West Bengal is located in the eastern region of India which has a rich cultural heritage. The legacy of West Bengal is manifested in its literature, music, folklore and dance. The state has the most crucial role to play in the scenario of higher studies. Being one of the most important educational hubs of India, West Bengal houses a number of universities, which cover almost all disciplines of academics. The Universities in West Bengal have a glorious past and have produced some great scholars. West Bengal Universities are responsible for maintaining a well-organised and standard higher education set-up in the state. The academic system followed by the universities in the states is admired throughout the nation.

Universities in West Bengal concentrate on providing high standard theoretical knowledge and also provide students with all necessary kind of infrastructural facilities. These opportunities allow the students to apply their acquired knowledge in professional arena. The capital city of West Bengal, Kolkata, houses several renowned universities. However, many different universities are also widespread throughout the state. University of Calcutta is one of the oldest universities in the world. Its foundation stone was laid in 1827. Calcutta University is the most coveted centre for education. It is a teaching cum affiliating University with several campuses in the city. Calcutta University comprises of a number of institutes, which encourage the students to not only take up their choice of subjects but to gain knowledge in an environment which will sharpen their acumen.

The Visva - Bharati University, Shantiniketan, was established with an aim of spreading Indian spiritualism and philosophy to the world. It has great importance in the Indian society as the university was founded by the great poet, prophet and philosopher, Rabindranath Tagore, this institution aims at conferring Indian knowledge resource to rest of the world through various academic disciplines and on the other hand enriching Indian resources with derived philosophy from rest of the world. Jadavpur University is recognised as the second most important university in the city which came into existence as an autonomous university in the year 1955. The well known University in Kolkata offering course in Fine Arts and Visual Arts is the Rabindra Bharati University. It was established in 1981 to commemorate the contributions made by Iswar Chandra Vidyasagar to the society. Several other Universities in West Bengal are identified as significant as they encourage the students in partaking certain unconventional courses and support research in unexplored fields.

West Bengal University of Animal and Fishery Sciences impart education in various branches of Veterinary and Animal Sciences along with Dairy Technology and Fishery Sciences. Vidyasagar University at Midnapore has introduced several exceptional courses. The interior areas of West Bengal such as districts of Nadia, Murshidabad and parts of North 24 Parganas have also been endorsed the spread of education through University of Kalyani. University of Burdwan is a teaching and affiliating institution and caters to the educational needs of over five districts, Bardhaman, Hooghly (excluding Serampore subdivision), Bankura, Birbhum and Purulia.

Universities in West Bengal have also undertaken several open education programme. Netaji Subhash Open University is one such university that follows the pattern of Indira Gandji National Open University (IGNOU). In addition to that University of North Bengal was set up with the aim of spreading knowledge in six North Bengal districts and also the northeastern state of Sikkim. Many Universities in West Bengal also imparts courses in research training, undergraduate, graduate and doctoral courses in engineering disciplines and non-engineering disciplines. Such institutes include Indian Statistical Institute, Indian Institute of Technology, Bengal Engineering and Science University. Another pioneer institutes in the field of Agricultural Education, Research and Extension is Bidhan Chandra Krishi Vishwavidyalaya.