Software Engineering courses teach the creation of Software Applications with the view of meeting certain requirements through the process of designing, testing and building software. Software Engineering courses help to economically build software that will be reliable for working on machines. To pursue a career in software engineering, one must first obtain a BTech in Computer Science or a BCA degree from a reputable institute.
There are various Software Engineering Courses After the 12th that students can choose from after clearing JEE Main exam, provided that they have scored 50% marks (60% for top colleges) in class 12th with science subjects. The popular software engineering courses are BTech Software Engineering, followed by MTech Software Engineering course for which one needs to clear the GATE exam. The admission process for diploma and certificate-level software engineering courses is mostly based on merit.
Some of the Top Colleges for Software Engineering courses are Anna University, VIT Vellore, Jadavpur University, and Delhi Technological University. Software engineers earn INR 4.46 lakhs per annum initially. Some students also get placed with a salary package as high as INR 30 lakhs per annum.
After completing the course, candidates can pursue their career as a Software Engineer or Software Developer with an average starting salary of INR 3.12 LPA – 5.25 LPA. With gradual experience and exposure, the average highest salary for both careers is INR 25 LPA.
| How to Become a Software Engineer | How to Become a Software Developer | Software Engineer Salary | Software Developer Salary |
3.2 Top Colleges
4.2 Top Colleges
5.2 Top Colleges
6.2 Top Colleges
7.2 Top Colleges
All About Software Engineering Courses
Software engineering is engineering concerned with software development. Software engineers design, develop and maintain software after testing them. To pursue a career in software engineering, one must first obtain a Bachelor of Technology in Computer Science or a Bachelor of Computer Applications (BCA) degree from a reputable institute. B. Tech. is a four-year (8-semester) program, while BCA is a three-year program.
- As per several student enrollment reports; software engineering records the highest number of student enrollments almost every year; making it the most Popular Engineering Branch in 2025.
- Salary wise also, software engineering is one of the Highest Paying Engineering Jobs in India. A software engineer earns INR 5.91 lakhs per annum on average, compared to other professions like electrical engineers, mechanical engineers, and product engineers, earning INR 3 - 4 lakhs per annum on average (source: Payscale).
- BTech Software Engineering and MTech Software Engineering are the top Software Engineering Courses After 12th.
- BITS Pilani, Anna University, Jadavpur University, NIT Rourkela, and VIT Vellore are the top 5 Software Engineering Colleges in India ranked by NIRF, India Today, and Outlook.
- Software engineering course admission is based on JEE Main score (for BTech software engineering) & and GATE scores (for MTech software engineering). Some colleges conduct institution-level exams or accept state-level engineering entrance exam scores.
- Software Engineering Course Syllabus focuses on computer science, software development, and basic IT. Engineering, Computer Science, Programming, Machine Learning, Big Data, and Mathematics are prime areas of focus in any software engineering program.
Types of Software Engineering Courses
The different types of software engineering courses with their respective admission process and top colleges are discussed below.
| Name of Courses | Type of Program | Duration | Top Colleges/Platforms |
|---|---|---|---|
| BTech Software Engineering | Bachelor's degree | 4 years | Check Here! |
| MTech Software Engineering | Master's degree | 2 years | Check Here! |
| ME Software Engineering | Master's degree | 2 years | |
| MSc Software Systems | Master's degree | 2 years | Check Here! |
| PhD Software Engineering | Doctoral Degree | 3 years | Check Here! |
| Diploma in Computer Programming and Software Engineering | Diploma | 2 - 3 years | Check Here! |
| Diploma in Software Engineering | Diploma | 2 years | -- |
| Software Development Courses Online | Certification | Less than 6 months | Check Here! |
| Python Courses Online | Check Here! | ||
| Java Courses Online | Check Here! | ||
| SQL Courses Online | Check Here! |
Software Engineering Online Course
| Course Name | Provider | Fees |
|---|---|---|
| Mastering Data Structures & Algorithms Using C and C++ | Udemy | INR 549 ( |
| Master the Coding Interview: Data Structures+Algorithms | Udemy | INR 549 ( |
| Kubernetes Certified Application Developer (CKAD) with Tests | Udemy | INR 549 ( |
| Professional Certificate in Computer Science Essentials for Software Development | Edx | INR 44,442 ( |
| Software Engineering: Introduction | Edx | INR 10,366 (Audit Track Free) |
| IBM DevOps and Software Engineering Professional Certificate | Coursera | INR 3,224 (1 Month) |
| INR 6,449 (3 Months) | ||
| INR 9.673 (6 Months) | ||
| Applied Software Engineering Fundamentals | Coursera | INR 3,224 (1 Month) |
| INR 6,449 (3 Months) | ||
| INR 9.673 (6 Months) | ||
| Java Programming and Software Engineering Fundamentals | Coursera | INR 4,051 (1 Month) |
| INR 8,102 (3 Months) | ||
| INR 12,154 (6 Months) | ||
| Executive Postgraduate Program in Software Development - Specialization in Full Stack Development | IIIT-B | INR 2,54,000 |
| Full Stack Software Development Bootcamp | upGrad | INR 1,93,000 (1,64,050) 15% OFF (Job Guaranttee) |
| INR 1,30,000+INR 47,000(Non-Refundable) (Pay After Placement) | ||
| Advanced Certification in Software Engineering for Cloud, Blockchain and IoT | IIT Madras via Greatlearning | INR 2,50,000 |
| Advanced Certificate Program in Full Stack Software Development | E&ICT IIT Roorkee | INR 2,00,000 |
| Mastering the Software Engineering Interview | Class Central | Free Online Course (Audit) |
Software Engineering Course Cost
The cost of a Software Engineering course varies depending on the type of course and the college chosen. Similarly, if students want to pursue a Software Engineering course from another country, the fees will be higher than at the Indian institute.
| Course | Average Fees |
|---|---|
| BTech Software Engineering (India) | INR 1,00,000 - INR 5,00,000 |
| MTech Software Engineering (India) | INR 50,000 - INR 5,50,000 |
| BTech Software Engineering (Abroad) | INR 44,00,000 |
| MTech Software Engineering (Abroad) | INR 30,00,000 |
Software Engineering Course Details
| Course | Duration | Eligibility |
|---|---|---|
| Diploma in Software Engineering | 3 Years | Class 12 Pass Out |
| Diploma in Computer Programming and Software Engineering | 2/3 Years | |
| BTech Software Engineering | 4 Years | A minimum of 60% in Class 12 with PCM+Entrance Exam |
| MTech Software Engineering | 2 Years | A minimum of 60% marks in graduation and GATE scorecard |
| ME Software Engineering | 2 Years | |
| MSc in Software Systems | 2 Years | |
| PhD in Software Engineering | 3 Years | An aggregate of 60% marks in MTech/ME or CSIR , UGC NET, DST INSPIRE, ICAR, ICMR |
Software Engineering Certificate Courses
Software engineering certifications are credentials that confirm you have a certain level of proficiency in the concepts and tasks associated with being a software engineer. Earning software engineering certifications may entail taking a written test, completing a course, or creating a project that demonstrates your abilities, depending on the requirements of the certification provider.
- There are various software engineering online courses on platforms like Udemy, Coursera, Alison, NIELIT, etc. Software engineering certifications are industry-based courses meant for the sole purpose of upskilling, i.e. to update software engineering aspirants or software engineers themselves with the latest tools and technologies in the area of software engineering and development.
- In addition to such courses, there are also software engineering courses for beginners which only focus on the fundamentals of software engineering and are made for the sole purpose of introducing students to what software engineering is.
- Udemy is one of the most affordable platforms to explore software engineering courses. Udemy Software Development Courses cost less than INR 500 during flash sales and students can also take advantage of Udemy Discount Coupons.
- According to reviews and student ratings, “Mastering Data Structures & Algorithms” is one of the best Udemy Courses for Software Engineers. Check out Udemy Mastering Data Structures & Algorithms using C and C++ Review.
Check the table below to know the fees and duration of top software engineering certifications available.
| Certificate Name | Provider | Fees |
|---|---|---|
| Mobile App Development with React | Coding Elements | Free |
| Programming for Everybody | Coursera | Free |
| Advanced Certification in Software Engineering | IIT Madras | INR 2,00,000 |
| The Complete Software Engineering from Basics to Advanced | Udemy | INR 1,299 |
| Introduction to Software Testing-Revised | Alison | Free |
| Certificate Course in JAVA Programming | CDAC Pune | INR 600 |
| Certificate Course in Web Application Technologies (ASP.Net with C#) with Project | NIELIT Delhi | INR 6,800 |
Software Engineering Certificate Courses: Admission Process
The admissions in the offline certificate courses are done both directly and based on marks scored in the 10+2 or equivalent examination and work experience in the case of computer professionals.
- For software engineering online courses, students can apply directly on the website of the provider.
- These courses are also offered by reputed colleges or institutions, exclusively for computer professionals.
- Admissions in the offline courses are done based on marks scored in the 10+2 or Intermediate examinations.
Top Colleges for Certificate in Software Engineering Courses
Tabulated below are the popular Colleges or Institutes offering Certificate Courses in Software Engineering.
| College Name | Location | Average Fees |
|---|---|---|
| IIT Madras | Chennai | INR 2,00,000 |
| National Institute of Electronics & Information Technology (NIELIT) | Aurangabad | INR 15,000 |
| National Institute of Electronics & Information Technology (NIELIT) | Calicut | INR 8,000 |
| Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Open University | Ahmedabad | INR 1,100 – 1,500 |
| Government Polytechnic | Mumbai | INR 7,100 |
| Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (CDAC) | New Delhi | INR 25,000 |
Diploma in Software Engineering
Diploma or Postgraduate Diploma courses in Software Engineering help students to learn software testing and development. The course will help in upgrading the skills needed to design or maintain software for computer professionals.
- Aspirants who wish to learn the concepts of software designing in detail can pursue a diploma or postgraduate diploma course.
- The duration of the Diploma and PG Diploma courses is 1-2 years in most cases.
- After the completion of these courses, students may work as System Analysts, Mobile App Developers, Video Game Designers, and Software Developers.
The average salary on completion of a diploma software engineering course is around INR 5 lakh.
Tabulated below are the diploma and postgraduate diploma in software engineering courses offered by various Colleges or Institutions in India.
| Course Name | Provider | Average Annual Fees |
|---|---|---|
| Diploma in Software Engineering | NICT Computer Education | INR 30,000 |
| Diploma in Computer Science & Engineering | Sage University, Indore | INR 85,000 |
| Diploma in Computer Applications | Madras Christian College, Chennai | INR 13,000 |
| Diploma in Computer Software Technology (DCST) | IT Education and Training, Delhi | - |
| PG Diploma in System Software Development | Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (CDAC), Pune | INR 90,000 |
| Post Graduate Diploma in Embedded System Design | National Institute of Electronics & Information Technology (NIELIT), Calicut | INR 70,000 |
| Post Graduate Diploma in Software Engineering | TCIL-IT Education & Training, New Delhi | - |
Diploma in Software Engineering Courses: Admission Process
Aspirants willing to pursue Diploma or Postgraduate Diploma courses in Software Engineering must have completed their 10+2 and Graduation respectively.
- The duration of the Diploma course is between 6 months years, while it is generally fixed at 2 years for PG Diplomas.
- Admissions in the Diploma courses are done based on the marks scored in the 12th class.
- Many colleges may also offer diploma software engineering courses after the 10th.
- Admissions in PG Diploma courses are based on the marks scored in bachelor courses like BTech, BE, BVoc, BSc, etc.
- Some students also like to do a PG Diploma after completing their MTech or ME Courses.
Some Colleges may also conduct an aptitude test or interview to check the knowledge students already have.
Top Colleges for Diploma in Software Engineering Courses
Tabulated below are the Diploma and Postgraduate Diploma Software Engineering courses offered by the various colleges in India.
| College Name | Location | Average Fees |
|---|---|---|
| Sage University | Indore | INR 85,000 |
| Madras Christian College | Chennai | INR 13,000 |
| Integrated Institute of Education Technology | Telangana | INR 1,43,000 |
| Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (CDAC) | Noida | INR 90,000 |
| National Institute of Electronics & Information Technology (NIELIT) | Calicut | INR 70,000 |
Bachelor’s in Software Engineering Courses
The undergraduate degree programs in Software Engineering Courses are available in full-time or regular courses.
- The duration of the Bachelor course is 3-4 years with Software Engineering as a specialization.
- Admissions to undergraduate programs are done on the basis of entrance examinations conducted at the state as well as central level.
- After the completion of the UG Software Engineering courses, students can earn an average salary of INR 4 to 7 lakh.
The undergraduate programs in Software Engineering Courses are mainly of 3 types. Details of these are given in the table below.
| Course Name | Top Colleges | Average Annual Fees |
|---|---|---|
| BTech Software Engineering | Delhi Technological University (DTU), SRM Engineering College | INR 80,000-3,00,000 |
| BSc Software Engineering | CMJ University, College of Computer Science and Information Technology, Vivekananda College of Arts and Science, Karnataka University | INR 15,000-3,20,000 |
| BVoc SBVScare Development | Guru Nanak Dev Institute of Technology, Tolani Commerce College, DAV College for Girls, Prof. Ramkrishna More College of Arts, Commerce, and Science | INR 12,000-2,15,000 |
Bachelor’s in Software Engineering Courses: Admission Process
The admission to bachelor-level software engineering courses is done based on merit, entrance examination, skill test conducted by the Institute, or common entrance examination conducted all over India.
- For engineering courses, admission is done based on All India exams like JEE Main, BITSAT, NATA, JEE Advanced, SRMJEE, etc.
- Candidates who have secured a minimum of 50% aggregate marks with Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics as the main subjects from a recognized board of education in the 12th exams are considered eligible for the courses.
- JEE Main & Advanced Exams are conducted for getting admissions into IITs and other associated colleges.
- For BSc, admissions are done either directly or through exams like UPSEE and MHT CET.
Tabulated below are the entrance tests conducted for selection in bachelor in software engineering courses offered by various colleges.
| Entrance Exam | Registration Date | Exam Date |
|---|---|---|
| JEE Main 2023 | 1st week of March 2023 | 4th week of April 2023 (Phase 1) |
| JEE Advanced | August 8 – August 12, 2023 | August 28, 2023 |
| BITSAT 2023 | 2nd week of February 2023 | 3rd week of June 2023 |
| NATA 2023 | 4th week of January 2023 | 2nd week of April 2023 |
| SRMJEEE (Phase 3) | November 16, 2023 – June 20, 2023 | June 25 & June 26, 2023 |
Top Colleges for Bachelor’s in Software Engineering Courses
The table below lists some best colleges for pursuing a bachelor's degree in software engineering courses.
| College Name | Average Annual Fees |
|---|---|
| SRM Engineering College | INR 1,00,000 |
| Delhi Technological University | INR 1,66,000 |
| Graphic Era University | INR 2,36,400 |
| Bharati Vidyapeeth Deemed University | INR 1,20,000 |
| Sri Ramakrishna Engineering College (SREC) | INR 55,000 |
| Amity University | INR 2,30,000 |
| College of Computer Science and Information Technology | INR 17,460 |
| St. Xavier’s College | INR 6,667 |
Master’s in Software Engineering Courses
Masters's programs are pursued by students who wish to continue their learning and explore more in the field of software development. The PG level courses are generally offered in full-time mode by colleges.
- The selection for the master-level degree courses is done based on marks scored in the graduation examination or entrance test conducted by the university or institute.
- The duration of the courses is 2 years in most cases.
- After the completion of the master’s degree, students can start working as Software Managers, JAVA professionals, Software Developers, etc.
Students can start earning an average salary of INR 5-12 lakh after completing a master’s in software engineering courses.
Tabulated below are the postgraduate software engineering courses offered by the Institutes or Colleges in India.
| Course Name | Top Colleges | Average Annual Fees |
|---|---|---|
| MTech Software Engineering | Mahatma Gandhi Institute of Technology, Delhi Technological University, Indian Institute of Information Technology, Allahabad | INR 60,000-5,00,000 |
| MSc Software Engineering | The Anna University of Technology, VIT School of Information Technology & Engineering, BITS Pilani, PSG College of Technology | INR 29,000-90,000 |
Master’s in Software Engineering Courses: Admission Process
The admissions in the master-level program are done based on the merit cum entrance examination.
- Candidates must pass BTech, B.E, BSc, or a related degree with a minimum of 60% marks from a recognized college.
- They must have a valid score in the GATE (Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering) examination.
- The entrance test is conducted to check the skills and aptitude of the candidates.
Top Colleges for Master’s in Software Engineering Courses
Tabulated below are the top colleges that offer master-level courses in Software Engineering in India.
| College Name | Average Annual Fees |
|---|---|
| VIT School of Information Technology & Engineering | INR 1,35,000 |
| NIT Rourkela | INR 1,11,500 |
| BITS Pilani | INR 2,00,000 |
| Delhi Technological University | INR 1,66,000 |
| Manipal Institute of Technology | INR 2,10,000 |
| National Institute of Technology | INR 1,40,000 |
| MNNIT | INR 1,13,000 |
| St. Xavier’s College | INR 29,000 |
PhD in Software Engineering Courses
The candidates pursuing a PhD in.D.ftware Engineering courses can work in the field of academics and research.
- Candidates must have passed graduation and post-graduation in the related subject with a minimum of 60% marks from a recognized University to become eligible.
- Admission is done solely based on the entrance exams conducted by the University.
- After a PhD in Software Engineering, the student can work as a Research Assistant, Software Engineer, and Professor in reputed Institutes and Organizations.
The average salary is INR 5-20 lahks after a doctorate, depending upon skills and profession.
| Course Name | Top Colleges | Average Fees |
|---|---|---|
| PhD in Software Engineering | Amity College, Gwalior Shyam University, Dausa | INR 80,000 per annum |
| PhD in Engineering/Technology | Anna University, Chennai | INR 30,000 per annum |
PhD in Software Engineering Courses: Admission Process
The admissions to PhD Software Engineering courses is done based on entrance tests conducted by Institutes.
- Candidates must be postgraduate in the relevant subject to become eligible for the doctorate courses.
- Some Institutes conduct Interviews for the final selection in doctorate courses.
- Exams conducted by the Institutes include UGC-NET, CSIR National Eligibility Test, and DST INSPIRE Fellowship Program Eligibility Test.
Top Colleges for PhD in Software Engineering Courses
Tabulated below is the list of colleges offering PhD in Software Engineering Courses in India.
| College Name | Location | Average Annual Fees |
|---|---|---|
| Amity University | Jaipur | INR 84,000 |
| Anna University | Chennai | INR 30,000 |
| Pacific Institute of Technology | Udaipur | INR 1,80,000 |
| Kalinga Institute of Information Technology (KIIT) | Bhubaneswar | INR 75,000 |
| University College of Engineering, Anna University | Thoothukudi | INR 35,200 |
| Shyam University | Dausa | INR 90,000 |
Skills Required to be a Software Engineer
To pursue a career as a software engineer after a degree in any Software Engineering course, one must be familiar with the essential skills required i.e. programming languages and algorithms.
| Python | Java |
| Software Development | Web Development |
| Database Engineering | Linux |
| C++ | Scrum |
| HTML | Jenkins |
Scope of Software Engineering Courses
Digitization has led to an increase in employment opportunities for software engineers. Various companies hire software engineers. Various MNCs have also started hiring software engineers from India by participating in top engineering colleges’ placements.
Job Options After Software Engineering Courses
There are multiple options available in the field of software development and engineering. Some of the popular job profiles are mentioned below.
| Job Profile | Description | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Software Engineer | The job of a software engineer is to design, develop, maintain, and test software. They also provide a solution to enhance the performance of the application. | INR 5-20 lakh per annum |
| Software Tester | A Software Tester is responsible for checking the quality of software design and development. They also perform automated and manual tests to check the accuracy of the software. | INR 2-7 lakh per annum |
| Game Developers | The job of Game Developers is to develop games for mobile, game consoles, and personal computers. They must have good knowledge of programming languages and 3D modeling programs to write code for games. | INR 3-28 lakh per annum |
| Android Developers | The job of Android developers is to design and develop applications that are compatible with devices running the Android operating system. | INR 2-5 lakh per annum |
| Java Developers | The job of Java Developers is to design Java applications, implement and test software applications. | INR 4-12 lakh per annum |
Software Engineering Courses: FAQs
Ques. What is the average salary after completing a master's degree in software engineering?
Ques. What are the career prospects after doing a PhD in Software Engineering?
Ques. What are the selection criteria for the BVoc Software Engineering course?
Ques. Can I pursue PG Diploma courses online?
Ques. Is it worthwhile to join the Software Engineering Courses?
Ques. How is the life of a Software Engineer in India?
Ques. What skills are required for a Software Developer as a fresher?
Ques. What skills and years of experience are required for becoming a Senior Software Analyst?
Ques. How much does it cost to pursue an software engineering online course?
Comments
Found 1 Comment
A BCA graduate can become a software developer however cannot become a software engineer. To be a software engineer you must have a B.Tech degree.