The University of Delhi is a central university established in 1922 by an Act of the then Central Legislative Assembly. It now has 16 faculties, 86 academic departments and 91 colleges and offers over 540 programmes.[1] It is ranked 322nd in the QS World University Rankings 2027, up from 328th.[2]
Foreign nationals apply through the Foreign Students’ Registry (FSR) portal, are exempt from CUET and are admitted on merit to supernumerary seats.[1] The 2026-27 bulletin has no fee table. The 2024-25 bulletin listed a one-time foreign-student registration fee of INR 48,400 (undergraduate), INR 58,080 (postgraduate) or INR 68,420 (PhD), an annual registration fee of INR 21,780 and course fees set per programme, from INR 50,000 to INR 800,000 a year.[3]
Key facts
| Official name | University of Delhi (Delhi University, DU) |
| Location | Delhi; the Foreign Students’ Registry is at the Conference Centre, University of Delhi, Delhi-110007[1] |
| Type | Central university, established in 1922 by an Act of the then Central Legislative Assembly (Wikipedia gives 1 May 1922)[1] |
| Structure | 16 faculties, 86 academic departments and 91 colleges[1] |
| Programmes | Over 540 academic programmes approved by its Academic and Executive Councils[1] |
| Students | Over seven lakh (700,000) according to the university’s 2026-27 foreign-student bulletin; Wikipedia gives 132,435 regular students[1] |
| Leadership roles | The President of India is Visitor, the Vice-President of India is Chancellor and the Chief Justice of India is Pro-Chancellor[1] |
| QS World University Rankings 2027 | 322nd (328th in the 2026 edition)[2] |
| Language of instruction | English and Hindi (some programmes are bilingual)[4] |
| Foreign nationals: entry exam | Exempt from CUET UG and CUET PG; admission purely on merit[1] |
| Foreign nationals: seats | Supernumerary; no more than 25% of the seats for foreign students in a course in a college may go to one country[1] |
| Foreign nationals: fees (2024-25 bulletin) | One-time registration INR 48,400 / 58,080 / 68,420 (UG / PG / PhD) plus INR 21,780 a year plus course fees set per programme[3] |
| Official website | du.ac.in |
Checked against the sources listed at the bottom of this page on 6 November 2026.
What is the University of Delhi?
The University of Delhi was established in 1922 by an Act of the then Central Legislative Assembly as a unitary teaching and residential university. It began with 3 colleges and about 750 students and now comprises 16 faculties, 86 academic departments and 91 colleges, serving over seven lakh students according to its 2026-27 bulletin for foreign nationals.[1] Wikipedia reports 132,435 regular students, so the headline figure depends on which students are counted.[4]
Wikipedia describes a North Campus as the oldest hub and a South Campus established in 1973, with colleges also in other parts of Delhi.[4] Teaching is in English and Hindi.[4] The university’s motto is “Nishtha Dhriti Satyam” (dedication, steadfastness and truth).[1]
The university website lists a Foreign Students’ Registry and an admission committee for foreign nationals for 2026-27.[5]
How is the University of Delhi ranked?
In the QS World University Rankings 2027, published on 18 June 2026, the University of Delhi is 322nd in the world, up from 328th in the 2026 edition. It is seventh among Indian institutions in that listing.[2] A second report of the same release also gives Delhi 322nd.[6] Free Press Journal lists the same position.[7]
Wikipedia adds NIRF positions (NIRF is India’s national ranking framework): 15 overall and 6 among universities in 2024.[4] Rankings differ by publisher and year, so treat one position as one view. How we compile rankings.
What can you study at the University of Delhi?
The university offers over 540 programmes.[1] The 2026-27 foreign-student bulletin has separate sections for undergraduate, postgraduate and PhD programmes with their admission criteria, covering subjects such as English, languages, journalism, computer science and engineering.[1] The bulletin lists B.Tech programmes in computer science and engineering, electronics and communication engineering and electrical engineering, among others.[1]
The seat matrix and the college-wise list of courses are published separately on the FSR website.[8] Programme eligibility is set per course, usually with a merit formula built from specified subjects.[1]
How much does the University of Delhi cost for international students?
The 2026-27 admission bulletin we read contains no fee table, and the university’s course fees for foreign nationals are charged by the college, department or centre.[1] The 2024-25 bulletin did publish a fee table, shown below. These figures are two years old and may have changed.[3]
| Programme (2024-25) | Registration, one time | Registration, annual | Course fee per year |
|---|---|---|---|
| B.Sc. (Hons.) Computer Science; BMS; journalism; electronic science (other than Tibet and SAARC) | INR 48,400 | INR 21,780 | INR 234,740 |
| B.Sc. (Hons.) Biochemistry, BAMS, BUMS, BHMS (other than Tibet and SAARC) | INR 48,400 | INR 21,780 | INR 194,000 |
| B.Tech computer science, electronics and communication, electrical: non-SAARC | INR 48,400 | INR 21,780 | INR 800,000 |
| The same B.Tech programmes: SAARC | INR 48,400 | INR 21,780 | INR 500,000 |
| MBA full time: SAARC | INR 58,080 | INR 21,780 | INR 500,000 |
| MBA full time: non-SAARC | INR 58,080 | INR 21,780 | INR 800,000 |
| MBA-IB, HRD, BE, FM | INR 58,080 | INR 21,780 | INR 392,040 |
| MCA, M.Sc. Computer Science, M.Sc. Food and Nutrition, M.Sc. Nursing (other than Tibet and SAARC) | INR 58,080 | INR 21,780 | INR 129,000 |
| M.A. Hindu Studies: SAARC / non-SAARC | INR 58,080 | INR 21,780 | INR 50,000 / INR 100,000 |
| PhD | INR 68,420 | INR 21,780 | per department’s fee structure |
Other programmes appear in the full table; the generic registration fee for foreign students was INR 48,400 for certificate, diploma and undergraduate level, INR 58,080 for postgraduate level and INR 68,420 for the PhD.[3] Tibetan applicants are exempt from the university registration fee and from the additional fee payable to the college or department as foreign students.[3] SAARC is the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation. If you add the three columns for one programme you get the first-year cost without living expenses, for example INR 304,920 for B.Sc. (Hons.) Computer Science (our sum).
How do you apply to the University of Delhi as an international student?
- Where: through the Foreign Students’ Registry (FSR) portal. No foreign student is admitted directly by a department or college.[1]
- Categories: the FSR page lists separate steps for ICCR scholars and for self-financing students.[8]
- Entry exam: foreign nationals are exempt from CUET UG and CUET PG; admission is purely on merit, using the subject combinations set for each course.[1]
- Eligibility: a Class XII pass from a recognised foreign board that the Association of Indian Universities treats as equivalent to 10+2; at least 45% aggregate for humanities and commerce or 50% for science and allied courses (unless a programme says otherwise); for postgraduate study, 50% aggregate in a bachelor’s degree.[1]
- Preferences and rounds: give as many college preferences as possible, at least three; an upgradation round is held if seats remain vacant. Seats for foreign students are supernumerary, and no more than 25% of the seats in a course in a college may go to students from one country.[1]
- Verification: you must appear in person at the FSR office to verify your original documents.[1]
- PhD: read the university’s separate PhD bulletin for research areas and proposal requirements.[1]
For Indian applicants, Wikipedia reports that admissions have been based on CUET scores since 2022.[4] We give no deadlines for foreign applicants because they change every year; the FSR site publishes each cycle’s dates.[8]
Which English level do you need?
Teaching is in English and Hindi, and some programmes are bilingual.[4] The 2026-27 bulletin names one explicit language requirement: for the B.Tech programmes in computer science, electronics and communication and electrical engineering, the candidate must have qualified a TOEFL or IELTS exam.[1] Its document checklists list a TOEFL, IELTS or English language proficiency certificate (ELPC) where necessary, and several programmes weigh English marks in their merit formula.[1] The bulletin does not state minimum scores, so ask the programme or the FSR.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do foreign students need to take CUET for the University of Delhi?
No. The 2026-27 bulletin says foreign nationals are exempt from CUET UG and CUET PG and are admitted purely on merit.[1]
How much are University of Delhi fees for international students?
The 2026-27 bulletin has no fee table. The 2024-25 bulletin listed one-time registration of INR 48,400 (UG), INR 58,080 (PG) or INR 68,420 (PhD), INR 21,780 a year and course fees from INR 50,000 to INR 800,000 a year depending on the programme.[3]
Can I apply directly to a Delhi University college as a foreign student?
No. Foreign candidates must apply through the Foreign Students’ Registry portal, and no foreign student is admitted directly by a department or college.[1]
What marks do I need to apply as an international student?
At least 45% aggregate (humanities and commerce) or 50% (science and allied courses) in Class XII for undergraduate programmes, and 50% in a bachelor’s degree for postgraduate programmes, unless the programme says otherwise.[1]
How is the University of Delhi ranked?
It is 322nd in the QS World University Rankings 2027, up from 328th.[2]
More about studying in India
- India: best universities
- Cost of Studying Abroad
- International Student Scholarships
- University Ranking Methodology
More university profiles in India
- Amity University (Noida)
- Anna University
- Banaras Hindu University
- BITS Pilani
- Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati
- Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad
- Indian Institute of Science
- Indian Institute of Technology (BHU) Varanasi
- Indian Institute of Technology Bombay
- Indian Institute of Technology Delhi
- Indian Institute of Technology Indore
- Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur
- Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur
- Indian Institute of Technology Madras
- Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee
- Jadavpur University
- Jawaharlal Nehru University
- Manipal Academy of Higher Education
- University of Hyderabad
Sources
[1] University of Delhi Foreign Students’ Registry: Admission Bulletin 2026-27 (PDF) (bulletin for session 2026-27, file name dated 6 May 2026; contains no fee table)
[2] Careers360: QS World University Rankings 2027 (QS publishes the ranking at topuniversities.com, which blocks automated access) (article of 18 Jun 2026, 09:05 IST)
[3] University of Delhi Foreign Students’ Registry: Admission Bulletin 2024-25 (PDF, section 14, fees) (bulletin for session 2024-25; fees may have changed)
[4] Wikipedia: University of Delhi (campuses, student count, NIRF, CUET and language; secondary source)
[5] University of Delhi: home page (page without a date; lists 2026-27 admission notices)
[6] Business Today: QS World University Rankings 2027, 12 IITs lead India’s 20 best universities (article of 18 Jun 2026)
[7] Free Press Journal: QS World University Rankings 2027, IIT Delhi leads Indian institutes (article updated 18 Jun 2026)
[8] University of Delhi: Foreign Students’ Registry (page without an update date; 2026-27 notices)
Figures may change; check official sources before you decide. How we compile our data · Found an error? Tell us.