Academic Culture

Pondicherry University classes, beyond language courses, are taught in English and holds a 8:1 student-to-faculty ratio. Many of the University's faculty members were trained abroad and conduct collaborative research with reputable international universities and institutions in the U.S., England and France. As an IISAC participant, you are encouraged to take individualized courses from the department or center that appeals to you.

Indian Academia

IISAC participants will be taking courses at Pondicherry University alongside students from India where possible. Professors at Pondicherry University are used to teaching Indian students in an "Indian style of teaching." Therefore, it is important for IISAC participants to understand the higher education system of India in which you will be studying.
 

Structure of Indian Education

India has one of the largest Higher Education Systems in the world with over 12,000 colleges and 7 million students. The Indian education system follows the British model, a legacy of British Colonial rule. Upon completing a 10+2 secondary and higher secondary education system, students pursue their undergraduate education, which lasts three years in the areas of Arts, Sciences and Business. Following undergraduate education, graduate degrees can be obtained within two years.

The Pondicherry University campus you will be attending is a graduate school. Unlike most Indian universities, the 1,500-student graduate campus you will attend operates on a semester system comparable to the U.S. This makes it possible for you to attend the University as a U.S. student. Most Indian students attend graduate school immediately following their three-year undergraduate education. Hence, the graduate students are of the same age as you and will have similar academic credentials.

Indian students are generally more focused on academics than their American counterparts as the Indian job market is highly competitive and placement depends greatly on academic standing.