Bachelor of Engineering [B.E] {Hons.} {Lateral} Computer Science and Engineering (Cloud Computing)
Accepted entrance exams
Fees
Fees at Chandigarh University for the Bachelor of Engineering (BE) in Computer Science and Engineering program are structured on a semester basis. The tuition fee is Rs. 106,000 per semester, with an additional examination fee of Rs. 2,500 and a refundable security fee of Rs. 2,000, making the yearly cost approximately Rs. 216,000. The university implements a yearly fee hike, increasing tuition fees for subsequent batches, though fees remain constant for students once enrolled.
Chandigarh University offers multiple scholarship opportunities, including the CUCET, which can provide waivers from 10% to 100% depending on performance. Scholarships are also available based on 12th-grade marks and JEE Main scores, with a prerequisite to maintain a CGPA of 7.5 to ensure continued scholarship eligibility. Moreover, various financial assistance options, including student loans, are available to aid in managing tuition costs.
About Bachelor of Engineering [B.E] {Hons.} {Lateral} Computer Science and Engineering (Cloud Computing)
The B.E. (Hons.) {Lateral Entry} in Computer Science and Engineering (Cloud Computing) at Chandigarh University (CU), Mohali is a 3-year full-time undergraduate program (program code: CS214) offered under the Apex Institute of Technology (AIT), developed in collaboration with IBM and supported by AWS Academy. The program spans 6 semesters with a semester fee of INR 1,63,500, and is designed to train students in cloud architecture, DevOps, containerisation, cloud security, and enterprise cloud solutions. Admission is through CUCET (Chandigarh University Common Entrance Test), and the program is popular among diploma holders seeking a specialised, industry-backed cloud computing degree with IBM and AWS certifications.
Admissions for the 2026-27 academic session are currently ongoing. CUCET Phase 1 registration closes on 30th April 2026, and Phase 2 registration opens from 1st May 2026. Students are advised to apply early to avail higher scholarship amounts available in Phase 1.
Key Points
- Lateral entry allows diploma holders and B.Sc. graduates to directly join the 2nd year of the B.E. program, saving one year compared to the regular 4-year route.
- The program is developed in collaboration with IBM, with curriculum inputs from IBM practitioners and access to IBM-sponsored labs and tools.
- AWS Academy integration provides hands-on training on AWS cloud platforms, with access to globally recognised AWS certifications at discounted rates.
- Students work on individualised cloud projects on live AWS platforms as part of the curriculum.
- The program is offered under the Apex Institute of Technology (AIT), CU's exclusive industry-sponsored institute, which focuses on IBM, TCS, and other industry-collaborated programs.
- Flexible Choice Based Credit System (FCBCS) with more than 70 open electives allows students to customise their learning path.
- Graduates are eligible for roles in cloud engineering, DevOps, cloud security, solutions architecture, and cloud consulting.
CU BE CSE Cloud Computing Lateral Fees
Course Fees
| Fee Component | Amount (INR) |
|---|---|
| Tuition Fee (per semester) | ₹1,63,500 |
| Tuition Fee (6 semesters) | ₹9,81,000 |
| Examination Fee (per semester) | ₹2,000 |
| Examination Fee (6 semesters) | ₹12,000 |
| Caution/Security Deposit (one-time) | ₹2,000 |
| Total Fees (excluding hostel) | ₹9,95,000 |
Hostel Fees (Optional, per year, includes meals)
| Room Type | Annual Fee (INR) |
|---|---|
| 5 Seater Non-AC | ₹1,20,000 |
| 4 Seater Non-AC | ₹1,35,000 |
| 3 Seater Non-AC | ₹1,50,000 |
| 3 Seater AC | ₹1,80,000 |
| 4 Seater AC (Girls only) | ₹1,65,000 |
| 5 Seater AC (Boys only) | ₹1,50,000 |
| 2 Seater AC (Boys only) | ₹2,08,000 |
| 1 Seater AC (Boys only) | ₹2,20,000 |
- The caution/security deposit of INR 2,000 is refundable at the time of leaving the university, subject to no dues.
- Hostel fees are optional and not included in the total course fees above.
- Hostel fees are subject to an annual increase of INR 2,000 per year for domestic students.
- Education loan facility is available through associated banks with easy EMI options.
- Loans up to INR 7.5 lakh are available without any security.
- Fee can be paid semester-wise at the time of each semester registration.
CU BE CSE Cloud Computing Lateral Admission 2026
Chandigarh University B.E. (Hons.) CSE (Cloud Computing) Lateral Entry Admission Dates 2026-27
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| CUCET Phase 1 Registration Start | October 2025 |
| CUCET Phase 1 Registration End | 30th April 2026 |
| CUCET Phase 2 Registration Start | 1st May 2026 |
| CUCET Phase 2 Registration End | End of Admission Season (July 2026) |
| CUCET Exam (Ongoing, Computer-Based) | October 2025 - July 2026 (Multiple slots available) |
| Merit List / Result Declaration | Within a few days of appearing in CUCET |
| Counselling and Seat Allotment | May - July 2026 (Rolling basis) |
| Batch Commencement | August 2026 (Tentative) |
- CUCET is conducted in multiple phases throughout the year.
- Students can choose their preferred exam date and slot at the time of registration.
- Admission is offered on a rolling basis as long as seats are available.
The dates mentioned above are tentative and subject to change.
Eligibility Criteria
- Three-year Diploma in any stream of Engineering / Technology with at least 60% marks from a recognised Board / University.
- OR Passed B.Sc. Degree from a recognised University (as defined by UGC) with at least 60% marks, and also passed 10+2 examination with Mathematics as a subject.
- In case of deficient prerequisites, bridge courses need to be completed as specified by the equivalence committee.
Admission Process
- Register on the CUCET portal at cucet.cuchd.in with basic details.
- Choose a preferred date and slot for the CUCET examination (computer-based test).
- Appear for CUCET; the result is declared shortly after the exam.
- Based on CUCET score, merit-based scholarships are awarded automatically.
- Submit the admission application along with required documents (diploma/B.Sc. marksheets, 10+2 certificate, etc.) and pay the semester fee to confirm the seat.
- Lateral entry students are directly admitted to the 2nd year (3rd semester) of the B.E. program.
CU BE CSE Cloud Computing Lateral Scholarships 2026
Scholarship Details
| Scholarship | Eligibility | Amount/Benefit |
|---|---|---|
| CUCET Scholarship (Phase 1: Oct 2025 - Apr 2026) | Score 90.01-100 in CUCET | 100% of semester fee (INR 1,63,500) |
| CUCET Scholarship (Phase 1) | Score 80-90 in CUCET | 50% of semester fee (INR 81,750) |
| CUCET Scholarship (Phase 1) | Score 70-79.99 in CUCET | 40% of semester fee (INR 65,400) |
| CUCET Scholarship (Phase 1) | Score 60-69.99 in CUCET | 30% of semester fee (INR 49,050) |
| CUCET Scholarship (Phase 1) | Score 50-59.99 in CUCET | 25% of semester fee (INR 40,875) |
| CUCET Scholarship (Phase 1) | Score 40-49.99 in CUCET | 15% of semester fee (INR 24,525) |
| CUCET Scholarship (Phase 2: May 2026 onwards) | Score 90.01-100 in CUCET | 50% of semester fee |
| CUCET Scholarship (Phase 2) | Score 80-90 in CUCET | 40% of semester fee |
| CUCET Scholarship (Phase 2) | Score 70-79.99 in CUCET | 30% of semester fee |
| Merit Scholarship (Based on Diploma marks) | 90% and above in Diploma | 50% of semester fee |
| Merit Scholarship (Based on Diploma marks) | 85-89.99% in Diploma | 20% of semester fee |
| Merit Scholarship (Based on Diploma marks) | 80-84.99% in Diploma | 10% of semester fee |
| Defence Personnel Ward Scholarship (AFEWS) | Wards/spouse of defence personnel | 20% fee concession |
| Single Girl Child Concession | Single girl child | 20% concession on yearly fee |
| Sibling Concession | One sibling studying at CU simultaneously | 10% concession on yearly fee |
| Teacher's Ward Concession | Wards of government school/college teachers | 10% concession on yearly fee |
| CGPA-Based Scholarship | 9.0 CGPA or above (not availing other scholarship) | 10% of semester fee |
- CUCET scholarship slabs differ between Phase 1 (Oct 2025 - Apr 2026) and Phase 2 (May 2026 onwards); Phase 1 offers significantly higher scholarship amounts.
- For lateral entry programs, merit scholarship is based on diploma marks (not Class 12 marks).
- Scholarships are renewable annually subject to maintaining a minimum 7.5 CGPA with no E, F, or I grades in any semester.
- A student cannot avail multiple scholarships simultaneously.
- For scholarship-related queries, contact scholarships@cumail.in.
CU BE CSE Cloud Computing Lateral FAQs
Ques. What is the IBM collaboration in this program? Does IBM actually teach or just lend its name?
Ans. The IBM collaboration in this program is substantive. The curriculum is co-designed with IBM practitioners, and students have access to IBM-sponsored labs and tools throughout the program. IBM industry experts conduct sessions, workshops, and training as part of the curriculum. Students also benefit from IBM's software ecosystem and get exposure to IBM Cloud, IBM Watson, and related enterprise technologies. The collaboration is not merely a branding exercise; it directly influences the course content, delivery, and the certifications students can earn.
Ques. What is the role of AWS Academy in this program, and what AWS certifications can students earn?
Ans. AWS Academy is integrated into the curriculum to provide hands-on training on Amazon Web Services cloud platforms. Students get access to AWS tools and technologies for practicals, work on individualised cloud projects on live AWS environments, and can appear for globally recognised AWS certification exams at highly discounted rates. The certifications students can target include AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner, AWS Certified Solutions Architect (Associate), and AWS Certified Developer (Associate), depending on their performance and interest. These certifications are highly valued by cloud employers globally.
Ques. Is a diploma in a specific engineering branch required, or can any diploma holder apply for this program?
Ans. Unlike some other lateral entry programs at CU that require a diploma specifically in CSE/IT/ECE, the B.E. CSE (Cloud Computing) Lateral Entry program accepts a diploma in ANY stream of Engineering / Technology with at least 60% marks. This means diploma holders from Mechanical, Civil, Electrical, or any other engineering branch are also eligible. B.Sc. graduates with Mathematics as a subject and 60% marks are also eligible. This broader eligibility makes it accessible to a wider pool of diploma holders who want to transition into cloud computing.
Ques. What are the realistic career options after this program, and how does the cloud computing specialisation compare to a general CSE degree in terms of job prospects?
Ans. Graduates are eligible for roles such as Cloud Engineer, DevOps Engineer, Cloud Solutions Architect, Cloud Security Analyst, Site Reliability Engineer (SRE), and Cloud Consultant. The cloud computing specialisation is significantly more targeted than a general CSE degree and aligns directly with one of the fastest-growing segments of the IT industry. Major cloud employers including AWS, Microsoft Azure, Google Cloud, IBM, TCS, Infosys, and Wipro actively recruit cloud-specialised engineers. The combination of IBM collaboration and AWS certifications makes CU graduates particularly competitive in this space.
Ques. What is the difference between the B.E. CSE (Cloud Computing) Lateral Entry at AIT (Apex) and the regular B.E. CSE (Cloud Computing) at UIE (University Institute of Engineering) at CU?
Ans. The key difference is the institute and the industry collaboration model. The AIT (Apex) version is offered under the Apex Institute of Technology, which is CU's exclusive industry-sponsored institute with a stronger IBM integration and a more practice-based delivery model. The UIE version follows the standard engineering department structure. Both lead to the same B.E. degree, but the AIT program has a more intensive industry-practitioner involvement. The fee structures also differ slightly. Students who prioritise industry exposure and IBM/AWS certifications typically prefer the AIT version.
Ques. Can a lateral entry student at CU participate in campus placements on equal footing with regular 4-year B.E. students?
Ans. Yes, lateral entry students are fully eligible to participate in campus placements at CU and are treated on par with regular B.E. students during the placement process. The degree certificate does not distinguish between lateral and regular entry. Placement companies assess students based on their skills, CGPA, and performance in placement drives, not their entry route. Many lateral entry students at CU have secured strong placements at companies like TCS, Infosys, Wipro, Cognizant, and IBM. The IBM and AWS certifications earned during the program further strengthen their profiles.