Study in India: Admissions

Who Can Apply to Study in India

Each institute sets its own entry rules. The basics: 12 years of school (called 10+2 in India) for a bachelor's, a bachelor's degree for a master's, and a master's degree for a PhD.

Example Eligibility Check

Example: master's applicant

Bachelor's degree

Meets the rule

Example: at least 50% for a master's at University of Delhi (DU)

English test

Needs a test result

Example: TOEFL or IELTS result

Example status

Maybe

Example only. Check the rules for your own course.

Key Entry Rules

These rules apply to international students.

School and degrees

Bachelor's: 12 years of school. Master's: a bachelor's degree. PhD: a postgraduate (master's level) degree.

Equivalence

At DU, your Class 12 must be from a board that the Association of Indian Universities (AIU) accepts as equal to 10+2.

English

English is the teaching language at all Study in India (SII) partner institutes. Most ask for IELTS or TOEFL.

Passport

At DU, only applicants with a non-Indian passport can apply as international students.

Each institute is different

Check the entry rules on each institute's own page before you apply.

Rules by Study Level

Rules at the University of Delhi (DU).

Minimum rules

1Bachelor's

12 years of school (Class 12).
At DU: at least 45% for humanities and commerce, 50% for science.

2Master's

A bachelor's degree in your subject.
At DU: at least 50% in a 3-year or 4-year bachelor's degree.

3PhD

A postgraduate (master's level) degree.
At DU, a research proposal with your application.

Entrance Tests

Standardized Testing Requirements

Graduate Tests

1GMAT

For some management courses.

Two DU Master of Business Administration (MBA) courses ask for your GMAT score. GMAT is a business school test.

Note: At DU, foreign students do not take the Common University Entrance Test (CUET). DU picks them by their marks. Some courses ask for GMAT or GRE.

English

English Proficiency Requirements

You need TOEFL, IELTS or your institute's own English test, unless your institute accepts other proof.

Important Considerations

Score Validity

Check the test provider’s score validity rules and your university’s requirements.

Possible Exemptions

You may be exempt from English proficiency requirements in certain cases:

For two MBA courses at DU, a letter from your last university saying you studied in English can replace TOEFL or IELTS.

Rules for Some Subjects

Different academic disciplines often have specific requirements beyond the general eligibility criteria. These specialized requirements ensure you have the necessary background and aptitude for success in your chosen field in India.

Medicine and health

You cannot study medicine (to become a doctor) through Study in India.
Paramedical courses (health-care support courses) such as pharmacy, nursing and physiotherapy are open.
If you join a paramedical course, you need a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from India's Ministry of Health and Family Welfare for your visa.

Engineering at DU

At DU, B.Tech (an engineering bachelor's degree) applicants need 50% overall in the qualifying exam and a TOEFL or IELTS result.

Looking for Other Fields?

This is not an exhaustive list. Many other academic disciplines have specific requirements. Always check with your target universities in India for the most accurate and up-to-date requirements for your specific program of interest.

Extra Rules for International Students

International students face several additional requirements beyond those for domestic applicants. These ensure that you can successfully transition to studying in India and comply with immigration regulations.

AIU equivalence

The AIU checks that your foreign school or degree matches the Indian one.

Send your degree and transcript, authenticated (officially confirmed as real) by the Indian embassy, to the AIU.
Check on your institute's page whether your course needs this certificate.