UGC Asks HEIs to Devise a Mechanism Allowing Students to Pursue Two Degrees Simultaneously

What if any students get the chance to learn two courses simultaneously, and if they do, what will they gain from it? Does it just save time, or will it be more effective for students to learn multiple skills and knowledge across two domains?

Well, the answer lies in the capability and understanding of the students. Some may find it more hectic and less productive since they need to manage a bunch of theoretical classes, practical, assignments, and other activities in order to get two degrees simultaneously, but the majority of students might find it a great development since they get the chance to learn two courses in a single course period.

In this regard, UGC, in its earlier notification dated April 2022 issued a guidelines that allowed students to pursue two courses simultaneously with certain conditions.

• Two full time academic programmes in physical mode but class timings do not overlap with another programme.
• 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.
• Such courses shall be recognised by the UGC/Statutory Council/Govt.  of India.

UGC had earlier asked HEIs to frame a mechanism to facilitate students pursuing two degrees simultaneously.

Again recently, the UGC issued a notice dated January 10, 2023, in which the commission requested that all HEIs devise a mechanism through their statutory bodies that would allow students to pursue two academic programmes concurrently.

The commission has also noticed that students have had trouble getting into dual degree programmes because many higher education institutions (HEIs) require a migration or transfer certificate for admission, which students can’t provide when they enrol in another programme. It defeats the very purpose of pursing two academic degree programme simultaneously.

“It is, therefore, once again requested that the universities may kindly devise facilitate mechanisms through their statutory bodies to allow the students to pursue two academic programmes simultaneously,” the notice added further.