Rabindranath Tagore founded Visva Bharati University in 1921 in Santiniketan, West Bengal.
The language courses at VBU offer a host of possibilities for students who want to learn a new language for various reasons.
Realizing the great importance of foreign languages, several foreign languages were established long back which, impart philology at various levels.
It grew to become one of India’s most prestigious Universities of higher learning.
The list consists of alumni, including former PM Indira Gandhi, Nobel-winning economist Amartya Sen, Film-maker Satyajit Ray, and Historian R. Siva Kumar.
Foreign language courses at Visva Bharati University are grouped into many different departments, allowing for a large number of degrees and short-term programs.
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BHASA BHAVANA – Institute of Languages, Literature, and Culture
As our world becomes increasingly connected, the advantages of acquiring a new language is a skill that’s in growing demand no matter where you live.
Keeping this in mind, the University has set up a Bhasha-Bhavana (Institute of Languages, Literature & Culture) on the varsity campus.
The Bhasha Bhavana houses Chinese (Cheena Bhavana), Japanese (Nippon Bhavana), Indo-Tibetan Studies, Modern European Languages (CMELLCS), and Department of Arabic, Persian, Urdu, and Islamic studies.
All programs offer a multidisciplinary curriculum with an emphasis on literature, language, and culture.
Owing to the University’s cultural solid focus, The Bhasha-Bhavana provides various foreign tongues and literature studies.
The Bachelor’s, Master’s, Doctorate degrees, and Certificate and Diploma in several international languages are offered at Visva Bharati University.
The courses are designed as per the requirement of foreign language jobs in India.
Bhasha- Bhavana also runs various Certificate Courses mainly for existing students pursuing a full-time course and the staff members of Visva-Bharati and the locality residents.
They regularly conduct national and international seminars, conferences, events, and workshops and invites eminent researchers to address the students’ research methodology and state of research in languages.
1. Centre for Modern European Languages (CMELLCS)
Established in 2014, the Centre for Modern European Languages, Literature, and Culture Studies offers an in-depth study of the Modern European language to enable you to communicate better.
It also helps to develop an understanding of distinct cultures and their rich artistic and literary histories.
CMELLCS encourages students to fully understand the complex issues by focusing on language, history, economics, politics, and culture in European languages.
The Visva Bharati University’s CMELLCS conducts research and instruction in Modern European languages, literature, and cultures with specialization in French, German, Italian, or Russian.
2. Nippon Bhavana – Japanese Center
Suppose you are interested in Japanese culture, history, life and want to study Japanese or India-Japan relations. In that case, there is no better place than Nippon Bhavana.
The research Centers, libraries, and organizations offer cultural and extracurricular activities, and Japanese study is encouraged.
The center houses the Department of Japanese Studies, which has a vast library with books in Japanese.
In collaboration with Japan Foundation, Nippon Bhavana invites visiting Scholars, artists, scientists, and eminent personalities from Japan.
They organize events, workshops, seminars, Indo-Japanese festivals, and tons of Japanese culture functions.
They also offer different study-abroad programs and cultural tours to Japan for students who want to immerse themselves in Japanese.
It is also one of the JLPT test centers in India.
The course curriculum emphasizes teaching the Japanese language and aspects of Japanese society, literature, custom, culture, and history.
All the courses follow the guidelines of the JLPT, i.e., the Japanese language proficiency test.
It helps the students for higher studies in Japan and also enhances job prospects involving Japanese.
3. Cheena Bhavana (Department of Chinese Language & Culture)
In keeping pace with its global character, Visva-Bharati established the Department of Chinese Language & Culture, also known as Cheena Bhavana.
The ever-growing library is the best of its kind in entire South Asia. It has preserved Chinese books and journals with its treasure house of rare treasure and invaluable publications.
The department is a symbol of renewed relations between India and China.
The scope of the Chinese language in India is growing at an unprecedented pace.
If you’re interested in pursuing a Mandarin course in West Bengal or East India. Then, Cheen Bhavana is the place to be.
Other than the Mandarin language, all programs focus on Chinese literature, history, custom, and culture.
The curricula will prepare you for the International HSK exam.
Moreover, the department has many scholarships and exchange programs for students at Cheena Bhavana.
4. Department Of Arabic, Persian, Urdu, and Islamic Studies
Take your pick of West Asian language at Dept. Of Arabic, Persian, Urdu, and Islamic Studies.
This department grants bachelor’s, master’s, and Ph.D. language degrees in Persian. It is meant for those who are interested in learning the Persian language and literature.
One can also pursue Arabic and Persian part-time at the certificate and diploma level.
5. Indo-Tibetan Studies
This subject is taught in Bhasha Bhavan.
The Department of Indo-Tibetan studies at Visva Bharati University offers a Bachelor of Arts, Master of Arts, and Ph.D. in Indo-Tibetan, and certificate and diploma in the Tibetan language.
Foreign Language Courses Offered by Visva Bharati University
| Language | Courses | Total Seats |
|---|---|---|
| Arabic, French, German, Italian, Russian, Persian, and Tibetan. | 2-year Certificate | 42 for each program. |
| – Do- | 1-year Diploma | – Do- |
| Arabic, Italian, Persian, and Russian | 1-year Advanced Diploma | – Do- |
| French, German, Italian, Russian, Indo-Tibetan, and Japanese. | 3-year BA (Hons.) | Japanese – 10, Indo-Tibetan – 15, Others – 20 each. |
| Japanese, Chinese, Persian, and Indo-Tibetan. | 4-year Prep followed by (BA Hons.) | Japanese and Persian – 40, Chinese – 50, and Indo-Tibetan – 15. |
| French, German, Italian, Russian, Japanese, Chinese, Indo-Tibetan, and Persian. | 2-year MA | Japanese – 50, Chinese – 55, Indo-Tibetan & Persian – 18, French & Rusian – 22, and Italian & German – 11 each. |
| French, Japanese, Persian, and Indo-Tibetan. | 3-6 years Ph.D. | Japanese – 8, French – 2, and Indo-Tibetan & Persian – 5 each. |
Admission, Eligibility Criteria, Dates 2021-2022
| Courses | Eligibility Criteria |
| Certificate | 10+2 or equivalent. |
| Diploma | 10+2 and Certificate in the same language. |
| Advanced Diploma | 10+2 and Diploma in the same language. |
| 4-year Prep + (BA Hons.) | 60% marks in aggregate and 60% marks in English at the +2 level. For Persian – 45% and Tibetan – 55%. |
| 3-year BA (Hons.) | 60% marks in aggregate and 60% marks in English at the +2 level and JLPT N4 or equivalent for Japanese. |
| 2-year MA | BA Hons in the subject concerned or BA in any stream with B2 in the same European languages. |
| 3-6 years Ph.D. | MA in the subject concerned or any stream with higher proficiency in the same language. Experience is an added advantage. |
Admission is made through an entrance test (PG) or a merit list (UG). Read the prospectus for more details.
- Start of Online Application Process — Yet to be decided.
- Closing of Online Application Process — Yet to be decided.
- Examination Date and Timings (wherever applicable) — To be announced later.
- Apply Online — LINK
- E-Prospectus 2020-2021 — LINK. (2021-2022 will be published later)
Admission Tests for the various foreign language courses at Visva Bharati University (wherever applicable) will be held at two centers — Santiniketan and Sriniketan.
The dates and venues will be notified on the University’s official website.
Sir, is German language is very hard to learn?
Not really. While some aspects are tricky but overall, it’s not that difficult.
Hello sir, I have completed class12 and obtained 70% on the mark sheet. Will I get admission in a foreign language (Chinese) hons?
Difficult to say. Check with the university merit list/cut-off.
Sir, I have just completed my secondary exam, can I apply for language courses?? Reply plz.
No. A Minimum of 10+2 is required for both part-time as well as full-time courses.
Sir, I have completed the 12th. And mark sheet 45%. Will I get admission?
Difficult but check the merit list.
Yes, you can do that. According to the 2021 prospectus, a secondary pass can apply.
Sir, is a bachelor’s degree in German or French available at VBU? And also do I need to know the language beforehand?? Which languages are available for a 3-year bachelor’s degree?
Yes. VBU offers BA in German, French, Italian, Russian, Japanese, Chinese, and Persian. These programs do not require prior knowledge of that language.
Sir, how can I take admission in Visva Bharati? I have just completed my 12th?
You can apply when forms are available. The admissions process is merit-based (12th marks).
Hello, hope you are having a good day! I am currently completing my last year of school, and I have been learning Japanese for 3 years now, I have passed my N5 and will be appearing for my N4 in December. I just wanted to ask, if I have to take up any other subjects while studying Japanese Honours or will my course focus totally on Japanese itself.
There will be a few more mandatory and optional subjects other than Japanese. But the main focus will be on different aspects of Japanese and Japan.
Hi, I have done my graduation in engineering in 2019. Now want to pursue a degree in the German Language from Visva Bharati. So may I know how can I take admission? and how much duration this certification course is? Please reply!
The certificate in German is a 2-year course, and admission is based on cut-off marks of the 12th. You can apply when forms are available.
Hello sir, can I do a certificate course in Mandarin while pursuing MSW alongside?
I guess, yes. Check the class timetable.
Hi, can I do a certificate course in French while pursuing English honors alongside?
Yes.
I am pursuing BA in German from Visva Bharati and currently in 1st semester. I also got a good rank in BCECE, which conducts the agriculture exam in Bihar. I see a drop in Visva Bharati’s rankings recently, and it is also graded B by NAAC. So in these situations, is it a good decision to continue in Visva Bharati or think about other courses?
Overall, VBU is still good. You can continue there and probably try the ma program from JNU or any job-oriented masters like MBA from any reputed university.
Sir, I wanted to study Chinese/Arabic and to do the translation. Is JNA Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan worth it, and will they conduct online classes from Jan 20th? After completion of the course, is the certificate is valid from JNA? My limitation is I can join only an online course. Or are there universities conducting classes for Chinese/Arabic where I can get a proper language education?
Thanking you for your reply.
BVB is okay but not a top-rated center for learning foreign languages. I’m unsure whether they will continue with online or restart their offline courses. You have to confirm with them. Also, sooner or later, they will offer only offline courses.
Sir, which college is better for foreign language means to study in the second year?
I have already replied to you. Most colleges don’t offer direct lateral entry to the second year. You have to do the entire 3-year course from one college.
Sir, If I learn the Korean language, which course should, I take first to get a good job in the future? And sir, I am currently studying in the first year of another local college, so can I get admitted to Visva Bharati later?
You can do either BA + MA in Korean or bachelor’s and master’s in any in-demand stream along with part-time Korean.
So can I get admission to Visva-Bharati or another University in the second year to do a BA or MA course?
No. You can only try for the 1st year BA.
Is there any distance course for the language course?
IGNOU offers various language certificate programs in distance mode.
Sir, I’ve just completed my master’s this year in English from IGNOU with 57%. Unfortunately, my bachelor’s stream is in Commerce from CU. Shall I fulfill the eligibility criteria to get admission to the esteemed VBU in the B.Ed section?
Not sure as I don’t track courses other than foreign languages.
Sir, I have applied for M.A in French in Visvabharati and JNU. I am willing to do my masters from JNU. I am worried if I fail to crack the entrance exam of JNU. Shall I wait for the next year, or it will be better to pursue a master’s in VBU this year? I am perplexed as I know the French department of JNU is much better than VBU.
Enroll at VBU this year. Next year, you can again try the JNU entrance test. If you’re able to crack, leave VBU and enroll at JNU, otherwise continue at VBU.
Sir, won’t it be against the rule? As after enrolling at VBU, I have to submit my migration certificate as I have done my hons and masters in English from a different university.
I’m not sure about that. Many students discontinue their degree programs from a particular university and take admission somewhere else, and they get back the submitted documents. You have to check with the concerned University regarding the procedure.
Thanks a lot for ur information and guidance Sir. I want to explore more about French language and literature. I think Visvabharati is not that bad option if I fail to crack the entrance of JNU.
True. Good luck!
Sir, pls can you tell me the syllabus for entrance exam Ba (foreign language)?
There is no entrance test for UG courses. The admission is based on the merit list, i.e., marks obtained in 12th.
I am Kundan Mishra passed 12th in 75% but 45% in English, Sir, can I apply for Japanese?
You can apply and wait for the University merit list.
Can I apply for both Japanese and Chinese language courses in BA in Visva Bharti at the application?
I guess yes, but not sure.
Is there any study abroad scheme or foreign exchange program in Visva Bharti for ba in Japanese? If yes, then whats’s the requirement for that?
I’m not aware of any exchange program or scholarship for the undergraduate course. You can contact the VBU.
Sir, when will the form for p.g courses be released?
They haven’t started yet. You can contact the university.
Hi sir, Can I get admission with 437, i.e., 87.4% marks in 12th from the state board in BA in Japanese? Also, I am general.
Possible, but only University can confirm this. You can apply when the forms will be available.
Yes.
Hello Sir, I am from West Bengal. Is Visva Bharati a good university for pursuing master’s in French and Francophone studies? or JNU will be better? Both are central universities. And will it be more valuable if the Masters is completed from JNU?
JNU is better than Visva Bharati as far as exposure, scholarship, and placement is concerned. However, VBU is also an excellent choice for an MA in French.
Thanks, Sir for your advice.
Respected Sir,
I want to learn the Japanese language and do a bachelor’s in this subject. Do I need to know Japanese before entering the course? I have never studied the Japanese language before. Won’t I get admission if I don’t know the language beforehand?
For a BA in Japanese, you don’t need any prior knowledge in the Japanese language.
I am Ramesh Kumar from Jharkhand. I want to take admission in Kolkata so can you give me the contact number of that college.
Which College? Visva Bharti University is located in Santiniketan. You can explore the list of institute offering Language Courses in Kolkata. You can find contact details of various educational institutions.
Good morning sir, I am Ramesh Kumar from Jharkhand, and I want to take admission is the Chinese language course. So, can you please give me details about the course and the last date of admission.
Last year forms were released in the 1st week of May. The university is yet to publish the dates and prospectus for 2020-21.
Sir, Is there any entrance exam for applying in BA Chinese honors? And if so then what kind of test is it and how to prepare for it?
Admission in VBU is based on the Merit list, i.e., results of 10+2 or equivalent examination. The calculation will be made on total marks obtained out of 500 (four best subject and English marks for BA in Chinese). Check e-prospectus.
Respected sir, I have 45%marks in higher secondary. Can I apply french in certificate course? I want to learn French and very much interested.
I guess the last date to apply is over. You can contact the admission department, or enroll in any private French institutes.
I am a service holder, and I have applied for French Certificate Course in VB, as it may help to grow my career. I was waiting for my Admit Card when I haven’t received I went to Admission Cell of VB. There I came to know the exam was already conducted on 21st July, and the applicant with Photo Id proof was able to attend the test, but I don’t have any information about it. If seats are vacant in the Certificate Course is there any possibility to get admission?
With so many applicants, I doubt if there will be any vacant seat. Only VBU can help you with this.
My rank in the merit list of ba French honors in VBU is 27. I am from general category. Can I get the admission?
Since the total number of seats is only 13. Thus, it looks difficult. Keep your fingers crossed!
Sir is there any entrance exam for foreign language in Visva Bharati? Or Is it done on the marks obtained in 12th?
Marks obtained in 12th. Check E-Prospectus.
Sir, please let me know how to do PhD. in French, is there course work the scholar has to cracked?
If you have completed an MA in French or any stream with equivalent French proficiency like DALF C2 along with relevant experience and some research in the field of French, you can appear for an entrance test. You need to be an expert in the French language before applying for a Ph.D. in French.
Certificate course of which language will be helpful in the future?
None. Aim for at least a 3-year Advanced Diploma.
Sir, I have to apply for French language in BBU. Is there any entrance exam for admission?
Admission is done based on the merit of the students i.e marks obtained in 12th. You can check e-Prospectus.
Sir, can I apply for German and French language and to qualify, Is there any entrance exam held?
All the details are in E-Prospectus.
hello sir please what course offered by vbu after 10th?
I’m not aware of any language course at VBU that is offered after 10th. The minimum eligibility criteria is 10+2 or equivalent.
Pre-Degree (10+2) course offered after 10th in Visva Bharati. Bengali, Hindi, English and Japanese languages are available to take it as a subject.
Thanks for the information Nilanjan 🙂
Sir
I want to learn Japanese. Could you please suggest me the name of top ten colleges in India?
There is no such list since course varies from one university to another. For example, JNU, VBU, EFLU, Doon Universities offer both BA and MA in Japanese whereas DU, BHU offers only BA program in Japanese. Then you also have Bangalore Central University with only MA. Thus, it depends on the course!
Sir, I want to know whether graduate courses in Spanish are available or not over here. Or for Spanish only certificate course is available?
As per the last information available, VBU does not offer Bachelor program in Spanish. Only 2-year part-time certificate in Spanish is available.
Hello sir. I want to know that what is the HS marks percentage for general caste to apply for the language course in visva bharati?
That will depend on the course. VBU usually requires 45% to 50% marks in aggregate.
Good morning sir
From when the admission started in visva bharati for French language can you tell me sir.
You can apply online when forms will be available (most likely in May). You can also contact the University admission department.
Can I apply for German Hons. in Visva Bharati University in the year 2019 with 2014 10+2 certificate ?
Yes. You can apply.
Hi sir,
Is there any age limitation to apply for the language courses??
I am not sure about that. You can check the 2020-21 e-prospectus.
Sir, I am general category. Hs 427 paichi but Ami ki apply korle paboo next year. Please answer me.
Sorry, I didn’t get you. Can you ask the question in English? or Contact VBU