UGC guidelines: Here's how pursuing two UG, PG courses simultaneously may benefit students

The University Grants Commission (UGC) has issued detailed guidelines on its latest provision of allowing postgraduate and undergraduate students pursue two full-time courses simultaneously – a decision that is said to be in line with the latest National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.

As per the guidelines, a candidate can pursue two full-time, same-level academic programmes simultaneously in physical, online or distance learning mode, allowing more options and flexible curricula choices to the students.

UGC has, however, said that PhD candidates will not be able to avail this facility.

Here’s everything you need to know:

1. A student can pursue two full-time academic programmes in physical mode provided that class timings for one programme do not overlap with the class timings of the other programme.

2. A student can pursue two academic programmes, one in full-time physical mode and another in Open and Distance Learning (ODL)/Online mode; or up to two ODL/Online programmes simultaneously.

3. Degree or diploma programmes under ODL/Online mode shall be pursued with only such higher education institutions which are recognized by UGC/Statutory Council/Govt. of India for running such programmes.

4. Degree or diploma programmes under these guidelines shall be governed by the regulations notified by the UGC and also the respective statutory/professional councils, wherever applicable.

5. These guidelines shall come into effect from the date of their notification by the UGC. No retrospective benefit can be claimed by the students who have already done two academic programmes simultaneously prior to the notification of these guidelines.

Academicians have welcomed the decision and are hopeful that it will benefit the students. Jasmine Gohil, associate dean, academic affairs, Anant National University, said, “The new UGC guideline on the possibility of availing two degrees is a welcome move according to me. The larger vision of NEP of creating an academic bank of credits and focus on multidisciplinary education will be truly possible with this guideline. It will also facilitate students to study a semester abroad or at the choice of their institute.”

Initially, there was a lack of clarity regarding the attendance regulations. However, UGC has said that the attendance requirement will be decided by the colleges and universities.

How students will benefit from the latest UGC guidelines

1. The new guidelines will recognise, identify, and foster the unique capabilities of each student by sensitising teachers as well as parents to promote each student’s holistic development in both academic and non-academic spheres.

2. There will be no hard separations between arts and science, between curricular and extracurricular activities, between vocational and academic streams, etc. in order to eliminate harmful hierarchies among different areas of learning.

3. It will provide a multidisciplinary and a holistic education across sciences, social sciences, arts, humanities, and sports for a multidisciplinary world.

4. It will also enable an individual to study in-depth one or more specialised areas of interest, and also develop character, ethical and constitutional values, intellectual curiosity, scientific temper, creativity, spirit of service.

5. The guidelines will additionally offer the students a range of disciplines including sciences, social sciences, arts, humanities, languages, as well as professional, technical, and vocational subjects to make them thoughtful, well-rounded, and creative individuals.

6. It will prepare students for more meaningful and satisfying lives and work roles and enable economic independence.

NEP 2020 states that pedagogy must evolve to make education more experiential, holistic, integrated, inquiry-driven, discovery-oriented, learner-centric, discussion-based, flexible, and enjoyable.

The policy envisions imaginative and flexible curricular structures to enable creative combinations of disciplines for study, which would offer multiple entry and exit points, thus, removing currently prevalent rigid boundaries and create new possibilities for life-long learning and centrally involve critical and interdisciplinary thinking, the UGC said in a statement.