are also included.
- Non-Academic Activities and Engagement: Applicants showcase their profile, which can encompass a range of accomplishments, such as research paper publications, social projects, internships, participation in competitions like Olympiads or MUNs, entrepreneurial endeavors, websites, blogs, and more. Additionally, applicants share their favorite books from the past year and elaborate on their preferences.
- Essays: Applicants are required to write two essays, allowing them to express their thoughts, showcase their personality, and demonstrate their writing skills. One of the sample essay topics asks applicants to share a significant personal experience that has profoundly influenced their perspectives on life. The prompt encourages applicants to provide relevant details to help the admissions committee gain a deeper understanding of who they are as individuals.
- Letter of Recommendation: A recommendation letter adds weight to the application, providing insights into the applicant’s character, abilities, and potential.
Ashoka Aptitude Test: This mandatory assessment evaluates applicants’ academic and non-academic aptitude. It comprises problem-solving and critical-thinking questions, allowing the Admissions Committee to assess candidates more holistically.
Some of the Examples are:
Q1. A builder has 32 kg of a mix of sand and cement, of which 25% is sand. For a new job, he needs 120kg of a mix of sand and cement in which the ratio of sand to cement is 2: 1. To obtain this, he starts with his initial 32kg mix and adds more sand and cement.
What is the ratio of the masses of sand and cement that he needs to add?
- A 4 :7
- B 3 :4
- C 5 :3
- D 9 :2
- E12:1
Q2. A combination lock has three dials, each dial has eight letters. It is known that the following combinations have been used – one, who, two, bob, add, owl, fab, den, mia and tat. Which one of the following words is not possible to use on this combination lock?
- A win
- B deb
- C hat
- D men
- E bad
On-Spot Essay: Candidates write an essay on a given prompt within a 30-minute timeframe, evaluating their engagement, critical thinking, clarity, and creativity. Here are some sample essay topics to consider:
- The language of a person influences their understanding of the world. Pick your favourite word from any language and tell us why this word is special to you, and how it has impacted you.
- What is an idea, concept, or theory that you find interesting and why? In what ways have you examined and engaged with this topic?
Personal Interview: Shortlisted candidates are interviewed to gauge their suitability for Ashoka University. Interviews are conducted in multiple cities across India, and online interviews are available for those unable to attend in person.
Impeccable Placement Record: Paving the Path to Success
Ashoka University takes pride in its exceptional placement record. With an average package of 11 LPA and the highest package reaching an impressive 33 LPA, graduates find themselves well-positioned for rewarding careers. Over 350 companies, including renowned organizations like McKinsey & Co., Google, Microsoft, KPMG, and more, actively participate in the university’s placement meets, offering a wide range of employment opportunities.
Global Academic Collaborations: Expanding Horizons
Ashoka University actively collaborates with prestigious educational institutions worldwide to foster an enriching academic environment. Through partnerships with institutions such as HEC Paris, Berkeley, Duke University, Yale University, and Stanford University, Ashoka facilitates visiting faculty, student mobility, collaborative research projects, and short-term study opportunities.
Application Deadlines:
- Deadline 1: 23rd November
- Deadline 2: 11th January
- Deadline 3: 5th April
- Deadline 4: 24th May
If you are seeking valuable practical exposure alongside your studies, Ashoka University is an ideal choice to apply. The university offers numerous opportunities for hands-on learning, allowing students to gain real-world experience while pursuing their academic goals. By applying to Ashoka University, you can benefit from a curriculum that emphasizes experiential learning and provides practical exposure in various fields. The university’s internship programs, research projects, and community engagement initiatives enable students to apply their knowledge and skills in practical settings, fostering a deeper understanding of their chosen fields and enhancing their employability.
Written by Mr. Vikram Soni – Jitin Chawla Team
