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The Master of Science [MS] in Data Science at the International Institute of Information Technology [IIIT], Hyderabad is a fully online, self-paced postgraduate programme offered through IIIT Hyderabad's Distance and Flexible Learning (DFL) platform. The programme is UGC-entitled and combines deep research foundations with real-world applications in AI and Data Science. It is designed for working professionals and graduates who wish to upskill in data science without relocating or taking a career break. The programme spans 2 years (8 terms, 4 terms per year), with a maximum duration of 4 years. The total programme fee is INR 4 lakhs + 18% GST (approximately INR 4.72 lakhs for Indian nationals). The curriculum covers 16 courses (80 credits) including core subjects in Mathematics, Python, Data Structures, Algorithms, Database Management, Statistical Methods in AI, Data Analytics, and Optimization, along with 5 electives from areas like Computer Vision, NLP, Reinforcement Learning, and Generative Models. The programme is ideal for graduates from any discipline who wish to build a career as a Data Scientist, ML Engineer, AI Specialist, or Data Analyst.

Admission Status: The current batch (Edition 2026-04) applications are open and close on March 29, 2026. The fee payment deadline is also March 29, 2026. The orientation session is on April 4, 2026, and the first term starts on April 6, 2026. There is no application fee. Candidates can apply directly at dfl.iiit.ac.in.

Key Points

The MS in Data Science is a fully online, self-paced programme - students can complete it in 2 years (standard pace) or up to 4 years (flexible pace).
The programme is UGC-entitled, NAAC A++ accredited, and AICTE approved, ensuring the degree is recognized by employers and academic institutions.
No application fee is charged; students pay only the programme fee.
The programme is open to graduates from any discipline (Basic Science, Technology, Engineering, Social Sciences, Commerce, or Business) with basic programming and mathematics background.
All exams are proctored and conducted online, offered multiple times per year to accommodate different schedules.
Students can retake final exams to improve grades (with additional fees).
The programme is offered through IIIT Hyderabad's DFL platform, with live online tutorial sessions with IIIT Hyderabad faculty and industry experts.

Official Link:

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Highlights
Fees
Admission
Scholarships
Ranking
FAQs

IIIT Hyderabad Latest Updates and News

01 Apr, 2026 CCMT 2026 Counselling is expected to begin in May 2026 for admission to MTech/ MArch/ MPlan courses at NITs and CFTIs.

01 Apr, 2026 PGEE 2026 registration has been extended till April 5, 2026, for M.Tech/MS(R)/Ph.D programs. The entrance exam will be held on May 2, 2026. Read more.

24 Feb, 2026 IIIT Hyderabad Fee structure 2026 has been released for M.Tech program. The total academic fee is ₹ 1.2 Lakhs. Check details here.

IIIT Hyderabad MS Data Science Fees

The MS in Data Science (Online) at IIIT Hyderabad has a total programme fee of INR 4 lakhs + 18% GST for Indian nationals (approximately INR 4.72 lakhs inclusive of GST). The fee can be paid term-wise (INR 60,000 + GST for Term 1, INR 1,15,000 + GST for 2 terms, etc.) or as a lump sum for the complete degree. An admission fee of INR 29,500 (including 18% GST) is charged upfront and is deductible from the total tuition fee.

Fee Components

Fee Component	Indian National (INR)
Admission Fee (deductible from tuition, incl. 18% GST)	29,500
Term 1 Fee (+ GST)	60,000 + GST
2 Terms Fee (+ GST)	1,15,000 + GST
4 Terms Fee (+ GST)	2,20,000 + GST
Complete Degree (8 Terms, + GST)	4,00,000 + GST
Total Programme Fee (incl. 18% GST, approx.)	4,72,000
Re-Exam Fee (incl. 18% GST)	2,950
Assignment Re-submission Fee (incl. 18% GST)	1,180

GST is charged at 18% for Indian nationals.
The admission fee of INR 29,500 (incl. GST) is deductible from the total tuition fee.
From the 9th term (3rd year) onwards, a term fee of INR 2,000 + GST per term is applicable.
Refund policy: 100% refund on or before March 14, 2026; 90% refund from March 15-29, 2026; 80% refund from March 30 - April 13, 2026; 50% refund from April 14-28, 2026; no refund from April 29, 2026 onwards.
A processing fee of INR 1,000 is applicable on refunds.
SAARC nationals: $6,000 total; International students: $12,000 total.

IIIT Hyderabad MS Data Science Admission 2026

Admissions to the MS in Data Science (Online) at IIIT Hyderabad are conducted on a rolling basis with multiple batches per year. The current batch (Edition 2026-04) is open for applications. There is no entrance exam; admission is based on the application and eligibility criteria. The final decision for admission rests with the IIIT Hyderabad admissions committee.

Important Dates

Event	Date
Programme Announcement	January 14, 2026
Applications Open	January 14, 2026
Applications Close	March 29, 2026
Fee Payment Deadline / Last Date of Admission	March 29, 2026
Orientation Session	April 4, 2026 (Saturday)
1st Term Starts	April 6, 2026 (Monday)

The dates mentioned above are tentative and subject to change.

Eligibility Criteria

Bachelor's degree in Basic Science, Technology, Engineering, Social Sciences, Commerce, or Business from a recognized university.
Basic knowledge of programming (any language) and mathematics (calculus, linear algebra, and probability theory) is required as a prerequisite.
The final decision for admission rests with the IIIT Hyderabad admissions committee.

Admission Process

Visit dfl.iiit.ac.in and create an account (Sign Up).
Complete and submit the online application form.
After application approval, pay the admission fee of INR 29,500 (incl. 18% GST) through the payment portal.
No entrance exam is required; admission is based on the application and eligibility criteria.
The orientation session is on April 4, 2026, and the first term starts on April 6, 2026.

IIIT Hyderabad MS Data Science Scholarships 2026

The MS in Data Science (Online) programme at IIIT Hyderabad does not offer traditional scholarships. However, the programme fee can be paid term-wise, making it financially manageable for working professionals. The programme is self-funded and does not receive government stipends or AICTE scholarships (as it is an online/part-time programme).

Fee Support Options

Fee Support Option	Details
Term-wise Fee Payment	Pay per term (INR 60,000 + GST for Term 1) instead of lump sum
Lump Sum Discount	Pay for complete degree (8 terms) at INR 4,00,000 + GST
Refund Policy	Up to 100% refund available if withdrawal is made before March 14, 2026

No government scholarships or AICTE stipends are available for this online/part-time programme.
The programme is self-funded; students are expected to bear the full cost.
Working professionals may be eligible for employer-sponsored education benefits; students are advised to check with their employers.

IIIT Hyderabad MS Data Science Ranking

Collegedunia Ranking

#15 out of 500 in India 2025

#2nd in Hyderabad

#3 in Telangana

Indiatoday Ranking

#14 out of 269 in India 2025

#1st in Hyderabad

#1 in Telangana

The Week Ranking

#10 out of 286 in India 2025

#1st in Hyderabad

#2 in Telangana

NIRF Ranking

#38 out of 300 in India 2025

#2nd in Hyderabad

#3 in Telangana

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IIIT Hyderabad MS Data Science FAQs

Ques. Is the MS in Data Science from IIIT Hyderabad (online) a valid degree recognized by employers and universities?

Ans. Yes. The MS in Data Science from IIIT Hyderabad is a UGC-entitled degree, meaning it is recognized by the University Grants Commission (UGC) of India. The programme is also NAAC A++ accredited and AICTE approved. The degree certificate is issued by IIIT Hyderabad and is recognized by employers and academic institutions in India and abroad.

Ques. Can I pursue the MS in Data Science (online) while working full-time?

Ans. Yes. The programme is specifically designed for working professionals. It is fully online and self-paced, allowing students to complete coursework at their own schedule. The standard pace is 2 courses per term (3 months), but students can adjust their pace and complete the degree in up to 4 years. There are no fixed class timings; live tutorial sessions are recorded for later viewing.

Ques. What is the difference between the online MS in Data Science and the on-campus MS by Research at IIIT Hyderabad?

Ans. The online MS in Data Science is a coursework-based programme (16 courses, 80 credits) delivered fully online, designed for working professionals. It does not involve research thesis work. The on-campus MS by Research is a research-intensive programme requiring a thesis, conducted on campus with a monthly stipend. The online MS is more suitable for those seeking industry roles, while the MS by Research is better for those interested in academic or research careers.

Ques. What are the elective options available in the MS in Data Science programme?

Ans. Students can choose 5 electives from the following: Computer Vision, Reinforcement Learning, Generative Models, Spatial Informatics, Introduction to NLP, Algorithms for Data Science, Speech Signal Processing, Data Visualization, and Human-Computer Interaction for Data Science. Additional elective courses may be added over time.

Ques. What happens if I fail a course or want to improve my grade in the MS in Data Science programme?

Ans. Students can retake final exams to clear courses or improve grades by paying an additional re-exam fee of INR 2,950 (incl. 18% GST). Assignment re-submissions are also allowed at INR 1,180 (incl. 18% GST) per re-submission. There is no deadline for homework submission, allowing students to work at their own pace.

Ques. What career roles can I pursue after completing the MS in Data Science from IIIT Hyderabad?

Ans. Graduates are prepared for in-demand roles such as Data Scientist, Machine Learning Engineer, AI Specialist, Data Analyst, Business Intelligence Analyst, and Data Engineer. The programme's curriculum covers Python, Machine Learning, Statistical Analysis, Database Management, Data Analytics, and AI techniques, making graduates well-equipped for roles across technology, finance, healthcare, e-commerce, and other data-driven industries.