Life With Liberal Arts: How Ashoka University is Redefining Science, Computer Science and Business & Management

Stemming from the Latin word ‘liberalis’ meaning “appropriate for free men”, the liberal arts curriculum is so termed as it is the hallmark of a good education for all free thinkers ready to take on the world by their agility to think differently.

At Ashoka University, academics are based on robust pedagogy, and its focus on experiential learning is a key differentiator when compared to other universities. The curriculum at Ashoka is curated to feed curiosity, hone creativity and collaboration. Incorporating enriching content and an interdisciplinary approach, it is enhanced by the use of technology and, of course, world-class mentorship.

The Kinesthetic Science

At Ashoka, one need not be a rocket scientist to create a rocket. A reused plastic bottle is recycled into a rocket and launched into the air, without the students realising that they have just completed a lesson on propulsion and aerodynamics.

Yes, that is Ashoka, where one does not need to graduate to research, test, and experiment. Here, science and management skills are encouraged on the very first day a student walks into the class. The encouragement to ask questions, the freedom to bounce ideas off of your peers in classes, the confidence to experiment and the leadership to collaborate is facilitated by the faculty from the very beginning.

You can see this at the Trivedi School of Biosciences, where young researchers are found to work alongside faculty members on projects that range from molecular genetics to climate resilience. The Lodha Lab for Physical Sciences allows undergraduates to experiment with quantum optics and nanomaterials—work that often finds its way into international journals. Profound scientific concepts are taught in the simplest of ways in the form of hands-on experiments, simulations, and other physical activities to enable the students to grasp complex scientific concepts.

“We want them to think like scientists, not just study science,” a Physics faculty member says. “That means forming your own hypothesis and being unafraid to be wrong.”

Computer Science: Imaginative Logic

The unique benefit of studying Computer Science at Ashoka University is its interdisciplinarity that emphasises a liberal arts approach, critical thinking and ethical considerations. A CS student’s competitive advantage at Ashoka is the scope to blend computing logic with learnings from various other fields such as Entrepreneurship and Public Policy, amongst others. The Computer Science Programme focuses on fundamental scientific concepts, real-life problem solving while blending AI and Ethics. Many of our graduates are now associated with global firms or have gone on to pursue research at universities such as Cambridge, Carnegie Mellon and ETH Zürich, amongst other prestigious institutions.

Mindful Management

The Havells School of Management and Leadership follows the same interdisciplinary DNA into the world of business education. The market is not just observed but studied mindfully, policies are not just learnt but framed, and brands are not just used as examples but designed in highly interactive sessions with industry experts, thereby giving Ashokans an edge over others. At the end of the program, Business Management students will gain first-hand knowledge of public policy, design thinking, consumer and organisational behaviour.

“You can’t build good companies without understanding people,” says a professor of Strategy at Havells School. “We aim to prepare leaders who can solve problems that are both economic and human.”

Boundless Disciplines

At Ashoka, the barriers to studying a discipline are broken by boundless options. A student can easily study interdisciplinary courses such as Biology-Chemistry, Computer Science-Economics, and English-History. They can enrol in diverse subjects like International Relations and Mathematics, Philosophy and Physics, and Political Science and Psychology.

The university’s liberal arts approach emphasises a holistic education, where students can approach subjects from multiple perspectives, thus grooming themselves for global citizenship.

Outcomes That Speak

The outcome of this interdisciplinary approach is displayed after graduation. Students from Ashoka’s Undergraduate Programme have been accepted at top firms such as BCG, Deloitte, EY, and UNDP. Students interested in pursuing higher studies are at world-renowned universities such as Oxford, MIT, and the IISERs, amongst others.

Recruiters particularly appreciate Ashokans’ ability to think critically and creatively and communicate with clarity—skills that can be acquired only through experiential learning!

The average package for Ashoka undergraduates is now around ₹12 lakh per annum, with students getting offers up to ₹35 lakh. However, our most notable accomplishment is the wide range of paths our students have walked towards research, policy making, startups, and social enterprise, to name a few.

Education for the Evolving World

“Where the mind is without fear and the head is held high
Where knowledge is free…
Into ever-widening thought and action,
Into that heaven of freedom, my Father, let my country awake”
~ Rabindranatha Tagore

Ashoka’s forte is its liberal arts curriculum. The university is a haven where its students can stand out by their capability to think creatively and critically, evolve as better individuals and shoulder social responsibilities and contribute to global issues as altruistic leaders.

Applications for UG 2026 are now open. Explore scholarships, eligibility, and deadlines at https://application.ashoka.edu.in/

Written by- Soha Brahma, Economics and Finance Major