Team4 · July 23, 2026 
Introduction
Priya had already spent three weeks preparing for CUET UG. Flashcards, mock tests, late nights — the whole routine. Then her cousin, a second-year student at Burdwan University, asked her a simple question: “Wait, why are you taking CUET for a state university?” Priya froze. She didn’t have an answer.
If you’re chasing a seat in English Honours and searching for “CUET UG English Honours” every night before bed, you’re probably in the same boat Priya was. This blog walks you through what Burdwan University and Bankura University actually expect from you, how their English Honours admissions really work, and which of the two might suit you better.
CUET UG English Honours — Is It Even Required Here?
Here’s the twist nobody warns you about: most Honours programmes at West Bengal’s state universities require a minimum 50% aggregate in Class 12, and admission is decided almost entirely by those board marks — not by CUET. For a university like Calcutta University, this has already been made explicit; it does not accept CUET scores for any UG programme, with BA, BSc, and B.Com admissions running purely through Class 12 merit via the West Bengal Centralised Admission Portal (WBCAP).
Burdwan University and Bankura University follow the same broader West Bengal model. Neither asks English Honours applicants to sit for CUET UG. So if you’ve been stressing over a CUET score just to get into one of these two universities, you can breathe out. Your Class 12 marksheet is doing the heavy lifting here, not a national entrance test. That said, it’s always worth checking each university’s admission notice for the year you’re applying in, since policies can shift — and this is exactly why we’re going to walk you through both universities’ actual, official processes below.
Why the Confusion Happens
CUET UG has become the default admission route for most central universities, and news about it dominates education portals every year. Naturally, the term spills over into searches for state universities too, even when it doesn’t apply. Students preparing for English Honours often assume every university in India now runs on CUET. It’s an easy assumption to make — and an easy one to correct, once you know where to look.
Confused about your next steps? Get a personalized roadmap tailored to your career goals.
Burdwan University for English Honours
Burdwan University, based in Bardhaman, houses a well-established Department of English and Culture Studies, known for faculty specialising in Indian English literature, diaspora studies, and contemporary literary theory.
Eligibility and Merit Criteria
Admission to UG Honours programmes at Burdwan University, including BA English, is based on your Class 12 performance rather than an entrance exam. The university generally requires a minimum of 45% to 50% aggregate marks from a recognised board for UG programmes, with relaxations for reserved categories. Selection is then decided purely on merit — no interview, no additional test for arts subjects.
Admission Process
Applications open through the university’s own registration and enrolment system, which you can access on the official University of Burdwan website. Once you clear Class 12, you register on the portal, upload your documents, and wait for the merit list. If you make the cut, you complete registration and enrolment through the same system — the university has laid out user manuals to walk students through this step by step.
Fees and Affiliated Colleges
Burdwan University doesn’t just admit students to its own campus — it also governs admissions across a wide network of affiliated colleges in the region, including institutions like Burdwan Raj College. Fee structures vary slightly by college, so it’s best to confirm the exact figure for your chosen college through the university’s admission notices before applying.
Bankura University for English Honours
Set up in 2013, Bankura University is younger than Burdwan University but has quickly built a reputation for its structured Honours programmes, including English.
Eligibility and Merit Criteria
For UG courses such as BA, applicants need to have passed 10+2 with a minimum of 45% marks, with relaxation to 40% for SC/ST candidates. Just like at Burdwan University, there’s no separate entrance test for English Honours — Bankura University follows a merit-based admission process for most UG courses, using Class 12 marks as the deciding factor.
Admission Process
The process runs through the official Bankura University admission portal, where you register, fill in your academic details, upload documents, and pay the application fee. The application fee is generally around ₹300 for General and OBC candidates, and ₹150 for SC/ST candidates, though this is revised each year, so always check the latest notice.
Fees and Affiliated Colleges
Bankura University oversees English Honours admissions across its affiliated colleges too, spreading opportunities beyond just the main campus. If you’re hoping to stay closer to home in the Bankura district, this network is worth exploring college by college.
Burdwan vs Bankura — A Side-by-Side Look
| Factor | Burdwan University | Bankura University |
|---|---|---|
| Established | Older, well-established university | Established in 2013, comparatively newer university |
| English Department | Dedicated Department of English & Culture Studies with active research faculty | Growing English department across affiliated colleges |
| Admission Basis | Class 12 merit-based admission, no CUET | Class 12 merit-based admission, no CUET |
| Minimum Eligibility | Around 45–50% aggregate | Around 45% aggregate (40% for SC/ST categories) |
| Application Fee | Varies as per admission notification | Around ₹150–₹300 |
| Reach | Large network of affiliated colleges across Purba Bardhaman | Affiliated colleges across Bankura district |
So, Which One Should You Actually Pick?
There’s no universal right answer here — it depends on what you’re chasing. Do you want a university with a long academic legacy and a research-active English department, or one that’s newer but growing fast and closer to home? Think about the college you’d actually attend under each university, since your day-to-day experience depends more on that affiliated college than the parent university’s name.
Ask yourself three things: Which location works better for your daily commute or hostel plans? Which college under each university has the faculty and reputation you’re drawn to? And finally, does the fee structure fit comfortably within your family’s budget? Answering these honestly will guide you faster than any ranking list ever could.
What Can You Do After a BA in English Honours?
A lot of students treat English Honours as a “safe” choice without realising how many doors it actually opens. So what’s waiting on the other side of your degree?
- Higher studies: MA in English, followed by NET/SET for a teaching career at the college level
- Civil services: English Literature is a popular optional subject for UPSC and WBCS aspirants
- Content and media: Writing, editing, journalism, and publishing roles
- Teaching: School-level teaching after a B.Ed
- Corporate roles: Communication, HR, and training profiles that value strong language skills
The degree isn’t just about reading novels — it’s about building the kind of clear thinking and communication skill that almost every career eventually rewards.
How Career Plan B Helps
Career Plan B helps students choose the right university and programme through a personalized approach that connects their academic choices with their strengths, interests, and long-term career goals:
- Personalized Career Counselling: Helps students understand their strengths, interests, academic goals, personal priorities, and future aspirations so they can make university decisions that genuinely fit who they are.
- Psycheintel & Career Assessment Tests: Provides data-backed insights into aptitude, personality traits, interests, and learning styles, helping students discover academic pathways and career options that align with their natural abilities.
- Admission & Academic Profile Guidance: Supports students in evaluating university requirements, strengthening their academic profile, understanding eligibility criteria, and planning strategically for admissions.
- Career Roadmapping: Creates a structured, step-by-step plan that connects university selection with skill development, internships, higher education opportunities, and future career aspirations, helping students move forward with clarity and confidence.
For Latest Information
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is CUET UG compulsory for English Honours at Burdwan or Bankura University?
No. Both universities currently admit English Honours students based on Class 12 merit, not CUET UG scores.
2. What is the minimum percentage needed for English Honours at these universities?
Generally around 45-50% aggregate in Class 12, with relaxations for reserved categories at both universities.
3. Can I apply to both Burdwan and Bankura University at the same time?
Yes, there’s no restriction on applying to both, since each runs its own independent admission portal.
4. Do I need an entrance test for BA English Honours in West Bengal?
Most West Bengal state universities, including these two, don’t require an entrance test for BA English Honours — admission is merit-based.
5. Which university has a stronger English department, Burdwan or Bankura?
Burdwan University has a longer-established Department of English and Culture Studies with active research output, while Bankura University’s English programme is newer and growing across its affiliated colleges.
Conclusion
That flashcard-filled evening Priya spent worrying about CUET wasn’t wasted — it just needed to be redirected. Once she understood that her Class 12 marks were the real ticket into English Honours at Burdwan University, she spent that same energy polishing her application and shortlisting colleges instead.
Your next step is simpler than you think: check your eligibility, pick the university and college that genuinely fits your goals, and apply well before the deadline. Whichever path you choose, don’t let confusion about entrance exams cost you a seat you were always qualified for.
