NCI has an agreement with St. Xavier’s College, Kolkata, that enables NCI member university students to spend a full semester in Kolkata. The programme combines academic study with cultural immersion, offering students the chance to pursue sound academic knowledge of India while experiencing its academic culture and everyday life. Students follow a full-time academic programme of 24 credits (30 ECTS) spread over 4 courses.
Students can choose among the regular university courses in different departments and independent study courses. The faculty at the International Office at St. Xaviers College will assist the students in finding the most suitable courses.
Kolkata, the capital of West Bengal, is one of India’s most historically and culturally significant cities. Often referred to as the cultural capital of India, it is renowned for its literary heritage, artistic traditions, performing arts, and intellectual life. The city’s distinctive character emerges from its blend of colonial architecture, vibrant street culture, longstanding academic institutions, and deeply rooted traditions in music, theatre, cinema, and visual arts.
For international students, Kolkata offers a uniquely immersive experience of India — where academic learning is complemented by everyday encounters with festivals, neighbourhood markets, heritage districts, cafés, galleries, and public spaces that animate the city. At the same time, Kolkata remains a practical and student-friendly metropolitan destination, known for its relatively affordable cost of living, extensive public transport network, and welcoming social environment. This combination of cultural richness, academic depth, and accessibility makes Kolkata an especially rewarding location for a study abroad experience.
St. Xavier’s College(Autonomous), Kolkata, is one of India’s most respected higher education institutions, with a distinguished academic tradition and a strong reputation for excellence in teaching and scholarship. Founded in 1860, the College combines a rich historical legacy with a contemporary, forward-looking academic environment. Its autonomous status allows for academic flexibility, interdisciplinary engagement, and a curriculum designed to respond to evolving global and societal contexts.
For international students, St. Xavier’s College offers a supportive academic setting within the dynamic cultural landscape of Kolkata. Its long-standing engagement with global partners, emphasis on holistic education, and welcoming campus community make it an excellent destination for semester exchanges, short-term programmes, and directed studies.
The College fosters holistic education through societies, clubs, seminars, and cultural events. Students can engage in literature, debate, theatre, music, social outreach, entrepreneurship, and sports. Located in central Kolkata, the campus is close to cultural institutions, cafés, libraries, and galleries.
Within the Semester Programme, students may choose from undergraduate courses offered across relevant departments at St. Xavier’s College (Autonomous), Kolkata. Participants are expected to pursue a full-time academic programme, typically equivalent to a credit load of approximately 30 ECTS, in line with home university requirements. The precise course combination and workload will be determined in consultation with the College and the student’s home institution.
Indicative course lists will be made available prior to the semester, and the programme team can assist students by sharing previous course offerings aligned with their academic interests. Final course availability remains subject to departmental schedules and academic regulations.
https://sxccal.edu/curriculum-and-syllabus
Faculty and academic advisors at St. Xavier’s College, along with the programme coordination team, will support students in identifying suitable courses. Where feasible, students may have the opportunity to attend and review courses during the initial period of the semester before confirming their final enrolment.
The Semester Programme may also accommodate independent or directed study components, subject to faculty approval. These may include supervised readings, project work, or research-oriented assignments focusing on a defined topic.
In addition to credit-bearing courses, students may have the opportunity to engage in selected non-credit learning experiences, workshops, or activities that enhance cultural and academic immersion.
Educational Institution: St. Xavier’s College (Autonomous), Kolkata, India
Programme Credits: Typically, equivalent to approximately 30 ECTS per semester, depending on the course combination and home university requirements
Language of Instruction: English
Rate of Study: Full-time
INR 180,000 per semester
(Covers tuition and academic enrolment at St. Xavier’s College (Autonomous), Kolkata.)
These expenses must be arranged and covered by the student.
Students participating in the programme are responsible for arranging their accommodation in Kolkata. Many international students prefer to secure housing through short-term rental platforms such as Airbnb, which offer flexibility, privacy, and a wide range of options across neighbourhoods. This approach allows students to select accommodation that best matches their budget, lifestyle, and preferred commute.
St Xavier’s College also offers students the option of staying in their student. If students are interested in the same, we would be happy to provide more details. In this context, students are encouraged to carefully review house rules, facilities, and meal arrangements to ensure compatibility with their individual preferences.
Kolkata offers a relatively affordable cost of living compared to many other major Indian cities. Daily commuting is facilitated by an extensive public transport network, including metro, buses, taxis, and app-based ride services. Students will find easy access to essential amenities such as grocery stores, cafés, healthcare facilities, and banking services.
The programme team is happy to provide general guidance on neighbourhood selection, commuting considerations, and practical aspects of living in Kolkata. However, accommodation arrangements and contractual agreements remain the responsibility of the student
Monthly living costs will vary depending on lifestyle, neighbourhood, and type of accommodation selected.
You must be officially nominated by your home university or NCI. Direct independent student applications cannot be accepted.Applicants should have completed at least 1–2 years of college or university studies and demonstrate good academic standing. As a general guideline, students are expected to have academic performance equivalent to a minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4-point scale or grade C according to ECTS standards. Final admission is subject to institutional approval.
The Applicant or the home university’s International Office must send the official nomination details, along with the Applicant’s Academic Transcript (with ECTS) and Letter of Recommendation to NCI at Christabel.royan@nordiccentreindia.com.
Online Portal Registration: Dual Portals.
NCI verifies your nomination and forward the details to SXC. You will then receive an email conveying your formal registration access details. You must complete your profiles on both of the following platforms:
Note: Passing this registration window can result in legal penalties. The college international support team will assist you with obtaining the necessary documents for your e-FRRO registration.
Practical Information: Students can find practical information regarding how to prepare for their trip here.
Dr. Panchali Sen
Email: psensxc@gmail.com
Ms Christabel Royan
Email: christabel.royan@nordiccentreindia.com
Phone: +91-9985146729
