NCI has an agreement with the University of Hyderabad that enables NCI member university students to study and spend a full semester in Hyderabad. The aim of the program is to make it possible for students to pursue sound academic knowledge of India as well as gain experiences of the academic culture and living in India. Students are expected to follow a full-time academic program of 16 credits (32 ECTS) spread over 4 courses. The fall semester runs from mid-July till early December, and the Spring semester from early January till May end.

The Semesters’ information are as follows:

• Fall Semester– Semester starts early July and ends by mid-November
• Spring Semester- Semester opens first week of January and ends by mid-May

Students can choose among the regular university courses in different departments, independent study courses as well as SIP courses specially designed for foreign students. It is also possible to attend non-credit courses in various subjects in Indian culture. The faculty at SIP will assist the students in finding the most suitable courses. More information about the courses offered and the Study in India Program is available on the website of the University of Hyderabad.

About Hyderabad

Hyderabad is the capital of Telangana and it is the fifth largest city in India. Today it is an intermingling of three smaller cities – the old city of Hyderabad with its strong Islamic cultural heritage, the more cosmopolitan Secunderabad, and the most recent addition of a Hi-tech city which has become the hub of India’s IT exports and BPO revolution. The city is situated 536 meters above sea level on the Southern bank of the river Musi and is characterized by a tropical wet and dry climate. Known for its laid-back charm and rich cuisines, the city has a lot to offer in terms of entertainment, including culture and history, nature and wildlife, and shopping.
More information about Hyderabad

About the University of Hyderabad

The University of Hyderabad, India's Institute of Eminence is one of the major institutions of higher education in India, is widely known for its excellence in research and for its distinguished faculty. Founded in 1974 with Prof. Gurbaksh Singh as its first Vice Chancellor, the university (also known as Hyderabad Central University or HCU) has emerged as a leading centre of higher education and research. With 46 different Departments and Centres organized in 10 Schools of study, the university has over 400 faculty members and 5000 students. The university offers close to 150 different programs of study and hosts an ever-increasing number of foreign scholars through the Office of International Affairs.

The Study in India Program (SIP) at the University of Hyderabad began in 1998 and has expanded considerably in recent years. SIP is an interdisciplinary initiative, emphasizing heritage, continuity and change in India. The unique aspect of SIP is the primary attention given to the study interests of the students in order to facilitate a good match between the student's preferences and the courses they attend.

UoH Campus

The large campus of the University of Hyderabad is located near Gachibowli, which is the IT hub of Hyderabad, has immense bio-diversity and is home to over 75 varieties of birds, not to speak of the lakes and rock formations which give the campus a natural beauty. The Indira Gandhi Memorial Library is the only library on campus and it is surrounded by a reading room that is open all days a week for students. The university has a Health Centre managed by a team of doctors, supported by nurses and other paramedical staff, and caters to the basic needs of the campus community. In case of need, students are taken to larger corporate hospitals. The University campus also has a multipurpose playground for cricket, football, volleyball, badminton, tennis, and basket­ball. Modern facilities for physical training and sports are also available on campus.
On campus, there is a small bank, a post office, and ATMs, as well as several stores which cater to the needs of the students. Considering that the campus is quite large, students have the option of renting bicycles or taking advantage of the university buses that run regularly and connect different areas within the campus. When visiting the centre city of Hyderabad there is a city bus service and autorickshaws easily available at the main entrance of the university. Students can also book taxis from campus and avail of metered taxi services.

Accommodation

Students from the NCI member universities typicallystay at the Tagore International Hostel. A choice of a single room or a room on twin sharing basis is available to students. Each room has a bed, mattress, pillow, table, chair, cupboard, mosquito net, bedspread, and blanket. Bathrooms with hot water (heated by solar panels) are shared by students in one corridor. Washing machines are available in the hostel and if students want to get their clothes ironed, they can avail of the services of a local washerman (dhobi in Hindi). The rooms and the bathrooms are cleaned regularly. Students also have access to a large common room, a TV room, and a recreation room in the hostel. All rooms come with Wi-Fi access and the students are advised to bring their laptops. There is also an in-house hostel manager, available every day, to meet the daily needs of the students. Security is assured as the hostel is well-guarded.

Food

Students are provided breakfast, lunch and dinner at the dining hall in the Tagore International Hostel.

A typical menu:

Breakfast: Cereals (corn flakes/muesli/chocos), eggs to order, bananas, toast with butter and jam/marmalade, fresh fruit juice, pancake/french toast/oats porridge/idli/vada/etc., tea and coffee.
Lunch: Salad, seasonal cut fruit, hand-made bread, special rice, two kinds of vegetarian curries, boiled vegetables/macaroni/pasta, starter and snack, lentils of the day, curd, pickle and dessert
Dinner: Designed as the lunch and with a non-vegetarian dish added.

Primarily based on Indian cuisine, most meals are prepared with locally sourced vegetables and fruits, and are therefore nutritious. Furthermore, the meals are specially cooked according to the needs of foreign students and special care is taken for students with food allergies. Mineral water is provided at the hostel and students are requested to take advantage of the same. There are also several canteens, tea stalls and small food stores on campus. Restaurants and fast-food joints are easily accessible outside the campus area.

Hyderabad, being a cosmopolitan city, provides a lot of options with regard to food. There are several restaurants dotting the city that meet different requirements in terms of price, ambience, and cuisine. To find restaurants, check swiggy and zomato. Hyderabad has a lot of choices for visitors. For ideas on what to do in the city and during weekend getaways, check the following tourist and event pages:Telangana Tourism, Andhra Pradesh Tourism, Meraevents, and fullhyderabad.com.