BITS Pilani Hyderabad campus is all set to open its doors to foreign students from next year in all their courses, but the number is limited to 50 in the first year.

Later, the other two campuses in Pilani and BITS Goa will also admit foreign students. "This will be strictly for students who have not only Indian passports," said VS Rao, Director of BITS Pilani Hyderabad campus. This is the first time the prestigious bits is allowing foreign students in any campus.

Prof. Rao said the idea is to give an international look for BITS and said global presence in the classroom will bring new perspectives and help indigenous students in critical thinking. The presence of international students and teachers will also help BITS to participate in international rankings. "We offer international quality education and BITS has excellent ecosystem to accommodate them," Prof. Rao said, adding that initially the focus will be on the SAARC countries.

Prof. Rao admitted that some private universities were diluting the rules to increase the presence of foreign students on their campuses, but BITS will stick to its quality. He Hyderabad campus has been chosen and no Pilani campus first given its cosmopolitan culture, the presence of international companies and international facilities in Hyderabad campus.

Foreign students will have to live with students from India in the same shelters. After all they have to understand Indian culture and mentality as most of them end up working in international companies doing business with India, Professor Rao argued. "We are making sure that no more than 15 percent of foreign students are admitted each class."

Admission will be based on the results of the SAT and SAT Subject scores and students need to have at least 75 percent in Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry in over two levels and not less than 60 percent in each all students Supported receive tuition waivers on merit. The course fee is Rs. US $ 6,900 tuition including food, admission fees and excluding hostel fees.