Fast-paced and slow-paced degree options from next year: UGC chairman explains

UGC is set to introduce accelerated and decelerated degree programmes for students, allowing faster completion or extended timelines from the next academic session, with detailed guidelines expected soon. UGC Chairman M Jagadesh Kumar explained more.

In Short

• UGC announces faster and slower degree options from next year
• Accelerated schemes to allow early graduation for 10% of students
• PM Vidyalakshmi aims to ease financial barriers for higher education

Starting from the next academic session, students in India will have the flexibility to accelerate or decelerate their undergraduate degree programmes, according to University Grants Commission (UGC) Chairman M Jagadesh Kumar.

While he first announced this plan at a Chennai conference for autonomous colleges last week, Professor Kumar provided more details on the plan speaking with IndiaToday.in on the sidelines of a Delhi event celebrating a century of India's tie-ups with Johns Hopkins University on Monday.

“Talented students who are capable of taking more credits per semester can accelerate their programme. Let's say, in a 3-year undergraduate programme, they have to take 120 credits, that’s 40 credits per year. Instead, if they take more credits per year, they should be able to complete the degree in 2.5 years,” Kumar explains.

“So, by planning the earning of the credits properly, they can finish it early. This is what we call an accelerated degree programme,” he adds.

This initiative is designed to cater to different learning paces, allowing faster learners to complete degrees in less time while accommodating students who need more time to meet academic requirements.

WHAT ARE ACCELERATED AND DECELERATED PROGRAMMES?

Under the accelerated degree scheme, students can take more credits per semester to complete a three-year degree in 2.5 years or a four-year degree in three years.

Conversely, the decelerated scheme is tailored for students who may find it difficult to cope with the academic workload. These students can take fewer credits per semester and extend a three-year course to four years.

"There can also be students who may find it difficult to cope with the academic work, so they may want to take a lesser number of credits and slower their pace. Instead of 3 years, they may like to do in 4 years," says the UGC chairman.

“In the current system, if the student falls short of the required minimum number of credits, the student will be out of the system. It will be considered as a failure and he will be failed. But now we are saying you don't have to worry. You take a lesser number of credits, but in a slow-paced manner you complete your degree,” Kumar explains.

"This is to take care of the different cognitive abilities of the students because the cognitive abilities of the students are different. Some are slow learners, some are fast learners, and that that is how nature is," he adds.

NOT TO BE CONFUSED WITH MULTI-ENTRY, MULTI-EXIT

M Jagadesh Kumar clarified that this new scheme is distinct from the multi-entry, multi-exit system and shouldn't be confused.

In a slow-paced programme, students can still take breaks, work, and return to continue their degree, benefiting from the flexibility offered by multi-entry, multi-exit options.

"In the slow-paced programme, where I may extend a 4-year degree to a 5-year degree, I may like to take a gap of one year, go and work somewhere earn some money, and then come back and continue my studies. So I will still be eligible for a multi-entry, multi-exit scheme, while I can also either accelerate or decelerate my degree programme," the UGC chairman explains.

However, access to the accelerated scheme will be limited. “Only 10% of students in a programme will be allowed to accelerate,” Kumar noted.

The new degree structures, based on recommendations from an IIT Madras-led committee, headed by IIT Madras Director V Kamakoti, will likely be implemented in the upcoming academic session. Detailed guidelines are expected shortly.

FINANCIAL AID THROUGH PM VIDYALAKSHMI SCHEME

Kumar highlighted that the number of new schemes being announced by the UGC were aimed at making higher education more accessible. The UGC is pushing for greater use of the PM Vidyalakshmi scheme, which offers financial support for students.

“The first barrier to higher education is financial constraints. We aim to remove this barrier and ensure students can access high-quality education,” Kumar said.

A campaign involving 860 eligible institutions is underway to encourage more students to benefit from this scheme, which could play a crucial role in their future success.

WHAT DO ACADEMIC EXPERTS HAVE TO SAY?

The announcement of the new UGC scheme has drawn mixed responses from academics.

“This progressive step by the UGC provides additional opportunities to ambitious students pursuing expedited academic and career pathways. It also links higher education with internationally recognised standards," says Dr. Ashok Kumar Mittal, Founder Chancellor of LPU and a Member of Parliament (Rajyasabha).

He adds that major changes would be needed from institutes across India to accommodate this shift.

"To accommodate students who choose fast degree completion, institutes will need to make significant academic restructuring changes. This may entail providing parallel exam dates and different evaluation patterns to accommodate both regular and fast-track students," Mittal explains.

"Additionally, the education style must be changed, with intensive sessions, modular content distribution, and strategic mentoring for those working on a tight deadline. At LPU, we intend to use technology and flexible learning pathways to ensure that all students, regardless of pace, have a holistic and excellent educational experience," he says.

Speaking to Hindustan Times, two Delhi University professors expressed their concerns.

Mithuraaj Dhusiya, a Delhi University professor and member of its standing committee, argued that compressing degree timelines could lead to reduced core course content. “The core content has already gone down, and UGC is just playing with the idea of four years, three years, 2.5 years,” he said.

Abha Dev Habib, another DU professor, voiced concerns about academic rigour and employability. She stated that compressing courses could compromise the depth and sequence of learning, leaving students less prepared for the job market and potentially devaluing their degrees. Habib added, “If an honours degree can be completed in three years, it raises questions about the necessity of a fourth year.”

The National Education Policy 2020 recommends a four-year UG programme, with the option for students to conduct research in the fourth year and earn an 'honours' degree.