GetMyUni's Verdict on Manipal Institute of Technology

Parvathy Krishnakumar

“With a highly diverse student body and ample placement opportunities, Manipal Institute of Technology is one of the top private institutions for Engineering programs. However, the quality of pedagogy and teaching may seem to vary from one course to another.”

Manipal Institute of Technology, Manipal, is among the most reputed and famous private Engineering colleges in the country. The institute provides an excellent platform for students to learn and grow. It is considered as one of the best institutes, along with the IITs and NITs. However, the academic environment is not as competitive as the national institutes, making it easy for students to pursue their hobbies and interests along with their formal education.

Although the students have raised concerns regarding the outdated curriculum and syllabus for some branches in the past according to student's organic reviews online, the overall academic excellence is maintained, if not elevated. Students can explore their career prospects, learn new skills, and improve their knowledge. In other words, the institute allows students to grow academically as well as personally.

Furthermore, Manipal is a small town which is known for its scenic beauty, and it is mainly students who occupy the place. Hence, there are several places around the institute for students to hang out and spend time with their friends during weekends and holidays. Overall, Manipal Institute of Technology is a great place to enjoy a vibrant campus life while obtaining an Engineering degree.

Table of Contents

• Wide Variety of Engineering Programs
• Rarity in Good Professors
• State-of-the-Art Infrastructure
• Diverse Housing Facilities
• Plethora of Co-Curricular Activites
• Plenty of Placement Opportunities
• Overall Impression of Manipal Institute of Technology

Wide Variety of Engineering Programs

Although the institute is considered among the best private institutions for engineering courses, according to student's organic reviews online, the academic curriculum has been said to be outdated, with an irrelevant syllabus in the recent past. However, the institute is committed to making changes and improvements in its curriculum to ensure students have the required knowledge about the relevant matters in their respective fields. 

The institute offers multiple specialisations in Engineering at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels. In addition to that, the institute also offers a postgraduate program in Computer Applications. Following are some of the top courses available at the institute.

• B.Tech in Computer Science & Financial Technology
• B.Tech in Mechanical Engineering
• B.Tech in Civil Engineering
• B.Tech in Electronics & Communication Engineering
• B.Tech in Biomedical Engineering
• B.Tech in Data Science Engineering
• M.Tech in Applied Computational Fluid Dynamics
• M.Tech in Machine Intelligence & Decision Science
• M.Tech in Automobile Engineering
• Master of Computer Applications (MCA).

The institute also offers lateral entry admission to students who have completed 3-year diploma programs. Such students will get direct access to the second year of the B.Tech program in their chosen specialisation.

The institute is committed to providing an enhanced learning experience through its unique pedagogy and is renowned for its academic excellence. However, according to students' reviews on online platforms, the overall quality of education is on the decline, with students getting overburdened with assignments and tests. They also mention that there is a lack of practical learning experience, and almost all the professors are focused more on theoretical knowledge rather than practical experience.

Highly Expensive Course Fees

The course fees for the programs offered by the institute are exorbitant when compared to the other institutions. It varies depending on the category of students, program type, and stream. The fees are supposed to be paid in four installments throughout the course period.

Typically, the total tuition fees for regular B.Tech programs range between INR 13,00,000 and INR 19,00,000. There is less for lateral entry courses, which vary from INR 9,85,000 to INR 15,37,000. The total tuition fees for the 2-year M.Tech programs are lower than those for B.Tech programs. It generally falls between INR 3,60,000 and INR 4,48,000.

The course fees for M.Tech programs are also to be paid in two installments. In addition to the course fees, students are also required to pay a sum of INR 10,000 at the time of admission as a cause deposit. This amount will be refunded after the completion of the courses.

As mentioned above, the course fees vary based on the nationality of students. It is higher for foreign and NRI category students. Although the course fees for the programs are high, the institute provides financial support to its students through scholarships. These merit-cum-means scholarships can waive up to 100% of the tuition fees. Additionally, the institute offers assistance in acquiring student loans for M.Tech programs.

Attendance Policy

According to the rules and regulations of the institute, the students must maintain a minimum attendance of 75% in all subjects. Failure to meet the attendance requirement will result in the student being declared ineligible to write the end-semester examinations. However, for students who are absent due to institute-related reasons, attendance will be condoned.

Rarity in Good Professors

Based on most organic reviews on online platforms, the faculty members at the institute are not up to the mark, and most of the professors treat students differently based on their performance in the examinations. Instead of assisting students who fall behind in academics, the teachers are said to judge these students and put pressure on them.

There are also instances where the professors have been partial towards students from the state. Students have mentioned that the classes taken by most professors are uninteresting and non-engaging, which in turn has adversely affected the student's performance. However, the quality of professors depends on the department.

The faculty members of the Civil Engineering and Mechanical Engineering departments are said to be more liberal. Still, those of the Electronics and Communication Engineering, Electrical and Electronics Engineering, and Computer Science Engineering departments are strict. 

As mentioned above, all teachers are solely focused on marks on paper rather than making sure that all students have earned the required knowledge to sustain themselves in their respective industries. In addition to that, students have said that the teachers are biased towards the localities of the state and tend to explain topics in detail in their mother tongue. This partiality is reflected in the mark allotment, attendance, etc. 

Overall, the teachers at the institute are substandard. Though most of them are adequately educated and experienced, the teaching methods employed are inefficient. The professors are said to be in need of using innovative techniques and including more practical classes as, after all, a career in the engineering field is primarily dependent on practical knowledge.

State-of-the-Art Infrastructure

One of the most appreciated and recognised features of the institute is its excellent infrastructure, which consists of modern facilities. Spread across 188 acres of land, the institute has spacious and well-maintained campus infrastructure. It includes all the necessary facilities to cater to the academic and extracurricular needs of its students. 

The institute has spacious classrooms with updated technology for interactive learning, such as whiteboards, projectors, etc. Although most departments have well-equipped laboratories, there is a lack of the latest facilities and technology in some, which limits the practical learning of students in these fields.

According to the online reviews from students, the condition of some department laboratories is "pathetic" with outdated equipment, which hinders gaining hands-on experience and knowledge.

The institute has multiple libraries with an extensive collection of books and other academic resources. It also holds numerous digital books, journals, and online databases. Yet, there have been instances where students were unable to access the required materials to support their studies and research. However, the libraries have ample seating areas, which allow students to read and study in peace.

The sports complex at the institute consists of various facilities for cricket, football, basketball, badminton, etc. As sports is one of the significant co-curricular activities at the institute, it ensures students have access to the required facilities to help them practice and polish their skills. It also has a decently equipped gymnasium for students to maintain their physical health.

The institute also has multiple canteens/cafeterias that provide different varieties of food and beverages at nominal prices. However, the quality of food available in some cafeterias is not as per the standards, which has caused concern among the students.

In addition to the facilities mentioned above, the institute also has a robust IT infrastructure, which includes high-speed internet connectivity across the campus. While there is Wi-Fi connectivity across the campus, there are issues related to slow internet connection speeds, which can hinder students from accessing online resources.

Another concern among the students was security on campus. Allegedly, there have been issues related to the theft of students' items from the institute. Overall, the institute's infrastructure is modern and well-facilitated, with several areas that require upgradation and maintenance. However, it boasts of its multiple updated technological facilities that can enhance the learning experience of its students.

Diverse Housing Facilities

There are multiple hostel facilities available to the students at the institute. There are separate hostels for boys and girls, and the room allotment is done based on the year of study and budget preferences. There are single rooms and shared rooms with air conditioning available.

Most hostels are located within walking distance of the academic facilities and libraries, which makes it convenient for students. There are separate hostels for postgraduate and NRI students as well.

Even though there are multiple hostels available, there are issues related to overcrowding, especially seen in the older buildings, which limits students from having personal space. Also, students have reported concerns about the conditions of some hostels regarding maintenance, cleanliness, and general hygiene. While some hostels have essential amenities, some lack basic facilities for laundry and hot water supply. 

While postgraduate students are allotted newer hostels with multiple facilities and amenities, the hostel fees are higher than those for undergraduate students. Also, these hostels are located further away from the institute's campus, which makes it difficult for the students to reach their classes on time or access the campus facilities.

Timely meals are served to the students at the hostel mess in the designated dining areas. An additional fee is charged for the food provided by these messes. However, some students have expressed dissatisfaction regarding the quality of food served and the lack of variety. 

Though there are issues regarding the facilities available in the older hostels, students who live in the new hostels are satisfied with the facilities and amenities provided. These hostels are less crowded and have ample space for the students to move around, and there is the availability of laundry services. These are well maintained and regularly cleaned by the staff. Still, the rules and regulations at the newer hostels are more stringent than those of the older ones. 

Besides, the past and present students recommend that aspirants stay in the hostels available at the institute as the overall experience is irreplaceable and enriching. Although there are specific strict rules to be followed, students have the opportunity to interact with students from different cultural backgrounds and exchange their values.

Similar to the tuition fees, the hostel fees at the institute are also higher than those of other institutions in the country. The prices vary based on the room type, sharing, and availability of air conditioning. Generally, the hostel fees for single rooms with attached bathrooms range between INR 1,45,000 and INR 1,82,000. For double occupancy rooms with attached and shared bathrooms, it is between INR 98,500 and INR 1,55,000. The hostel fees are lesser in all hostel blocks for triple occupancy rooms with shared bathrooms, which is INR 94,500. 

Students also have the option to stay in private PGs and apartments available near the institute. As Manipal is predominantly occupied by students, there are multiple apartments available around the campus for different budgets. 

Plethora of Co-Curricular Activites

The institute is popular among students for its wide range of extracurricular activities and student clubs. All students unanimously agree to the fact that MIT offers a brilliant campus experience filled with plenty of opportunities to pursue their interests and hobbies. Students have shared that life at the institute is nothing but "ethereal, sublime, and transcendent". 

The institute has one of the most diverse student bodies in the country, with students from all over the country and abroad. It has various technical and non-technical clubs and societies that organise multiple events and participate in different competitions. Not only do these clubs help students pursue their interests, but they also create a possibility for them to meet like-minded people.

Besides providing good quality education, students have the freedom to explore myriad things at the institute, which can help them mold themselves as good professionals and well-rounded personality. The institute encourages students to be innovative and experimental and to help them excel in their fields of interest, it hosts multiple workshops, fests, hackathons, etc. 

Apart from the cultural and technical aspects, the sports culture at the institute is also wildly engaging and exciting. It has two semi-professional leagues in football and cricket, and there is a highly competitive spirit among the students during these events. Students are given ample time to work on their sports and improve their game.

Along with the on-campus activities, the institute's location is also filled with a variety of activities. As it mainly consists of students, there are several places for students to spend their weekends and holidays with their friends. Overall, the institute offers a great campus life with several opportunities for the students to develop their academic, personal, and professional skills. 

Diversity on Campus

The student body at the institute comprises students from different parts of the country and abroad, making it a highly diverse environment. There is a healthy exchange of cultures, traditions, and languages among the students. They are exposed to various types of people, which can help them improve their interpersonal skills.

Though the ratio of female and male students is imbalanced department-wise, the overall population consists of students from all genders. The general crowd at the institute welcomes and accepts students from all walks of life, which makes it a safe space for students from minority groups. Equal opportunities are provided to all students, irrespective of their background.

Dress Code

There is no defined uniform on campus, but students are expected to maintain a general formal dress code. Boys are required to wear a collared shirt with trousers, shoes, and socks, while girls are allowed to wear either salwar/churidar or trousers with formal shirts. Students are not allowed to wear provocative or inappropriate clothing within the campus premises.

Plenty of Placement Opportunities

As the institute is considered among the top private institutions for Engineering programs, several reputed companies and organisations are keen on hiring students from the institute. These companies visit the institute regularly, which gives a multitude of placement opportunities to the students. Though the placement rate is higher than most private institutions, the salary packages offered are average.

Based on the previous years' records, almost 339 recruiters participated in the placement drive held on campus, and around 92% of the graduates were placed at reputed companies. The highest number of placements were offered to students from B.Tech branches.

The highest salary package offered to students was INR 54.75 LPA, with the median package at INR 8.5 LPA. The average salary package offered to the students was INR 12.59 LPA. In terms of return on investment, some students were disappointed with their salary packages.

Moreover, the institute has an active placement team that works towards inviting relevant and prestigious companies for the drives held on campus. The career counselling cell at the institute helps students prepare for placement interviews and provides the required guidance to impress their recruiters.

Apart from the placement opportunities, the brand value that the institute holds enables students to find internships at prestigious companies during their academic careers, which helps them in their careers to find better opportunities in the future.

Overall Impression of Manipal Institute of Technology

In conclusion, the institute is widely recognised for its variety of programs in the Engineering field. The institute has maintained a particular value in the industry through its promising academic endeavours and vibrant and enriching campus life. MIT is placed closely after the IITs, NITs, and government Engineering colleges.

It is almost guaranteed that students will have an exciting campus life at the institute with its various academic and extracurricular activities. Apart from some drawbacks in the educational infrastructure, the institute also has an extensive, modern infrastructure that caters to the basic needs of its students. 

The placement rate is considerably higher than most of the other institutions and is consistently on the rise every year. This ensures that students will have good career prospects after completing their course.  It must also be noted that the location of the institute is a perfect balance between the rural atmosphere and the young crowd. Therefore, the students will have a brilliant college life even outside the campus.

Some of the pros and cons of the institute are listed below for reference.

*Source: manipal.edu and MIT Manipal Alumni Public & International Relations Facebook