University of Calcutta MA Archaeology: Fees 2026, Course Duration, Dates, Eligibility

Ans. The University of Calcutta offers 27 seats for MA Archaeology, offered directly under the university department. This relatively small intake makes it a competitive programme where selection depends heavily on entrance test performance and undergraduate academic merit. Candidates with strong marks in relevant honours or major subjects such as History, Archaeology, or Anthropology are better positioned in the merit list.

Ans. No. The University of Calcutta conducts its own university-level entrance test for MA and M.Sc. Archaeology. For this particular programme, the entrance test may be replaced with an interview if the candidate’s undergraduate honours subject does not directly match the postgraduate course. The final merit list is prepared using 50% entrance or interview score and 50% undergraduate honours marks up to the 5th semester.

Ans. Yes. Graduates with Honours or Single Major in Anthropology, Geography, Geology, or Environmental Science are eligible for the programme. However, they must apply through the Science Faculty Admission Portal at caluniv-ucsta.net and not through the Arts portal. This dual-stream eligibility reflects the interdisciplinary scope of archaeology, which draws from both humanities traditions and earth science disciplines such as geology and geomorphology.

Ans. Graduates can pursue careers with the Archaeological Survey of India, state archaeology departments, museum institutions, and cultural heritage organisations. Roles in heritage tourism, archival documentation, and conservation are also available. Many graduates from Calcutta University proceed to doctoral research at national institutions or appear for competitive examinations under the Union Public Service Commission in areas such as culture and heritage administration.

Ans. The University of Calcutta provides hostel accommodation for eligible students across its departments, subject to seat availability and university-defined priority criteria. Hostel charges are collected separately from programme fees and are not included in the total amount of INR 11,800. Students should apply for hostel allocation through the university portal during the admission process and confirm availability directly with the department before joining.

Ans. Candidates must have a minimum CGPA of 4.0 in their Honours or Single Major subject under the CCF system, which corresponds roughly to the earlier percentage-based minimum of around 40% in relevant subjects. Students from the older examination pattern must have passed the final year of their qualifying degree from a recognised university. Exact cutoffs depend on the merit list for each academic session.