The South Asian University will imbibe and foster in its students a spirit of tolerance, secular and plural co-existence, innovativeness and a critical and scientific outlook.

Students of the University will be predominantly from the eight SAARC countries.  Each country’s quota for admission will be not less than 4%; the maximum limit for the host country (India) will be 50%. In case of non-fulfilment of the quota for any single country or a group of countries, it will be filled on merit from amongst the applicants from other member countries. Up to 10% of the students may be from non-SAARC countries, who will be admitted at 100% cost recovery basis.
Tuition fees for students from SAARC countries will be heavily subsidised.  Some fee waivers and living allowance scholarships will be offered to needy and meritorious students.  The SAU will also offer work-earn programmes to students.

The SAU will overwhelmingly focus on research and postgraduate level programmes. At the end of the initial five years of its operation (2010-14), the number of students is expected to reach 3000. The University ultimately plans to reach a strength of 7000 students.
At the end of the initial five years, the University will have approximately 705 students (23%) in research level, 2095 (70%) in post-graduate level and 200 (7%) in bachelor level. The student-teacher ratio will be maintained around 1:10 to enable close supervision and effective guidance as per the needs of the students. It is in consonance with the policy of the University to produce quality human resources to suit the requirements not only of the region but globally as well.
Student selection will be done in a way that ensures entry of deserving and meritorious students through written tests, interviews and presentations and past scholastic achievements in varying combinations, specific to and as laid down by each Faculty in tandem with its requirements. The minimum norms/criteria will be commonly defined for all areas/subjects for all the member countries and students will be admitted to SAU based on objective, transparent and appropriately administered tests and evaluations.