Simultaneous Degrees

There was a time,  a student wanted to get a degree in two streams, the only way possible was that he/she had to complete one degree course, and then again join afresh for degree/diploma course in another stream. You could not pursue two degrees/diplomas simultaneously. But now the situation is changing as yesterday University Grant Commission (UGC)  in its latest meeting approved simultaneous dual degrees for students in India, allowing students to complete courses either at the same universities or from different universities. The UGC spoke person further added that in accordance to the National Education Policy (NEP), the latest move aims to offer flexibility and personalisation of higher education and even allow multidisciplinary education across various domains for students.

The UGC spoke person further added that in accordance with the National Educational Policy (NEP), the latest move Aims to offer flexibility and personalization of higher education and even allow multidisciplinary education across various domains for the students.

UGC Guidelines On Pursuing Two Degrees Together:

• Students can pursue two full time academic programmes in the physical mode provided that the class timings do not overlap. Eg. A student can pursue BA classes in the morning and BCom classes in the evening.
• Students will be able to pursue two UG or PG degrees/diplomas together in the physical+ Physical mode or online+ online mode.
• The two programmes may be pursued at the same university or different universities.
• Students will be allowed to pursue multidisciplinary programmes. Eg. BA History with BSc Mathematics, BCom honours with a diploma in Data Science etc.
• The degrees and diplomas that the students will be learning through higher education in a two-degree format will be governed by UGC and statutory bodies of higher education.

Some of the other factors surrounding the latest UGC decisions are:

• If a student is pursuing two physical mode programmes, the attendance required for each will be decided by the respective universities.
• Students need to follow the admission requirements for each degree programmes separately just like if they were pursuing them in a singular manner.
• As per modified online programme regulation, any student can join online programmes after completing Class 12.
• Students can pursue the two programmes starting in different years. Eg. A student can start off BA History degree in 2022 and start a Data Science diploma in 2023 while being a second year History student.
• Multiple entry and exit options as introduced by the NEP will be applicable for all degrees, whether single or double, online or offline, degree or diploma, UG or PG.
• It is not mandatory for all universities to allow their students to go for two degrees or programmes simultaneously. The decision to implement or not implement the latest UGC decision is up to them.
• Students should note that if they are pursuing two programmes where both are in physical modes, it may be an issue because it may be a strain on them physically to attend two sets of classes. Besides, two top universities may not always be located close to each other for students to easily go from one set of classes to the other. Because of this,  a physical+ online combination may be the best for students.
• Pursuing two degrees/diplomas is not easy, and it depends on the capability of the student, and this was just an option to introduce more flexibility in higher studies.

Now as the UGC guidelines on pursuing two simultaneous degrees are announced, all the Higher Educational Institutes will be accepting the same as per their needs.

It is a nice beginning in the field of education, only time will tell how far it will succeed.

Waiting for your views on this blog.

Anil Malik

Mumbai, India

13^th April 2022