Rabindra Bharati University (RBU), Kolkata, started the admissions process for postgraduate (PG) courses for the academic year 2025-26. If you’re looking to pursue higher studies in Arts, Fine Arts, Social Work, or Library Science, RBU is a good option.
The article below mentions:
- Eligibility criteria which is mostly a degree in any undergraduate course.
- Admission dates, which mentions the starting of the admission process from 8 August 2025, and ends nearly in mid September.
- Application process, which includes filling the application form, submitting the required documents, etc.
- Seat availability and some information regarding distance education.
PG Courses Offered at Rabindra Bharati University
RBU offers three major streams of postgraduate courses in 2025-26:
- MA (Master of Arts) – It includes many subjects like: Bengali, English, History, Political Science, Philosophy, Sociology, Environmental Science, Geography, Human Rights, Mass Communication, Drama, Music, Rabindra Sangeet, etc.
- MFA (Master of Fine Arts) – Applied Arts, Graphics, History of Arts, Painting, Sculpture.
- M.Li.Sc (Master of Library & Information Science) – Advanced training in library and information management.
Eligibility Criteria for PG Admission 2025
To apply for a postgraduation post students must have a degree in undergraduate course:
- For MA programmes, a BA (Hons.) in the concerned subject is generally required.
- For MFA, candidates must hold a BFA or BVA degree in the relevant field.
- For M.Li.Sc, candidates should have either a B.Li.Sc degree or a Master’s degree in any discipline. Intake for M.Li.Sc is limited to13 seats only.
Course-Wise Eligibility at RBU
The table shows the eligibility criteria and selection process of each course:
Course | Specialization | Eligibility Criteria |
MA | Bengali | BA (Hons.) in Bengali |
Economics | BA/B.Sc (Hons.) in Economics | |
Education | BA (Hons.) in Education/Hindi OR Graduation with B.Ed | |
English | BA (Hons.) in English | |
History | BA (Hons.) in History | |
Mathematics | BA/B.Sc (Hons.) in Mathematics | |
Philosophy | BA (Hons.) in Philosophy | |
Political Science | BA (Hons.) in Political Science | |
Sanskrit | BA (Hons.) in Sanskrit | |
Social Work | BA (Hons.) in Sociology/Political Science | |
Hindi | BA (Hons.) in Hindi | |
Environmental Science (ENVS) | BA/B.Sc/B.Com (Hons.) in any discipline | |
Geography | BA/B.Sc (Hons.) in Geography | |
Human Rights & Human Development | BA/B.Sc (Hons.) in Social Science subjects | |
Drama | BA (Hons./Spl.) in Drama | |
Dance | BA (Hons./Spl.) in Dance | |
Instrumental Music & Percussion | BA (Hons./Spl.) in Instrumental Music | |
Mass Communication & Videography | BA (Hons./Spl.) in any discipline | |
Rabindra Sangeet | BA (Hons./Spl.) in Rabindra Sangeet | |
Vocal Music | BA (Hons./Spl.) in Vocal Music | |
Musicology | BA (Hons./Spl.) in Musicology | |
M.Li.Sc | – | Graduation + B.Li.Sc OR Master’s in any discipline |
MFA | Applied Arts | BFA/BVA in Applied Arts |
Graphics | BFA/BVA in Graphics | |
History of Arts | BFA/BVA in allied subject | |
Painting | BFA/BVA in Painting | |
Sculpture | BFA/BVA in Sculpture |
Admission Tests for Some Courses
While most PG courses are filled through merit lists based on graduation marks, certain disciplines have admission tests:
- MA Human Rights & Human Development – Written admission test.
- MA Mass Communication & Videography – Written admission test + minimum 40% required.
- Some Fine Arts / Performing Arts subjects may also require practical/viva assessments.
Important Dates for RBU PG Admission 2025
The table below shows the PG admission dates:
Event | Date |
Online Application Start | 8 August 2025 |
Application Last Date | 20 August 2025 |
Publication of Master List | 2 September 2025 |
Correction Window Closes | 4 September 2025 |
1st Merit List Release | 8 September 2025 |
Online Fee Payment (Provisional Admission) | 9–12 September 2025 |
Physical Document Verification | 15–19 September 2025 |
Application Process – Step by Step
- Visit online.rbu.net.in and register.
- Fill in personal details and course you want to join.
- Upload documents – mark sheets, certificates, ID, category proof, photo, signature.
- Pay application fee online.
- Submit and download confirmation for records.
Selection Process at RBU
- Merit lists are released department-wise.
- For test-based subjects, only students clearing the entrance exam are considered.
- Provisional admission is confirmed only after online fee payment.
- Physical verification of documents is mandatory to finalize admission.
Seats and Reservation
- Total intake for MA + MFA is in hundreds across departments.
- M.Li.Sc is highly limited with only 13 seats.
- Reservation applies for SC, ST, OBC, and PwD candidates as per West Bengal government rules.
Distance Mode PG Courses
RBU also offers distance PG courses via its Centre for Distance and Online Education (CDOE). These include MA programmes and MSW. The admissions are merit based, but seats are limited.
Conclusion
The PG admission in 2025-26, Rabindra Bharati University offers a wide choice in Arts, Fine Arts, Social Work, and Library Science. Admissions are mostly merit-based, but certain courses (like Human Rights and Mass Communication) need entrance tests.
For highly competitive courses like MFA and M.Li.Sc, preparation and timely application are key since seat intake is limited.
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Frequently Asked Questions
When will RBU PG Admission 2025 applications start?
Applications for PG admission at Rabindra Bharati University will start on 8 August 2025.
What is the last date to apply for RBU PG courses?
The last date to submit the application form is 20 August 2025.
Which PG courses are offered at RBU in 2025-26?
RBU offers MA, MFA, MSW, and M.Li.Sc in various specialisations under Arts, Fine Arts, and Library Science.
Is there an entrance test for all PG courses?
No. Most courses are merit-based, but MA in Human Rights and Mass Communication & Videography require an admission test.
What is the eligibility for MFA at RBU?
To apply for MFA, candidates must hold a BFA/BVA degree in the relevant subject (Applied Arts, Graphics, Painting, Sculpture, etc.).
How many seats are available for M.Li.Sc at RBU?
The M.Li.Sc programme has only 13 seats, making it highly competitive.
When will the first merit list be published?
The first merit list for RBU PG Admission 2025 will be released on 8 September 2025.
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