Academics
Learn more about the IIT Madras BS Degree in Aeronautics and Space Technology program structure, course structure, assessments, exam cities, fee structure, foundation level courses, diploma level courses and degree level courses.
Overall Structure
The program comprises three levels and a learner has to successfully complete all three levels to get the BS Degree in Aeronautics and Space Technology from IIT Madras.
There is flexibility to exit at any level. Depending on the courses completed and credits earned, the learner can receive a Foundation Certificate from IITM CODE (Centre for Outreach and Digital Education) or Diploma in Aeronautics from IIT Madras or BS Degree in Aeronautics and Space Technology from IIT Madras.
Courses and Credits in Each Level:
Foundation Level: 32 credits | 8 theory courses
Diploma Level: 52 credits | 13 courses + 2 labs + 2 projects (84 cumulative cr)
BS Degree Level: 58 credits | 9 core courses + 1 lab (37 cr) + Electives (21 cr) (142 cumulative cr)
Credits required to be earned to exit with:
Foundation Certificate in Aeronautics: 32 credits
Diploma in Aeronautics: 84 credits
BS in Aeronautics and Space Technology: 142 credits
Completion time for the BS degree: 4 - 8 years
Time period is based on the learner’s preferred pace and performance in assessments. Expected learner engagement will be approximately 15 hours/course/week.
Fees:
Pay only for courses you register in each term! Refer Fee Structure.
Online Courses & Assignments
Duration of each course: 12 weeks – Each week comprises 2–3 hours of videos, practice questions, text transcripts, and graded assignments – everything made available online.
Quizzes & Exams
In-person invigilated quizzes and exams for all courses. Additional assessments as per the grading pattern defined for each course.
Hands-on Campus Labs
Students will travel to IIT Madras for hands-on lab courses at the Diploma and Degree level for specialized experimental training in aerodynamics and structures.
Course Registrations
In each term, a learner may register for a maximum of four theory courses and corresponding lab courses depending on the time they can dedicate to the program. A student doing this program full time is recommended to take 4 courses per term while working professionals and students pursuing any other academic program can take 2 or 3 courses.
Assessments
There are 3 types of assessments for each course:
- Weekly Assignments which are online
- Monthly in-person Quizzes
- In-person End Term Exam
Note: Students are required to travel to the nearest exam center to take the in-person exam.
Students will have to travel to IIT Madras for some of the lab courses at the Diploma and Degree Level.
In addition, assessments may include programming exams, mini projects, vivas, take home assignments, etc.
Exam Cities
The Invigilated Quizzes and End Term exams are conducted in a number of cities spread across India.
Exams are also conducted in centres in some countries such as UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman and Sri Lanka if there are enough students in these places. Learners based out of other countries will be allowed to take up remote proctored exams. Additional Exam Fee will apply for all learners opting to write exams outside India.
The map shows our current Exam Cities List.
If you reside outside India and cannot find a centre in your city / country, please write to ge@study.iitm.ac.in for assistance.
Fee Structure
Each term, pay only for the courses you register for in that specific term.
| Level | Fee per Credit | Number of Credits | Fees to be paid at each level (without any Fee Waiver)* | Total Fees per Level |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Foundation | ₹1,500 | 8 | ₹12,000 | ₹60,000 |
| ₹2,000 | 24 | ₹48,000 | ||
| Diploma | ₹4,000 | 48 | ₹1,92,000 | ₹2,04,000 |
| ₹3,000 | 4 | ₹12,000 | ||
| BS in Aeronautics and Space Technology | ₹6,000 | 58 | ₹3,48,000 | ₹3,48,000 |
| Total Fee for the Entire Program (without any Fee Waiver)* | ₹6,12,000 | |||
*Fee waivers do not apply to students based outside of India.
Institutional Fee Support & Waivers
| Category of Student | Institution Fee Advance / Waiver |
|---|---|
| SC or ST or PwD with >40% disability certificate | 50% |
| EWS or OBC-NCL category with annual family income between 1-5 LPA | 50% |
| SC or ST and PwD with >40% disability certificate | 75% |
| SC or ST or PwD with >40% disability certificate or EWS or OBC-NCL category AND annual family income less than 1 LPA | 75% |
Please note: At the Diploma and degree Levels of the program, a nominal fee may be charged towards additional verification of documents for those wishing to avail program fee waivers or CSR support.
For candidates who are outside India and studying in the program: For candidates writing exams overseas, there will be facilitation fee for exams in addition to the above. The fee will be revisited periodically and revised if necessary.
The term family income for the purpose of availing fee waivers includes the income of the candidate, the income of his/her parents and spouse, also the income of his/her siblings and children below the age of 18 years.
Family income certificate is not required while applying for the Degree program, but will be required to avail fee waiver when joining the program.
Download Family Income Certificate format
OBC-NCL / EWS certificate, if applicable, need to be obtained in following format while applying:
Download OBC-NCL Certificate format
Download EWS Certificate format
Foundation Level
These courses have been chosen to ensure that the learner who passes these successfully is well prepared to proceed to the Diploma level courses. The foundation level courses shall be completed within a minimum of two terms to a maximum of nine terms with intermediate milestones.
Requirements for Registration
Learners who clear the Qualifier Exam are eligible for course registration.
Exemption for JEE-qualified: A learner who has qualified for JEE Advanced 2025 and 2026 need not appear for the qualifier exam and can directly register for courses in the foundation level of the BS in AE program.
Options on Successful Completion
Learners have the following two options when they successfully complete all 8 Foundation level courses:
Exit: The option to exit earlier with a Foundation Certificate in Aeronautics from Centre for Outreach and Digital Education (CODE), IIT Madras.
Proceed to next level: The learner can join the Diploma Level.
8 Theory Courses
32 Credits Total
Flexible Pace
~15 hrs / course / week
₹60,000*
*Refer Fee Structure
| Course Name | Credits | Code | Prerequisites | Corequisites | Actions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| English I | 4 | BSHS1101 | None | None | |
| Math for Electronics I | 4 | BSMA1101 | None | None | |
| English II | 4 | BSHS1102 | BSHS1101 | None | |
| Introduction to C Programming | 4 | BSCS1101 | None | None | |
| Math for Electronics II | 4 | BSMA2101 | BSMA1101 | None | |
| Electronic Systems Thinking and Circuits | 4 | BSEE1101 | None | None | |
| Introduction to Aerospace systems | 4 | BSAS1000 | None | None | |
| Engineering Mechanics | 4 | BSAS1001 | BSMA1101 | None |
Diploma in Aeronautics
Diploma in Aeronautics (52 credits): Includes courses that provide foundational knowledge in mechanics (both fluid and solid) and thermodynamics, along with essential core concepts and basic analytical tools used in aerospace engineering. The diploma level courses shall be completed within a minimum of four terms to a maximum of twelve terms with intermediate milestones.
Progression & Exit Options
Learners have the following options based on the courses completed in this level:
Option 1: Learners who complete all the courses and labs in the foundation and diploma levels with an overall CGPA ≥ 6.0 and a CGPA ≥ 7.0 for the projects within fifteen terms from starting the foundation level can choose to continue to the BS Degree level of the program.
Option 2: Learners may choose to exit with the Diploma in Aeronautics from IIT Madras (84 cumulative credits) if their learning goal has been achieved.
Important: Learners who do not meet these CGPA requirements at the end of the Diploma level will not be allowed to continue to the degree level.
Upgrade to On-Campus Learning
After Diploma, based on tests and interviews conducted, a selected number of students who applied will be offered the option of attending all degree level courses on campus at IIT Madras in person.
Hands-On Physical Labs on IITM Campus
Includes 2 mandatory in-person lab courses conducted at the IIT Madras Aerospace facilities: Aerodynamics Lab (BSAS3011) and Flight Dynamics and Simulation Lab (BSAS3012).
13 Courses + 2 Labs + 2 Projects
52 Credits (84 Cumulative)
Standard Duration
~15 hrs / course / week
₹2,04,000*
*Refer Fee Structure
| Course Name | Credits | Code | Prerequisites | Corequisites | Actions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | BSAS2000 | Foundation | None | ||
| 4 | BSAS2001 | Foundation | None | ||
| 4 | BSAS2002 | Foundation | None | ||
| 4 | BSMA2102 | Foundation | None | ||
| 4 | BSEE2101 | Foundation | None | ||
| 4 | BSAS2003 | Foundation | None | ||
| 2 | BSAS2011 | Foundation | None | ||
| 4 | BSCS2004 | Foundation | None | ||
| 4 | BSAS3001 | BSAS2001 | None | ||
| 4 | BSAS3002 | BSAS2000, BSAS2001 | None | ||
| 4 | BSAS3003 | BSAS3001 | None | ||
|
ON-CAMPUS LAB
Aerodynamics Lab
|
1 | BSAS3011 | BSAS3001 | None | |
|
ON-CAMPUS LAB
Flight Dynamics and Simulation lab
|
1 | BSAS3012 | BSAS3003 | None | |
| 2 | BSAS3004 | BSAS3001, BSAS3002 | None | ||
| 2 | BSAS3005 | BSAS2002 | None | ||
| 2 | BSAS3013 | BSAS3004 | None | ||
| 2 | BSAS3014 | BSAS3005 | None |
BS Degree Level
Only those who finish the Diploma in Aeronautics (32 + 52 = 84 credits) and meet the required CGPA criteria can continue towards getting the BS degree in Aeronautics and Space Technology. There are two options to pursue the courses in the degree level:
In-person on IITM campus: Students who are eligible to enter the degree level can apply for the on-campus option. Based on tests and interviews conducted, a selected number of students who applied will be offered this option of attending all degree level courses on campus at IIT Madras in person. Hostel accommodation will not be provided and students have to make their own arrangements for stay.
Non-Campus / Hybrid mode: Students who cannot come to campus and continue their BS degree or those not selected for the on-campus option can continue in a hybrid mode.
Once the learner successfully completes 142 credits and the course requirements, they will be awarded a BS Degree in Aeronautics & Space Technology from IIT Madras.
9 Core + 1 Lab (37 cr) + Electives (21 cr)
58 Credits (142 Total)
Structures Lab (BSAS4011)
On-Campus Physical Lab
₹3,48,000*
*Refer Fee Structure
Core Courses
These are the core courses in the degree level. It is mandatory for the learner to complete all core courses.
| Course Name | Credits | Code | Prerequisites | Corequisites | Actions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | BSAS4001 | Diploma | None | ||
| 4 | BSAS4002 | Diploma | None | ||
| 4 | BSAS4003 | Diploma | None | ||
| 4 | BSAS4004 | Diploma | None | ||
| 4 | BSAS4005 | Diploma | None | ||
| 4 | BSAS4006 | Diploma | None | ||
|
ON-CAMPUS LAB
Structures Lab
|
1 | BSAS4011 | BSAS4001, BSAS4006 | None | |
| 4 | BSAS4007 | BSAS4002 | None | ||
| 4 | BSMS3033 | Diploma | None | ||
| 4 | BSAS4012 | BSAS4002 | None |
Electives
For BS in Aeronautics and Space Technology, students need to earn a total of 21 credits from given baskets of department and non-department electives. 9 credits should be from department electives. At least 3 of 21 credits should be from Management or Humanities. The remaining 9 credits are open electives. One of the department electives and one non-department elective can be taken through NPTEL and the same will be credited towards the BS Level.
| Course Name | Credits | Code | Prerequisites | Corequisites |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Management / Humanities Elective | 3 | — | Foundation | None |
| Department Electives 1, 2 & 3 | 9 | — | As per respective courses | None |
| Open Electives 1, 2 & 3 | 9 | — | As per respective courses | None |
Total non-CGPA credits that can be transferred
A maximum of 24 credits is permitted in this category, which includes courses taken in person at other institutes approved by the program, credits earned through NPTEL courses (open electives: up to maximum 8 credits out of which HS/MG can be maximum 4 credits).
Sample Certificates
Official degree certificates and diplomas issued by the Indian Institute of Technology Madras. Click any sample to expand high-resolution preview.
BS Degree in Aeronautics & Space Technology
IIT Madras
Diploma in Aeronautics
IIT Madras
Foundation Certificate in Aeronautics
IITM CODECheck the Current Academic Calendar
Access detailed schedules for quiz dates, assignment deadlines, and end-term exam timetables.