Hyderabad: The International Institute of Information Technology Hyderabad (IIIT Hyderabad) has opened applications for the January 2027 cohort of its revamped Master of Science in Information Technology (MSIT) programme. The Consortium of Institutions of Higher Learning (CIHL) developed the programme with IIIT Hyderabad’s Centre for Educational Technology and Learning Sciences (CETLS). It takes a practice-oriented approach to postgraduate education. It brings together computing foundations, applied research, AI-enabled learning and entrepreneurship.
IIIT-H Director Prof Sandeep Shukla said the programme rests on the idea that students learn best when they put knowledge into practice. He said the institute wants students to build strong foundations in computing and AI and work on real research problems. It also wants them to develop the confidence to take ideas forward, whether in industry or through venture-building. “By bringing together coursework, research experience and venture-building, the programme offers a different kind of postgraduate learning experience,” he said.
The four-semester, full-time residential MSIT programme goes beyond classroom instruction. Students move from building core computing skills to working on applied AI problems in research laboratories. They also develop technology-driven ventures and gain industry experience. IIIT Hyderabad will award the degree.
MSIT programme takes students from foundations to ventures
The first semester builds computing foundations through courses in Learning to Learn with AI Tools, Algorithms and Data Structures, and Computer Systems. In the second semester, students work with faculty and mentors at IIIT Hyderabad’s research centres. They build and deploy applied AI systems, alongside project-focused AI coursework.
The third semester focuses on venture-building. Students form teams to develop working products and business plans around real-world problems. They then pitch them to early-stage VCs for seed funding. In the final semester, students whose ventures secure funding work towards launching their startups. The others undertake a full-time industry co-op, working on production systems with an industry partner.
The programme’s distinctive feature is its emphasis on learning through building and deploying technology. It combines foundational coursework with research-centre experience, venture development and industry engagement. As a result, students get opportunities to work on real problems and take their ideas towards implementation.
The programme is open to graduates with 16 years of formal education who are willing to work with computer science, AI and mathematics. Final-year students awaiting results can also apply. The admission process includes online registration and an aptitude evaluation through GRE, GATE or the MSIT Entrance Examination, as applicable. Shortlisted candidates will then face interviews.
Admissions will run in two cycles. The Cycle I application deadline is November 7, 2026, with the examination on November 11, 2026. The Cycle II application deadline is December 7, 2026, with the examination on December 11, 2026. The institute will announce the final admission list on December 20, 2026, and the programme will begin on January 2, 2027.
The programme is residential and will run at the IIIT Hyderabad campus. The tuition fee is Rs 1.5 lakh per semester. Details and applications are available at www.msit.ac.in.
