Bachelor of Architecture [B.Arch]
at B.S. Abdur Rahman Crescent Institute of Science & Technology - [BSAU]
About Bachelor of Architecture [B.Arch]
The Bachelor of Architecture (B.Arch) at B.S. Abdur Rahman Crescent Institute of Science and Technology (BSAU), Chennai, is a 5-year full-time undergraduate programme offered through the Crescent School of Architecture, established in 2010 and affiliated with the Council of Architecture (CoA). The programme has a seat intake of 80 seats and a total tuition fee of Rs. 12.5 lakhs for the entire course (Rs. 2.5 lakhs per year). Admission is based on NATA scores and qualifying examination marks. The programme is popular for its strong design-focused curriculum, experienced faculty, and its location in Chennai, a major hub for architecture and construction activity in South India.
Admissions for the 2026-27 academic year are currently open. NATA 2026 Phase 1 exams are being conducted from April 4 to June 13, 2026 (every Friday and Saturday), and Phase 2 is scheduled for August 7-8, 2026. Candidates can apply directly to BSAU through the Crescent School of Architecture website (crescentschoolofarchitecture.com) or the main university admissions portal. Registration for NATA 2026 is open at nata.in.
Key Points
- The Crescent School of Architecture is affiliated with the Council of Architecture (CoA) and offers a CoA-approved B.Arch programme
- Admission is merit-based, combining NATA score and 10+2 qualifying examination marks
- The school offers international study tours (e.g., Bali) as part of its design education experience
- Students have access to well-equipped design studios, model-making labs, and a dedicated architecture library
- Merit scholarships are available for students with 80% and above in 10+2 qualifying examination
BSAU B.Arch Fees
The B.Arch programme at BSAU is a 5-year course with a total tuition fee of Rs. 12.5 lakhs. The annual tuition fee is Rs. 2.5 lakhs, making it a moderately priced private university architecture programme. In addition to tuition, students are required to pay a one-time amenities and service fee at the time of admission. Hostel facilities are available on campus at additional cost.
Fee Structure
| Fee Component | Amount (Per Year) | Total (5 Years) |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition Fee | Rs. 2,50,000 | Rs. 12,50,000 |
| Amenities and Service Fee (one-time) | Rs. 35,000 (one-time) | Rs. 35,000 |
| Other Charges (Exam, Lab, etc.) | Approx. Rs. 8,000 | Approx. Rs. 40,000 |
| Total Fees (excluding hostel) | Approx. Rs. 2,58,000 (Yr 1 incl. one-time) | Approx. Rs. 12,85,000 |
| Hostel Fees - Non AC 4 Sharing (optional) | Approx. Rs. 1,10,000 per year | Approx. Rs. 5,50,000 |
| Hostel Fees - AC 4 Sharing (optional) | Approx. Rs. 1,50,000 per year | Approx. Rs. 7,50,000 |
- Hostel fees are not mandatory; they are charged separately based on room type chosen
- Amenities and Service Fee of Rs. 35,000 is a one-time non-refundable payment at the time of admission
- Tuition fees can be paid semester-wise (two instalments per year)
- Fees are subject to revision each academic year; candidates should verify the latest fee structure from the official BSAU website (crescent.education) at the time of admission
- Refund of fees will be as per UGC norms; all refundable deposits are returned after deductions at the time of course completion or cancellation of admission
BSAU B.Arch Admission 2026
Admission to B.Arch at BSAU is based on merit in NATA (National Aptitude Test in Architecture) and the qualifying examination (10+2). Candidates must have a valid NATA score and meet the minimum eligibility criteria. The 2026 admission season is currently ongoing, with NATA Phase 1 exams running from April 4 to June 13, 2026. Candidates can apply online through the Crescent School of Architecture website or the BSAU admissions portal.
College Admission Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| BSAU B.Arch Admissions Open | Ongoing (2026) |
| Online Application at BSAU | Available at crescentschoolofarchitecture.com |
| Counselling / Merit List | June - July 2026 (Tentative) |
| Batch Commencement | August 2026 (Tentative) |
Entrance Exam Dates
| Exam | Event | Date |
|---|---|---|
| NATA 2026 | Registration Opens | March 2026 |
| NATA 2026 | Phase 1 Exam | April 4 - June 13, 2026 (Every Friday and Saturday) |
| NATA 2026 | Result (Phase 1) | Within 7 days of each exam |
| NATA 2026 | Phase 2 Exam | August 7 and 8, 2026 |
| JEE Main Paper 2 (B.Arch) Session 2 | Registration | February 1 - February 25, 2026 |
| JEE Main Paper 2 (B.Arch) Session 2 | Exam Date | April 2 - 9, 2026 |
| JEE Main Paper 2 (B.Arch) Session 2 | Result | April 20, 2026 |
Note: BSAU accepts NATA as the primary entrance exam for B.Arch. JEE Main Paper 2 scores may also be considered.
The dates mentioned above are tentative and subject to change.
Eligibility Criteria:
- Candidates must have passed 10+2 (HSC/CBSE/ISC or equivalent) with a minimum aggregate of 50% marks in Mathematics, Physics, and Chemistry
- English must be one of the subjects in the qualifying examination
- Candidates must have a valid NATA score (minimum pass score as prescribed by CoA)
- Age limit: Date of birth should be between January 2003 and December 2008 (as per BSAU norms)
Admission Process:
- Register and appear for NATA 2026 at nata.in
- Apply online at crescentschoolofarchitecture.com or admissions.crescent.education
- Submit application with NATA scorecard, 10+2 mark sheet, and other required documents
- Attend counselling/merit-based selection process conducted by BSAU
- Pay admission fee and complete document verification upon selection
- Report to the Crescent School of Architecture, Vandalur, Chennai for enrolment
BSAU B.Arch Scholarships 2026
BSAU offers merit-based scholarships for B.Arch students based on their 10+2 qualifying examination performance. Additionally, minority scholarships and government scholarships are available for eligible students. The merit scholarship significantly reduces the financial burden for high-achieving students and is renewable each year subject to maintaining a minimum CGPA.
Scholarship Details
| Scholarship | Eligibility | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Merit Scholarship (B.Arch) | 10+2 marks 80% and above | Rs. 50,000 per year |
| Merit Scholarship (B.Arch) | 10+2 marks 60% - 79.99% | Rs. 25,000 per year (approx.) |
| Minority Scholarship (Muslim/Christian) | Minority community students | Approx. Rs. 30,000 per year |
| Post-Matric Scholarship (Central Govt.) | SC/ST students; income below Rs. 2.5 lakh per annum | Tuition fee + maintenance allowance as per norms |
| Tamil Nadu Government BC/MBC Scholarship | BC/MBC students; income below Rs. 2 lakh per annum | Tuition fee reimbursement + maintenance allowance |
- Merit scholarship is renewable each year subject to maintaining a minimum CGPA of 7.5 in semester examinations
- Minority scholarship is particularly relevant given BSAU's minority institution status (Muslim minority institution)
- Government scholarships (BC/MBC, SC/ST) are processed through the Tamil Nadu government scholarship portal
- Students should apply for scholarships at the beginning of each academic year with required income and community certificates
- Scholarship amounts are subject to revision; candidates should verify the latest details from the BSAU admissions office
BSAU B.Arch Placement 2026
Placement Details
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Placement Opportunities | B.Arch is a professional degree and most graduates either pursue independent practice, join architecture firms, or appear for government architecture exams. Campus placements for architecture are limited compared to engineering, as the profession typically requires practical training and licensure. However, BSAU's Crescent School of Architecture has industry connections and some firms do visit for recruitment. |
| Median Salary | The median salary for B.Arch graduates from BSAU is approximately Rs. 2.7 LPA for entry-level positions. |
According to an external review site Ranking 2026, BS Abdur Rahman University ranks 185 out of 200 colleges in India and 30 in state Tamil Nadu for its B.Arch program.
- 40 out of 40 under NIRF Architecture Ranking 2024.
Read more on BS Abdur Rahman University Rankings here
BSAU B.Arch FAQs
Ques. Does BSAU's B.Arch programme have CoA approval? Is the degree valid for registration as an architect?
Ans. Yes, the Crescent School of Architecture is affiliated with and approved by the Council of Architecture (CoA), India. The B.Arch degree from BSAU is valid for registration with the CoA as a licensed architect in India, provided the candidate completes the mandatory 2-year practical training (Architectural Assistantship) after graduation.
Ques. Is NATA the only entrance exam accepted for B.Arch at BSAU, or are JEE Main Paper 2 scores also considered?
Ans. NATA is the primary and mandatory entrance exam for B.Arch admission at BSAU. The official admission policy states that selection is based on NATA score and 10+2 qualifying examination marks. JEE Main Paper 2 scores may be considered as an alternative, but candidates are advised to confirm this directly with the BSAU admissions office before applying.
Ques. How many attempts can I take for NATA 2026, and does BSAU consider the best score?
Ans. NATA 2026 is conducted in multiple sessions (Phase 1: April-June 2026, Phase 2: August 2026). Candidates can attempt Phase 1 multiple times (each Friday/Saturday session is a separate attempt), but candidates who have attempted Phase 1 are not eligible for Phase 2. BSAU typically considers the best valid NATA score for merit-based selection.
Ques. What is the typical NATA score required for admission to B.Arch at BSAU?
Ans. While BSAU does not publish official cutoff scores, based on past trends and the competitive nature of architecture admissions in Chennai, candidates with NATA scores of 100 and above (out of 200) combined with good 10+2 marks generally have a strong chance of admission. The actual cutoff varies each year based on the applicant pool.
Ques. Are there placement opportunities for B.Arch graduates from BSAU? Do architecture firms visit the campus?
Ans. B.Arch is a professional degree and most graduates either pursue independent practice, join architecture firms, or appear for government architecture exams. Campus placements for architecture are limited compared to engineering, as the profession typically requires practical training and licensure. However, BSAU's Crescent School of Architecture has industry connections and some firms do visit for recruitment. The median salary for B.Arch graduates from BSAU is approximately Rs. 2.7 LPA for entry-level positions.
Ques. Can I pursue M.Arch after completing B.Arch from BSAU? Does BSAU offer M.Arch as well?
Ans. Yes, BSAU offers a Master of Architecture (M.Arch) programme through the Crescent School of Architecture. After completing B.Arch, graduates can apply for M.Arch at BSAU or other institutions. Admission to M.Arch typically requires a valid GATE score (Architecture and Planning paper) or performance in institution-level entrance tests. Pursuing M.Arch opens doors to specialised roles in urban design, interior architecture, and academia.