BS or BSc? Honours? The IITM BS Degree Names Explained
Editorial Team
BS stands for Bachelor of Science. IIT Madras uses "BS" for its 4-year, 142-credit degrees, such as the BS in Data Science and Applications. Only the Data Science programme also has a shorter exit called a BSc, the BSc in Programming and Data Science, at 114 credits. No official IIT Madras page calls any of these an "Honours" degree, so do not write "BS (Hons)" anywhere.
The exact award names in each programme
These are the names on the official academics pages, with the total credits needed for each.
| Programme | Foundation exit | Diploma exit | Degree exit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Data Science and Applications | Foundation Certificate (32) | Diploma in Programming, Diploma in Data Science, or both (59 for one, 86 for both) | BSc in Programming and Data Science (114), BS in Data Science and Applications (142) |
| Electronic Systems | Foundation Certificate in Electronic Systems (43) | Diploma in Electronic Systems (86) | BS in Electronic Systems (142) |
| Aeronautics and Space Technology | Foundation Certificate in Aeronautics (32) | Diploma in Aeronautics (84) | BS in Aeronautics and Space Technology (142) |
| Management and Data Science | Foundation Certificate (32) | Diploma in Data Analytics for Business (68) | BS in Management and Data Science (142) |
Data Science students can also go further online, to a PG Diploma in AI and ML (162 credits in total) and an MTech in AI and ML (182).
Two small notes. The Foundation certificate comes from IITM CODE, the Centre for Outreach and Digital Education. The diplomas and degrees come from IIT Madras. Also, the ES home page shows 44 credits for Foundation, while the ES academics page shows 43. We follow the academics page.
BS and BSc: same words, different length
Both mean Bachelor of Science. Here, the difference is size and time.
- BSc (DS only): 114 credits. The handbook says at least 3 years (9 terms) from your first term before it is awarded.
- BS: 142 credits, which adds a 28-credit BS level. At least 4 years (12 terms), and the whole programme within 8 years.
Which one to stop at is a real decision. Our post on BSc or the full BS weighs it up.
Why "BSc" still shows up everywhere
The name changed over time.
- 30 June 2020: the programme launched as an online "B.Sc. degree in Programming and Data Science", according to PIB.
- 1 August 2022: PIB reported that the BSc now came with an option of a four-year BS Degree in Data Science and Applications.
The BSc stayed as the 3-year exit. Old news, old college listing sites and even parts of the current DS FAQ still say "B.Sc in Programming & Data Science". The 2020 and 2022 releases sent applicants to onlinedegree.iitm.ac.in, while the programme sites now sit on study.iitm.ac.in. So if a page only mentions the BSc, it is probably out of date. Our short history of the IITM BS has the full timeline.
Is it an Honours degree?
No official page uses the word Honours. Use the exact name on your certificate.
- A minor does not change the degree name. The handbook says a separate document is issued, and your transcript and degree certificate stay the same.
- The Dean's letter of 14 June 2024 says no class, division or rank is awarded at the end of the programme.
Why ES, Aeronautics and Management have no BSc
The ES FAQ answers this directly. It says the skills an Electronic Systems graduate needs take 4 years of courses, so there is no 3-year exit. The Aeronautics and Management pages also list only Foundation, Diploma and BS exits.
Full forms you will see
- IITM: Indian Institute of Technology Madras
- BS: Bachelor of Science (the 4-year degree)
- BSc: Bachelor of Science (the 3-year DS exit)
- CODE: Centre for Outreach and Digital Education, which issues Foundation certificates
- PGD: Postgraduate Diploma
- Non-campus BS: the term IIT Madras uses for these programmes on iitm.ac.in
For what each certificate and letter looks like, see certificates at each level.
Common questions
Can Electronic Systems students leave with a BSc?
No. ES exits are the Foundation certificate, the Diploma in Electronic Systems and the BS in Electronic Systems. If you leave before the BS, the highest award is the diploma.
What should I write on job forms and LinkedIn?
Write the exact award name and "IIT Madras", for example "BS in Data Science and Applications, IIT Madras". Do not add Honours or BTech. See writing IIT Madras on LinkedIn.
Is the IITM BS the same as a BTech?
No. It is a Bachelor of Science with its own courses, entry route and rules. See IITM BS vs an IIT BTech.
Is the DS BSc a full degree or just a certificate?
It is a degree from IIT Madras, not a certificate. The handbook gives alumni status only to students who exit with a BSc or BS.
Official sources
- IIT Madras BS Data Science academics pageIIT Madras · study.iitm.ac.in (opens in a new tab)
- IIT Madras BS Electronic Systems academics pageIIT Madras · study.iitm.ac.in (opens in a new tab)
- IIT Madras BS Electronic Systems FAQIIT Madras · study.iitm.ac.in (opens in a new tab)
- IIT Madras BS Aeronautics and Space Technology academics pageIIT Madras · study.iitm.ac.in (opens in a new tab)
- IIT Madras BS Management and Data Science academics pageIIT Madras · study.iitm.ac.in (opens in a new tab)
- IIT Madras BS Data Science student handbookdocs.google.com (opens in a new tab)
- PIB: Union HRD Minister virtually launches online B.Sc. Degree in Programming and Data Science (30 June 2020)pib.gov.in (opens in a new tab)
- PIB: IIT Madras BSc Program now comes with a 4-year BS Degree option (1 August 2022)pib.gov.in (opens in a new tab)
- IIT Madras Dean (Academic Courses) letter on BS academic policies, 14 June 2024drive.google.com (opens in a new tab)
- IIT Madras non-campus BS programmesIIT Madras · iitm.ac.in (opens in a new tab)