Office of International relations

Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore

FAQ’s

►General FAQ’s For International Applicants:

1. What are the programs offered by IISc to International Students?

  • Undergraduate Program: Bachelor of Science (Research)
  • Postgraduate Course Programs:
    • Master of  Technology (M Tech)
    • Master of Design (M Des)
    • Master of Management (M Mgt)
  • Postgraduate Research Programs:
    • PhD
    • MTech(Research)

**General Categorization of OCI card holders for Prospective International Students at IISc:

Candidates who hold non-Indian passports, but are Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) Cardholders, will be treated as foreign nationals for IISc admissions under the following two categories:

 a. Category-1: OCI students who have obtained their degree/domiciled in India. The definition of domiciled in India is pertaining to qualifying degree (for M.Tech and Research admissions, it is B.S. (4 year)/B.E./B.Tech./M.Sc.; for UG admissions, it is 10+2) obtained from India. These Category-1 students will apply through regular admission portal. There will be no separate merit list for these Category-1 students and will be part of the general category merit list. 

b. Category-2: OCI students with a foreign degree/domiciled in foreign location. The students should have qualifying degrees (for M.Tech and Research admissions, it is B.S. (4 year)/B.E./B.Tech./M.Sc. or equivalent; for UG admissions, it is 10+2 or equivalent) obtained from foreign location. They will apply through the current international student admission portal. All admission rules that are prevalent for international students will be applicable to Category-2 students.

►FAQ’s: UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAM

1. What are the eligibility requirements for admission into the Bachelor of Science’ Program at IISc?

Indian Institute of Science offers a unique 4-year Bachelor of Science (Research) program, the eligibility requirements for International applicants are as follows:

a. All International candidates who are foreign Nationals holding a foreign passport are eligible to apply.

b. Candidates who hold non-Indian passports, but are Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) Cardholders, will be treated as foreign nationals for IISc admissions if they fall under category 2. Kindly refer **

c. Candidates, who have completed their II PUC / 12th Standard (or equivalent) between 2015 to 2020 and those, who are expecting who are expecting to complete their II PUC / 12th Standard (or equivalent) in 2021 are eligible to apply. The candidates must have studied Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics as main subjects during their II PUC / 12th (or equivalent) Standard.
Candidates, who have studied Biology, Statistics, Electronics, Computer Science, etc., in addition to Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics are also eligible to apply. The candidates must have secured a first class or 60% or equivalent grade in the II PUC / 12th (or equivalent) Standard examination.

d. The medium of instruction for II PUC / 12th (or equivalent) Standard should have been English.

2. Which subject groups are mandatory at the II PUC/12th STD level for admission to the UG program at IISc?

The Bachelor of Science (Research) Programme is open to students of PUC/12th standard whose main subjects include Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics (all three). Students who have studied Biology, Economics, Electronics, Computer Science, Statistics, etc., should also have taken Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics.

3. What are the different modes of applying to the programme?

Candidates must apply on-line. Online application may be prepared and submitted by accessing IISc-OIR website: http://oir.iisc.ac.in

4. Is SAT a qualifying exam for the entrance into undergraduate program for International students.

International students looking forward to applying for the Bachelor of Science (Research) Program can take SAT/ACT exam.

5. What is the cut-off score for SAT to get the admissions in UG Program at IISc?

The cut off scores for various qualifying exam, at IISc varies every year depending upon various factors like availability of seats, reserve categories, number of candidates applied, etc. 

The cut off lists are made available online (generally released after all qualifying exams declare their result) on IISc website.

6. What are the types of SAT exam one has to take up to qualify for the UG admissions?

Both SAT and SAT Subject Test scores are required for application; the essay part of SAT is not required.

7. Is there an application fee for applying online?

There is no application fee for International Students.

8. Is there an NRI quota?

No, there is no NRI quota for admissions at IISc.

9. Are OCI candidates considered as International students?

Please refer* to 1.b of the Q1 above.

10. I am having technical difficulties in filling up application form, whom should I contact? 

Please contact: admission.oir@iisc.ac.in

11. I do not qualify for the International category, how do I contact the regular IISc admission cell?

You may contact the Dean, Undergraduate Studies (office.ugdean@iisc.ac.in) or the Assistant Registrar (Academic) here. 

Other Useful Links:

►FAQ’s: POST GRADUATE: MTech (Course)

1. I looked at the eligibility for the M.Tech. course programs, they mention B.E./B.Tech./M.Sc., the degree currently I am possessing/pursuing is not B.E./B.Tech./M.Sc., so what should I do?

It should be equivalent to B.E./B.Tech./M.Sc., which essentially means post 10+2 (high school), if the qualification is B.E./B.Tech. that means you should have major in the subject area mentioned and duration of your bachelors program should have been 4 years. If the qualification is M.Sc. that means you should have major in the subject area mentioned in the master’s program and duration of Masters program should be for 2 years, which is preceded by 3 years bachelor’s program.

2. Is having standard test score compulsory for the M.Tech. course program?

Yes. If you do not have standard test score, please consider applying for the research program.

3. What will be the fees structure for the M.Tech. course program? Will I receive scholarship/stipend per month?

  • Currently, the total fees will be around Rs. 29,200/- (subjected to change as approved by the Dean) for one year of study excluding hostel. In case you want to avail the hostel (student accommodation), an additional amount of Rs.45,000/- (Rupees Forty Five Thousand only) should be paid, Rs.20,000/- towards refundable hostel deposit and Rs.25,000/- towards advance payment of Mess and Room Rent for first five months.
  • All admitted M.Tech. course program students will receive a scholarship/stipend of Rs. 12,400/- per month.

4. I am having technical difficulties in filling up application form, whom should I contact? 

Please contact: admission.oir@iisc.ac.in

5. What is the difference between M.Tech Course and M.Tech. (Research) program?

M.Tech (Research) is a thesis based degree program with a strong research component (it was earlier known as M.Sc. (Engg.) program), where as M.Tech. course program is a degree program that is by course work with a project dissertation. The duration of M.Tech course program is strictly 2 years. The duration of M.Tech (research) is between 1-3 years with average duration being 2.5 years. Also M.Tech course program along with eligibility degree program, it requires the applicants to have standard test scores (GRE/GRE Subject/GATE)

6. Will TOFEL/IELTS will be considered as standard test score?

No. But, If you have a valid TOFEL/IELTS score, please add that information in the application.

7. Can I apply for both Course and Research Admissions?

Yes, absolutely.

8. Is there an application fees?

It is waived for international students.

►FAQ’s:  MTech (Research) and PhD Program

1. I looked at the eligibility for the research programs, they mention B.E./B.Tech./M.Sc., the degree currently I am possessing/pursuing is not B.E./B.Tech./M.Sc., so what should I do?.

It should be equivalent to B.E./B.Tech./M.Sc., which essentially means post 10+2 (high school), if the qualification is B.E./B.Tech. that means you should have major in the subject area mentioned and duration of your bachelors program should have been 4 years. If the qualification is M.Sc. that means you should have major in the subject area mentioned in the master’s program and duration of masters program should be for 2 years, which is preceded by 3 years bachelor’s program.

2. Is having standard test’ a requirement to apply for the research program?

Yes, it is preferred (but not mandatory).

3. What will be the fees structure for the research program?. Will I receive scholarship/stipend per month?

Currently, the total fees will be around Rs. 37,000/- (subjected to change as approved by the Dean) for one year of study excluding hostel. In case you want to avail the hostel (student accommodation), an additional amount of Rs.45,000/- (Rupees Forty Five Thousand only) should be paid, Rs.20,000/- towards refundable hostel deposit and Rs.25,000/- towards advance payment of Mess and Room Rent for first five months.

All admitted research program students will receive a scholarship/stipend. For M.Tech. (Research), it is Rs. 12,400/- per month. For Ph.D., it is Rs.37,000 for first 2 years and Rs.42,000 from 3rd year till end of 5th year (subject to passing the comprehensive exam)

4.I am having technical difficulties in filling up application form, whom should I contact? 

Please contact: admission.oir@iisc.ac.in

5. What is the difference between M.Tech course and M.Tech. (Research) program?

M.Tech.(research) is a thesis based degree program with a strong research component (it was earlier known as M.Sc. (Engg.) program), where as M.Tech. course program is a degree program that is by course work with a project dissertation. The duration of M.Tech. course program is strictly 2 years. The duration of M.Tech. (research) is between 1-3 years with average duration being 2.5 years. Also M.Tech. course program along with eligibility degree program, it requires the applicant to have standard test scores (GRE/GRE Subject/GATE)

6. Will TOFEL/IELTS will be considered as standard test score?

No. But, If you have valid TOFEL/IELTS score, please include the information in the application.

7. Can I apply for both Course and Research Admissions?

Yes, absolutely.

8. Is there a separate application for M.Tech. (Research) and Ph.D. programs?

No. They both are considered as part research program, it will be same application. The department while interviewing candidate might decide on what program is best suited for the student.

9. Which Departments offer M.Tech. (Research)?

The programs and eligibility is available here. Under each tab, (for example if you see under Electrical Communication Engineering (EC)), the research programs are listed (for EC case it is Programme: Research [Ph D / M Tech (Research)]). Only those departments which have M.Tech. (Research) listed will offer M.Tech. (Research).

10. Is there an application fees?

It is waived for international students.

For all admission related queries, Please contact: admission.oir@iisc.ac.in