IITM BS in Data Science and Applications: Full Overview

The IIT Madras BS in Data Science and Applications is an online programme with four levels: Foundation, Diploma, BSc and BS. You need 114 credits to leave with the BSc and 142 credits for the full BS. Lectures are online, but the monthly quizzes and end term exams are written in person at exam centres.

Programme highlights

• Courses are taught by IIT Madras faculty, faculty from other institutes and people from industry.
• Entry works on fixed qualifying marks, not on ranking and cutting people out. So a large number of learners can get in.
• Anyone can try, from any background: engineering, science, humanities, arts, medicine, law and more.
• There is no age limit and no limit on where you live.

How flexible is it?

The handbook says the programme has two entry points and four exit points. You pick how many courses to take each term, so you set your own pace. You only travel to exam centres for exams.

Be clear about one thing. Clearing the qualifier does not put you in a degree programme. It only opens the Foundation courses. You earn a diploma or degree only when you finish the required credits and meet any other compulsory rules.

What does one credit mean?

The programme follows the UGC rule of 14 hours of learner work for 1 credit. One credit here equals 3 credits in the IIT Madras campus credit system. A course code also tells you its level: a code starting with 2, 3 or 4 is a level 2, 3 or 4 course.

The four levels at a glance

Foundation level (32 credits)

Eight courses: English 1, English 2, Mathematics 1, Mathematics 2, Statistics 1, Statistics 2, Computational Thinking and Introduction to Python. See the Foundation level guide for more.

Diploma level (54 credits)

There are two diplomas. Each one has 6 courses worth 23 credits and 2 project courses worth 4 credits.

The Diploma in Programming has DBMS, Programming Data Structures and Algorithms using Python (PDSA), Java Programming, System Commands, Application Development 1 and Application Development 2, plus a project in each of the two Application Development courses. Details are in the Diploma in Programming guide.

The Diploma in Data Science has 21 compulsory credits: Machine Learning Foundations (4), Machine Learning Techniques (4), Machine Learning Practice (4), Tools in Data Science (3), Business Data Management (4) and the Machine Learning Practice project (2). You then pick one 6-credit option. Option 2 was added from the September 2025 term.

• Option 1: Business Analytics (4) and the Business Data Management project (2)
• Option 2: Introduction to Deep Learning and Generative AI, BSDA2001 (4), and its project, BSDA2001P (2)

If you take Option 1, you cannot take the Option 2 courses later at the degree level. If you take Option 2, you can still take the Option 1 courses as electives at the degree level. The Diploma in Data Science guide explains more.

BSc level (28 credits)

Five courses are compulsory: Software Engineering, Software Testing, Artificial Intelligence, Deep Learning and Strategies for Professional Growth. You fill the rest with electives, and at most 4 credits can come from NPTEL. You can add electives with the compulsory courses or after them, but never more than 4 courses in one term. Read the BSc level guide for the options.

BS level (28 credits)

• You must earn 4 credits from the HS/MG stream, through NPTEL or programme electives.
• You must pass 2 courses at level 4 or higher in the programming stream and 2 at level 4 or higher in the data science stream.
• An apprenticeship is optional. It is split into a 4-credit course for a 4-month internship and an 8-credit course if you continue for months 5 to 8 in the same company and domain.

The handbook also lists two hands-on 4-credit electives at the degree level: Data Science and AI Lab (BSDA4001, needs Deep Learning) and Application Development Lab (BSCS4010, needs the Diploma in Programming). Seats are limited because of the project work. The BS level guide has the full rules.

How long can you take?

• Any single level: up to 36 months (3 years or 9 terms).
• The whole programme: up to 96 months (8 years or 24 terms).
• Minimum before the original certificate: 3 years (9 terms) for the BSc and 4 years (12 terms) for the BS, counted from your first term.

What does it cost?

For students who join the Foundation level from the January 2026 term onwards, the handbook lists these totals:

The BSc and BS totals are ranges because they depend on which electives you pick. The qualifier entry fee is Rs 4,000 and is not refunded. Fee waivers exist based on your category and family income. The Data Science fee guide has the details.

Who is it a good fit for?

It suits you if you can learn from recorded videos on your own and keep up with weekly deadlines. You also need to travel to an exam centre for quizzes and exams. It is also a fit if you want to go one level at a time and keep the option to stop with a certificate, diploma or BSc. If you want regular classroom teaching, this is not that. The handbook describes recorded lectures, not in-person classes.

Common questions

Do I need both diplomas to reach the BSc?

For the BSc you need 114 credits in total, and that is Foundation (32) plus both diplomas (54) plus the BSc level (28). The handbook says a few students who are short of 54 diploma credits must make up the gap with extra courses at the BSc level. If you only want to exit early, one diploma is enough for a diploma certificate.

Can I earn a minor with the BSc?

No. A minor can be earned only with the BS degree. The minor courses count inside the 142 credits, and IIT Madras gives a separate document for the minor. Your transcript and degree certificate do not change.

What happens if I take longer than 8 years?

The handbook sets 8 years (24 terms) as the limit for the whole programme. It does not describe an extension, so plan your terms with that limit in mind.

Which fee applies to me?

The table above is for students who start the Foundation level from the January 2026 term onwards. If you joined up to the September 2025 term, the older fee applies. That is Rs 32,000 for Foundation and Rs 62,500 per diploma, so Rs 1,25,000 for both. The total is about Rs 2.21 lakh to Rs 2.47 lakh up to the BSc, and Rs 3.25 lakh to Rs 3.87 lakh up to the BS.