CEPT University's Review and Verdict

Campus at a Glimpse

Established in 1962 as a School of Architecture, CEPT University became a full-fledged university in 2005. It was founded in Ahmedabad by the Ahmedabad Education Society (AES) with the support of the Government of Gujarat and India. Formerly known as the Center for Environment, Planning and Technology, the university is recognised by the University Grants Commission (UGC) and approved by the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE). 

CEPT University is one the top-ranked Indian universities in the architecture domain, well-known for its academic excellence, robust curriculum, highly-experienced faculty and exposure opportunities. It has five faculties of study namely, Architecture, Planning, Technology, Design and Management offering various programmes at undergraduate postgraduate and doctoral levels. While the university enrols a limited number of bright students across India, its high fee structure discourages meritorious students from low-financial backgrounds. 

Learn more about the CEPT University courses, fees, ranking, placement, internship, administration, management, diversity, etc in this article to form a clearer picture. 

CEPT University NIRF Ranking

Centre for Environmental Planning and Technology University (CEPT) is a well-known name for architecture. Let’s explore its NIRF rankings in detail. 

Our Take: 

CEPT has been consistently ranked amongst the top 10 architecture institutions in India by NIRF in 2023, 2021 and 2020. The university did not participate in 2022 due to unknown reasons. Additionally, the rankings show a slight downward trend representing lapse across all metrics defined by NIRF - Teaching, Learning and Resources (TLR) Research and Professional Practice (RP) Outreach and Inclusivity (OI). 

CEPT University Academia & Batch Size

Faculty and Courses:

A plethora of UG and PG courses are offered by the Centre for Environmental Planning and Technology University through nine faculty of study mentioned in detail below. 

CEPT University majorly focuses on offering knowledge through a practical approach with the help of ‘studios’ or ‘labs’. The pedagogy utilised here includes coursework, seminars and research assignments aimed at developing the conceptual and analytical skills of students. 

Batch Size

The course-wise intake of students as per the NIRF 2023 report is mentioned below. 

Our Take:

Undoubtedly, CEPT University is one of the premier universities for architecture, design and planning in India. It offers a bouquet of courses to choose from and a robust curriculum. Students and alumni of CEPT University have shared a lot of positive reviews regarding the academia. As per them, the major focus is given to practical knowledge and pedagogy is student-centred. 

CEPT University Infrastructure

Being a university dedicated to architecture and design, CEPT has a well-structured infrastructure and amenities for the students. Let’s have a look at the details. 

Library: Lilavati Lalbhai Library is the academic hub for the students of CEPT University. It has an enriching collection of books and other resources such as online journals, e-books, databases, open-access resources, etc. It has its own Instagram page, ‘CEPT University Library’ to reach students through social media. 

Laboratories: CEPT University courses require more hands-on experimentation to build practical skills. The laboratories come into play here! The university is home to several laboratories mentioned below:

• Engineering Material Testing Laboratory
• Concrete Technology Laboratory
• Geotechnical Engineering Laboratory
• Highway Engineering Laboratory
• Structural Engineering Laboratory
• Surveying and Levelling Laboratory
• Environmental Engineering Laboratory
• Fluid Mechanics Laboratory
• Conservation Material Testing Laboratory
• Building Energy Performance Laboratory

Workshops: Apart from labs, workshops play an important role in supporting "learning by making". CEPT University has a large workshop area with advanced machines and equipment. Different activities such as model making, exploration of materials, prototyping, and working in wood/ metal/ ceramic/ textile are held in the workshop. 

Hostel: The university offers hostel facilities for male and female students near the campus. Basic amenities include laundry facilities, Wi-Fi, canteen, hygienic food, etc.

CEPT University Internships and Placements 

Internships:

Internships and project training are an essential part of the CEPT University curriculum. Students are required to undergo 6 months to 1 year of internship programme under any company or firm related to the course. To help students, the university invites different companies for the recruitment of interns on campus. The stipend varies company-wise from 5 K to 10 K as per students’ reviews on multiple platforms. 

Course-wise Placements:

CEPT University has a decent placement record over the years. In 2022, 77% of the UG students and 75% of the PG students were placed based on the NIRF 2023 report. While researching on Quora, we found positive feedback from students regarding CEPT University placements. The dedicated placement cell of the university provides individual guidance and helps students get placed in leading organisations. Some of the top recruiters based on Quora reviews are Larsen & Toubro (L&T), Tata Consulting Engineers (TCE), AECOM, Gensler, HOK, CBRE, Knight Frank, JLL (Jones Lang LaSalle), Hiranandani Group, Sobha Limited. 

Our Take:

Our research proves that CEPT University provides ample internship and placement opportunities to its students. The placement cell organises various activities such as job fairs, recruitment drives, training sessions and guest lectures by industry experts to enhance the employability skills of the students. They are assured of 100% placement assistance, robust exposure and genuine guidance from the university. Hence, placements aren’t a problem considering the small student population at CEPT. 

CEPT University Diversity & Demographics

Given below are the statistics regarding the demographic profile of the students at CEPT University based on the NIRF 2023 report. 

Course-wise Demographic Profile:

Course-wise Gender Representation:

Quick Analysis:

Our Take:

• CEPT University is home to a diverse student population coming from different parts of the country. The ratio between home state students and other state students stands at 37.5%:62.5%, which is pretty good! 
• The gender ratio between male and female students stands at 36.8%: 63.2% which creates a women-centric atmosphere on the campus. 

CEPT University Faculty/College Administration & Management

Faculty: 

The total number of faculty members at CEPT University is 70 according to the NIRF 2023 report. The teaching staff is highly qualified, experienced and enthusiastic to walk the extra mile for the students. 

Administration and Management:

The Chairman, President, Director, Deans and Registrar form the administrative staff of CEPT University responsible for forming and implementing policies. The Board of Management constitutes the Executive Council, Academic and Research Council and Finance and Development Committee accountable for supervising the functioning of the university. As per our research, no negative feedback has been found on news’ and review websites representing the inefficiency of CEPT University’s administration and management. 

Our Take:

The members of the faculty, administration and management of CEPT University are highly qualified and experienced in running the university very well. The faculty are respected and loved by the students for their dedication towards teaching and research. The university has made its name in architecture and design globally due to the consistent efforts of administration and management towards academic excellence and professionalism. 

CEPT University Location

CEPT University is located at Kasturbhai Lalbhai Campus, University Road, Ahmedabad, Gujarat. Let's have a look at the nearest transportation options from the campus. 

• Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport is the nearest airport to CEPT University about 11.7 km away. 
• The nearest railway station to the university is Ahmedabad Junction Railway Station about 6.9 km from the campus. 

CEPT University: Expectation vs Reality CLD Verdict!

Founded by the first Indian winner of the Pritzker Prize, BV Doshi, CEPT University enjoys a long-standing reputation and a mark of excellence in architecture and design. It has a well-reputed image amongst the student fraternity which makes it a highly sought-after university in India. 

However, the fee structure is excessively high ranging from INR 17,44,000 for UG courses to INR 8,38,000 for PG courses. This makes it less attractive for meritorious students belonging to low-economic backgrounds. To counter this issue, the university offers various scholarships and fee concessions to such students. However, the students still feel the financial burden! 

Overall, CEPT University is a great choice for students who can afford the fees and wish to pursue higher education in architecture and design in India. 

Our Final Checklist!