M.Sc. in Bioinformatics 

at SASTRA University, Thanjavur

The total course fee for the MSc course at SASTRA University ranges between INR 80,000 to INR 2 lakh. Admission to the MSc course is based on merit scores in the last qualifying exam. This course is offered across three specialisations including Biotechnology, Chemistry, Physics and Data Science. Check out the table below for specialisations across MSc along with their minimum eligibility criteria:

MSc Specialisations	Eligibility Criteria
Biotechnology	A pass in BSc (Biotechnology) OR a valid UG degree in relevant field from a recognised university
Chemistry	A pass in BSc (Chemistry) OR a valid UG degree in relevant field from a recognised university
Physics	A pass in BSc (Physics/ Applied Electronics / Industrial Electronics) OR a valid UG degree in relevant field from a recognised university
Data Science	A pass in BSc Mathematics/ Computer Science / BCA OR a valid UG degree in relevant field from a recognised university

There is no such provision for getting direct admission in any courses at SASTRA University. SASTRA University admission is both a merit and entrance exam based on the course for which the candidate has applied. Given below are the eligibility and selection criteria for some of the most opted courses at SASTRA University.

Course Name	Eligibility & Selection Criteria
BTech	Eligibility: A pass in Class 12 with Maths & Physics as compulsory subjects with Chemistry/ Biotechnology/ Computer Science/ Biology with 60% aggregate + Age should be less than 19 Selection: JEE Main + Class 12 scores
BCA	Eligibility: A pass in Class 12 with Mathematics/ Statistics as a subject Selection: Merit in Class 12
Integrated MTech	Eligibility: A pass in Class 12 with Maths & Physics as compulsory subjects with Chemistry/ Biotechnology/ Computer Science/ Biology with 60% aggregate Selection: JEE Main + Class 12 scores
BOptom	Eligibility: A pass in Class 12 in a single sitting with Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Mathematics or Physics, Chemistry, Botany, Zoology from a recognised board with at least 60% aggregate + Age should be less than 20 Selection: NEET + Class 12 scores
BA LLB (Hons)	Eligibility: A pass in Class 12 from a recognised board in the first attempt with at least 50% aggregate with English as a subject Selection: CLAT + Class 12 scores
BBA LB (Hons)	Eligibility: A pass in Class 12 from a recognised board in the first attempt with at least 50% aggregate with English as a subject Selection: CLAT + Class 12 scores
BCom LLB (Hons)	Eligibility: A pass in Class 12 from a recognised board in the first attempt with at least 50% aggregate with English as a subject Selection: CLAT + Class 12 scores
MTech	Eligibility: A pass in relevant BE/ BTech Selection: GATE (preferred, not compulsory)
MBA	Eligibility: A pass in any UG degree Selection: CAT / XAT / AIMAT / CMAT / AIMCAT + Merit scores in UG
PhD	Eligibility: A pass in any PG degree with a 55% aggregate Selection: UGC-NET/ UGC CSIR-NET/ GATE/ UPSC

Selected candidates can register further for the counselling process after submitting the counselling fees; during this round, candidates will be required to report to the admission cell at SASTRA University for document verification and other admission formalities along with fee payment.

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.

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.

The following table compares the average package and students placed details for SASTRA University and VIT Vellore. Students can also take a look at the comparative analysis with Amrita University and SRM University which are the other top competitors:

University/ Institute Name	Average Package (2023)	Total Students/ Students Placed (2023)
SASTRA University	INR 7.60 LPA (median package BTech)	1,806/ 1,617 (BTech)
VIT Vellore	INR 9.23 LPA	14,345 (offers)
Amrita University	INR 8.25 LPA (MBA)	N/A
SRM University	INR 7.58 LPA	8,609 (offers)

The placement rate for BTech and BA LLB/ BCom LLB/ BBA LLB courses has improved over the past three years (2021 to 2023). On the other contrary, the percentage of MTech students placed has declined year-on-year. The following table depicts the SASTRA placement rate trends for Law and Engineering courses:

Course	Placement Rate (2021)	Placement Rate (2022)	Placement Rate (2023)
BTech	87%	88%	90%
MTech	53%	60%	64%
BA LLB/ BCom LLB/ BBA LLB	85%	81%	77%

NOTE: The above percentage is calculated from the data given in the NIRF report 2024.

The SASTRA University CSE average package has not been released. However, the BTech and M.Tech median package has been released, which is tabulated below: 

Course	Median Package (2021)	Median Package (2022)	Median Package (2023)
BTech	INR 6 LPA	INR 7.50 LPA	INR 7.60 LPA
MTech	INR 4 LPA	INR 5.50 LPA	INR 5.50 LPA

NOTE: The above salary details are fetched from the NIRF report 2024.

The University concluded the 2023 placements with 1,617 BTech and 79 M.Tech students placed. The complete insights of SASTRA University placements 2023 are tabulated below:

Particulars	Placement Statistics (2023)
Total students (BTech)	1,806
Students placed (BTech)	1,617
Median package (BTech)	INR 7.60 LPA
Total students (MTech)	124
Students placed (MTech)	79
Median package (MTech)	INR 5.50 LPA
Total students (BA LLB/ BCom LLB/ BBA LLB)	175
Students placed (BA LLB/ BCom LLB/ BBA LLB)	135
Median package (BA LLB/ BCom LLB/ BBA LLB)	INR 4.60 LPA

NOTE: The aforementioned details are collated from the NIRF report 2024.

Sastra University offers a number of hostels for boys and girls. The total annual hostel rent ranges from INR 14,000 - INR 28,000. However, students will be provided accommodation facility depending upon the availability. The university hostel charges include multiple components, such as type of accommodation, mess charges, registration charges, caution money, etc.