Ashoka University
Other links:
Other links:
Ashoka is located in the Rajiv Gandhi Education City, in Rai, Sonepat, Haryana. An hour and a half away from the Indira Gandhi International Airport and New Delhi Railway Station, it is located at a convenient distance from the nation’s capital. There is a regular shuttle service that takes students to the closest Metro station (Jahangirpuri) in Delhi, from where they can access any point of the capital city.
Ashoka University was established under the Haryana Private Universities Act, 2006 vide notification no. Leg. 24/2014 dated May 2, 2014. Ashoka University is UGC Approved. In November 2014, Ashoka University was authorised to grant degrees under Section 22 of the UGC Act. All degrees offered by Ashoka University have been approved. On April 20, 2015, Ashoka University received a letter from the UGC stating that all its compliances have been accepted and ratified. The process of Ashoka University’s UGC compliance is now complete in all respects.
Ashoka’s environment-friendly campus is designed by Perkins-Eastman, world-renowned University architects who were also behind the Indian School of Business (ISB) campus in Hyderabad. Some of the features of our campus are a next-generation RFID-enabled library, an indoor sports complex, online learning management systems, central air-conditioning and one-of-a-kind student commons as a part of the Students Activities Centre.
Yes, it is mandatory for undergraduate students to stay on Ashoka campus to avail of the student life activities and engage in activities outside their classroom curriculum, including guest lectures, events, etc.
However, the master’s students have the option to either stay in accommodation provided by campus or make their own arrangements.
Ashoka is committed to creating a safe and tolerant campus for its students. A security contract has been given to G4S security agency. The shuttle service (with security personnel) is provided to commute to the nearest metro station. We also ensure all personnel on campus (irrespective of student, faculty, staff, or outsourced manpower or construction labour) are provided smart-cards to monitor entry and exit in the campus. CCTV surveillance is an integral part of effective monitoring. Prior permission can be taken from the parent whenever a student wishes to go outside the campus.
We conduct regular campus visits every Friday and Monday. Please visit our website to register for a campus visit. You can sign up for a campus tour here: https://www.ashoka.edu.in/campus-tours/
Ashoka has 100 seater Lecture rooms, 50 seater Lecture rooms and 25 seater Training rooms which are usually used for Discussion sessions. While the 100 seaters are usually in amphitheatre style, others can be arranged as per requirement.
The safety and security of its students are of paramount importance to Ashoka University. Security systems have been installed at multiple places on campus in order to ensure that students are provided with assistance required by them at any point from our security personnel.
Frequent and regular Shuttle Buses ply from campus to the closest metro station (Jahangirpuri) in Delhi. There is also a shuttle every one hour during non-peak hours and days, and every 20 minutes during peak usage of the transport services.
At Ashoka University, we take the safety of all our students seriously. Students are not allowed to leave campus without prior parental permission which is then reviewed and approved by the warden. 12 am is the curfew for all students to report back on campus on weekdays. Taking the 10 pm or 11 pm shuttle from the Jahangirpuri metro station is advisable.
The option to travel back home on weekends is available but it depends on how a student schedules his/her classes.
The course is rigorous and undergoing training outside campus will be difficult for students. However, students can opt for training facilities available on campus.
Laundry services are available in the residential units on campus. Students can drop off their clothes in our laundry room twice a week and pick it up from there the next day.
A tuck shop and a cooperative store are available on campus for students to purchase both fresh and packaged food, and other general provisions.
A liberal education focuses on providing the skills and perspectives to students, which are considered an essential part of leading an ethical and purposeful life. Essentially, liberal education incorporates breadth and depth across multiple disciplines. Typically, students take a variety of courses in different disciplines and declare their dedicated course of study after exploring their interests.
Pure majors are traditional disciplinary programmes that allow students the opportunity to study their chosen academic field in great depth, acquire a certain expertise in the area, as well as explore the interconnection with other disciplines. The Interdisciplinary majors at Ashoka goes beyond the traditional boundaries of disciplines and departments to give students an opportunity to combine multiple academic interests into a single degree programme. These are not double-degree programmes, but seek to combine closely related fields or explore new approaches to the study of particular fields. (Examples: Pure Majors – Mathematics, Psychology, Economics, etc. Interdisciplinary Majors – Computer Science and Entrepreneurship, History and International Relations, English and Creative Writing, etc).
Ashoka offers flexibility in its programmes. Students will only indicate their preferred major at the time of application. They have the option to take major courses from as early as their first semester, alongside the mandatory Foundation Courses. They decide their specialisation in the third semester.
Students cannot pursue a double major during their UG degree programme.
Through our collaborations with King’s College, London, Sciences Po, Carleton College, UPenn, UC Berkeley and the University of Michigan, students experience exposure to the academic life of other top universities. This includes curriculum design, research collaborations, faculty exchange as well as student exchange programmes. Credits earned will be transferable, both for summer and semester exchange programmes.
Ashoka has discipline specific policies related to pursuing some majors. You may read more about the discipline specific policies here
Every year, Ashoka University introduces three new languages. Currently, French, Latin and Urdu are being offered. The language courses are provided as options and are part of co-curricular courses which have two credits each. Two co-curricular courses are mandatory for every student and have to be done at any point within the three years of graduation. If you wish to pursue a language you are already proficient in, which is not offered at Ashoka University, you can consider pursuing it from other language centres in Delhi (For example German from Max Mueller Bhavan, French from Alliance Francaise, Spanish from Instituto Cervantes, etc).
Ashoka University has signed MOUs and is associated with some of the finest universities across the world. However, if a student wishes to pursue a summer abroad at a university of his choice, he or she is free to do so and we will make sure that we provide students with all the support they require to pursue this.
In order to pursue a summer abroad, students have to have a minimum GPA of 2.8 (on 4) to qualify for the programme. There are multiple other requirements specific to the nature of the programme and what the student seeks to pursue. All additional financial costs are to be borne by the students depending on the University and country to which they are travelling. Please note that some Universities and College require the applicants to have higher GPAs (For example King’s College requires a 3.3 GPA).
Classes are usually conducted between 9:00 am and 5:00 pm. However, please note that evening classes might also be conducted as required by Professors and Students.
Ashoka gives its students the freedom to design their own course, so, depending on the subjects they chose, they may have a 6 hour long work day on some days of the week and only one lecture on the others.
Apart from the academic sessions, students are free to approach professors for one-on-one sessions on areas of difficulties for all subjects. If the professor should be unavailable during a particular period, their Teaching Assistants will help students with all their queries as well as work with them for a longer period to overcome any challenges if they should need assistance.
Students must carry their own laptops to campus when they move in. Almost all courses require constant use of laptops in the form of preparation for assignments, exams or assignments.
Ashoka University has an active Student Life department which is committed to engaging students outside of the classroom. We currently have several student-run clubs and societies on campus, in addition to music, arts, dance, and sports opportunities. Ashoka University also has a number of centres which offers students any support they may need in areas of their interest.
Graduates of Ashoka have been offered admission to and are studying at some of the world’s leading universities like Oxford University, LSE, Sciences Po, Central European University, Columbia University and the University of Chicago. Many have also been placed at top corporate houses like McKinsey, BCG, American Express, Cipla, Citibank, Genpact, Godrej, and TCS. Some went on to the non-profit sector and are employed in World Bank, WWF, Amnesty International, National Rural Livelihoods Mission (NRLM), and the UN. Students have also created around eight start-ups in different fields.
To pursue a major in Biology, students will need a minimum of 14 courses, of which 11 are core (7 theory + 4 labs) and 3 are optional. The list of core and optional courses and the expected timeline over which they are taken relative to the core requirements of 7 Foundation courses, 2 Critical Thinking courses, and 2 co-curricular courses is charted in the Curriculum Spreadsheet.
For a student pursuing a Minor in Biology, they will need to take 6 courses, of which 4 are core courses (specified in the Curriculum chart) and 2 are selected from any of the other courses offered in Biology.
All labs are stand-alone courses and mandatory for Biology major students. They each count for the same number of credits as theory courses.
The Biology program only begins offering courses in the Spring of 2018. Some courses like the Neuroscience/Biological Psychology course for Psychology students will be cross-listed with Biology and those will be offered even in the coming semester. For a minor, you would need 6 courses, four core and two optional. The four core will be taught with one in Spring 2018 and 3 in Fall 2018. There will be optional courses also offered from Spring 2018 to 2019, with plenty of scope for a minor. Incoming third years who are considering the 4th year will also have an easy time completing a minor in Biology. If there is considerable interest in a Major for incoming 2nd/3rd years, we could consider offering some core courses like Ecology and Bioinformatics & Biostatistics earlier than planned. Please write to bittu@ashoka.edu.in and imroze.khan@ashoka.edu.in if you are an incoming 2nd/3rd year who wants to do a Biology major so that we can assess the interest in this option.
We are aiming for the Biology department courses on Neuroscience (3 in total), Environmental Science (3), Math/CS (2), and BioPhysics (1) to be cross-listed with those departments so that they can count towards majors/minors in either department.
There are no barriers or high school requirements to access a degree in Biology at Ashoka. However, bear in mind that during the degree students are expected to take courses in Mathematical Biology/Biophysics. The course ‘Mathematical and Computational Toolkit’ is strongly recommended for those who would want to prepare themselves while at Ashoka.
We will be offering summer workshops in a number of areas of potential further interest: Cognitive Neuroscience, Disease Biology, Biotechnology, Genomics/Proteomics/metabolomics, Big Data analysis, Nutrition and health, and so on. If you have ideas for other in-depth workshops in which you have an interest, please write to bittu@ashoka.edu.in and imroze.khan@ashoka.edu.in.
We are investing in the idea of the 4th year as a time when undergraduates delve into research in a serious year-long way. In addition, there are several summer opportunities for science and undergraduates can approach labs of their interest in Ashoka in order to start doing research whenever they would like as their undergraduate degree progresses. We aim to have students learning as much, if not more, by doing research and interacting with faculty as classroom-based learning.
We are interested in specializing in areas of Biology that will benefit from strong interdisciplinary thinking. Cognitive neuroscience, ecology, evolution, systems immunology (focusing on infectious diseases) are some of the areas in which we have already begun expanding, and we hope to also focus on questions like climate change which would require focussed thinking from across multiple disciplines.
The 3-year degree you get if you specialize in Biology would be a B.Sc. However, if a student wishes to pursue the 4th year of study at Ashoka as well, the degree named as per the norms of the State Government.
Genetics is part of most courses in the Biology curriculum. The course titled ‘Genetics’ gives students a strong foundation in genetics, both in theory and in the lab. Subsequently, in each course, some component of genetics (at various levels of complexity and detail) will be part of the course structure. This is because, at the mechanistic level, all biological phenomena are mediated by genes. An engineering degree such as one in biotechnology will not prepare you better for a post-graduate focus in genetics.
Bioinformatics as a speciality deals with biological information or data at large scale, but many methods of bioinformatics are the same, be it with small data or big data. Each course has its own component of Informatics, Computational Methods and Data Mining. Thus, one specialized course in Bioinformatics is good at the undergraduate level. Computational methods are also taught as a standalone course (with the Computer Science department). Additionally, there are courses on Computational Biology and Mathematical Biology, which are advanced Bioinformatics courses.
Courses that are offered as electives will definitely be offered, though a few might be offered every alternate year (eg: Neurobiology II and Evolutionary Psychology alternate every year)
Yes. Genetics is part of every course. The course titled Genetics gives foundations in Genetics. Subsequently, in each course, some component of Genetics (at various levels of complexity and details) will be discussed. This is because, at the mechanistic level, all Biological phenomenon is mediated by genes.
There are four Rounds of Admission in an Admissions Cycle. The round in which an applicant applies, does not affect their chances of being shortlisted for the Interview Round or for admission to Ashoka University.
When you submit your Application Form, you will receive an automated email saying that your application has been submitted. After the application submission and Ashoka Assessments, if you have been shortlisted for the Interview Round, you will receive the interview invitation via email on your registered email ID.
If you have been shortlisted for the Interview Round, the Admissions Team will send you an invite for the Interview Round via an email on your registered email ID. In case a candidate has not been shortlisted for the Interview Round, they will be intimated by the decision notification date of the round in which they apply. You can read more about the timelines of the Admissions Cycle here.
The decision deadlines for each round are mentioned on the website, you can access them here. The Office of Admissions will send out the final decision for each Applicant by the date mentioned.
Ashoka University has merit and merit-cum-need-based scholarships, offered across Computer Science, Natural Sciences, Management, Social Sciences and Humanities. For more information, click here.
A holistic selection process aims at determining both the fulfilled and potential merit of an applicant. Candidates will be evaluated on their consistent academic performance, active engagement outside the curriculum, and personal impact in terms of challenges they might have faced and overcome. Candidates shortlisted on the basis of their application will be invited for the Interview Round.
Students who are awaiting their grade XII final/ board exam results are required to submit their predicted grades. Predicted grades are supposed to be an accurate estimation of a student’s final grades. For students from the IB, Cambridge and other International boards, the school counsellor must submit the predicted grades on behalf of the student. More information on the submission of school predicted scores is available in the application form. Students from other boards may submit their own predictions, or share the school counsellor’s predictions.
The SAT is not a mandatory requirement for applying to Ashoka. However, as a strong indicator of general aptitude, reading comprehension and writing, students are encouraged to take and submit their SAT scores. The Admissions Team follows the University’s no cut-offs-based admissions policy even while evaluating SAT scores. The University can give students a Firm Offer of Admission on the basis of their SAT scores. However, not every student with a SAT score will be eligible for a Firm Offer of Admission. The final decision, as mentioned before, depends on a variety of factors. All students submitting their SAT scores must send the official transcript through the College Board to Ashoka University (DI Code – 7343). Indian applicants may send their official SAT scores to Ashoka University through the College Board portal for free.
Yes. Students can apply before obtaining their grade XII final/ board exam results.
The Admissions Team handpicks students based on their potential for academic rigour and extra-curricular engagement. These include academic scores/AAA/SAT/ACT/ JEE/Additional test scores, projects, and research, if applicable, as well as a disciplined and committed pursuit of varied interests and passions. Equally, the on-the-spot essay and the interview with the panel, also contribute to the decision for admission.
With a consistent academic, co-curricular and extracurricular record, a clear and structured approach to writing the essays, and an honest interview, all that remains is for candidates to convey to the Admissions Team the spark they have for a course of liberal learning.
Ashoka University accepts transfer of credits, wherein interested and eligible candidates may apply to transfer to either the Spring or the Monsoon semester at Ashoka University. Please click here to apply as a Transfer Student. You may read more about Ashoka University’s transfer policies, eligibility criteria, and the admissions process by clicking here.
A liberal education focuses on equipping students with the skills and perspectives, which are considered an essential part of leading an ethical and purposeful life. Essentially, liberal education incorporates breadth and depth across multiple disciplines.
Typically, students take a variety of courses in different disciplines and declare their dedicated course of study or specialisation after exploring their various interests. It also enhances the ability to think holistically and approach ideas from multiple viewpoints.
Classes are usually conducted between 9:00 am and 5:00 pm. However, please note that evening classes and guest sessions might also be conducted as required by Professors and Students.
Students must carry their own laptops to campus when they move t campus. Almost all courses require constant use of laptops in the form of preparation for assignments, exams or assignments.
Ashoka University has an active Student Life department which is committed to engaging students outside of the classroom. We currently have several student-run clubs and societies on campus, in addition to music, arts, dance, and sports opportunities. Ashoka University also has a number of centres which offers students any support they may need in areas of their interest
Candidates are required to fill the Application Form in order to apply for the programme. The Application Form is available online on our website. Please click here to apply.
You will have to attach coloured scanned copies of all your transcripts and certificates in your online Application Form. It is mandatory to attach your grade X, XII and undergraduate degree transcripts (if it is available). If you are currently pursuing your undergraduate programme, you may upload transcripts of all earlier semesters and can upload your final examination transcripts after you receive them.
Yes, students can apply to the MA programmes before obtaining their final year undergraduate degree exam results. Since Ashoka University prioritises a holistic admissions process, you will be assessed based on your performance throughout the course of undergraduate study, as well as your skills, ability to think critically and ability to deeply engage with your academic and non-academic interests.
As the percentage of need-based scholarship granted to you is fixed at the time of joining Ashoka University, it will not be reviewed at any point in the course of the programme. The University expects the family to have sufficiently planned their finances to cover the entire length of the programme. However, in case of extreme unforeseen circumstances which greatly affect the family’s original financial planning (eg. Loss of job or loss of life of an earning member/s, or any similar circumstance), you will be allowed to apply for a revision of your current need-based scholarship for the subsequent academic years by completing the Exceptional Circumstances Form. This review will only be considered if you contact the Office of Scholarships between 1 – 30 April, before the start of the next academic year. Any revision of need-based scholarship will only be applicable for the next academic year.
Applications for the current Admissions Cycle are currently closed. For more information on the MA Economics admissions timeline, click here.
The applicant will have to pass the Entrance Examination and the Interview Stage in order to be considered for selection into the MA Economics programme.
Candidates are required to fill an online application form.
Once the application form is submitted, the Admissions Team will provide you with all necessary details regarding the entrance examination. After the entrance examination, shortlisted candidates will be called for an interview. The results will be declared after the interview stage.
When you submit your Application Form, you will receive an automated email confirming your application has been submitted. After the application submission, you will receive the Entrance Examination details via email on your registered email ID.
Applications for the current Admissions Cycle are now open. For more information on the MA English admissions timeline, click here.
A candidate with an undergraduate degree in any department is eligible to apply to the MA English programme. The candidate must have a minimum of 55% or a GPA of 3.0 or it’s equivalent in the undergraduate degree. Admission to the programme does not necessarily require an English undergraduate degree, even though it may provide an advantage in transitioning to the masters-level study of English at Ashoka University.
The application form will be reviewed by the Admissions Team and shortlisted candidates will be invited for the On-the-Spot Essay Round.
Shortlisted candidates from the On-the-Spot essay round will then be called for the Interview Round. The performance in the Interview Round will determine the selection of the candidate to the MA English programme.
When you submit your Application Form, you will receive an automated email confirming your application has been submitted. After the application submission, if you have been shortlisted for On-the-Spot Essay Round and the Interview Round, you will receive the interview invitation via email on your registered email ID.
Your letter of recommendation can be written by anyone who has interacted with you in an academic setting. The letter cannot be written by your family member, friend or relative.
The deadline for submission of the letter of recommendation is 7 days after the Application Form submission deadline.
Applications for the current Admissions Cycle are now open. For more information on the M.Sc. Biology admissions timeline, click here.
The M.Sc. in Biology programme is open to students from all universities in India and around the world. Applicants must have completed their undergraduate degree from a recognised university or be enrolled in their final year of study. Offers of admission will be provisional until final undergraduate transcripts are received.
The eligibility criteria to apply to the programme include a three year B.Sc. in natural sciences with a minimum of 55% or GPA 7/10. Candidates with a Bachelor’s in Biology/Biotechnology/ Chemistry/ Physics/ Mathematics/ Pharmacy/Veterinary Sciences/ Agriculture/ BE/ BTech as applicable to individual discipline, under the 10+2+3/4 system, are eligible to apply to this programme.
Candidates with valid national eligibility test scores (JGEEBILS, JAM and JNU-Biotech) will be directly screened to identify the top 95th percentile. However, eligible candidates without a valid national eligibility test score or enrolled in the final year awaiting their results will be notified by email for appearing in a proctored online test designed by Ashoka Biology faculty. Shortlisted candidates from the online entrance and from the national eligibility test are then invited to interview. Shortlisted candidates from the interview receive an offer of admission.
When you submit your Application Form, you will receive an automated email confirming your application has been submitted. After the application submission, you will receive the Entrance Examination details, if you have not written the National Eligibility Tests (JGEEBILS, JAM and JNU-Biotech) via email on your registered email ID.
The deadline for submission of the letter of recommendation is 7 days after the Application Form submission deadline.
Ashoka University believes that the primary responsibility to bear the cost of the educational expenses of the student belongs with the family before the university grants need-based scholarship. We expect that the family will consider various financial resources available to them, including current income, savings, investments, and education loans, to finance the expected educational cost. The need-based scholarship provided by the university aims to bridge the gap between the cost of the programme and your ability to pay.
The need-based scholarship given by Ashoka University is assessed solely on the basis of your family’s financial standing. It is not based on scholastic merit, sports qualifications, parent’s occupation or any non-financial factors.
If you are eligible, you can receive anywhere from a 25% waiver on tuition to a full waiver on the total fee.
As per Income Tax Act of 1961, you are only exempt from filing an ITR if your total income is below INR 2,50,000. If you fall in this category, you will need to provide:
– an affidavit on a stamp paper, stating the gross annual income and the source(s) of income ( if the earning member is self-employed)
– salary slips for the last six months/salary certificate from the employer (if the earning member is salaried)
Yes, you will be required to upload the statements of all bank account by converting them into PDF files of sizes under 2mb. Ensure that the resolution of the PDF is 200dpi. Alternatively, you can also attach a zip folder containing all the statements.
Yes, we do offer need-based scholarship for international students. However, if the international student is admitted to the university on partial or no scholarship, he/she is expected to manage their expenses, like travel (both local & international), medical etc. during your time at Ashoka University.
If you are an international student, you will be required to present any/all document(s) that you file with the government of your country that establishes the gross income and tax paid by individuals in your family or by the company owned and run by your family.
If you are planning to apply for a transfer to Ashoka University for the Spring 2020 semester, your need-based scholarship form will be open from 27th – 31st December 2019. We strongly urge you to download the sample Need-Based Scholarship Form and obtain the necessary information and mandatory documents well in advance. You will find the list of documents in the Application Process section above.
No, you can only submit the financial documents through the need-based scholarship form (refer to the Need-Based Scholarship Application Process)
The percentage of need-based scholarship granted to you is applicable for the entire duration of your undergraduate programme at Ashoka University.
Your need-based scholarship will apply to the fourth year as well provided you apply and register for the diploma programme offered by the university, called the Ashoka Scholars Programme.
As the percentage of need-based scholarship granted to you is fixed at the time of joining Ashoka University, it will not be reviewed at any point in the course of the programme. The University expects the family to have sufficiently planned their finances to cover the entire length of the programme. However, in case of extreme unforeseen circumstances which greatly affect the family’s original financial planning (eg. Loss of job or loss of life of an earning member/s, or any similar circumstance), you will be allowed to apply for a revision of your current need-based scholarship for the subsequent academic years by completing the Exceptional Circumstances Form. This review will only be considered if you contact the Office of Scholarships between 1 – 30 April, before the start of the next academic year. Any revision of need-based scholarship will only be applicable for the next academic year.
Yes, the level of need-based scholarship granted to you will be applicable to the summer semester at Ashoka University. For more information, please write to summer@ashoka.edu.in
No, your need-based scholarship package does not include the study abroad or semester abroad programmes. If you wish to apply for scholarship for any of these programmes, you are required to contact the Office of International Programme at studyabroad@ashoka.edu.in
Haryana Resident students are eligible for a full or partial fee concession as per the Haryana Private Universities Act. However, this fee concession is subject to the submission of Haryana Residence Certificate. Please note that this benefit only valid at the time of admission. Ashoka University reserves the right to determine the percentage of fee concession. This fee concession is only valid for the three years of the Undergraduate Programme. It will not apply for the 4th year of Ashoka Scholars Programme. Transfer Students are not eligible for Haryana Resident fee concession benefits.
COLLEGE BOARD INDIA SCHOLARS PROGRAM IN PARTNERSHIP WITH ASHOKA UNIVERSITY
Students in India who score 1300 or above on the SAT® will be recognized as Top Performers by the College Board at the end of April on an annual basis. Top Performers who demonstrate significant financial need, defined as family income less than INR 8,00,000 per annum, and receive a firm offer of admission from Ashoka University, are eligible to receive a full tuition scholarship for the entire duration of their programme of study at Ashoka University. The family income will be verified by scholarship administration partner, Buddy4Study. Read more about the College Board India Scholars Program on www.buddy4study.com/collegeboard
To view a sample of the Need-Based Scholarship Application Form, click HERE.
For any queries not answered here, please write to ug.scholarships@ashoka.edu.in
Please click here to read through the Ashoka University’s Refund Policy for 2019-20
