Comparison of correspondence course M.S (Software systems) from BITS Pilani and executive M.S (Computer Science) from Manipal University

	Disclaimer: Though I am a student of 2nd Sem Executive MS-CS at Manipal University, these are completely my opinion, and may be wrong also, and hence I do not recommend anyone to follow blindly what I say, Do your own research. If something mentioned is wrong then please let me know ASAP through comment and I will correct it.
	Sl. No	Basis	MS distance from BITS Pilani, in Software Systems	Executive MS from Manipal University in Computer science
	1	Qualification to get admission	B.E/B.Tech (B.Sc/BCA is not allowed). Only for working professional having 1+ yr of exp. Http://www.bits-pilani.ac.in/university/wilp/WILPProgrammes	B.E/B.Tech + B.Sc/BCA, but they need to go for 3 years course. Only for working professional having 1+ yr of exp. http://www.executiveprograms.manipal.edu/
	2	Company approval is must?	Yes, Company needs to mention that, this employee is funded by the organization and also He/She can use the resources of company for project/assignment purpose	No. One need not be funded by company and only thing they ask for is a proof that you are working (Offer letter is sufficient)
	3	Fees	http://www.bits-pilani.ac.in/university/wilp/AdmissionFeesStructure 15000 + 32700*4 = 145800	1,70,000
	4	Can take break between the course?	Didn't find any such info, Looks its not that flexible	There can be short and long breaks, very easy to take breaks and also very transparent in their policy.
	5	What type of course is this?	Fully correspondence course	This is also not full time course, But I heard there is no difference in degree awarded between this course and that done full time at Manipal campus.
	6	Maximum duration of course	2 years	4 years
	7	Can fees be paid in installments	Each Semester, hence 4 installments	6 installments
	8	Is real time classes conducted	No, only online tutorial available, or some online counseling	Regular 9 Hrs classes on every Sunday, 3 subjects, 3 hrs each
	9	exams	http://www.bits-pilani.ac.in/university/wilp/OperationalHighlights 1 assignment/quiz (10% weight), 1 mid-sem open book exam (30% weight), 1 final exam (60%)	Similar to engineering exams in VTU, u have 3 internals (Exams mostly on 3 out of 4 Sundays every month from 8-9 AM and then classes of 9 hrs)- Internals for 20 marks, and best two is considered, i.e 40 marks Assignment – 10 marks, Term paper – 100 Marks (You need to submit hard and soft copy of research paper on related subject) + Main closed book exam (No books allowed in any of the exams)
	10	Syllabus	http://www.bits-pilani.ac.in/uploads/WILP_Programmes/MS%20Software%20Systems.pdf Has 4 subjects in each sem	Similar syllabus, but covered in 2 sem only, Has 6 subjects in each sem. Another year is for project only.
	11	Theory classes duration	3 semesters	2 semesters
	12	Need to visit university?	Yes, for project submission, you need to visit Pilani, Rajasthan	Not required.
	13	Approval from AICTE?	No.	No.
	14	Approval from UGC?	An institution deemed to be a University estd. vide Sec.3 of the UGC Act,1956 under notification # F.12-23/63.U-2 of Jun 18,1964	Manipal University the first private sector deemed university, Status given by UGC and Ministry of HRD
	15	Can do Ph.D from any govt. university?	I think yes..	I hope yes, as not many have yet tried this ..
	16	Any benefit in IT industry?	Not much benefit, unless you r in service industry (like Infy/Wipro/Tcs etc..)	Not much benefit in terms of promotion or salary hike.
	17	Will help in becoming lecturer in Engineering colleges?	yes, More priority is currently given to MS rather than B.E (But M.Tech from classroom course is given most priority)	Yes, It should help, not much data available, as this course is comparatively new
	18	Administration ease? Like taking any info or applying for break etc?	Not very easy to gather information/ Website looks less informative	Better/Clear information available in their website
	19	Since when this course is running?	Long long ago .. Will update exact year later, But this course is running since 25+ years	2005
	20	Roughly how many students are there in these course?	Thousands (Not sure .. may be 5000 +)	Few thousands now .. (2000 +)
	21	Industry tie ups?	Yes, with many companies, Infact many companies run their own course with help from BITS pilani at their own campus like Wipro offers WASE program ..	Yes, but comparatively less corporates
	22	Recognition world wide (If you want to apply for Ph.D from foreign university?)	BITS pilani is India's 5th-10th Rank college hence is world renowned .. No doubt about the name of BITS Pilani, But not sure how reputed correspondence course is	Manipal University is also world famous, but may be little less than BITS Pilani.
	23	Do u get to meet/interact with your classmates/batch mates?	No, You don't get to make friends	yes, you get new friends
	24	Do u get the feeling, that you are really studying in college?	No .. No college feeling ..	Yes
	25	Classes conducted at various cities?	No classes	Yes, classes happens at Bangalore, Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad, Delhi, Kolkata & Pune
	26	Mentor required?	Mandatory while applying for this course , I think mentor should be from same company, and mentor's qualification is also seen	Not required while taking admission, In second year, you need one mentor as project guide.
	27	My rating : In terms of flexibility	7	9
	28	My rating : In terms of How useful this course would be	8	7