Top 20 B.A. Colleges in Dehradun: Your Pathway to Success

The top ranking Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) colleges in Dehradun, Uttarakhand listed in this article are among the best options for students seeking to pursue undergraduate degree courses in various fields.

Arts Degree and Career Scope

Arts (General of Honours) stream in education has a vast selection of specialisations that allow candidates to learn the desired course(s) and fulfil one’s career goals. A few disciplines offered for B.A. and/or M.A. programmes include Creative Art (Drawing, Painting), Performing Art (Music, Acting), Language, History, Social Studies, Economics, Geography, Education, Political Science, Psychology, Law, Journalism, Mass Communication, Advertising and so on.

Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) is a three-years or four-years undergraduate degree programme offered to students who have completed their 10+2/XII in Arts stream via any recognised educational board in India. After completing B.A., students may also opt for the two-years Master of Arts (M.A.) postgraduate degree programme in any specialised field as one may choose to pursue. And, most institutes in Dehradun offer either one or both degree level programmes to students.

Obtaining a graduate and/or postgraduate degree in Arts will allow candidates to apply for professions, such as Teacher, Professor, Artist, Politician, Journalist and other lines of work.

Also, read these articles:

Top 20 B.Ed. Colleges in Dehradun 

Top 20 Commerce Colleges in Dehradun 

Let us now take a quick look at some of the best B.A. colleges in Dehradun where students can study undergraduate degree course in a wide selection of specialisations to choose from.

20 Best Arts Colleges to Pursue B.A. & M.A. Degree Courses in Dehradun (Uttarakhand), India

The following list (sorted in alphabetical order) consist of twenty top ranking Arts colleges of Dehradun, Uttarakhand for students seeking courses in teaching, politics and allied fields.

1. BFIT Group of Institutions

BFIT (Baba Farid Institute of Technology) Group of Institutions was established under the aegis of Kartar Educational & Cultural Society in 2002. The institute is affiliated to HNB Garhwal Central University, Uttarakhand Technical University (UTU) and is approved by UGC and AICTE.

BFIT provides diverse undergraduate and postgraduate programs in engineering, medical, management, science, arts, mass communication, information technology, and a multitude of fields. Furthermore, BFIT offers research and development labs specifically designed for studying disciplines such as physics, chemistry, agriculture, mechanical engineering and information technology.

2. D.A.V. (P.G) College, Dehradun

D.A.V. (P.G) College, located in Dehradun, Uttarakhand, is one of the oldest educational institutions in the area. The college was established in 1948 as a branch of D.A.V. School, Meerut (Uttar Pradesh). Its name, D.A.V. (P.G), stands for Dayanand Anglo Vedic Post Graduate College. The college is affiliated with HNB Garhwal Central University.

The institute presents a comprehensive array of academic programs to students across various levels including undergraduate, postgraduate, integrated, and doctoral within its five faculties, namely Arts, B.Ed, Commerce, Law, and Science. These faculties engross 21 distinct disciplines, along with a diverse range of professional courses such as B.Sc. (IT), PGDJMC, M.A. Education, PGDTH, and Mass Communication.

The Faculty of Arts at D.A.V. (P.G) College currently offers Three Years B.A. and Two Years M.A. programmes in different specialisations including, English, Hindi, Education, Music, Sociology, Political Science and more.

3. D.B.S. (P.G.) College

Established in 1961, DBS (PG) College in Dehradun is renowned as a leading institution for advanced education. The college is acknowledged by NAAC and has been identified as a Center with Potential for Excellence by UGC. Its well-resourced infrastructure comprises a central library, department libraries for postgraduate science subjects, and a book bank for students in need. The college also houses computer and science laboratories, with a total of 10 available.

The College offers Undergraduate, postgraduate, Self-financed, and Add-on/Vocational courses in different specialisations through respective departments to students.

DBS (PG) College offers B.A. (Gen.) programme in Economics, Geography, English, Hindi, Military Studies, Sociology and Mathematics through its various departments.

4. DIT University

DIT University, formerly known as Dehradun Institute of Technology, was established by Naveen Agarwal in 1998. It is currently operating under the supervision of the Unison Group’s Education Society in Uttarakhand. After receiving university status from the Uttarakhand state government in 2012, the institute’s name was changed to DIT University in 2013. DIT University is the flagship institution of the Unison Group and is recognized by the UGC.

The Department of Humanities & Social Sciences at DIT University’s School of Liberal Arts & Management offers B.A. in Economics, Psychology, English; M.A. in Clinical Psychology, Economics, English as well as Ph.D. in English, Economics and Psychology. Its B.A. (Gen.) programme is of three years whereas B.A. (Hons.) programme is of four years.

5. Dev Bhoomi Uttarakhand University

Dev Bhoomi Uttarakhand University (DBUU), previously known as Dev Bhoomi Group of Institutions (DBGI) is a hub of education and opportunities with more than 120 courses along with 10 constituent Schools. DBUU also has a stronger global platform, which will allow it to enhance its international reach. The institute had its name changed in April of 2022.

DBUU’s School of Journalism & Liberal Arts offer B.A. (Hons.) in Economics, English, Hindi, Journalism and Mass Communication; B.A. (Gen.) in Fine Arts, Public Policy & Administration, Yoga; M.A. (Gen.) in Economics, Public Relations & Advertising and Journalism and Mass Communication.

6. Doon (P.G.) College of Agriculture Science and Technology

Doon College of Agriculture Science and Technology (DCAST) is an educational institution that specializes in the field of agriculture. It offers a wide range of educational opportunities and career paths for students interested in this sector. DCAST is affiliated with Hemwati Nandan Bahuguna Garhwal University and holds approvals from AICTE and NAAC. 

It was established in 2000 as part of the Doon Group of Colleges, which comprises four constituent colleges: Doon (P.G.) Paramedical College & Hospital (DPMCH), Doon (P.G.) College of Agriculture Science & Technology (DCAST), Doon (P.G.) College of Agriculture and Allied Sciences (DCAAS), and Doon Valley College of Education (DVCE).

The college presents a diverse range of undergraduate and postgraduate courses in agriculture science, management, arts, computer application, education, and hotel management, among others. Notably, it provides both B.A. (Hons.) in Mass Communication and M.A. in Education courses.

7. Doon University

The Doon University is a unitary and residential university located on the outskirts of Dehradun City. The Doon University Act, of 2005 was passed by the Government of Uttarakhand to establish the university. Doon University is dedicated to promoting excellence in teaching and research while offering a full range of multi-disciplinary academic programmes at the undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral levels.

The university’s constituent schools, namely the School of Languages, School of Social Sciences, and Nityanand Himalayan Research and Study Centre offer degree programmes to students in Arts stream.

8. GRD Girls Degree College

Grd Girls Degree College, located in Dehradun, is a girls’ institute that offers both day and boarding facilities. It was established under the guidance of Guru Ram Das (GRD) Educational Trust, which was founded in 1982. Apart from GRD Girls Degree College in Dehradun, the GRD Education Trust has established GRD Academics in Ludhiana and several other professional and technical institutes in Dehradun.

HNB Garhwal (Central) University is the affiliated university for GRD Girls Degree College. At present, the college provides undergraduate and postgraduate courses such as BBA, BA, B.Com, B.Sc. (Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, and Home Science), MA (English) and M.Com. The college offers multiple career options, including civil services (IAS, PCS, IFS, etc.), different government departments, teaching professions, and several other alternatives for arts subjects.

9. Graphic Era (Deemed to be University)

Graphic Era (Deemed to be University), also known in short as GEU is a popular institution in Dehradun offering undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral programmes in Engineering, Computer Applications, Management, Hotel Management, Nursing and Paramedical Sciences and more. The university holds accreditation from UGC and AICTE and is affiliated with AIU.

The focus of Graphic Era University’s Department of Humanities and Social Sciences (HSS) is to promote the liberal arts education, with emphasis on disciplines such as economics, psychology, political science, English, and sociology. The department offers both honours and regular track B.A. and M.A. programs in these subjects.

10. Graphic Era Hill University

The Graphic Era Hill University (GEHU) came into existence in 2011 and is managed by the Graphic Era Education Society. It was established by an Act of the Uttarakhand State Government. GEHU has established campuses in three regions of Uttarakhand, namely Dehradun, Bhimtal, and Haldwani.

The university provides an extensive variety of cross-disciplinary courses which cover a wide range of fields such as engineering, life and applied sciences, commerce, management, law, hospitality, fashion designing, animation, journalism, mass communication, and humanities.

GEHU offers B.A. (Hons.) English, M.A. English and PhD (English) courses to students.

11. Himgiri Zee University

Himgiri Zee University (HZU) Dehradun is a constituent of eight schools offering various programmes in the areas of Agriculture, Fisheries & Forestry, Science and Technology, Education and Humanities, Business Studies, Legal Studies, Hotel and Hospitality Management, and Pharmaceutical Sciences. The Taleem Research Foundation based in Ahmedabad, was founded in collaboration with Essel Group of Industries and Zee Telefilms and is responsible for the establishment of HZU.

HZU offers B.A. (Three Years Gen.), B.Ed and PhD (Education) programmes through its School of Education and Humanities; B.A. and M.A. (Journalism & Mass Communication) through its School of Journalism & Mass Communication; and Five Years integrated dual degree B.A. LLB programme through its School of Legal Studies department, respectively.

12. ICFAI University

ICFAI University Dehradun, also known as IUD, is a privately owned university located in Uttarakhand state of India. Established in 2003 under the provisions of the ICFAI University Act, 2003, it is recognized by several prominent bodies such as UGC, NCTE, ACU, AIU, and BCI.

The ICFAI University in Dehradun consists of four schools that are ICFAI Business School (IBS), ICFAI Tech School (ITS), ICFAI Law School (ILS), and ICFAI Education School (IES).

ICFAI University’s ICFAI Business School (IBS) provides management programs at undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral levels. These programs consist of a BA (Hons.) in Economics, B.Com (Hons.), BBA, BBA (FIA), TCS ION, MBA, and PhD, respectively.

13. IMS Unison University

The Institute of Management Studies (IMS) was founded in 1996 and is currently a constituent unit of the Unison Education Foundation, known as IMS Unison University (IUU). In 2013, its name was changed to what is known today. The University offers UG, PG and Doctoral level programmes through five constituent schools, namely the School of Management, School of Law, School of Hospitality Management, School of Media and Communication Design, and School of Liberal Arts.

IUU’s departments, the School of Liberal Arts offer programmes in English, Psychology, Economics, History, Political Science and Sociology; and the School of Media & Communication Design offers BA in Media & Communication Design with multiple lateral entry and exit options.

14. Institute of Technology and Management Dehradun

The Institute of Technology & Management (ITM), located in Dehradun, is an educational institution that is accredited by HNB Garhwal Central University as well as Sri Dev Suman Uttarakhand Vishwavidhalaya.

At Dehradun institute, students can pursue undergraduate, postgraduate, and diploma courses across multiple specializations. These courses include a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA), B.A. (Hons.) in Journalism and Mass Communication, and B.A. in various disciplines like English, Hindi, Sanskrit, Economics, Political Science, Sociology, History, Education, Drawing and Painting, Geography, Psychology, and Yoga.

15. Minerva Institute of Management and Technology

Minerva Institute of Management and Technology (MIMT) is run by Minerva Group of Institutions offering Fine Arts, Journalism, Drawing and Painting, Commerce & Management and Fashion Designing courses in Dehradun. The institute is affiliated to Sri Dev Suman Uttarakhand Vishwavidhayalay and approved by Govt. of Uttarakhand.

MIMT provides Degree and Professional Diploma courses in the field of Animation, Fashion Designing, Drawing & Painting, Fine Arts and Commerce.

16. Nimbus Academy Management

Established in 1998 under the aegis of Doon Educational Trust Society (DETS), Nimbus Academy of Management is a leading management institute of Uttarakhand. Comprising of eminent educationists, DETS has nurtured Nimbus to become a reputable institution. Nimbus has formed strong industry tie-ups to equip its students with practical knowledge of business processes, thereby enhancing their professional development.

The institute is accredited by AICTE and has partnerships with HNB Garhwal University (Central University) and Uttarakhand Technical University (UTU). Their curriculum consists of several courses, including B.A., B.Com, BCA, B.Ed, BBA, and MBA.

17. Ras Bihari Bose Subharti University

RBBSU in Dehradun is an interdisciplinary academic institution that provides various programs, including medicine, arts and social sciences, management and commerce, science, education, nursing, and many other fields.

UGC recognizes RBBSU and it holds approvals and affiliations with All India Survey on Higher Education (AISHE), National Scholarship Portal (NSP), Pharmacy Council of India (PCI), Indian Nursing Council (INC), and National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE).

The RBBSU’s Faculty of Arts & Social Sciences comprises seven departments that cover various humanistic subjects, including history, political science, sociology, economics, Hindi, English, and environmental studies. The faculty provides courses such as Bachelor of Arts (BA), Master of Arts (MA), Bachelor of Library Science (B.Lib), and Master of Library Science (M.Lib).

18. Shri Guru Ram Rai University

In 2017, Shri Mahant Devendra Dass Ji Maharaj, a religious and philanthropic leader, established Shri Guru Ram Rai University (SGRRU), which is recognized by the UGC. SGRRU runs several constituent schools offering undergraduate, postgraduate, diploma, certificate and doctoral level programmes in the field of Medical & Health Sciences, Paramedical Sciences, Nursing, Applied Sciences, Management & Commerce, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Agricultural Sciences, and more.

The School of Humanities and Social Sciences at SGRRU offers three years B.A. and M.A. courses in specialisations of History, Economics, Geography, Political Science, Hindi, English, Defence and Strategic Studies, Statistics, Psychology, Home Science, Music, Garhwali Culture and Language, Drawing and Painting, Mass Communication and Yogic Science.

19. University of Petroleum and Energy Studies

The University of Petroleum and Energy Studies (UPES) in Dehradun was established in the year 2003 through the UPES Act, 2003. It has two campuses located in Bidholi and Kandoli. UPES, a pioneering institution that provides industry-centric specialized undergraduate and postgraduate programs across multiple domains, is headquartered in New Delhi.

UPES School of Liberal Studies provides undergraduate courses in various disciplines such as economics, political science, psychology, literature, applied mathematics, and data science. Students have the option to pursue B.Sc., BA, and BA/B.Sc. programs.

20. Uttaranchal University

Uttaranchal University (UU) is a UGC-recognised and NAAC A+ Grade accredited university in Dehradun. The university offers courses at the bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degree levels to students in a variety of fields, including engineering, management, law, pharmaceutical sciences, applied and life sciences, agriculture, and liberal arts.

The School of Liberal Arts of Uttaranchal University offers B.A. (Three Years Gen.), B.A. English (Gen. and Hons.), Psychology (Gen. and Hons.); Language Certificate Course in Spanish, German, French and Mandarin; M.A. in English, Political Science, Clinical Psychology; and PhD in English, Political Science, Law, Journalism & Mass Communication, Psychology.

Wrapping Up

Candidates residing in Dehradun, Uttarakhand who are seeking to purse degree studies in the field of Arts and in one or more disciplines might find the above-mentioned selection of colleges/universities great to start with.