Symbiosis International (Deemed University)
सिंबायोसिस आंतरराष्ट्रीय विद्यापीठ
A private multi-campus university in Pune that runs its own entrance tests (SET, SLAT, SNAP) for dozens of specialist institutes.
- Students
- 23,087
- 14,398 undergraduates
- International
- 4%
- of students
- Tuition
- ₹422.3K
- From · 2026-27
- Founded
- 2002
About SIU
Symbiosis grew out of a hostel and cultural centre that Dr S. B. Mujumdar founded in Pune in 1971 to support foreign students, and its name refers to the living-together of Indian and international students. Symbiosis International (Deemed University) was established in 2002 and is centred on a 400+ acre hill campus at Lavale on the edge of Pune, with further campuses in Pune city, Bengaluru, Noida, Nashik, Hyderabad, Nagpur and Dubai. It is accredited A++ by NAAC and holds UGC Category-I status.
The university is a federation of 46 constituent institutes grouped into nine faculties: Law, Management, Computer Studies, Medical and Health Sciences, Media and Communication, Humanities and Social Sciences, Engineering, Design, and Education. Most undergraduates apply to a specific institute and programme, such as Symbiosis Law School, the Symbiosis School of Economics or the Symbiosis Institute of Technology, and each institute runs its own interviews and merit list after a common entrance test.
Undergraduate entry for Indian students runs through SIU's own tests: SET for business, computing, economics, media, liberal arts and AI degrees; SITEEE for B.Tech; SLAT for five-year law; and SEED for design. International students skip these tests and apply centrally through the Symbiosis Centre for International Education (SCIE). Symbiosis suits students who know which professional field they want and are comfortable with a test-plus-interview process and private-university fees.
Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam
“The world is one family” — university motto
Why students choose SIU
SIU ranked 24th among Indian universities in NIRF 2025 and is joint 655th in the QS World University Rankings 2027.
Specialist institutes such as Symbiosis Law School, SIBM, SIMC, the Symbiosis School of Economics and the Symbiosis School for Liberal Arts each run their own focused undergraduate programmes.
Dual-degree routes include B.Sc. Economics with progression to the University of Bristol and a BBA Global Dual Degree with SIU Dubai and Deakin University, Australia.
Students come from more than 85 countries, and foreign nationals joining in 2026-27 paid a reduced academic fee of USD 1,300 a year under the Golden Jubilee Scholarship.
Admissions
2027 entry (academic year 2027-28)
Selectivity
SIU does not publish an overall acceptance rate. Admission is by merit: institutes shortlist candidates for each programme using SET/SITEEE/SLAT scores, and cut-offs are set separately for each programme and published on institute websites.
Typical entry requirements
| Class XII (10+2) or equivalent | Minimum 50% (45% for SC/ST) from a recognised board for SET programmes such as BBA, BCA, B.Sc. Economics, BA Mass Communication and Liberal Arts, plus a competitive SET score and performance in the institute's interview |
|---|---|
| B.Tech (SITEEE) | 10+2 with Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics, at least 45% in those subjects together (40% for reserved categories) |
| International qualifications (FN/OCI/PIO/NRI) | 10+2 or equivalent recognised by the Association of Indian Universities; selection weighted 90% on the 10+2 transcript, 5% statement of purpose and 5% two letters of recommendation |
| English language | IELTS 6 An English test is mandatory for foreign nationals, OCI and PIO applicants: Academic IELTS with at least 6.0, or Symbiosis's own IELA test (band 4; USD 50). NRI applicants do not need an English test. |
Deadlines
- SET/SITEEE (2026 cycle, past) Non-binding Passed15 April 2026
2026-cycle dates, now past: registration closed 15 April 2026, tests were held on 2 and 10 May 2026, and results came out on 20 May 2026. SET/SITEEE 2027 dates had not been published as of September 2026.
- Institute registration, e.g. SCMS Pune / SSE (2026 cycle, past) Non-binding Passed18 May 2026
2026 example, now past: the last date to register for SCMS Pune and SSE programmes was 18 May 2026, with online interviews in early June and merit lists in mid-June. SSLA's deadline was 27 May 2026.
- SLAT 2027 (BA/BBA/B.Com LL.B.) Non-binding Next deadline · In 59 days4 December 2026
Registration and payment deadline for 2027 entry. Tests on 19 and 26 December 2026; results on 12 January 2027. Each Symbiosis law school then runs its own admission process.
SLAT 2027 is the only 2027-entry schedule published so far. SET and SITEEE have run in early May, with registration closing in mid-April (the 2026 dates above are past). International applications through SCIE follow their own online process; check scie.ac.in for 2027 registration.
How to apply
Indian students register for SET/SITEEE (INR 2,250 per test) or SLAT (INR 2,550 per test) and also register for each programme they want (INR 1,000 per programme). Shortlisted candidates then take the institute's own selection process, which may include a Writing Ability Test, Group Discussion, Studio Test and Personal Interview. International students apply online to SCIE, uploading marksheets, passport, statement of purpose, two recommendation letters and IELTS/IELA results; offers are made on merit, with no entrance test.
What admissions looks for
- A strong SET, SITEEE or SLAT score: SIU calls entrance-test performance an important component, and shortlists for each programme are based on it.
- Performance in the institute's own selection process (Writing Ability Test, Group Discussion, Studio Test and/or Personal Interview); candidates who miss any component are ruled out.
- Previous academic performance and, depending on the institute, factors such as work experience and gender and academic diversity.
- For international applicants: the 10+2 record (90% of the assessment), plus the statement of purpose and two letters of recommendation (5% each).
Tips for applying to SIU
- 1 Paying the test fee alone is not enough: you must also register and pay INR 1,000 for each programme, or you will not be considered, whatever your score.
- 2 Sit both SET dates if you can; only your better score counts, and there is no negative marking.
- 3 Each institute has its own registration deadline and interview dates after the SET result, so track the ones you applied to.
- 4 Law applicants follow a separate, earlier timeline: SLAT 2027 registration closes on 4 December 2026.
- 5 Foreign nationals should apply through SCIE with IELTS 6.0 or IELA band 4; a strong statement of purpose and recommendation letters count for 10% of the assessment.
Costs & financial aid
2026-27 · figures in INR
SIU offers merit scholarships to the top four students in each batch every semester, merit awards for toppers of SLAT and other entrance tests, need-based schemes, and targeted awards for students from North-East India, girls from villages the university has adopted, and students with disabilities. Scholarships for foreign students are funded by the Symbiosis Society Foundation: in 2026-27, foreign nationals paid USD 1,300 a year for undergraduate academic fees (except MBBS), and there were 100 full academic scholarships and 100 free-ships for students from developing and conflict-affected countries. Some seats are Discretionary Quota seats at double the open-category academic fee.
- UG academic fee reduced to USD 1,300 per year
- Golden Jubilee Scholarship (foreign nationals, 2026-27 entry)
- 100 full academic scholarships and 100 free-ships
- Golden Jubilee full scholarships / free-ships
- INR 2,250 per test plus INR 1,000 per programme
- SET/SITEEE test fee (2026)
Academics
Academic calendar: Semesters; four-year undergraduate degrees follow the NEP 2020 framework, with exit options after years one, two and three
BA LL.B. / BBA LL.B. (Hons) - Symbiosis Law School
Five-year integrated law degrees with admission through SLAT, offered at Pune, Noida, Hyderabad and Nagpur.
B.Sc. Economics (Hons) - Symbiosis School of Economics
A four-year economics degree, with a dual-degree option to move to the University of Bristol after two years with a CGPA of 7.0.
BA/B.Sc. Liberal Arts (Hons) - Symbiosis School for Liberal Arts
A four-year interdisciplinary degree with majors from philosophy and psychology to mathematics and environmental science.
BBA (Hons) Global Dual Degree - SCMS Pune/Noida
One year at SIU in India, one year at SIU Dubai and two years at Deakin University, Australia.
BA Mass Communication (Hons) - SCMC Pune
A media degree from the Symbiosis media faculty, whose graduates include the filmmaker Gauri Shinde.
B.Tech - Symbiosis Institute of Technology
Engineering degrees in branches from computer science to robotics and AI, admitted through SITEEE, on the Lavale campus with the Bajaj Engineering Skills Training Centre and a 5G lab.
Research
- The Symbiosis Centre for Research and Innovation (SCRI), set up in 2009, coordinates research across the university's 13 research centres.
- In 2023-24 SIU had 272 sponsored research projects from 37 funding agencies, bringing in about INR 15.1 crore (NIRF 2025 data).
- SIU's health sciences faculty includes the Symbiosis Medical College for Women and the Symbiosis University Hospital and Research Centre (SUHRC).
Schools & faculties
- Faculty of Law
- Faculty of Management
- Faculty of Computer Studies
- Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences
- Faculty of Media and Communication
- Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences
- Faculty of Engineering
- Faculty of Design
- Faculty of Education
Data submitted for NIRF 2025 (2023-24 graduates): 4-year UG programmes had 815 graduates, 438 placed, with a median salary of INR 778,645; 3-year UG programmes had 841 graduates, 428 placed, with a median of INR 460,000; 5-year UG programmes had 1,055 graduates, 352 placed, with a median of INR 770,000.
Student life
Symbiosis was founded to give foreign students a home in Pune, and its campuses still host students from more than 85 countries, supported by the Symbiosis Centre for International Education and an International Student Council. Life depends on where your institute is: the Lavale hill campus is a self-contained residential campus with the university offices and central library, while institutes such as SCMC, SSLA and SICSR are in the city at Viman Nagar and Model Colony. The Department of Student Welfare runs a cultural festival for first-years at Lavale, and every student has group medical insurance.
- Students from over 85 countries, with international admissions and support centralised at SCIE.
- Afro-Asian Cultural Museum and the Dr. Ambedkar Museum and Memorial on campus.
- The SCOPE outreach centre has adopted 35 villages, with family doctor clinics, mobile medical units and digital literacy vans.
- Freshers' cultural festival at the Lavale campus, organised by the Department of Student Welfare.
Housing. Most Pune institutes offer on-campus hostels (single, twin or three-sharing, subject to availability) with a compulsory mess plan, and fees vary by campus.
Location
Pune is a large student city in Maharashtra with many colleges and a big IT sector. SIU's main campus is in the hills at Lavale on the western edge of the city, a self-contained residential campus. Other institutes sit in city neighbourhoods such as Senapati Bapat Road, Viman Nagar, Model Colony and Hinjewadi, and SIU also has campuses in Bengaluru, Noida, Nashik, Hyderabad, Nagpur and Dubai, so your city life depends on which institute you join.
Nearest airport: Pune Airport (PNQ)
Notable alumni
- NG Neeraj GhaywanFilm director (Masaan); MBA in marketing from the Symbiosis Institute of Business Management, Pune
- GS Gauri ShindeFilm director (English Vinglish); graduated from the Symbiosis Institute of Mass Communication, Pune
- DS Dhruv SehgalWriter and actor (Little Things); studied at the Symbiosis Institute of Media and Communication
- SG Sanjana GanesanSports presenter and journalist; B.Tech from the Symbiosis Institute of Technology, Pune
- SN S. Niranjan ReddyLawyer, film producer and Rajya Sabha member; studied at Symbiosis Law School, Pune
- DP Divya Prakash DubeyHindi novelist; MBA from the Symbiosis Institute of Business Management, Pune
- SS Sumrit ShahiNovelist and screenwriter; studied at Symbiosis International University
- LL Leona LishoyActress and model; MBA from the Symbiosis Institute of Business Management, Bengaluru
Frequently asked questions
What is the SET exam for Symbiosis?
The Symbiosis Entrance Test (SET) is SIU's own 60-minute online test for undergraduate programmes such as BBA, BCA, B.Sc. Economics, BA Mass Communication and Liberal Arts. It has 60 questions on English, quantitative skills, general awareness and reasoning, with no negative marking; you can sit it twice and your better score counts.
When are the Symbiosis 2027 entrance test deadlines?
SLAT 2027 (law) registration closes on 4 December 2026, with tests on 19 and 26 December 2026. SET/SITEEE 2027 dates have not been published yet; in the 2026 cycle, registration closed on 15 April and the tests were held on 2 and 10 May.
Do international students need to take SET to study at Symbiosis?
No. Foreign nationals, OCI and PIO applicants are exempt and apply through the Symbiosis Centre for International Education, where selection is based 90% on the 10+2 record and 10% on the statement of purpose and recommendations. They need IELTS 6.0 or Symbiosis's IELA test.
How much are Symbiosis undergraduate fees?
For Indian students entering in 2026-27, first-year academic fees ranged from INR 245,000 (BCA) to INR 510,000 (Liberal Arts) a year, plus hostel and mess of roughly INR 255,000 or more. International list prices ran from USD 4,400 to USD 9,575 a year, while foreign nationals paid USD 1,300 a year after the Golden Jubilee Scholarship.
Is Symbiosis International University a good university?
It is a NAAC A++ private deemed university, ranked 24th among Indian universities in NIRF 2025 and joint 655th in the QS World University Rankings 2027.
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.
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