Integrated B.Tech. + M.Tech. in Biotechnology 

at SASTRA University, Thanjavur

At the undergraduate level, this deemed University offers BTech across 30 specialisations along with Integrated MTech across two specialisations. Spread over four years and eight semesters, admission to BTech is possible at SASTRA Deemed University via two methods:

Stream 1: JEE Mains + Class 12 marks (50% weightage given to each), for admission to 50% of the total seats

Stream 2: Class 12 marks (100% weightage), for admission to the remaining 50%

The following qualifications must be met by the students to secure admission to BTech at Sastra:

• Candidates must have obtained 60% aggregate in their Class 12 with Physics, Maths, Chemistry, Biotechnology, Computer Science, and Biology from a recognised board.
• Taken JEE Main exam

The total BTech fee at SASTRA University for the entire course ranges between INR 50,000 and INR 7.7 Lakh. The exact amount varies across the BTech branches/specialisations. Additionally, candidates have to pay a one-time fee of INR 17,000 at the time of admission. This fee includes various components like development fee, charges for ID card, marks verfication, sports, etc. Candidates must note that this fee is sourced from the official website of the institute/sanctioning body. It is still subject to change and hence, is indicative.

Candidate should have passed Class 12 with Maths Physics and Chemistry/ Bio-Technology/ Computer Science/ Biology as their subjects from any recognised Board with a minimum aggregate of 60%. The total course fee for the BTech course ranges between INR 4.7 lakhs to INR 7.7 lakhs. SASTRA University offers BTech across 23 specialisations along with integrated MTech across two specialisations. Spread over four years and eight semesters, admission to all these courses is subject to JEE Main scores for 70% of the seats and is subject to Class 12 scores for the remaining 30% of the seats.

At the undergraduate level, this deemed University offers BTech across 30 specialisations along with Integrated MTech across two specialisations. Admission to all these courses is subject to JEE Main scores for 50% of the seats and is subject to Class 12 scores for the remaining 50% of the seats. The application process for all these courses is conducted via online mode only. Integrated candidates can visit the official website of the deemed university, apply online and pay the application fee. The total fee for all BTech courses, BTech Lateral Entry courses and Integrated BTech courses ranges between INR 4.72 Lacs and INR 7.71 lakh. Those who are interested in pursuing a BTech degree from SASTRA University can apply online on the university's website. The application deadline for the academic year 2023 was Jun 24. Read more about BTech at Sastra University. 

As per the data collated from various unofficial sources and NIRF report 2023, the total tuition fee of INR 6 Lacs for its complete BTech course gives students the opportunity to get a median salary of INR 7.5 LPA. Hence, with respect to ROI, it can be considered a decent option. Additionally, for Engineering courses, the deemed university comes under the top 50 institutes in India (by NIRF, Ministry of Education, which makes again makes it a decent option among students. NIRF ranking for SASTRA for the Engineering category has dropped over the past three years. Ranking trends for BTech at SASTRA Seemed-to-be University are as follows:

Ranking Body	2021	2022	2023
NIRF	34	41	34

Admission to all the BTech courses is subject to JEE Main scores and Class 12 scores(given equal weightage) for 50% of the seats and is subject to Class 12 scores for the remaining 50% of the seats. However, as per the official website, there is no fixed or specific cutoff to get a seat here. It depends on the students who score the highest marks. If a student has appeared for JEE Main then they need to apply under stream 1 of admission. Additionally, as per the data available on the internet, if a student has a score of 90-95% in Class 12 and 50-120 in JEE Main, there is a high possibility of getting admission.

{Source: M.E./M.Tech students & alumni}

Based on the reviews and feedback from current students and alumni, here's a summary of the pros and cons:

Infrastructure and Facilities:
* Well-maintained infrastructure, with good labs and library facilities
* Availability of Wi-Fi throughout the campus
* Clean and green surroundings
* Decent hostel facilities, though some complain about poor food and limited space

Teaching Quality:
* Faculty members are experienced and knowledgeable in their fields
* Encouragement towards practical learning and research
* Good balance between theoretical and practical education

Placements and Internship:
* High placement rates, with several students getting offers from reputed companies
* Core-based jobs are relatively fewer, with most being IT-related
* Average salary packages range from INR4-INR5 Lacs per annum
* Fewer internships available compared to other universities

Criticisms and Suggestions:
* Some students report poor food options in the hostel and canteen
* Limited social events and festivals organized by the college
* Some faculty members may not be up-to-date with the latest developments in their fields

Overall, M.E./M.Tech at SASTRA University seems to be a good choice for those interested in pursuing a career in engineering. While there are some areas for improvement, the university's strong faculty, good infrastructure, and decent placement record make it a viable option.

The SASTRA University highest package is not available officially. Once the University reveals the salary details it will be updated here. Meanwhile, the course-wise median package offered to the 2023 passing-out batch is mentioned below:

Course	Median Package (2023)
BTech	INR 7.60 LPA
MTech	INR 5.50 LPA
BA LLB/ BCom LLB/ BBA LLB	INR 4.60 LPA

NOTE: The above salary statistics are gathered from the NIRF report 2024.

SASTRA University usually concludes the application for most of its courses between April and August. Candidates seeking admission at SASTRA University must complete their application process within the given time frame. Candidates who fulfil the eligibility criteria for the programme they have applied for will be shortlisted for further admission rounds followed by document verification and fee payment leading to final seat allotment.

While Shanmugha Arts, Science, Technology and Research Academy (SASTRA) offers a wide range of courses to students, it is most popular for its BTech, MTech, BSc, MSc, MBA, Integrated Law and PhD programmes. These courses are popular since they are available in a variety of subjects and specialisations. Other than the availability of specialisations, these courses are also affordable and flexible, which makes them a good choice for students who want to study at their own pace. Mentioned below are some of the reasons why Sastra University courses are popular:

• Flexibility: Sastra University provides a variety of learning modes, such as regular, online, distance learning, and correspondence. This makes it possible for the students to study from anywhere in the world at their own pace.
• Affordability: Apart from MTech, a majority of Sastra University courses are very affordable, making it possible for students from all backgrounds to pursue them.

Other than these factors, the reputation of the university, its strong faculty and state-of-the-art facilities makes it a popular choice among students.