South Asian University (SAU) is an international university established in 2010 in Delhi, India, by eight members of SAARC, such as Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, India, Maldives, Bangladesh, and Nepal. SAU offers various admission methods  and different scholarships and freeships for students from SAARC and other Countries, including the following scholarships:

• SAU President Scholarship,
• SAARC-India Silver Jubilee Scholarship,
• SAU Merit Scholarship,
• SAU PhD Scholarship,
• SAU Free Ship with Stipend, and
• SAU Freeship.

Students can apply for bachelor’s, master’s, and PhD programs, and there are the following methods to apply:

• Entrance Test: done in – person for those in India, and online for other countries
• Direct mode: Based on national-level test scores or qualifying examination results from recognized institutions.

Upon admission, all Master’s students are required to pay tuition fees, but these fees will be refunded to scholarship and freeship awardees after the issuance of the scholarship/freeship notification. Scholarship and freeship awardees are not required to pay tuition fees in successive semesters as long as they meet the renewal criteria for their respective category of scholarship/freeship. Ph.D. students are exempt from paying tuition fees throughout their studies.

It’s important to note that while scholarship and freeship awardees do not have to pay tuition fees, they may still be required to pay other applicable fees as notified by the Admissions & Examinations section to complete their registration.

Important Dates for SAU Admission

Location: Delhi, India

Application Deadline

• entrance: 10 April 2026 (23:59 I.S.T.)
• Direct Mode:  10th May 2026
• Release of the admit card: 20 April 2026
• Entrance Test: 25 and 26  April 2026
• First Merit result announcement for UG and Master : 15 May 2026
• PhD candidates interview: 1-5 June, 2026
• PhD result: 11 June 2026

Entrance Exam Fee: U.S. $20 (INR 1630)

Exam Locations :

Previously, it was taken to the following locations; now, it will be held online.

• Afghanistan: Kabul
• Bangladesh:  Chittagong, Dhaka
• Bhutan: Thimphu, Kanglung
• Maldives: Male
• Nepal: Biratnagar, Kathmandu, Pokhara
• Pakistan: Karachi, Lahore, Peshawar
• Sri Lanka: Colombo, Jaffna

Admission Test Schedule and Program List

Saturday, 26 April 2025

Morning Session:

• MA Economics (specialization in Economic Development)
• PhD Physics
• Integrated BBA-MBA

Afternoon Session:

• MA International Relations
• PhD Computer Science

Evening Session:

• MSc Computer Science
• Integrated MSc + MTech (Computer Science)
• Master of Computer Applications (MCA)
• PhD Legal Studies
• BTech CSE (various specializations)
• Dual Degree BTech – MTech CSE (various specializations)
• B.Tech (Mathematics and Computing)
• MS Climate Change and Sustainability

Sunday, 27 April 2025

Morning Session:

• MSc Biotechnology
• PhD International Relations
• MTech Computer Science
• MA Sociology

Afternoon Session:

• MSc Mathematics / Applied Mathematics
• PhD Sociology
• Integrated BS-MS (Interdisciplinary Sciences)
• Master of Laws (LLM)

Evening Session:

• PhD Economics
• PhD Media, Arts, and Design
• PhD Mathematics
• Master of Business Administration (MBA)

Admission Entrance Test Time Schedule

Fields and level of study

In 2025, the South Asian University will offer bachelor’s degree programs, which were not provided before, and master’s programs, PhD  programs, and virtual programs as follows:

Bachelor’s Programmes

• BTech CSE – 4 Years (240 seats)
• BTech CSE (Spl. in AI & ML) – 4 Years (240 seats)
• BTech CSE (Spl. in Data Science & AI) – 4 Years (240 seats)
• BTech CSE (Spl. in Cybersecurity) – 4 Years (240 seats)
• BTech CSE (Spl. in Business Systems & Intelligence) – 4 Years (240 seats)
• Dual Degree: BTech + MTech CSE (Spl. options) – 5 Years (120 seats)
• BTech Mathematics and Computing – 4 Years (120 seats)
• Integrated BS – MS (Interdisciplinary Sciences) – 5 Years (180 seats)
• Integrated BBA – MBA – 5 Years (60 seats)

Master’s Programmes

• MSc Applied Mathematics/MSc Mathematics – 1-2 Years (60 seats)
• MSc Biotechnology – 1-2 Years (30 seats)
• MSc Computer Science – 1-2 Years (20 seats)
• M.Tech. (Computer Science) – 2 Years (30 seats)
• Integrated M.Sc. + M.Tech. (Computer Science) – 3 Years (20 seats)
• MA Economics (with specialization in Economic Development) – 1-2 Years (60 seats)
• MA International Relations – 1-2 Years (20 seats)
• MA Sociology – 1-2 Years (60 seats)
• LLM (Master of Laws) – 1-2 Years (10 seats)
• Master of Computer Applications (MCA) – 2 Years (120 seats)
• Master of Business Administration (MBA) – 2 Years (60 seats)
• MS Climate Change and Sustainability – 2 Years (30 seats)

PhD Programmes

• Biotechnology – 5 Years
• Computer Science – 5 Years
• Economics – 5 Years
• International Relations – 5 Years
• Legal Studies – 5 Years
• Mathematics – 5 Years
• Sociology – 5 Years
• Media, Arts and Design – 5 Years
• Physics – 5 Years

Executive PhD

• Biotechnology – 5 Years
• Computer Science – 5 Years
• Economics – 5 Years
• International Relations – 5 Years
• Legal Studies – 5 Years
• Mathematics – 5 Years
• Sociology – 5 Years
• Media, Arts and Design – 5 Years
• Physics – 5 Years
• Climate Change – 5 Years

Executive MBA

• Executive MBA – 2 Years

Virtual Campus (Online Courses)

Bachelor’s / Undergraduate (UG)

• BS – Data Science & AI – 4 Years
• BCA (Hons.) – 4 Years
• Integrated BBA – MBA – 5 Years

Master’s / Post-Graduate (PG)

• MS – Data Science & AI – 2 Years
• MCA – 2 Years
• MBA – 2 Years

Short-Term Certificate Courses

• Vocal Music and Art of Singing – 3 Months
• Fashion Design, Modelling and Styling – 3 Months
• Communication Design and Graphics – 3 Months

Fee Structure

1. Admission and One-Time Fees:

• Registration Fee: USD 20
• Admission Fee: USD 200 (Non-refundable, payable upon admission)
• Refundable Security Deposit: USD 200 (25% will be deducted for SAU Alumni Fee)

2. Semester Fees by Programme:

• Β.Α./Μ.Α./LLM: USD 600
• B.Sc./M.Sc/BS/MS/MCA.: USD 800
• B.Tech./Dual Degree (B.Tech.+M.Tech.): USD 1250
• BBA: USD 1000
• MBA: USD 1500
• Executive MBA: USD 2000
• M.Tech./Integrated (M.Sc.+M.Tech.): USD 1000
• Ph.D. (Science): USD 800
• Ph.D. (Other Disciplines): USD 600
• Executive PhD: USD 1200
• Student Aid Fund: USD 10
• Other Charges: Hostel Fee USD 100

3. Other Details:

• Installment options available (additional charge: USD 20 per installment)
• Fee structure for non-SAARC students differs and will be notified separately
• Visit the website for courses offered in SAU Virtual Campus

Modes of Admission

Admission to various Bachelor’s, Master’s, and PhD programmes is offered through two modes:

1. SAU Entrance Test Mode:

• For Indian Candidates: Center-based online tests conducted by the University
• For other SAARC Candidates (excluding India): Proctored online tests on stipulated dates

2. Direct Admission Mode (Without SAU Entrance Test):

• In India: Based on scores from national-level tests
• In Other SAARC Countries: Based on national-level test scores or qualifying examination results from recognized institutions
• For Non-SAARC Candidates: Based on scores obtained in their qualifying examination
• For Executive PhD and Executive MBA Programmes: Admission is based on professional work experience and interview

Scholarships and Financial Assistance

SAU provides financial support in terms of various scholarships and freeships based on merit/income criteria. Details about the scholarships/freeships and eligibility criteria for awarding to different categories of students from SAARC countries may be seen in the SAU Scholarship Policy on the SAU website.

Scholarship and Facilities

The scholarship details for 2025 scholarships will be released soon, but you may review the 2024 details as follows:

South Asian University Scholarships

The SAU is reviewing the scholarship details for 2025-26 and will announce them later. However, to get an idea of how the scholarship of South Asian University is, applicants may read the details of scholarships from previous years.

President Scholarships

SAU (South Asian University) offers TWO President Scholarships for each Master’s program, one for an Indian student and one for a non-Indian student who secures the highest rank in the SAU Entrance Test in their respective category. The scholarship covers the following expenses:

• Tuition
•  hostel fees,
• a monthly stipend of INR 7,000,
• A start-up allowance of INR 5,000 for Indian students and INR 10,000 for non-Indian students, and
• a pack-up allowance of INR 5,000 for Indian students and INR 10,000 for non-Indian students.

Note: The scholarship is transferable within the respective category and program, and it can be renewed for a second year if the awardees meet the minimum CGPA requirement.

SAARC India Silver Jubilee Scholarship (SJS)

SAARC India Silver Jubilee Scholarship (SJS) provides 75 scholarships for master students from SAARC  Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Sri Lanka, and Nepal. 50% of the scholarships are reserved for female candidates, but if there aren’t enough, the remaining scholarships can be awarded to male candidates. The scholarship covers the following expenses:

• tuition and
• hostel fees,
• a monthly stipend of INR 7,000,
• a start-up allowance of INR 10,000, and
• A pack-up allowance of INR 10,000.
• The available scholarships are divided into two parts for male and female candidates, distributed proportionally among all eligible countries and then uniformly among the respective Master Programmes. The award of SJS is subject to the approval of the Ministry of External Affairs, Govt. of India.

SAU Merit Scholarship:

There are TWO SAU Merit Scholarships for each Masters program. These scholarships are given to the Indian and non-Indian students who have secured the highest rank in the respective merit list of the SAU Entrance Test among the remaining students after awarding the SAU President scholarship and the SAARC-India Silver Jubilee Scholarship. Like the SAU President Scholarship, the SAU Merit Scholarship is also transferable within the respective category and program.

• Tuition Fee waiver
• Hostel Fee waiver
• A monthly stipend of INR 5,000

This scholarship shall be renewed for the second year provided the awardees secure a minimum CGPA of 5.0 for the science streams (Biotechnology, Computer Science, and Mathematics) and 4.5 for the non-science streams (Economics, Sociology, International Relations, and Law) at the end of second Semester.

Freeships:

Four freeships with stipends are available for each master’s program, two for Indian students and two for non-Indian students whose annual family income is below a certain amount. The freeship is transferrable across faculties/departments/countries if eligible candidates are unavailable. After joining the University, students will be notified to apply for the freeship with a stipend on a prescribed form. They must provide a family income certificate issued by the competent authority of their respective SAARC countries. The freeship includes:

• A tuition fee waiver,
• a hostel fee waiver, and
• a monthly stipend of INR 5,000.

Hostel Facilities at South Asian University

South Asian University provides on-campus housing for master’s and doctoral students. Students can benefit from study rooms, standard rooms, and multipurpose rooms. The hostel fee for the SAARC region students is U.S. $60 per academic semester plus mess charges ranging between US$ 50 to 75 per month.

Medical Facilities at South Asian University

All students applying to South Asian Univeristy will benefit from the Medical Group Insurance Scheme of about INR 1,50,000. The University will pay the entire premium. Additionally, the University has a Health Center with limited O.P.D. facilities.

Medicine costs are reimbursable per SAU rules and the university doctor’s prescription.

Eligibility Criteria

Students who meet the following requirements can apply to South Asian University:

For B.Tech. (CSE) & Dual Degree B.Tech.+ M.Tech. (CSE)

• passed Class 12 or Higher Secondary or equivalent in the Science stream.
• Mandatory subjects: Mathematics and Physics/Chemistry.
• Minimum 75% marks in Mathematics required.

For M.Tech. (CS)

• 4-year B.Tech./B.E./BSc. (Engg.)/BS degree in Computer Science and Engineering or relevant area.
• Institution recognition by the government of any SAARC country.
• Minimum 55% marks in aggregate or equivalent grade required.
  • OR
• Master’s degree in Computer Science/Computer Applications/Mathematics/Operational Research/Statistics/Electronics/Information Technology/Physics.
• Institution recognition by the government of any SAARC country.
• Minimum 55% marks in aggregate or equivalent grade level required.

For Integrated M.Sc.+M.Tech. (CS)

• Three or 4-year Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science or relevant area.
• Mathematics is a subject either at the Bachelor’s level or at the 10+2 (12th class) level.
• Institution recognition by the government of any SAARC country.
• Minimum 55% marks in aggregate or equivalent grade required.
• Candidates with a 2-year Bachelor’s degree who cleared the first year of the Master’s program are eligible.

For Masters Programme

• Minimum 15 years of education under 10+2+3 pattern or a 4-year degree after 10+2.
• Minimum 50% marks for M.A. courses; 55% for M.Sc. courses.
• Master’s program duration: 2 years.

For Ph.D. Program

• Twelve years of regular Schooling is necessary
• At least 3-years Bachelor’s Degree plus post-graduate education leading to MA/M.Sc../M.C.A/MS/M.Tech./L.L.M. degree.
• Minimum 50% marks for Social Sciences and Law; minimum 55% for Science subjects.
• Integrated Bachelor’s and Master’s degree holders need at least five years of College/University education after completing 12 years of schooling.

Applicable to all Programmes

• Full-time students only; no full or part-time jobs permitted during study.
• Degrees from government-recognized universities/institutions are accepted.
• Original certificates of final results are required at the time of admission.
• Candidates awaiting final results may apply but must fulfill minimum eligibility criteria and clear Entrance Test.

Required Documents for South Asian University Application

The following documents are mandatory during the application process at South Asian University:

SAARC Nationals of Master’s Programs Applicants

• Passport-size photo
• Scanned Signatures
• ID with photo

SAARC Nationals of Ph.D. Programs Through Entrance Test

• Passport-size photo
• Scanned Signatures
• ID with photo

SAARC Nationals of Ph.D. Applicants Through Direct Mode

• Passport-size photo
• Scanned Signatures
• ID with photo
• Degrees, Certificates, or Mark Sheets of Educational Qualifications
• Short CV (Optional)
• One of the following, whichever is applicable:
• National Fellowship Offer Letter
• Proof of Funds by any Government agency for pursuing a Ph.D.
• O.C. from the employer (Format of N.O.C.)

Non-SAARC Nationals Applicants for Master’s and Ph.D.

• Passport-size photo
• Scanned Signatures
• ID with photo
• Degrees, Certificates, or Mark Sheets of Educational Qualifications
• Short CV (Optional)

Note: The maximum size of each document should be 100 KB. Photos and Scanned Signatures must be PNG or JPG, and other documents should be PDF.

How to Apply to South Asian University?

Applicants who wish to apply to the South Asian University should submit their admission application online by entering the link below:

Apply Now

Apply direct mode | Virtual Campus | Entrance Test

Download the Exam questions samples from HERE

Modes of Admission to the University

Admissions for Bachelor’s, Master’s, and PhD programs are available through Entrance Test Mode or Direct Mode. The entrance test is conducted online, either center-based (India) or proctored (SAARC countries). Direct admission is based on national test scores, such as JEE Mains, CUET UG/PG, GATE, GMAT, CAT, XAT, or NET, for various programs in India. Candidates from other SAARC countries and non-SAARC applicants can also qualify through their respective national tests or academic performance from approved institutions.

Admission to executive PhD and Executive MBA programs is based on professional experience and an interview. Applicants in Direct Mode must pay separate fees for each program, while those in Entrance Mode pay a single fee for programs with a shared test.

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For more information about the South Asian University’s scholarship and admission, please visit SAU’s official website or read the FAQs.