Academic programmes

VTU offers undergraduate engineering programs that award a Bachelor of Engineering (BE) or Bachelor of Technology (BTech) degree. The university offers postgraduate programs that lead to Master of Technology (MTech), Master of Architecture (MArch) Master of Science (MSc) by research, Master of Business Administration (MBA), Master of Computer Applications (MCA) and doctorate (PhD). The MSc and PhD are research degrees while the rest are taught degrees.^[16]

Admissions

The university offers admissions at undergraduate and postgraduate levels. Admissions for B.Tech. programmes, candidates must qualify KCET examination, COMEDK or JEE Main. The candidates seeking B.Arch. admissions must qualify for the NATA or any aptitude test in Architecture conducted by the Competent Authority of the Central / State Government or JEE Paper-II examination. The Visvesvaraya Technological University, Belagavi admissions to M.Tech. and M.Arch programmes are through GATE/PGCET. The college accepts KMAT/PGCET scores for M.B.A. and M.C.A. admissions.

Scheme and syllabus

Visvesvaraya Technological University accomplished its primary task of setting a common syllabus across the state in 1998. The university regularly revises the syllabus keeping in view technology upgrades around the world. The syllabus has been updated in 2002, 2006, 2010, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2018 and 2021. VTU adopted a Choice Based Credit System (CBCS) for students admitted to the university from the academic year 2015–2016.^[19] The CBCS provides a choice for students to select from the prescribed courses (i.e. core, elective, foundation and mandatory non-credit courses). As part of the new CBCS scheme, VTU also moved to a Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) grading system from the previous system of awarding percentage and class to students. VTU has also made an internship of eight weeks mandatory for undergraduate and postgraduate engineering students in affiliated colleges.^[20]

Grading

For students matriculating since the academic year 2015–2016, VTU adopts an absolute grading system wherein the marks are converted to grades, and every semester results are declared with a semester grade point average (SGPA) and a Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA). To obtain a degree, in addition to clearing all the subjects, a student must also obtain a minimum CGPA of five (5.0).

Prior to the introduction of the Choice Based Credit System, students were awarded a percentage and a class, as defined:

• First class with distinction (FCD): Not less than 70% of the aggregate marks in first attempt
• First class (FC): Less than 70% but not less than 60% of the aggregate marks in first attempt
• Second class (SC): Less than 60% of the aggregate marks in first attempt

Collaborations

The university has signed MoUs with multinational corporations like IBM, Intel Asia Electronics Inc., Ingersoll-Rand (India) Ltd., Bangalore, Nokia, Bosch Rexroth and Microsoft to improve the industry interactions for students and teachers.^[11][22]

VTU is also a member of Association of Indian Universities and Association of Commonwealth Universities.^[23][24]

Rankings

Internationally, Visvesvaraya Technological University was ranked #=143 in Asian University Rankings - Southern Asia 2024 and 501-550 in Asia by the QS World University Rankings.

The National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) ranked it 52nd in the engineering ranking of 2023.

Visvesvaraya Technological University ranked #53 in engineering category by IIRF in 2023.

Governance

VTU is administered by its Executive Council and Academic Senate whose members are selected from the academic community and government officials.^[25] The present chancellor is Sri Thawar Chand Gehlot, Governor of Karnataka state and the vice-chancellor is Dr. S. Vidyashankar. ^[6][25]

Affiliated colleges

As of 2021, there are 219 colleges affiliated to the university (107 under Bangalore region, 34 under Belagavi region, 18 under Gulbarga region and 60 under Mysore region).^[26] The colleges are categorised as 'government', 'private-aided' and 'private-unaided' based on the type of funding. A few colleges may be classified as 'minority linguistic' and 'minority religious' based on the minority status of languages and religions.^[27][28] Further, these colleges are placed under 'autonomous' and 'non-autonomous' category of institutions granted by UGC.^[29] There are 25 autonomous colleges affiliated to VTU.^[30]

See List of colleges affiliated to Visvesvaraya Technological University

Centres of excellence

The university has signed MoUs with international organisations (such as CANEUS International) and multinational corporations (like IBM, Intel Asia Electronics Inc., Ingersoll-Rand (India) Ltd., Bangalore, Nokia, Bosch Rexroth and Microsoft) and has set up centres of excellence.^{[33][34][35][36]}

Visvesvaraya Institute of Advanced Technology

Visvesvaraya Institute of Advanced Technology (VIAT) is a research institute being constructed in Bangalore, Karnataka. The institute is on 200 acres (0.81 km²) of land near Nandi Hills and is expected to cost 600 crores.^[37][38] In the initial years, VIAT will focus on research in embedded technology, software quality, agricultural engineering and bioengineering. Each department will function as a 'discovery-innovation centre.' The institute will offer graduate and PhD programs in the sciences.

VTU Fest

The university annually organises an inter-collegiate cultural-fest "Yuvostava" which sees participants from all across India.^[39]

From 2024, VTU has also decided to organise, a tech fest "YUKTI 2K24". The event aims to showcase the innovation and inspiration of students & tech enthusiasts in various fields, such as technical, management, music, dance, entertainment, and artistic. The event also featured a paper presentation competition, where participants could submit their original research papers on topics related to technology and society.