Shiv Nadar University Chennai : Admission 2026, Cutoff, Courses, Fees, Placement, Ranking
SNU Chennai has a clear admission process based on merit, which is applied to undergraduate, postgraduate, MBA and PhD programmes. Undergraduate candidates should have successfully finished 10+2 with the necessary percentage and be eligible through Shiv Nadar University Entrance Examination or through national exams like JEE Main, CLAT or LSAT depending on the course. The university also interviews for a few humanities and economics courses. Applicants to postgraduate programmes, including MBA should have a recognised bachelor's degree with minimum marks and have to pass national entrance exams like CAT, MAT, XAT or the university based test. The MBA curriculum focuses on industry based skills and leadership development.
Doctoral admissions are based on academic qualifications, research proposals, performance in written tests and interviews. Research is affordable to full time PhD scholars who receive fellowships, contingency grants and free accommodation in the hostels.
Scholarships are central with Merit Scholarships being given to students on the basis of their entrance exams, Merit-cum-Means Scholarships being given to students on the basis of their academic performance and special provisions to continuing students. The admission procedure at SNU Chennai is fair and academic and financially supportive which allows students with different backgrounds to access higher education and research.
UG Admission Process at Shiv Nadar University Chennai
Shiv Nadar University Chennai admission has a strict and open procedure for its undergraduate programmes in Engineering, Commerce, Humanities and Law. The criteria used to give admission are primarily academic merit and entrance performance. The applicants should have done Class 12 with a minimum of 60 per cent marks; in B. Tech, PCM is mandatory. In most of the UG courses, the candidates are required to take the Shiv Nadar University Chennai Entrance Examination which is conducted in several stages in the major cities. There are also limited B.Tech seats under the JEE Main score track where at least the 90 percentile is required to have a direct interview.
It begins with the online application, submission of all the necessary documents and the reservation of a slot with SNUCEE. Shortlisted candidates are invited to a personal interview with faculty panels after the exam, which guarantees a comprehensive assessment of candidates beyond test scores. The successful candidates receive a provisional offer of admission via email pending verification of original documents and meeting of eligibility requirements.
Shiv Nadar University Chennai provides various types of scholarships such as Merit, Merit-cum-Means, Walk-in- Walk-out and Sports Scholarships to assist the deserving students and ensure a healthy, competitive and inclusive admission atmosphere.
PG Admission Process at Shiv Nadar University Chennai
Shiv Nadar University Chennai has a broad range of M.Tech programmes in Artificial Intelligence and Data Science, Computer Science, Energy Systems, VLSI Design, Wireless Communication and others. The admission criteria focus on good academic backgrounds and industry-prepared skills.
The applicants should have a B.E./B. Tech in a recognised institution with a minimum of 60 per cent aggregate marks. Final year students can also apply provided they attain the required marks on completion. The process of selection includes two steps: an entrance test and a personal interview with faculty panels.
Professional workers are highly welcome to apply, particularly those who have experience in CSE, IT, AI or other areas. The university is flexible and the students have the opportunity to do industry collaborated projects and receive credits through MOOCs, NPTEL or SWAYAM courses in the second year.
Depending on the university norms candidates who have a valid GATE score can be offered scholarships. The initial two semesters of the M.Tech programme are campus based. This standardised mode offers strict academic training prior to students moving to applied research and industry projects.
MBA Admission Process at Shiv Nadar University Chennai
Shiv Nadar University Chennai has a 2 year residential MBA programme in its School of Management, which is a rigorous course combining both academic and industry practice. The process of admission starts with the applicants satisfying the academic eligibility requirements: a minimum of 60 per cent marks in Class 10, Class 12 and undergraduate studies in a recognised 10 + 2 + 3 or 10 + 2 + 4 format. Applicants are required to pass national examinations including CAT, XAT, CMAT, MAT, ATMA or NMAT or state level examinations including TANCET, ICET, KMAT, PGCET and MAH MBACET. For international applicants GMAT scores may be accepted in place of national admission tests. Applicants who have 12+ months of relevant work experience are allowed up to a 10 percentile relaxation in test score requirements.
The shortlisted candidates go through a process of selection that includes Group Discussion, Essay Appreciation and Personal Interview. These are done online first and then campus review meetings. The final admission is done on a rank list which takes into account academic record, test scores, GD, essay and interview performance.
The MBA programme is residential, which is compulsory and promotes peer learning, interpersonal skills and holistic development. Merit, Merit-cum-Means, Walk-in- Walk-out and Sports Scholarships are some of the scholarships that help deserving students.
PhD Admission Process at Shiv Nadar University Chennai
Shiv Nadar University Chennai has PhD programmes in Engineering, Science and Humanities, Commerce and Management, which are aimed at encouraging advanced research and innovation. The applicants should have a Master's degree in the concerned field with a minimum of 60% marks or a CGPA of 6.5/10 and all the previous degrees must be through full-time and formal education. In the case of a Direct PhD in Engineering, the candidate should have completed his/her UG degree within 5 years, should have a CGPA of 8.5 and have no arrears.
The university offers three enrollment modes. Full Time PhD program accepts qualified candidates directly, sponsored employees of their employers, teachers sponsored by AICTE, teachers sponsored by national fellowships, and foreign students on exchange programs. Part-Time PhD program is accessible to teaching faculty of established colleges and professionals in industries, R and D units or national laboratories as long as they are employer sponsored. The Direct PhD which is provided by the School of Engineering is open to outstanding UG degree holders whose research aptitude is high and therefore they save almost a year of the conventional Master's plus PhD path.
The admissions process starts with the online submission of the application, and then a two-hour computer-based entrance examination. The shortlisted candidates undergo a personal interview, and the final offers are dispatched through email after the eligibility checks. PhD students are provided with monthly fellowships (INR 20,000-30,000), an annual contingency allowance of INR 25,000 and free/shared hostel accommodation, which provides them with an accessible and meaningful research experience.
The main admission test of undergraduate programs is the Shiv Nadar University Chennai Entrance Examination which guarantees a merit-based and fair procedure. It is a compulsory requirement in most UG courses, and is done in several phases in major cities. The minimum qualification of the applicants is a Class 12 with a minimum of 60 per cent marks, and PCM is essential for B.Tech. Limited B.Tech seats can also be obtained via the JEE Main track, where direct interviews are only considered upon 90 percentile.
The test lasts two hours and is split into two sections:
Part A - Aptitude Test (45 minutes, 100 marks)
Part B - Subject Matter Test (75 minutes, 100 marks)
Negative marking is used in case of wrong answers.
Part B in the case of Engineering streams includes:
Maths (60%)
Physics (20%, compulsory)
Chemistry (20%)
In Non-Engineering streams like Commerce and Economics, the candidates choose subjects among:
Group A (select one): Accountancy, Economics, Physics (40%)
Group B (select two): Maths, Commerce, Computer Science, General Studies (30% each).
General Studies consists of Maths (10th standard), English, Sociology, Political Science, and Psychology. The admission is done on the basis of Class 12 marks, SNUCEE performance, and a personal interview.
JEE-Based Admission in SNU Chennai
Shiv Nadar University Chennai has a very limited number of seats to be admitted by the JEE Main track. Candidates who have attained at least 90 percentile in JEE Main are only allowed under this route. Students who reach this threshold can be invited to an interview directly, without passing through the entrance exam of the university itself. The institute has made it clear that the only acceptable scores are those of 90 percentile and above in JEE Main, and the applicant is required to fill in their percentile score in the section of Academic Details in the online application form.
The number of seats offered under this route is very low, and therefore the university highly advises that even the students with a score in the JEE Main above 90 percentile should also take the SNUCEE exam to increase their chances of admission. The final selection will be done on the basis of the interview performance and verification of eligibility, and the offer will be made through email.
Exams Accepted for MBA Admission by SNU Chennai (2026)
School of Management at Shiv Nadar University offers a 2 year residential MBA program that combines intensive academics and industry practice. It is admitted through performance in accepted management entrance exams.
National-Level Exams
- CAT (Common Admission Test)
- XAT (Xavier Aptitude Test)
- CMAT (Common Management Admission Test)
- MAT (Management Aptitude Test)
- ATMA (AIMS Test of Management Admission)
- NMAT (Narsee Monjee Aptitude Test)
State-Level Exams
TANCET (Tamil Nadu Common Entrance Test)
ICET (Integrated Common Entrance Test of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana)
KMAT (Kerala Management Aptitude Test)
PGCET (Karnataka Post Graduate Common Entrance Test)
MAH MBACET (Maharashtra MBA Common Entrance Test)
International Applicants
GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test)
Key Notes
Work Experience Benefit: Applicants who have 12+ months of relevant work experience can have up to 10 percentile relaxation in test score requirements.
Selection Process: The shortlisted candidates are subjected to Group Discussion, Essay Appreciation, and Personal Interview (online and campus review).
Final Admission: According to a rank list of academic record, test scores, GD, essay and interview performance.
Frequently Asked Questions
UG admissions need Class 12 with a minimum of 60 per cent marks. In the case of B.Tech, PCM subjects are compulsory. The majority of UG applicants are required to pass the SNUCEE entrance exam, with a few seats offered through JEE Main (90 percentile or above). Applicants to law can use CLAT/LSAT. The shortlisted candidates are invited to a personal interview, and a provisional admission offer is made.
The candidate must have 60% aggregate in B.E./B.Tech. Selection is done through a university entrance test and then a faculty interview. Final year students and working professionals are eligible. Scholarships can be provided to candidates who have valid GATE scores.
In the case of an MBA, the applicants should possess a good academic background (60% in Class 10, 12, and UG). It is admitted on the basis of CAT, XAT, CMAT, MAT, ATMA, NMAT or state exams such as TANCET, ICET, KMAT, PGCET and MAH MBACET. Applicants of international origin may use GMAT scores. The shortlisted candidates are subjected to Group Discussion, Essay Appreciation and Personal Interview.
PhD candidates must have a Master's degree with 60 per cent marks or a CGPA of 6.5/10. Exceptional UG graduates (CGPA 8.5, no arrears) can take a Direct PhD in Engineering. Admission entails online application, a two-hour computer-based test and a personal interview. Chosen scholars are given monthly fellowships (INR 20,000-INR 30,000), contingency grant and free hostel accommodation.
SNU Chennai has various scholarships: Merit Scholarships (depending on performance in entrance exams) Merit-cum-Means Scholarships (academic + financial need) Walk-in Walk-out Scholarships (100% waiver of top 10 board exam rankers) Sports Scholarships (partial/full waiver for national/international achievers)