By Quick answer: Purvanchal's main universities are Banaras Hindu University (BHU) (admissions through CUET), Mahatma Gandhi Kashi Vidyapith and Sampurnanand Sanskrit University in Varanasi, Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Gorakhpur University, Veer Bahadur Singh Purvanchal University, Jaunpur, Jananayak Chandrashekhar University, Ballia and Maharaja Suhel Dev University, Azamgarh, with hundreds of affiliated colleges across the districts. For distance and online degrees, choose only programmes entitled by UGC-DEB for that year. Get free admission guidance.
Universities at a glance
| University | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Banaras Hindu University (BHU) | Varanasi | Central university; UG and PG admissions mostly through CUET |
| Mahatma Gandhi Kashi Vidyapith | Varanasi | State university with many affiliated colleges |
| Sampurnanand Sanskrit University | Varanasi | Sanskrit and traditional studies |
| Central Institute of Higher Tibetan Studies | Sarnath | Deemed university for Tibetan and Buddhist studies |
| DDU Gorakhpur University | Gorakhpur | Major state university of north-eastern UP |
| Veer Bahadur Singh Purvanchal University | Jaunpur | Affiliating university for several Purvanchal districts |
| Jananayak Chandrashekhar University | Ballia | State university |
| Maharaja Suhel Dev University | Azamgarh | State university |
Affiliation areas change as new universities are set up, so check which university your college is affiliated to.
Admissions in brief
- BHU and other central universities: CUET-UG for most undergraduate programmes and CUET-PG for many postgraduate programmes, followed by the university's own counselling. See CUET coaching in Varanasi.
- State universities and affiliated colleges: merit lists or university entrance tests, announced on each university's website, usually from May to August.
- PhD: entrance tests and interviews, or national tests such as UGC-NET, as each university notifies.
Browse colleges and universities in Varanasi, in Gorakhpur, in Jaunpur and in Ballia.
Professional courses
| Field | Courses | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Management | BBA, MBA, PGDM | AICTE approval for PGDM, placements you can verify |
| Law | LLB (3 years), BA LLB (5 years), LLM | Bar Council of India approval |
| Commerce and finance | BCom, MCom, CA, CS, CMA | ICAI, ICSI and ICMAI registration rules |
| Hotel management and hospitality | Degree and diploma programmes | Industry training and internships |
| Education | BEd, DElEd, BPEd | NCTE recognition |
BHU's faculties of law, management and commerce are among the region's best-known, and private institutes offer MBA, law and hotel management programmes across Varanasi, Gorakhpur and Jaunpur. See MBA, law, commerce and hotel management institutes in Varanasi and in Gorakhpur.
Online and distance education
Online and distance degrees help working people and students in smaller towns. The rules that matter:
- UGC-DEB entitlement: the university must be entitled to offer that programme in online or open and distance mode for that academic year. Check the UGC-DEB website.
- Open universities: IGNOU and UP Rajarshi Tandon Open University have study centres across Purvanchal.
- NIOS: for Class 10 and 12 through open schooling.
- Certificates: short professional certificates in IT, data, digital marketing, languages and finance can add skills but are not degrees.
Avoid "degree in a few months" offers and colleges that cannot show UGC entitlement. See online and distance education in Varanasi and in Azamgarh.
Hostels and living costs
Outstation students in Varanasi often stay near BHU, Lanka, Sundarpur and Nagwa, and in Gorakhpur near the university. See student hostels and PG in Varanasi and in Gorakhpur.
Related guides
Read how to choose coaching, engineering, polytechnic and ITI courses and medical colleges in eastern UP.
Scholarships and fee support
Students in Uttar Pradesh can apply for state scholarship and fee reimbursement schemes through the state scholarship portal, with eligibility based on category, family income and course. Central schemes are available on the National Scholarship Portal. Many universities and colleges also offer merit scholarships, fee waivers for economically weaker students and hostel concessions. Apply within the deadlines and keep income, caste and domicile certificates up to date.
Choosing between a regular, online and distance degree
A regular degree gives campus life, faculty contact and placements. Online and distance degrees suit working people, homemakers and students who cannot relocate, and are valid when the university is entitled for that programme. For competitive exams and most government jobs, a recognised degree from either mode is accepted, but always read the eligibility clause of each notification.
Find it in your district
- Colleges and universities in Varanasi
- Colleges and universities in Chandauli
- Colleges and universities in Ghazipur
- Colleges and universities in Jaunpur
- Colleges and universities in Azamgarh
- Colleges and universities in Mau
- Colleges and universities in Ballia
- Colleges and universities in Mirzapur
- Colleges and universities in Sonbhadra
- Colleges and universities in Bhadohi
- Colleges and universities in Gorakhpur
- Colleges and universities in Deoria
- Colleges and universities in Kushinagar
Key takeaways
- BHU admits mainly through CUET; state universities and affiliated colleges through merit or their own tests.
- Check BCI, AICTE, NCTE or other approvals for professional courses.
- For online and distance degrees, confirm UGC-DEB entitlement for the programme and year.
Ask AI about this topic
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Frequently asked questions
How do I get admission to BHU?
Most UG and many PG programmes at BHU admit through CUET, followed by BHU's own counselling. Check BHU's admission portal for each year's process.
Which university is my college affiliated to?
It depends on the district and year; check the college's website or the university's list of affiliated colleges.
Are online degrees valid?
Online and distance degrees from universities entitled by UGC-DEB for that programme and year are recognised. Check the UGC-DEB list before enrolling.
Where can I study law in Varanasi?
BHU's Faculty of Law and several BCI-approved colleges offer LLB and BA LLB programmes. Check BCI approval before you apply.