Bharathiar University
பாரதியார் பல்கலைக்கழகம்
A Tamil Nadu state university in Coimbatore, focused on postgraduate teaching and research, with nominal fees.
- Students
- 3,886
- 509 undergraduates
- International
- 1%
- of students
- Tuition
- ₹11,000
- From · 2026-27
- Founded
- 1982
About BU
Bharathiar University was established by the Government of Tamil Nadu in February 1982 under the Bharathiar University Act, 1981, with the former Coimbatore postgraduate centre of the University of Madras as its core. It is named after the Tamil poet Subramania Bharati, and it holds an A++ grade from NAAC (fourth cycle). The UGC recognised it for grants in 1985.
It is both a teaching university and an affiliating one. Its own 39 departments on the Coimbatore campus offer 54 postgraduate programmes, plus M.Phil. and PhD research, while 147 affiliated colleges across Coimbatore, Erode, Tiruppur and the Nilgiris teach most of the region's undergraduates for Bharathiar degrees. On campus, undergraduate options are few: blended B.Sc. degrees in physics, chemistry and biosciences, two B.Voc. programmes and a B.P.Ed.
In its NIRF 2026 data the university reported about 510 undergraduates, 2,650 master's students and 730 PhD scholars on campus. It suits students looking for an affordable master's or PhD in the sciences, management, social sciences or humanities at a well-ranked state university, and international students who want very low fees in a large, green campus setting.
Educate to Elevate
University motto
Why students choose BU
Very low fees: many M.Sc. programmes charge Rs 3,040 per semester in tuition, and international students pay US$750 a year in tuition for a master's (US$900 with admission and exam fees).
54 postgraduate programmes across 39 departments, including an MBA from the Bharathiar School of Management and Entrepreneur Development.
Ranked 10th among Indian state public universities in NIRF 2025 and in the 711-720 band of QS 2027.
A DRDO-BU Centre for Life Sciences on campus, run jointly with India's defence research organisation.
Admissions
2027-28 academic year (details shown are from the 2026-27 cycle)
Selectivity
Bharathiar does not publish an acceptance rate. Postgraduate selection is by entrance examination or by merit in the UG degree marks (up to the fifth semester), following the Government of Tamil Nadu's reservation policy.
Typical entry requirements
| Indian students, PG programmes (M.A., M.Sc., M.Com., MCA, MBA) | A relevant UG degree; selection by entrance examination or UG marks up to the fifth semester, with Tamil Nadu reservation norms |
|---|---|
| Indian students, UG programmes (B.Sc. Blended, B.Voc., B.P.Ed.) | Higher secondary (Class XII) pass in relevant subjects, applied through the university's online admission portal |
| International students | Admission through the Centre for International Affairs, via the Study in India programme or ICCR scholarships |
Deadlines
- UG/PG online applications, 2026-27 (reference) Non-binding Passed9 April to 7 May 2026
Previous cycle; the deadline was later extended to 25 July 2026 for some courses.
These are 2026-27 dates. The 2027-28 admission notification had not been published on the pages checked; applications usually open in April.
How to apply
Register online at the university's admission portal (fms.b-u.ac.in/admission), paying Rs 400 per programme (Rs 200 for SC/ST). Submit a separate application for each programme, then send the downloaded application with certificates to the head of the department concerned. International students apply through the Centre for International Affairs.
What admissions looks for
- Good marks in your UG degree subjects, which form the PG merit list where there is no entrance test.
- Entrance examination performance for departments that hold one.
- Eligibility under the Government of Tamil Nadu's reservation norms for reserved seats.
Tips for applying to BU
- 1 Apply separately for each programme you want; each needs its own online registration and fee.
- 2 SC/ST students are exempt from tuition fees under Tamil Nadu rules, and differently abled students are exempt from tuition and special fees.
- 3 International students should contact the Centre for International Affairs early and consider ICCR or Study in India routes.
- 4 Undergraduates wanting a Bharathiar degree in most subjects apply to one of its 147 affiliated colleges, not to the university campus.
Costs & financial aid
2026-27 · figures in INR
All SC/ST students are eligible for government scholarships regardless of income and are exempt from tuition fees under Tamil Nadu rules, and differently abled students are exempt from tuition and special fees (visually challenged students get a full fee waiver). International students can come through ICCR scholarships or the Study in India programme; self-financed international and NRI students pay US dollar fees.
- US$775 / US$900 / US$2,250 (tuition US$650 / US$750 / US$2,000 plus admission and exam fees)
- Foreign/NRI students, fees per year 2026-27 (UG / PG / PhD), in US dollars
- US$1,210 (accommodation, electricity, admission) plus US$200 refundable deposit; meals extra
- International hostel per year 2026-27, in US dollars
- Rs 8,500 deposit, room rent Rs 210 and maintenance Rs 200 (period not stated), plus electricity, water and shared mess charges
- Indian students' hostel
Academics
Academic calendar: Semesters
MBA (BSMED)
The university's management school; tuition of Rs 18,220 per semester for 2026-27.
M.Sc. Physics and Medical Physics
Offered by the School of Physical Sciences; M.Sc. Physics tuition is Rs 3,040 per semester.
M.Sc. Mathematics and Statistics
From the School of Mathematics and Statistics, including Mathematics with Computer Applications and Biostatistics.
Master of Social Work
From the Department of Social Work in the School of Social Sciences.
B.Sc. (Blended) Physics, Chemistry and Biosciences
Newer undergraduate programmes on the main campus.
Research
- The DRDO-BU Centre for Life Sciences is an autonomous research institute on campus, set up jointly with India's Defence Research and Development Organisation.
- The university reported 551 full-time and 179 part-time PhD scholars and 359 PhDs awarded in 2024-25 (NIRF 2026 data).
- It received about Rs 13 crore for sponsored research projects in 2024-25, after about Rs 27 crore in 2023-24.
Schools & faculties
- School of Mathematics and Statistics
- School of Physical Sciences
- School of Social Sciences
- Bharathiar School of Management and Entrepreneur Development (BSMED)
NIRF 2026 data: of 1,255 students graduating from 2-year PG programmes in 2024-25, 616 were placed (median salary Rs 4.5 lakh) and 312 went on to higher studies.
Student life
The university campus in Coimbatore is mostly a postgraduate and research community, with about 3,900 students in its own departments. Hostels for Indian students charge nominal rent with mess costs shared among residents, and an international hostel has rooms with facilities for self-cooking. The university runs NSS and Youth Red Cross units, an incubation centre and a placement cell, and the Centre for International Affairs supports the small community of students from abroad.
- An international hostel with self-cooking facilities.
- NSS and Youth Red Cross units.
- An on-campus incubation centre and IPR cell.
- A university placement cell for PG students.
Housing. Hostels are available for Indian and international students; international students pay about US$1,210 a year, and Indian students pay a deposit, nominal rent and shared mess charges.
Location
Coimbatore is Tamil Nadu's second-largest city, on the Noyyal River and surrounded by the Western Ghats. A textile hub often called the Manchester of South India, it is also a major exporter of auto components, jewellery and wet grinders, so the local economy is industrial and busy. The city has its own international airport.
Nearest airport: Coimbatore International Airport (CJB)
Notable alumni
- SP Sunder PrakashamCEO of TTK Services and managing director of HomeShikari; MBA from Bharathiar University
- ER Ebin Raj MaliakalDocumentary filmmaker and author; MSc in electronic media
- KV Kethireddy Venkatarami ReddyAndhra Pradesh MLA for Dharmavaram; electrical engineering degree from Bharathiar University (2001), via an affiliated college
- CS C. S. DilipMember of the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly; B.Com. from PSG College of Arts and Science, a Bharathiar-affiliated college (2014)
Frequently asked questions
What are Bharathiar University's fees?
Fees are low: for 2026-27, many M.Sc. programmes charge Rs 3,040 per semester in tuition, the MBA Rs 18,220 per semester and the B.Sc. (Blended) Rs 18,760 per semester, plus other fees of Rs 4,840 at admission (including one-time charges and a refundable deposit). SC/ST students pay no tuition.
What are the fees for international students at Bharathiar University?
For 2026-27, foreign and NRI students pay US$775 a year for UG, US$900 for PG and US$2,250 for PhD, and the international hostel costs about US$1,210 a year.
How do I apply to Bharathiar University?
Register online on the university's admission portal for each programme (Rs 400 per application, Rs 200 for SC/ST), then send the application with certificates to the department. For 2026-27, applications ran from 9 April to 7 May 2026, extended for some courses.
Is Bharathiar University good?
It holds NAAC's A++ grade, is in the 711-720 band of QS 2027, and was 10th among state public universities in NIRF 2025.
Does Bharathiar University offer undergraduate degrees?
Mainly through its 147 affiliated colleges. On its own campus it offers a few UG programmes, such as B.Sc. (Blended) and B.Voc. degrees, alongside 54 postgraduate programmes.
Sources & methodology
Figures on this page were checked against official university publications, national application services and ranking publishers in September 2026. Each number is shown with the year or admissions cycle it describes. Always confirm deadlines and fees on the university's own website before applying.
- Bharathiar University: About BU
- Bharathiar University: UG/PG admissions 2026-27
- Bharathiar University: Admission notification 2026-27 (PDF)
- Bharathiar University: Prospectus 2026-27 fee structure (PDF, Google Drive)
- Bharathiar University: Centre for International Affairs fee structure
- Bharathiar University: NIRF
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