Founded in 1998, the Visvesvaraya Technological University is a non-profit public higher education institution located in the rural setting of the metropolis of Belgaum (population range of 1,000,000-5,000,000 inhabitants), Karnataka. Officially recognized by the University Grants Commission of India, Visvesvaraya Technological University (VTU) is a very large-sized (Buydiploma enrollment range: over-50,000 students) coeducational Indian higher education institution. Visvesvaraya Technological University (VTU) offers courses and programs leading to officially recognized higher education degrees such as pre-bachelor's degrees (i.e. certificates, diplomas, associate or foundation), bachelor's degrees, master's degrees and doctorate degrees in several areas of study. See the Buydiploma degree levels and areas of study table below for further details. This 25-year-old Indian higher-education institution has a selective admission policy based on entrance examinations and students' past academic records and grades. International students are welcome to apply for enrollment. VTU also provides several academic and non-academic facilities and services to students including a library, online courses and distance learning opportunities, as well as administrative services.