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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

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Programmes of Study

The University currently offers six academic programmes:

Five Master’s programmes:

One Doctoral Programme: An interdisciplinary PhD 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.
Yes, IIHS (Institution Deemed to be) University is recognised by the University Grants Commission (UGC).

The programmes will be delivered from the IIHS (Institution Deemed to be) University Campus in Bengaluru.

The academic year for the Master’s and Doctoral programmes is expected to begin in late August or early September 2027. Exact dates will be announced later.

Eligibility

  • Applicants must have a Bachelor’s degree in any subject or discipline.
  • Their age should not exceed 35 years as of 1 August 2027 (for the 2027 academic year intake).
  • Applicants must have basic proficiency in reading, writing, and comprehending English. The University provides assistance in English writing for applicants with limited ability.

Applicants will be selected on merit, based on their scores in the Entrance Examination, as well as their written essays and interview.


Recognising the value of an inclusive and diverse classroom, 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 IIHS (Institution Deemed to be) University.
No, these are full-time programmes. Master’s students and Doctoral scholars cannot be employed, either full-time or part-time.
There is no minimum score; applicants need to have successfully completed their Bachelor’s degree from a recognised University to apply to our Master’s programmes.
Applicants need to have scored at least 55% in their Master’s degree from a recognised University to apply to our Doctoral Programme.
You are welcome to apply if you want to do a second Master’s programme.

The age of an applicant to our Master’s programmes should not exceed 35 years as of 1 August 2027 (for the 2027 academic year intake). There is no age limit for those applying to the Doctoral Programme.

Yes, Bachelor’s degree holders of any stream are eligible to apply to any of our Master’s programmes. For example, BSc graduates can apply to our MA programmes, while BA graduates can apply to our MSc programmes.

Our programmes are delivered in English, so 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.

Admission Process

You can apply at iihs.ac.in.

The application dates will be announced in December 2026. Express Your Interest to receive updates on admissions for the 2027 academic year.

Broadly, the steps of the Master’s programmes’ application process are as follows:

  • Fill the online application form
  • Appear for the online admission test
  • Shortlisted candidates are called for an online interview

Further details will be provided in the Prospectus for the 2027–28 academic year.

You can apply for up to two Master’s programmes, clearly indicating your first priority. This will be considered when admission offers are made.
The entrance examination will be conducted in English.

Broadly, there are three stages in the application process for the Doctoral Programme:

  • Fill the online application form
  • Appear for the online entrance examination
  • Shortlisted candidates are called for an in-person interview in Bengaluru

Further details will be provided in the Prospectus for the 2027–28 academic year.

To foster an inclusive and diverse student community, the University follows a weighted Diversity Points system as part of its admissions process. Applicants may be assigned Diversity Points based on recognised dimensions of marginalisation and exclusion, including caste, tribe, gender (including transgender), economic vulnerability (measured by household income), location of Class 10+2 schooling (in a non-metropolitan city or rural area), first-generation learner status, and differential physical ability.

 

Applicants seeking to be considered for Diversity Points must provide the supporting documents within the specified timelines.

Here is the link to the sample question paper for the Master’s programmes for 2026.

Here is the link to the sample question paper for the Doctoral Programme for 2026.

No, you don’t need to complete the application in a single session. You can save your application at any stage and return to complete it later. Your application will be considered complete only after you review your responses and click Submit at the end of the form.

The written test for the Master’s programmes will be conducted online and consists of two parts: (1) A multiple choice test comprising two sections: a General section, covering reading comprehension, and basic mathematical and logical reasoning; and an Advanced section, with knowledge-based questions across themes of the Master’s programmes; and (2) Two essays. The duration of the test is 180 minutes.

The written test for the Doctoral Programme will be administered online and comprises:

  • Multiple choice questions that test general logic and reading comprehension skills, as well as advanced questions by topic.
  • Questions on research methods.
  • Research proposal: Within a prescribed word limit, applicants are required to outline their proposed doctoral research, including the research question, proposed project, and methodology.
  • Intellectual statement: Within a prescribed word limit, applicants will be expected to describe their motivation and preparation to pursue a doctoral degree.

Interviews are conducted online by a panel of IIHS (Institution Deemed to be) University faculty members. They typically last 20–30 minutes and are designed to assess a candidate’s fitment for the programme they have applied to.

Interviews for shortlisted candidates are conducted in person at the IIHS, Sadashivanagar Campus in Bengaluru by a panel of IIHS (Institution Deemed to be) University faculty members.

Fees, Stipends, and Financial Aid

All fee details, other charges, and information on financial assistance are provided in the Prospectus for 2026.

Financial assistance for our Master’s programmes can take various forms, to cover in part or in full, tuition, accommodation, food (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 the need and documentation produced, an additional stipend to manage living costs may also be provided. Please refer to the Prospectus for 2026 for more details.

The Master’s programmes offered by the University are eligible for education loans from major banks, as per respective bank policies.

Master’s students may need to budget for the following additional expenses:

  • Food: Lunch is provided on Campus on teaching days. Students are responsible for breakfast and dinner throughout the week, and for lunch on weekends and holidays.
  • Transport: The University provides pooled pick-up and drop-off services between the Campus and student accommodation at fixed times. Students who choose not to use this service are responsible for any travel expenses incurred. The cost of transportation can vary greatly depending on the mode of transport as well as the distance travelled. Available modes of transport include buses, metro rail, autorickshaws, and rideshare cabs.
  • Personal expenses: These may include mobile phone bills, dining out, intercity travel (other than University-organised Exposure Visits), leisure and recreation, gym memberships, clothing, stationery, printing, and personal book purchases.
  • Healthcare: The University provides medical insurance for hospitalisation, at no cost to students. Outpatient expenses, including doctor consultations, diagnostic tests, and medicines, are to be borne by students.

The stipend for Doctoral Scholars is INR 75,000 per month for four years or whenever the scholar completes their Doctoral Programme, whichever is earlier, subject to acceptable progress and academic performance. Please refer to the Prospectus for 2026 for more details.

There are no fees for the Doctoral Programme. Doctoral Scholars get a stipend of INR 75,000 per month for four years or whenever the scholar completes their doctoral programme, whichever is earlier, subject to acceptable progress and academic performance. It can be extended to a fifth year if the Supervisor and Research Committee approve the extension on the submission of a viable completion plan for the fifth year. Please refer to the Prospectus for 2026 for more details.

Accommodation & Transport

Accommodation for Master’s students will be on a double-sharing basis for the two-year duration of the programmes.
Yes, the Master’s programmes are full-time residential programmes. We believe this is important for effective learning, peer learning, and community-building.
Doctoral candidates will not be provided accommodation by the University and must make their own arrangements in this regard.
For Master’s students, the University will provide pooled pick-up and drop services to and from the student accommodation (provided by the University) and the Campus. These will operate at fixed timings.

Internships & Placements

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 also opt to pursue an independent project or a dissertation instead. Click here for more details.

The University provides career guidance through personalised sessions, workshops, and faculty interactions. Students are supported in identifying opportunities, preparing applications, navigating interviews, and securing internships, including relevant logistical support. Students typically engage with multiple organisations, building strong professional networks. While the University provides extensive placement support, placements are not guaranteed.

Other Questions

Yes, prospective candidates are welcome to visit IIHS (Institution Deemed to be) University. Please inform the University team (admissions@iihs.ac.in) in advance to ensure the availability of the concerned individuals/teams.

 

IIHS, Sadashivanagar, Bengaluru, is located at:

No. 197/36, 2nd Main Road
Sadashivanagar
Bengaluru 560 080
Karnataka

 

If you have any other questions, please write to admissions@iihs.ac.in.

Contact

For more information, please write to admissions@iihs.ac.in.

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