Hyderabad, October 23, 2026: The International Institute of Information Technology Hyderabad (IIIT Hyderabad) has begun accepting applications for the January 2027 cohort of its overhauled Master of Science in Information Technology (MSIT) programme, a four-semester, full-time residential course focused on hands-on research, AI-enabled learning, and venture-building.
The MSIT programme, developed by the Consortium of Institutions of Higher Learning (CIHL) in partnership with IIIT Hyderabad’s Centre for Educational Technology and Learning Sciences (CETLS), is designed to blend computing foundations, applied research, artificial intelligence, and entrepreneurship. The degree will be awarded by IIIT Hyderabad.
Programme structure and curriculum
The curriculum spans four semesters, starting with foundational courses such as Learning to Learn with AI Tools, Algorithms and Data Structures, and Computer Systems. In the second semester, students collaborate with faculty and mentors at IIIT Hyderabad’s research centres to develop and deploy applied AI systems, alongside project-based coursework. The third semester centres on venture-building, where students form teams to create products and business plans addressing real-world issues, culminating in pitches to early-stage venture capitalists for seed funding. In the final semester, students whose ventures receive funding work towards launching their startups, while others participate in a full-time industry co-op with an industry partner.
Admissions process and deadlines
The programme is open to graduates with 16 years of formal education who are prepared to engage with computer science, AI, and mathematics. Final-year students awaiting results are also eligible. The admissions process includes online registration, an aptitude evaluation via GRE, GATE, or the MSIT Entrance Examination, and interviews for shortlisted candidates.
Admissions will be conducted in two cycles: Cycle I has an application deadline of November 7, 2026, with the entrance examination on November 11, 2026; Cycle II’s deadline is December 7, 2026, with the examination on December 11, 2026. The final admission list will be published on December 20, 2026, and the programme will commence on January 2, 2027.
Programme fees and residential requirements
The MSIT programme is fully residential and will be held at the IIIT Hyderabad campus. Tuition fees are set at Rs 1.5 lakh per semester.
Focus on practical learning and venture-building
According to Prof Sandeep Shukla, Director, IIIT Hyderabad, the programme is structured to enable students to apply knowledge in practical settings, build strong foundations in computing and AI, and gain experience in research and entrepreneurship. “By bringing together coursework, research experience and venture-building, the programme offers a different kind of postgraduate learning experience, one that prepares students to work with technology and shape what comes next,” Shukla said.
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