Pondicherry University launched this program in the year 2000 to cater for the needs of foreign students. Over the years, the University has received several undergraduate students from the U.S.A. and other countries like France, Germany and Norway for semester programs under the Study India Program (SIP).  At present the SIP offers both semester programs & short term programs based on the requirements of the foreign universities.

The University through the Study India Program (SIP) permits students from abroad to study a semester/ two semesters of various courses available in the University on credit transfer basis. The student desirous to visit the university under the program must take an application at least three months in advance. From 2013, SIP has initiated short term study programs of 2/4/6 weeks. The students are counseled through e-mails prior to their arrival here and contents of the courses are made available to the students and their respective advisors for determination of suitability and credit equivalence. Credits earned by them are transferred to their respective Institutions within a month of the close of the semester. In addition to academic programs, the students are allowed to experience the rich culture of India. Appropriate counseling is given to the students to make their stay comfortable and experience enriching. Apart from the wide range of courses offered by the University Departments, SIP devises need-based short-term courses if/as demanded by the guest University.