IIT Madras Offers Second Chance at Degree

IIT Madras is hosting 5,000 students from around the world on its campus, not traditional undergraduates, but enrollees in its online Bachelor of Science program. Launched in 2021, the program aims to provide access to IIT-level education for those who didn’t pursue it at 18-20, or couldn’t afford it then.

The program currently has over 36,000 students, offering a low-cost alternative to degrees from universities like the University of London or University of Pennsylvania, which can cost between $15,000 to $50,000, while the IIT Madras degree costs around $5,000. Students are drawn to the flexible format and the opportunity to gain industry-relevant skills in fields like data science and aeronautics.

Though over 270,000 have signed up, completion rates are rigorous, only five out of 100 applicants ultimately earn the degree, and the program generates approximately ₹100-140 crore annually, funding infrastructure and salaries. IIT Madras intends to scale this model to further democratize access to higher education in India.