Overview
2003
Established
44 acres
Campus
200+
Programmes
July/August
Intakes
$3,200–$11,350
Tuition per year
Dehradun (Jolly Grant), ~45 km
Nearest airport
The university is one of the strongest-ranked private institutions in the country: NIRF 2025 places it 45th among universities, 18th in Law, 36th in Management and 43rd in Engineering, while Times Higher Education ranks it 501-600 globally and fifth in India for 2026. QS rated it India's top private university for academic reputation in 2024.
International students pay in US dollars and apply through a dedicated International/NRI tab with a USD 50 processing fee. Total programme fees published for foreign nationals work out to roughly USD 6,800 a year for B.Tech CSE, USD 5,200 for BBA and USD 11,400 for the MBA, and SAARC nationals pay domestic rates. Placements are a strong point, with a 92% placement rate and 800+ recruiters in 2024-25.
- NIRF 2025: University 45, Law 18, Management 36, Engineering 43
- THE World University Rankings 2026: 501-600 globally, 5th in India; QS World 2026: 901-950
- NAAC A grade (CGPA 3.02); IACBE and NBA programme accreditations
- Two campuses (Bidholi and Kandoli) in the Dehradun foothills with AQI typically below 50
- 200+ programmes across seven schools, including Global Pathway options with overseas partner universities
- 2024-25 placements: 92% placed, highest 52 LPA, average 6.83 LPA, 800+ recruiters
- SAARC nationals pay domestic fees; non-SAARC fees quoted in USD
- USD 50 application fee and dedicated international.admissions@upes.ac.in desk
Popular courses and fees for international students
Annual tuition in INR with an indicative USD conversion at ₹85 = $1. Figures are the published foreign-national fee. Confirm the current fee sheet before paying.
| Programme | Level | Duration | Tuition / year | Eligibility | Intake |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| B.Tech Computer Science & Engineering | UG | 4 years | ₹5.8 lakh≈ $6,850 | 10+2 with Physics, Chemistry & Maths, 50%; SAT score recommended | July/August |
| BBA | UG | 3 years | ₹4.4 lakh≈ $5,150 | 10+2 in any stream, 50% | July/August |
| MBA | PG | 2 years | ₹9.7 lakh≈ $11,350 | Bachelor's degree with 50%; GMAT 600 recommended; AIU equivalence | July/August |
| B.Des | UG | 4 years | ₹6.4 lakh≈ $7,500 | 10+2 in any stream, 50%; design aptitude assessment | July/August |
| BA LL.B (Hons) | UG | 5 years | ₹4.9 lakh≈ $5,750 | 10+2 in any stream, 50% | July/August |
| LL.B | UG | 3 years | ₹5.1 lakh≈ $5,950 | Bachelor's degree with 50% | July/August |
| B.Sc Computer Science | UG | 3 years | ₹2.7 lakh≈ $3,200 | 10+2 with Maths, 50% | July/August |
| B.Pharm | UG | 4 years | ₹3.0 lakh≈ $3,550 | 10+2 with Physics, Chemistry and Biology/Maths, 50% | July/August |
| MCA | PG | 2 years | ₹3.5 lakh≈ $4,050 | Bachelor's degree with Maths, 50% | July/August |
| M.Tech Computer Science & Engineering | PG | 2 years | ₹4.6 lakh≈ $5,350 | B.Tech/B.E. in a relevant discipline, 50%; GRE recommended | July/August |
Need the complete list of 200+ programmes with seat counts? .
Admission process for international students
- 1
Apply online under the International/NRI tab
Register at admission.upes.ac.in, select the International/NRI pathway and complete the form.
- 2
Pay the USD 50 processing fee
Pay by card online or request bank-transfer details from international.admissions@upes.ac.in.
- 3
Upload academic documents
Provide Class 12 or degree transcripts, passport copy and any SAT, GMAT or GRE scores; send transcripts for a scholarship assessment if you want one.
- 4
Receive the offer and visa letter
After document assessment UPES emails an offer of admission with a visa support letter.
- 5
Pay fees and secure your visa
Pay the first instalment in USD, then apply for an Indian Student Visa at your nearest Indian mission.
- 6
Arrive, verify and register
Report to Bidholi or Kandoli with originals and a laptop meeting UPES specifications, then register with FRRO or the local police within 14 days.
Eligibility & English requirement
- International applicants are non-Indian passport holders, or Indian passport holders who completed Class 12 or a degree abroad; SAARC nationals pay domestic fees
- UG: higher secondary, A-levels, IB, WASSCE, HSC or equivalent with the minimum marks and subjects for the programme; AIU equivalence may be requested
- PG: bachelor's degree with AIU equivalence certification; GMAT 600 recommended for MBA, GRE for engineering and computer science PG
- English: TOEFL or IELTS strongly advised but not mandatory; students from non-English-speaking countries may need English language training before starting
- Valid passport covering the full duration of study
Important dates
- Applications open: October for the following year (2027 UG/PG admissions opened 12 October 2026)
- Priority deadline: not published for international applicants; domestic 2026 closing date was 20 August
- Classes begin: July/August; bring warm clothing for November-February
Scholarships for international students
| Scholarship | Benefit | Who qualifies |
|---|---|---|
| International Merit Scholarship | Tuition-fee scholarship, slab set after transcript assessment | Based on performance in qualifying exams; email transcripts to dsmith@upes.ac.in for assessment |
| Board Merit Scholarship | 20% tuition waiver for 90%+ in Class 12; 10% for 80-89.99% | Published for Indian boards; international applicants assessed case by case |
| In-programme Academic Scholarship | Up to 50% tuition waiver | CGPA above 9 in the previous academic year |
| Sibling Concession | 50% fee concession | Sibling of a current UPES student |
| ICCR / Study in India | Government-funded tuition support where the university is listed | Apply via the ICCR A2A portal or Study in India; check listing for your intake |
Placements
₹6.8 lakh
Median package
₹6.8 lakh
Average package
₹52 lakh
Highest package
No PSW visa
India has no post-study work visa; graduates need a sponsored Employment Visa
Top recruiters: Amazon, Microsoft, IBM, Infosys, HCL Technologies, Deloitte, EY, PwC, Accenture, ONGC, Adani Group, Siemens, Boeing, Maruti Suzuki.
2024-25 season: 92% placed, 2,444+ offers, 800+ recruiters; median is the NIRF 2026 B.Tech median salary.
Campus, hostel and cost of living
Hostel (on campus)
- Triple-sharing, common washroom, non-AC (Bidholi/Kandoli): ₹1.8 lakh / year (≈ $2,150)
- Triple-sharing, common washroom, AC (Kandoli): ₹2.0 lakh / year (≈ $2,400)
- Triple-sharing, attached washroom, AC (Kandoli, girls): ₹2.2 lakh / year (≈ $2,600)
- Double-sharing, attached washroom (Bidholi, girls): ₹2.3 lakh / year (≈ $2,750)
- Meals included in the hostel fee; vegetarian and non-vegetarian menus
- 2025-26 tariffs; add INR 10,000 refundable hostel security. On-campus rooms are allotted first-come, first-served. One-time university charges include INR 20,000 refundable security, INR 22,000 personality development fee (UG) and INR 3,600 per semester technology fee.
Monthly living cost in Dehradun (estimate)
- Food outside mess $60-100
- Transport to Dehradun city $20-40
- Mobile & internet $8-15
- Personal & leisure $60-120
- Winter clothing (one-off) $80-150
- Total with hostel: $250–400 / month
Indian student visa for UPES admits
Foreign nationals need a Student (S) Visa from the Indian mission in their country. It is issued for the duration of the course on the university's bona fide admission letter, fee receipt and proof of funds, and holders must register with the FRRO within 14 days of arrival. Krosz prepares the visa file for every student it places, at no extra cost.
Largest international cohorts at UPES: Nepal, Bhutan, Nigeria, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Kenya.
Frequently asked questions
How much does UPES cost for a foreign national?
Published total fees in USD work out to about USD 6,850 a year for B.Tech CSE, USD 5,170 for BBA, USD 11,360 for the MBA and USD 7,480 for B.Des; SAARC nationals pay domestic rates.
Is IELTS required?
No, TOEFL or IELTS is strongly advised but not mandatory; applicants from non-English-speaking countries may be asked to complete English language training before classes.
How is UPES ranked?
NIRF 2025 places it 45th among universities (Law 18, Management 36, Engineering 43), THE 2026 ranks it 501-600 globally and QS World 2026 lists it at 901-950.
What are the hostel charges?
2025-26 on-campus rooms range from INR 1,83,000 for triple-sharing non-AC to INR 2,32,000 for double-sharing with attached washroom, meals included, plus INR 10,000 refundable security.
What is the campus climate like?
Dehradun sits at about 2,200 feet with summer highs of 30-45°C and winter lows of 5°C, so students need warm clothing from November; air quality is usually AQI under 50.
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Sources: official university website and international prospectus, NIRF, NAAC, UGC, MEA student visa guidelines, ICCR. Last verified 2026-10. Fees are indicative and may change; Krosz is an independent admissions and visa service and is not affiliated with UPES (University of Petroleum and Energy Studies).