BITS Pilani and Iowa State
Dual Degree Program FAQs

BITS Pilani and The College of Engineering at Iowa State University have partnered to offer an exciting opportunity for students to pursue a unique academic program.  Students can opt to pursue a dual degree program whereby they can obtain an engineering degree from BITS Pilani and an engineering degree from Iowa State University upon successful completion of the program requirements in the following areas:

*All engineering degrees at Iowa State University are Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degrees. This is a standard degree name for 4-year engineering degree programs at the bachelor’s level used by almost all institutions in the United States. You can find more information about our programs and their accreditation here.

**The College of Engineering offers Computer Engineering and other related engineering majors.  You can find more about the computing and related majors here.

Iowa State is ranked in the top 50 U.S. Institutions for its undergraduate and graduate engineering programs.  Learn from professors whose innovations shape our future.  Work in advanced labs with the latest technology on projects that impact the world.  Create in a collaborative environment fueled by a diversity of thinking.  Be active in more than 90 engineering student clubs and organizations.

Iowa State has a rich history in educating engineers and includes amongst its alumni, current and former leaders at global companies such as Rockwell Collins, Boeing, John Deere, Microsoft, Harman International, Micron Technology and many others.

Learn more about Iowa State’s College of Engineering.

Students who successfully complete all four years of the BITS-ISU International Collaborative dual degree programs will be eligible to receive degrees from both BITS Pilani and Iowa State University (ISU). The degrees will be the same as the standard degrees from each institution – students will receive two separate testamurs (Transcripts) and degree certificates, one from each university.

Also, Iowa State University is a doctoral granting institution with very high research activity.  The College of Engineering is the largest college at Iowa State University.  ISU engineering degrees also provide significant hands-on experiences to prepare students for careers in industry or to pursue graduate degree work.  Students can pursue research with world renowned faculty members while pursuing their undergraduate degree program.  Research credits count towards degree requirements.

Mechanical Engineering and Electrical and Computer Engineering are the largest departments in the college with outstanding faculty and excellent career placement outcomes for the identified degree programs.

B.S. Computer Engineering:  The use of computer-based and smart devices has permeated every aspect of human life.  All these devices communicate with each other thanks to computer engineers making tiny computers embedded into the device electronics.  As a future computer engineer, you will build human-like robots, design blazing-fast computer chips, develop real-time systems that enable GPS navigation and more.  Our degree program will prepare you to be a creative thinker to pursue careers in industry or graduate study to help invent new technologies and make things such as smartphones, computers, robots, and medical equipment faster, smaller, cheaper, smarter, and safer.

B.S.  Electrical Engineering:  Every electronic device has an electrical engineer at its foundation.  You will learn the skills to create a smart electric grid, advance solar and wind energy technologies for a greener future, improve biomedical imaging technology to enable personalized disease treatment, or make cell phone signals more reliable.  Our degree program prepares electrical engineers to pursue careers cross industries from power and wireless communication to healthcare, avionics, and global connectivity, or to pursue graduate study in advanced topics that will further impact the world.

B.S. Mechanical Engineering:  Researching, designing and manufacturing products that improve people’s lives – that’s what mechanical engineers do.  Our program will prepare students to apply properties of forces, materials, energy and motion to produce innovative solutions for a variety of products from batteries for electric cars, prosthetic devices for people, transportation and space vehicles and energetic materials and systems.  Our degree program provides opportunities to work on industry sponsored projects and on research experiences with faculty, to prepare you to pursue careers in industry or to pursue graduate study.

Students will complete the first two academic years at BITS and the following two academic years at Iowa State University.  Progress and completion of the program within four years depends on satisfactory performance and progress in the courses that the student takes.  A 4-year plan for the students for each of the programs is provided below:

• (pdf LINK will be provided soon) B.E. Electrical and Electronics + B.S. Electrical Engineering
• (pdf LINK will be provided soon) B.E. Electronics and Communication + B.S. Electrical Engineering
• (pdf LINK will be provided soon) B.E. Computer Science + B.S. Computer Engineering
• (pdf LINK will be provided soon) B.E. Mechanical + B.S. Mechanical Engineering

Students will pay the BITS scheduled tuition and fees for the first two years.  Once they are admitted into ISU, students will pay the ISU scheduled tuition and fees for international students.  The current tuition and fees per academic year are listed on the ISU Financial Aid website.  Note that several majors at Iowa State including all engineering majors have a higher tuition rate than the tuition mentioned on this page.  The corresponding current tuition rate for engineering majors is USD 33,315 per academic year.

Future tuition and fees at Iowa State University are subject to increase as authorized by its Board of Regents.

Students will be eligible for the ISU Engineering Cohort Merit Scholarships of up to $4,500/year for two years based on successful engagement and academic performance in the first 2-year component of the program at BITS, as shown below.

*CGPA at the end of the first two years of study in the dual degree program at BITS

**Scholarships are per academic year and for two years provided students continue to meet the criteria for continuation

To qualify for these scholarships, students must.

• be fully admitted to Iowa State University
• major in an engineering discipline at Iowa State University
• maintain full-time enrollment in engineering including being registered in a minimum of 9 credit hours of engineering coursework each semester
• maintain a minimum ISU grade point average of 2.5
• meet the English proficiency requirements (one of the following)
  • >=99 TOEFL
  • >= 7.5 IELTS
  • >=130 Duolingo
  • >=72 PTE
  • >=600 SAT Reading/Writing
  • >=26 ACT English

Procedure to apply for admission to BITS-ISU International Collaborative Programs:

In addition to applying and appearing for BITSAT-2024, candidates must also apply for admission to BITS-ISU, giving details of their 12th marks and preferences for different degree programs offered at Indian campuses of BITS and ISU. The prescribed application form for admission and the detailed application procedure will be available on the BITS admission website tentatively in June 2024. The completed application form with the details of their 12th marks and preferences to different degree programs along with the required application fee must be submitted online at the BITS admission website on or before the deadline mentioned on the BITS Pilani admission website.

Iowa State faculty and staff will engage with students in the dual degree program in the first two years through Zoom or in person sessions to ensure students are on track to transition to Iowa State.  In the second year, students will then apply as a transfer student to complete ISU admission procedures via the.  Faculty and staff will guide you through the process.

Applicants who meet the minimum academic requirements will be ranked based on their Final BITSAT score. Offers will be issued to the top-ranked applicants down until places are filled.

Students should maintain a CGPA of at least 5.75 at the end of their first two years in the program in the BITS portion of the curriculum.  They should meet the English requirements listed below (meet any one of the criteria listed):

• >=99 TOEFL
• >= 7.5 IELTS
• >=130 Duolingo
• >=72 PTE
• >=600 SAT Reading/Writing
• >=26 ACT English

In addition, they should procure the visa needed to enter the United States as a student.  Iowa State University’s International Student and Scholar’s Office (ISSO) provides more information for incoming students on visa procedures and requirements.

If you need to complete an English Language test, you will need to have done so prior to applying to Iowa State University (usually Fall semester of your second year in BITS or earlier). These tests are held regularly in major cities across India. Depending on your current English strength, you may wish to prepare for your test. We recommend starting as soon as possible and giving yourself every chance to do well.

Students who successfully complete all four years of the BITS-ISU International Collaborative dual degree programs will be eligible to receive degrees from both BITS Pilani and Iowa State University (ISU). Both ISU and BITS Pilani have worked carefully together to align different program offerings, and each will recognize the study completed at the other institution, enabling the completion of requirements for each degree. The degrees will be the same as the standard degrees from each institution – students will receive two separate testamurs (Transcripts) and degree certificates, one from each university.

The program of study at Iowa State includes extensive hands-on experiences in the curriculum and is complemented by both research and employment opportunities during the academic semesters and summer.  More than 75% of our engineering students take advantage of internships and cooperative education opportunities that provide paid and supervised work experience to complement formal academic classwork.  The College of Engineering Career Services office provides career advising and preparation support for internships, co-ops and post-graduation employment.

International students on a study visa (F-1) can pursue off-campus employment opportunities prior to the completion of an academic program or degree by availing of the Curricular Practical Training (CPT), for example for internships and co-ops during the summer or academic semester.  Students are eligible for upto 365 days of CPT while completing their bachelor’s degree.

Post-completion Optional Practical Training (OPT) is a 12-month period of work authorization (up to 24 months for engineering fields), or practical training. OPT is an opportunity for F-1 students to take what they learned in the classroom and apply their knowledge to a work setting. As such, all work must be directly related to a student’s level and major field of study. Generally, these work experiences are off-campus or for non-student positions at ISU.

International students at Iowa State should work with the International Student and Scholar’s office on learning more and applying for CPT or OPT.

Yes. There are many opportunities for graduate (Masters and PhD) study at Iowa State University and BITS.  Your undergraduate qualification will lead to several options.  Engaging in research opportunities with faculty while completing your degree program at Iowa State can also help you pursue graduate opportunities.

The BITS-ISU International Dual Degree program requires two years of study at BITS Pilani in India, followed by two years of study at Iowa State University (ISU) Ames, USA to successfully complete the dual degree program. In the event you have a compelling reason(s) for not pursuing the remaining two years of study at ISU, then BITS Pilani may, in its sole discretion, reassign you to a new program depending on your BITSAT-2024 score and its standing in the regular merit list prepared for students directly admitted to First Degree Admissions at Indian Campuses of BITS Pilani through BITSAT-2024 and not through BITS-ISU International Dual Degree program. Alternatively, BITS Pilani may provide credits for two years of your course work, which may get credited in other recognized institutes to earn the degree of your choice.

Campus and Ames community

Iowa State University is situated in Ames, Iowa, and has frequently been cited as a top college town in the United States.  Read more about life on campus and Ames.

With faculty and students from around the world, ISU and Ames form a cosmopolitan community that values the cultural diversity that international students bring and supports them through many student organizations and events.  You can get a snapshot of the multinational makeup of students at https://isso.dso.iastate.edu/files/documents/2023-07/ISSO_Fact_Sheet_Spring2023.pdf

For students from India, the Indian Students Association is a highly active and engaged organization that helps students feel closer to home.  Ames also has an active Indian Cultural Association that provides connections and engagement opportunities with the Indian community in Ames.

Public Transportation

The City of Ames has an extensive public transportation system, titled CyRide.  CyRide is the city bus system for Ames and operates 13 fixed routes, and additional services a Dial-A-Ride service for persons with a disability, and a late-night service called Moonlight Express.  For routes, timetables, fares and more information, call 515-292-1100 or visit www.cyride.com.

CyRide offers a real-time bus prediction service called MyRide. With MyRide, you can use your touchtone telephone, mobile device, or web enabled computer to see exactly where the bus is at any time and its predicted time of arrival at your bus stop location

Health Care

Finally, regarding healthcare needs, Iowa State University offers services at the Thielen Student Health Center on campus.

Thielen Student Health Center has physicians and advanced registered nurse practitioners (ARNP) available by appointment to see you for your illness or injury concerns.  We treat a variety of primary health care concerns such as upper respiratory infections, strep throat, influenza, rashes, infections and more.  We treat all types of injury including sprains, strains, and broken bones. Students are also able to utilize our physical therapists for follow-up care.  Our psychiatrists see many patients for depression, ADD/ADHD and other mental health concerns.

Unlike BITS campuses which are entirely on-campus residential, students at Iowa State can explore both on-campus and off-campus options.

Iowa State University’s Department of Residence is excited to offer on a broad variety of on campus housing option. The Department of Residence offers countless neighborhoods to choose from, ranging from traditional and suite-style to family-student apartments available to fit your needs and lifestyle.  Explore your on campus living options at: https://www.housing.iastate.edu/halls-and-apartments/ and https://www.housing.iastate.edu/contracts-and-assignments/current-students/

Ames Iowa is a phenomenal community in which to live.  To find out more regarding our city of Ames or off campus rental opportunities, please visit https://www.cityofames.org/living/student-information

For new students from India, the Indian Students Association is a good resource to connect with and explore ideas for housing.