Find all you need to know about our programmes, courses, admissions process, and more.
Download the Prospectus
Your guide to applying to IIHS (Institution Deemed to be) University
IIHS (Institution Deemed to be) University is committed to shaping the next generation of leaders through interdisciplinary, practice-oriented education rooted in the Global South.
The University’s admissions process reflects our commitment to interdisciplinarity, diversity, and the integration of research with practice. We encourage learners from diverse backgrounds and disciplines to apply.
In this section, you will find key information for applying to the University’s Master’s and Doctoral programmes: eligibility criteria, selection processes, key dates, and FAQs. To learn more about our programmes, the admissions process, and fees, please download the Prospectus.
IIHS (Institution Deemed to be) University is offering four Master’s programmes in 2025: Master of Science (Sustainable Science and Practice); Master of Science (Climate Change Science and Practice); Master of Science (Urban Economic and Infrastructure Development); and Master of Arts (Urban Studies and Practice). The University is also offering an interdisciplinary Doctorate in Urban Studies and Practice.
The Master’s programmes are full-time for two years, including an internship, independent project and/or dissertation in the last term.
The Doctoral Programme is designed to be completed in a maximum of five years, with an ideal completion time of four years, subject to the applicant clearing all internal reviews, examinations, and assessments as necessary.
Students need to have basic proficiency in reading English and understanding written and spoken English. Support is available for students with limited ability in English.
The programmes will be delivered from IIHS, Sadashivanagar, Bengaluru and IIHS, Kengeri Campus, Bengaluru.
The Master’s and Doctoral programmes will start teaching on 1 September 2025. Admitted students are expected to arrive in Bengaluru before 25 August 2025 to complete admission formalities and orientation processes.
For the Master’s programmes:
Recognising the value of an inclusive and diverse classroom across various socio-economic categories, the University follows a weighted Diversity Points system in the admission process. This process will be fair and transparent.
Applicants for the Doctoral Programme must have completed a Master’s degree from a recognised university, with at least 55% marks in aggregate or its equivalent grade in a point scale, wherever a grading system is followed.
Currently, only resident Indian citizens can apply to study at the IIHS (Institution Deemed to be) University.
Students need to have basic proficiency in reading English and understanding written and spoken English. Support is available for students with limited ability in English.
No, these are full-time programmes. Master’s students and doctoral candidates cannot be employed, either full-time or part-time.
There is no minimum score; you need to have successfully completed your Bachelor’s degree from a recognised university to apply to our Master’s programmes.
You need to have scored at least 55% in your Master’s degree from a recognised university to apply to our Doctoral Programme.
You are most welcome to apply if you want to do a second Master’s programme.
The age of applicants for the Master’s programmes should not exceed 35 years as of 1 August 2025. There is no age limit for those applying to the Doctoral Programme.
There is no minimum age limit. Candidates for the Master’s programmes need to have a Bachelor’s degree to be eligible. Candidates for the Doctoral Programme must have a Master’s degree with a minimum score of 55% to be eligible.
You can apply at www.iihs.ac.in.
Applications must be submitted by 20 June 2025. Please refer to the Prospectus (Download the Prospectus) for key dates.
English.
Here is the link to the sample question paper for the Master’s programmes.
Here is the link to the sample question paper for the Doctoral Programme.
You can apply for up to two Master’s programmes, clearly indicating your first priority. This will be considered when admission offers are made.
There are two stages to the application process for the Master’s programmes. To initiate the process, you must first fill in an online application form. Stage 1 is an online entrance examination. Scores in this entrance exam and approved Diversity Points shall be aggregated to arrive at a shortlist of applicants. Stage 2 comprises online interviews of shortlisted applicants, and grading of essays submitted as part of their application form. Please refer to the Prospectus (Download the Prospectus) for more details.
There are two stages to the application process for the Doctoral Programme. To initiate the process, you must first fill in an online application form. Stage 1 is an online entrance examination. Stage 2 is an in-person interview in Bengaluru for shortlisted applicants.
Recognising the value of an inclusive and diverse classroom across various socio-economic categories, the University follows a weighted Diversity Points system in the admission process. Applicants will be assigned Diversity Points based on recognised aspects of marginalisation and exclusion, such as caste, tribe, gender (including transgender), economic vulnerability (measured by limited household income), location of 10+2 schooling in non-metropolitan cities or rural areas, first generation learners, and differential physical ability. Diversity points carry a weight of 15% in the Master’s admission process. To be considered for Diversity Points, applicants must provide supporting documentation within the given timeline.
No, you don’t need to complete the application in a single session. The online application form has multiple sections. You have the option of saving your application at any point in time and coming back to it later. The application is complete once you review your answers and click the ‘Submit’ button at the end.
The entrance examination for the Master’s programmes is a multiple-choice test that will be administered online. There are two sections: (a) a General section, covering reading comprehension, and basic mathematical and logical reasoning; and (b) an Advanced section, with knowledge-based questions across themes of the Master’s programmes. The duration of the test is 90 minutes.
The entrance examination for the Doctoral Programme will be administered online and comprises the following components.
All interviews will be conducted by a panel of IIHS (Institution Deemed to be) University Faculty members. Interviews for admission to the Master’s programmes typically last about 20–30 minutes and will be conducted online. Questions will be asked to assess candidates’ fitment for the programme they have applied for.
Interviews for admission to the Doctoral Programme for shortlisted candidates will be held in person at IIHS, Sadashivanagar, Bengaluru, by a panel of IIHS (Institution Deemed to be) University Faculty members.
All fee details and other charges are provided in the Prospectus (Download the Prospectus). Details of financial assistance are also provided in the Prospectus.
The stipend for doctoral candidates will be INR 75,000 per month for four years, or whenever the candidate completes their doctoral programme, whichever is earlier, subject to acceptable progress and academic performance. Please refer to the Prospectus (Download the Prospectus) for more details.
We anticipate that there will likely be additional expenses that Master’s students need to prepare for:
Financial assistance for our Master’s programmes can take various forms, to cover—in part or full—tuition, accommodation, food costs (as applicable), and Exposure and Practica visits, depending on the nature of need and the documentation provided to support the request for financial assistance. Depending on need and documentation produced, an additional stipend towards managing living costs may also be provided. More details are available in the Prospectus (Download the Prospectus).
The Master’s programmes offered by the University are eligible for education loans from major banks, as per respective bank policies.
There are no fees for the Doctoral Programme. Doctoral candidates will get a stipend of INR 75,000 per month for four years, or whenever the candidate completes their doctoral programme, whichever is earlier, subject to acceptable progress and academic performance. It can be extended to the fifth year if the Supervisor and Research Committee approves the extension on the submission of a viable completion plan for the fifth year. Please refer to the Prospectus (Download the Prospectus) for more details.
Yes, the Master’s programmes are full-time residential programmes. We believe this is important for effective learning, peer learning and community-building.
The Master’s programmes are full-time residential programmes. We believe this is important for effective learning, peer learning and community-building. Doctoral candidates are not provided accommodation.
Accommodation for Master’s students will be on a double-sharing basis through the two-year duration of the programme. Details are provided on the website.
Doctoral candidates will not be provided accommodation.
IIHS will provide pooled pick-up and drop services to and from the IIHS-provided accommodation to the Campus for Master’s students. These will operate at fixed timings.
The University is committed to finding internships for Master’s students who choose to pursue an internship in the last term of the programme. Students may opt to pursue an independent project or a dissertation instead.
The University is committed to finding placements for Master’s students when they complete the programme. However, there are no guaranteed placements.
IIHS has currently paused the Urban Fellows Programme (UFP). The IIHS (Institution Deemed to be) University is offering four Master’s programmes and a Doctoral Programme in 2025. Please keep an eye on our website as we launch new programmes in 2026.
Yes, prospective candidates are welcome to visit IIHS (Institution Deemed to be) University. However, they need to inform the University team (admissions@iihs.ac.in) in advance to ensure availability of the concerned teams.
IIHS, Sadashivanagar, Bengaluru is located at:
No. 197/36, 2nd Main Road
Sadashivanagar, Bengaluru 560 080
Karnataka
India
For more information, please write to admissions@iihs.ac.in.
