BITS Pilani is a private deemed-to-be university in Rajasthan, India, with campuses in Pilani, Goa, Hyderabad, Mumbai and Dubai.[1] It is ranked 575th in the QS World University Rankings 2027 and 16th among Indian institutions.[2]
International undergraduates apply through the SAT-based International Students Admission (ISA) scheme. For the 2026-27 intake tuition is Rs 742,500 per semester for non-SAARC countries and Rs 437,250 for SAARC countries, before merit scholarships of 15% to 80%.[3][4] All lectures are in English.[5] This page describes the Pilani campus; Goa and Hyderabad are separate campuses with their own programme lists.
Key facts
| Official name | Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Pilani (BITS Pilani) |
| Location (Pilani campus) | Vidya Vihar, Pilani, Jhunjhunu district, Rajasthan 333031, about 200 km west of Delhi[4] |
| Type | Private deemed-to-be university under the UGC; Institution of Eminence; NAAC grade A++[4] |
| Founded | Deemed-university status in 1964; roots in a college founded by the Birla Education Trust in 1929[1] |
| Campuses | Pilani, Goa, Hyderabad, Mumbai and Dubai[1]; ISA admission for 2026-27 covers Pilani, Goa and Hyderabad[4] |
| Students | More than 16,500 on-campus students (institute’s own figure); the vice-chancellor cites a student population of nearly 35,000[4] |
| QS World University Rankings 2027 | 575th (tied); 16th among Indian institutions[2] |
| Degrees for international applicants | Integrated first degrees (B.E., B.Pharm., four-year M.Sc.) through ISA; PhD through the Overseas Student Doctoral Programme[4] |
| Language of teaching | English[5] |
| Tuition 2026-27 intake, ISA, non-SAARC | Rs 742,500 per semester[3] |
| Tuition 2026-27 intake, ISA, SAARC | Rs 437,250 per semester[3] |
| Merit scholarship, ISA | Tuition waiver of 15% to 80%, by merit[3] |
| Entry requirement, ISA | SAT score of at least 1160 out of 1600; 75% aggregate in Grade 12 science subjects[4] |
| Official website | bits-pilani.ac.in |
Checked against the sources listed at the bottom of this page on 6 November 2026.
About BITS Pilani
The Birla Education Trust founded an intermediate college at Pilani in 1929 and added science and pharmacy colleges in 1943 and 1950. The Birla College of Engineering followed in 1946. In 1964 the colleges were merged into the Birla Institute of Technology and Science, which became a deemed university under the UGC Act, 1956 on 18 June 1964, with early technical collaboration from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.[1]
The institute describes itself as a private deemed-to-be university, an Institution of Eminence recognised by the Government of India and accredited A++ by the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC).[4] Besides Pilani it runs campuses in Goa, Hyderabad, Mumbai and Dubai.[1]
The Pilani campus sits in the Vidya Vihar area next to Pilani town in Rajasthan, about 200 km west of Delhi and 220 km north of Jaipur.[4] The institute offers an option of six-month industrial training through its Practice School programme.[4]
How is BITS Pilani ranked?
In the QS World University Rankings 2027, published on 18 June 2026, BITS Pilani is 575th in the world, up 93 places on the year before, and 16th among Indian institutions.[6][2] The list of Indian institutions marks the position as tied (=575).[2]
The institute’s own brochure adds claims in its own words, among them a second place in the pharmacy category of India’s NIRF 2025 ranking.[4] Rankings differ by publisher and year, so treat one position as one view. How we compile rankings.
What can international students study at BITS Pilani?
Undergraduate entry for international students is to integrated first degrees of four years:[4]
- B.E.: Chemical, Civil (Pilani and Hyderabad), Electrical and Electronics, Mechanical, Computer Science, Electronics and Instrumentation, Electronics and Communication, Manufacturing (Pilani only), Mathematics and Computing, and Environmental and Sustainability Engineering.
- B.Pharm.: offered at the Pilani and Hyderabad campuses.
- M.Sc. (four-year integrated): Biological Sciences, Chemistry, Economics, Mathematics, Physics, and Semiconductor and Nanoscience.
The Pilani campus also lists higher degrees such as M.E., M.Pharm. and an MBA in Business Analytics.[7] Admission to the general PhD route is strictly on merit, and BITS says it has no separate provision for foreign applicants there.[5] International students can instead apply to the Overseas Student Doctoral Programme (OSDP) in engineering, science, management, and humanities and social sciences. It requires a passport of a country other than India, an M.E., M.Pharm., MBA, M.Phil. or equivalent with at least 60% (provisional admission is possible with an M.Sc. or B.E.), and possibly an English test such as TOEFL or IELTS. Fellowships of up to Rs 37,000 per month are mentioned.[8][5]
How much does BITS Pilani cost for international students in 2026-27?
| ISA scheme, 2026-27 intake | Non-SAARC countries | SAARC countries |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition per semester | Rs 742,500 | Rs 437,250 |
| Tuition for two semesters | Rs 1,485,000 | Rs 874,500 |
| Hostel and internet, per semester | Rs 82,250 | Rs 82,250 |
| Admission fee (one time) | Rs 156,100 | Rs 156,100 |
These are the amounts on the institute’s ISA fee sheet for the 2026-27 admission year. SAARC is the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation. Further one-time and recurring items are an application fee of Rs 7,000, a facilitation fee of Rs 16,130, a refundable caution deposit of Rs 32,000, an annual students’ union and aid fund of Rs 4,160, and advances for mess and electricity (Rs 10,000) and other items (Rs 12,000) each semester. For a non-SAARC student the first-semester total on the sheet is Rs 850,910, in addition to the one-time fees.[3]
Fees rise each year
The sheet states that semester tuition rises every year: for a non-SAARC student admitted in 2026-27 it is Rs 742,500 in 2026-27 and Rs 779,500 in 2027-28, rising to Rs 902,500 in 2030-31. For SAARC students the figures run from Rs 437,250 to Rs 531,500.[3]
Scholarships
Every ISA student receives a merit-based tuition waiver: the top 4% get 80%, the next 10% get 50%, the next 20% get 30%, and the rest get 15%. To keep a waiver in later semesters a student needs a CGPA of at least 8.0 for the 80% level and at least 6.0 for the others.[3] The brochure says the minimum is a 15% waiver in the first semester.[4]
For comparison
Students admitted in 2026-27 under the domestic schedule pay a semester tuition of Rs 291,500 and a hostel fee of Rs 36,000 per semester, with an admission fee of Rs 64,100.[9] Costs and visas for living in India are covered in our India guide.
How do you apply to BITS Pilani as an international student?
- ISA scheme: only citizens holding a passport of a country other than India can apply. You need a Grade 12 certificate (or equivalent) with Physics, Mathematics and one of Chemistry, Biotechnology, Biology or a technical vocational subject (B.Pharm. and Environmental and Sustainability Engineering with a biology input have different subject rules), an aggregate of at least 75% in those subjects with at least 60% in each, and an SAT score of at least 1160 out of 1600. You have the College Board send your SAT result to BITS Pilani (institution code 7759), apply online and pay the application fee. Merit is ranked by SAT score, with tie-breaking rules, and candidates may be interviewed. Offers are published on the ISA website.[4]
- BITSAT: citizens of other countries may alternatively apply through BITSAT, the institute’s computer-based entrance test, which is open to international students; the two modes run on different timelines.[5][4]
- Doctoral: see the OSDP route above.[8]
The 2026 ISA application window has passed, and the ISA page does not show dates for the next intake.[10] We give no deadlines because they change every year; check the ISA website before you start. Most foreign nationals need a student visa, which they apply for with the BITS Pilani admission letter.[4]
Which language level do you need?
All lectures and official communications are in English.[4] The ISA brochure asks for “adequate proficiency in English” in Grade 12 and does not list an IELTS or TOEFL score for undergraduate applicants.[4] For the OSDP doctoral route, an English test such as TOEFL or IELTS may be required.[8]
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does BITS Pilani cost for international students?
For students admitted in 2026-27 through the ISA scheme, tuition is Rs 742,500 per semester for non-SAARC countries and Rs 437,250 for SAARC countries, before a merit waiver of 15% to 80%.[3]
Do international students need the SAT for BITS Pilani?
Is BITS Pilani the same as the Goa or Hyderabad campus?
They belong to the same university but are separate campuses with different programme lists. The 2026-27 ISA scheme is open at Pilani, Goa and Hyderabad.[4]
Are there scholarships for international students?
Yes. All ISA students receive a merit-based tuition waiver of 15% to 80%, depending on rank in the merit list.[3]
How is BITS Pilani ranked?
It is 575th in the QS World University Rankings 2027 and 16th among Indian institutions.[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
- 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 Delhi
- University of Hyderabad
Sources
[1] Wikipedia: Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Pilani (history and campuses)
[2] PhDTalks: 52 Indian universities in QS World University Rankings 2027 (list of Indian institutions; QS edition released 18 Jun 2026)
[3] BITS Pilani: ISA fee structure 2026-27 (file dated 24 Apr 2026)
[4] BITS Pilani: Information brochure, International Students Admission (ISA) scheme 2026-27 (file dated 11 Dec 2025)
[5] BITS Pilani: Admission modality (First Degree, Higher Degree and PhD) (file dated 2 Dec 2025)
[6] Education World: India records broad gains in QS World University Rankings 2027 (QS publishes the ranking at topuniversities.com, which blocks automated access) (article of June 2026)
[7] BITS Pilani, Pilani Campus: Programmes (page without a date)
[8] BITS Pilani: Overseas Student Doctoral Programme (OSDP) overview (page without a date)
[9] BITS Pilani: Schedule of fees for the academic year 2026-27 (First Degree) (page without a date; 2026-27 schedule)
[10] BITS Pilani: International Student Admission (ISA) (page without a date; file dated 18 Jun 2026)
Figures may change; check official sources before you decide. How we compile our data · Found an error? Tell us.