Pros and Cons of Lateral Entry in B.Tech

Engineering degrees have become very common among high school graduates. Pursuing a B.Tech has been on the rise. There are many different concentrations and majors that you can pursue with a B.Tech degree. Some of the B.Tech streams are Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, and many other specializations. A B.Tech course is typically for 4 years long. In contrast to the traditional B.Tech degree, the lateral entry B.Tech degree only spans for 3 years long. Considering BTech lateral entry? Here's what you need to know about this education pathway.

What is Lateral Entry in B.Tech?

Before diving into the intricacies of the lateral B.Tech course, it can be helpful to understand more about the lateral entry B.Tech program. The lateral entry B.Tech course is a 3 year degree that involves students joining directly to the second year of the program instead of beginning their course in the first year. So, a student can graduate in 3 years as opposed to graduating in 4 years with a traditional B.Tech degree. BTech lateral entry programs offer a shortcut to a bachelor's degree for diploma holders. There is no difference when it comes to the contents of the different B.Tech courses or different B.Tech streams. The primary difference is the duration of the course. The curriculum, grading systems, and the concepts covered remain the same between a lateral B.Tech degree and a traditional B.Tech degree. BTech lateral entry is a great option for those seeking to accelerate their engineering career.

Difference Between Traditional B.Tech and Later Entry B.Tech Programs

There are 3 main areas of difference between a traditional B.Tech program and a lateral entry BTech program.

Duration of the Course

This is one of the key distinguishing factors between a traditional B.Tech course and a lateral entry B.Tech course. A traditional B.Tech course spans for 4 years whereas a lateral entry B.Tech course span is 3 years.

Admission Type

With a traditional B.Tech program, students or applicants are admitted to the first year of the program, like any other undergraduate degree. However, on the other hand, lateral entry BTech students are admitted directly to the second year of the program. 

Eligibility

For a traditional B.Tech program, it is necessary for the students or applicants to have completed their 12th grade with physics, mathematics, and chemistry as their main or core subjects. However, for the lateral entry Btech program, the students or applicants must have completed a diploma in a relevant field upon completion of their 10th grade or 12th grade. Lateral entry in B.Tech after diploma would be the best option.

B.Tech Eligibility for Lateral Entry

To get enrolled in a lateral B.Tech, a diploma of Bachelor in Science (B.Sc.) degree is required. Usually, the eligibility criteria may vary depending on the university and its internal criteria. However, there are a few eligibility criteria in general that can be beneficial to consider. Here are the main aspects of the eligibility criteria to be considered.

Previous Education

It is necessary for all B.Tech lateral entry applicants to have completed a 3 year diploma in Engineering or other streams after the completion of their 10th grade or a 2 year diploma after their 12th grade. Applying without having these required criteria checked may result in an unsuccessful application process.

Scores

Another eligibility criterion is the percentage scored in the previous qualifying exam. It is necessary to have at least 45% to 60% in the previous qualifying exam based on the university policy.

Subjects

It is necessary for students applying for a lateral entry B.Tech program to have studied physics, chemistry, and mathematics at the 12th grade level. 

Entrance Exams

Applicants who are looking to secure admission into a government engineering college across all states must qualify for the state level entrance exams. If required, they should also possess the necessary domicile certificates.

Pros of Lateral Entry

Some of the benefits of pursuing a lateral entry B.Tech program is that you can graduate within 3 years compared to graduating in 4 years with a traditional B.Tech program. This helps plenty of students save time and get into the workforce sooner. In addition, with many students who might like to take the academic route and pursue higher education immediately after their bachelor's degree, this helps them Fastrack their timeline.

Another benefit of a lateral B.Tech program is that it does not hinder the learning process or the accessibility to the learning process of a B.Tech program. All the aspects such as the courses, streams, grading, and other resources remain the same for a traditional B.Tech degree and a lateral entry B.Tech program.

Cons of Lateral Entry

Some of the hurdles you can face with a lateral entry B.Tech program is that you would necessarily require a diploma or a B.Sc. degree in order to apply for a lateral entry B.Tech program. If applicants do not meet these requirements, they would have to apply for a traditional B.Tech program that spans for 4 years.

Another disadvantage with a lateral entry B.Tech program is that students who do not have a strong foundation with the basics that are necessary to pursue a B.Tech program might experience difficulties. Typically, the first year of a traditional B.Tech program primarily revolves around strengthening the basics across all subjects. As lateral entry B.Tech students join the program from the second year, they might miss out on these basics. 

Lateral entry B.Tech students may also have to face the challenge of an accelerated and fast-paced learning environment as they are more likely to jump right into their chosen stream or discipline. This allows them less time to strengthen their basics and plan their path ahead.

In a Nutshell

Now that you have understood the different aspects of a lateral entry B.Tech program, it is important that you check the university policies before beginning your application. With B.Tech lateral entry, you can bridge the gap between your diploma and a full-fledged engineering degree. If you are looking to apply for lateral admission in B.Tech or a traditional B.Tech course, courses offered with Sunstone’s edge are the perfect fit for you with their diverse and credible resources.

People Also Ask

Can I take lateral entry in BTech?

You can pursue B.Tech lateral entry as long as you have a 3-year diploma after your 10th grade or a 2-year diploma after your 12th grade. 

Which college is best for lateral entry in BTech?

There are many universities offering a B.Tech lateral course. While there is not a particular university that is best for B.Tech lateral, it can help to check the ranking for your department to make an informed decision.

What is the difference between BTech and BTech lateral?

B.Tech is a 4 years course whereas B.Tech lateral is a 3-year course in which you will begin your engineering education directly from the second year.