Shoolini University of Biotechnology and Management Sciences
A young, research-heavy private university in the Himalayan foothills, and India's top private university in QS 2027.
- Students
- 3,676
- International
- 1%
- of students
- Student–faculty
- 16.4:1
- ratio
- Tuition
- ₹206K
- From · 2026-27
- Founded
- 2009
About Shoolini University
Shoolini University grew out of a foundation set up in 2004 by academics and industry professionals, and became a UGC-recognised private university in 2009 under a Himachal Pradesh state act. Its campus sits in the Kasauli Hills near Solan, about 90 km from Chandigarh airport. It holds NAAC A+ accreditation, and its pharmacy and law degrees are approved by the Pharmacy Council of India and the Bar Council of India.
Although it is small (THE counts about 3,700 students), Shoolini has climbed fast in global rankings on the strength of research citations: in QS 2027 it rose to joint 452nd, with Citations per Faculty improving from 138th to 76th in the world. The university reports more than 2,000 intellectual property filings, an h-index above 150 and 19 researchers on Stanford's top 2% scientists list, and runs a one-student, one-patent policy.
Teaching is organised into schools including the Yogananda School of AI, Computers and Data Science, the School of Biotechnology, the School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shoolini Business School, the School of Law and the Chitrakoot School of Liberal Arts. It suits students who want hands-on research from the first year, especially in biotechnology, pharmacy and computing, and who like a fully residential hill campus away from big-city distractions.
Why students choose Shoolini University
Shoolini is joint 452nd in the QS World University Rankings 2027, 10th in India and the highest-ranked Indian private university.
The Summit Research Program puts B Tech Biotechnology students into research from the first semester, with a one-student, one-patent norm.
Global routes include a BSc/B Tech dual degree finishing at the University of Melbourne and a 2+2 double degree in Civil or Electrical Engineering with the University of Edinburgh.
Non-SAARC international students can receive merit scholarships of up to 60% of tuition, and Indian students scholarships of 10% to 100% of tuition.
Admissions
2026-27 admissions open (August and January intakes); 2027-28 entry follows the same process
Selectivity
Shoolini does not publish an acceptance rate. Undergraduate admission is by school-leaving marks (typically a 55% minimum, 60% for B Tech CSE, 65% for B Pharmacy) plus a national entrance test score or Shoolini's own test, and a faculty interaction. Popular courses often have a waiting list.
Typical entry requirements
| Indian Class 12 (CBSE/ISC/state boards) | Minimum 55% for most undergraduate programmes (e.g. BBA, BSc (Hons) Biotechnology); 60% with Mathematics for B Tech CSE; 65% in PCB/PCM for B Pharmacy |
|---|---|
| International (non-SAARC): A-levels, Grade 12, HSC, National Senior Certificate | Minimum 55% or as specified for the programme |
| Lateral entry (LEET) to B Tech / B Pharmacy | Relevant diploma (e.g. Diploma in Pharmacy with 60%) for entry into the second year |
| English language | All programmes are taught in English. Shoolini does not publish a minimum IELTS or TOEFL score for international undergraduates on its admissions pages. |
Deadlines
- August intake (main) Non-bindingRolling; international students should apply at least 3 months ahead
Seats are filled on a first-come, first-assessed basis for international applicants.
- January intake Non-bindingRolling; apply at least 3 months ahead
Mentioned for international students; check programme availability.
Shoolini admits on a rolling basis and does not publish fixed deadlines. Its international page says 2026-27 admissions are open and recommends applying at least three months before the August or January intake; 2027-28 dates have not been published.
How to apply
Apply online (fee Rs 1,750 for Indian applicants, USD 50 for international applicants), get assigned an admissions counsellor, submit entrance test scores or sit SU-SAT, and complete the faculty interaction. Pay the first-semester fee to confirm your seat. International students then register on the Government of India's Study in India (SII) portal, get an Indian student visa, and complete FRRO registration within 14 days of arrival.
What admissions looks for
- School-leaving marks at or above the programme minimum, with required subjects such as Mathematics for B Tech CSE.
- A valid national entrance score (CUET, JEE, NEET or SAT India) or a good SU-SAT result.
- Motivation and fit, assessed in an interview or faculty interaction.
- For scholarships, academic merit or demonstrated financial need, decided by a Scholarship Committee.
Tips for applying to Shoolini University
- 1 If you have a JEE, NEET, CUET or SAT score, submit it early: the university says entrance scores can qualify you for early admission.
- 2 Apply for a scholarship on the application form itself; awards range from 10% to 100% of tuition and are decided case by case.
- 3 International applicants from outside SAARC should note that fees are quoted in US dollars per semester and budget for the Study in India portal and FRRO steps.
- 4 If you are interested in research, look at the Summit Research Program or the Melbourne and Edinburgh dual degrees before choosing a standard programme.
Costs & financial aid
2026-27 · figures in INR
Indian students can apply for merit or need-based scholarships worth 10% to 100% of tuition, decided by a Scholarship Committee. International students from non-SAARC countries are eligible for merit scholarships of up to 60% of tuition, and SAARC students have their own scholarship ladder.
- Up to 60% of tuition
- Non-SAARC international merit scholarship
- 10% to 100% tuition waiver, case by case
- Domestic scholarships
- Rs 1,750 (Indian) / USD 50 (international)
- Application fee
Academics
Academic calendar: Semesters
B Tech Biotechnology (Summit Research Program)
Described by Shoolini as India's first undergraduate research programme, with research from semester one and a one-student, one-patent norm.
BSc/B Tech Dual Degree with the University of Melbourne
Two years in Solan, then two years at Melbourne, with the final degree awarded by the University of Melbourne.
B Tech/B Eng Double Degree with the University of Edinburgh
A 2+2 route in Civil or Electronics and Electrical Engineering leading to a Shoolini BTech and an Edinburgh BEng (Hons), or 2+3 to an MEng.
B Tech CSE (with specialisations)
Specialisations include AI, data science, cyber security, cloud computing and game design, taught in the Yogananda School of AI.
B Pharmacy
Four-year degree requiring 65% in PCB/PCM; Shoolini has been recognised by the Pharmacy Council of India since 2010.
BSc (Hons) Biotechnology
A four-year honours degree at a university that grew out of a life sciences institute and calls itself India's first biotechnology university.
Research
- Shoolini reports more than 2,000 intellectual property filings, including patents, and an h-index above 150.
- 19 Shoolini scientists are on Stanford University's list of the world's top 2% scientists.
- The campus has 11 centres of excellence and 104+ labs, including a Cancer Research Centre and an AI and Futures Centre.
Schools & faculties
- Yogananda School of AI, Computers and Data Science
- School of Biotechnology
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences
- Shoolini Business School (Faculty of Management Sciences)
- School of Law
- School of Core Engineering
- School of Bioengineering and Food Technology
- School of Agriculture
- School of Advanced Chemical Sciences
- School of Physics and Materials Science
- School of Media and Communication
- Chitrakoot School of Liberal Arts
The university reports 5,000+ placements across disciplines and 900+ unique recruiters, without a year-specific placement rate.
Student life
Shoolini is a fully residential campus on a hillside in the Kasauli Hills, so most students live and study on site. Residences provide furnished rooms, three meals a day with vegetarian and non-vegetarian options, Wi-Fi, laundry, study lounges and 24-hour security, and international students have dedicated hostels run by Good Host Spaces with two- and three-seater rooms and attached bathrooms. The 24x7 Yogananda Library is a campus hub. Clubs start the year at a Club Mela, and recent campus news includes freshers' talent shows with Himachali music and dance and new badminton courts.
- Fully residential Himalayan-foothills campus with on-site hostels.
- Dedicated international student hostels with gym, laundry and multi-cuisine meals.
- 24x7 Yogananda Library with EBSCO access.
- International office support including free airport pickup, welcome kits and FRRO help.
Housing. Students live in on-campus residences with furnished rooms and three meals a day; international students have separate hostels with two- and three-seater rooms.
Location
The campus is in the Kasauli Hills near Solan, a small hill town in Himachal Pradesh on the road between Chandigarh and Shimla. The setting is quiet, green and cooler than the plains, with pine-covered slopes around the campus. Chandigarh, a large planned city with the nearest major airport, is about 90 km away.
Nearest airport: Chandigarh International Airport (IXC), about 90 km
Notable alumni
- FS Falguni ShrivastavaCo-founder and CPO of Cognitii, an AI platform for children with learning needs, listed in Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia 2026 (Social Impact); B Tech Biotechnology at Shoolini, per the university
- JT Jhillika TrisalCo-founder and CEO of Cognitii, listed in Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia 2026 (Social Impact); B Tech Biotechnology at Shoolini, per the university
Frequently asked questions
What is Shoolini University's QS ranking?
Shoolini is joint 452nd in the QS World University Rankings 2027 and 10th in India, the highest-ranked Indian private university.
Does Shoolini University have an entrance exam?
Yes for many courses. You can use CUET, JEE Main, NEET or SAT India scores, or take Shoolini's own 45-minute online multiple-choice test (SU-SAT), followed by a faculty interaction.
How much are Shoolini University's fees?
Fees are charged per semester and depend on the course and your home state: for example BBA costs about Rs 110,500-117,500 a year and B Tech CSE about Rs 241,000-253,000 a year for Indian students.
Can international students study at Shoolini?
Yes. Non-SAARC students pay USD 1,700-2,500 per semester for most bachelor's degrees and can get merit scholarships of up to 60%; they register through the Study in India portal and need a 55% minimum in their school-leaving exam.
Is Shoolini University UGC approved?
Yes. It was established by a Himachal Pradesh state act in 2009, is recognised by the UGC and holds NAAC A+ accreditation.
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.
Explore nearby in the world top 100
Universities ranked close to Shoolini University in the QS World University Rankings 2027.