Summary
Joint Degree programme curriculum to be designed jointly by the collaborating Indian and foreign higher educational Institutions
Twinning programmes to be collaboratively designed by Indian and foreign universities
Dual Degree programmes to be jointly designed by both the Indian and foreign higher educational institutions in the same disciplines or subject areas and at the same level
The University Grants Commission (UGC) has released regulations and guidelines for Twinning, Joint Degree, and Dual Degree programmes.
The notification states regulations for all the three degree programmes and the provisions for collaborations for the participating universities.
The curriculum for a Joint Degree programme will be designed jointly by the collaborating Indian and foreign higher educational institutions. On completion of the programme, the degree will be awarded by both the educational institutions with a single certificate. Students from India will have to complete at least 30% of their course credit at the foreign institution.
For joint doctoral programmes, the students will have a supervisor at both the participating institutes. They will have to complete at least one semester each at the collaborating institutes. The student will submit a single thesis adhering to a framework jointly devised by the participating institutions.
In twinning programmes, students will be enrolled for a degree programme at an Indian institute and will be able to undergo an exchange programme with a partner foreign university. Students will be required to complete up to 30% credits of the course at a foreign institution by means of an exchange programme. The same will be considered for foreign students enrolling in a similar programme. The degree on completion of the course will be issued by the Indian institution. Twinning programmes shall be collaboratively designed by Indian and foreign universities.
A Dual Degree programme will be jointly designed by both the Indian and foreign higher educational institutions. Such programmes will allow a student to pursue two degrees for a course of the same discipline and at the same level. In this case, too, they will have to complete at least 30% of their course credit at a foreign institution. For instance, if a student enrolled in a BA English programme in an Indian university, can further pursue a part of the course at a foreign institution.
On completion of the course, the student will be awarded two degrees, separately and simultaneously, by the Indian and foreign institutions. The UGC has clarified that this will not be considered as two separate degree programmes in separate disciplines or subject areas at two different levels.
If simplified further, this means that a dual degree in BA English and BSc Physics, or BSc Maths and MSc Biology will not be allowed under this arrangement.
Last updated on 06 May 2022
