Delhi School of Economics, University of Delhi M.A Review By Adrija Majumdar

Walking into Delhi School of Economics feels like walking into a world which has been lived by one of the best scholars India has ever produced. The feeling of getting into DSE is surreal, the people you meet, the exposure you get, and the amount of conversations you strike with the best minds in the field of academics is what sets DSE apart from many other institutions. Apart from such vibrant experiences, the name tag is always going to be there which would add excellently to one’s resume and academic career as a whole.

The course structure here is more ethnographic. Many have this notion about social science disciplines that how it is all about theories and there is no as such real life applications. But here the course focuses on the contemporary issues and ideas as well as looking into various empirical fieldworks. One of the best parts of the course is that anyone can join it. My batchmates have come from various other backgrounds like that of Physics and Chemical Engineering as well. Entry is simply through CUET- PG. If you have completed your undergraduate degree from Delhi University then that would be an added advantage. If someone is really passionate about Sociology and into building a career in academics, then this is the best place to be in without a second thought.

The faculty in DSE is one of the best parts. Imagine being taught by scholars who are there in the syllabus itself. You will meet all the big names you have read before. As mentioned earlier, the approach here is more towards ethnography; it looks into real life examples diving deep into the subjects. However, one cannot expect the same from all the faculty members. While some can make you feel worthy of being there, others can disappoint you in some aspects. Faculty can be a part of your college experience but it’s better to not depend on them entirely.

The placement cell in DSE is really strong, but not for the sociology department. While you can go for the placements but the companies mostly prefer and priorities students from the economics department. It is not that one doesn’t get any help from the placement cell but it is not the best to rely upon it.

Delhi University as a whole doesn’t have such concrete campuses. However, there are hostels in the undergraduate college, but for master degree there are not any hostels within the campus. They are a bit far from the main campus (15mins in auto) but they provide good facilities including food and other services in an affordable rate.

Compared to other colleges, DSE wouldn’t give you the best building structure. There are mainly three buildings for each department (Economic, Sociology, and Geography). The center of attraction is the Ratan Tata Library with a good space for reading room with a range of books across various disciplines. The library is open from 9am to 7pm (except the weekends), so one can make full use of it. Another hanging spot for the students is the JP tea stall which has seen many friendships growing over a cup of tea. Another thing specific to Sociology Department are the Friday Colloquiums where some Ph.D scholars come to present their studies and ethnographic films are screened following an academic discussion. There colloquiums are a great opportunity to meet and interact with budding scholars.

To be honest, the campus life in DSE is academically driven to some extent. If you get your group of friends then it wouldn’t be much mundane. But outside the college, there lies the beauty of Delhi University, the North Campus which is full of life and vibrant colors and a lot of place which are students friendly. In the campus, there are events during the freshers and farewells and also during the annual days of the departments. Apart from that, the campus is not really a place where there are lots of fests and gatherings. However, staying in the North Campus would give you a plenty of opportunities to have fun and engage in other activities.