4-Year UG Programs From 2023-24: UGC

The University Grants Commission (UGC) has recently finalized the Four-Year Undergraduate Programme (FY-UGP) framework that will be implemented in all the Higher Education Institutions across the country from the upcoming academic year 2023-24.??

The four-year undergraduate course will be divided into 8 semesters, each semester having 24 credits which comes up to a total of 192 credits. After every year ( i.e. 2 semesters), students are given an open option to exit, take a break and join after a gap to complete the course, as they will still receive a one-year course certificate.?

After 2 years, a diploma certification is provided; after 3 years, a regular undergraduate certificate is provided. The fourth year is exclusively dedicated to research and development, and upon completion of the fourth year, an advanced research certificate is provided along with the bachelor’s. In the first 4 semesters, students will be allowed to study the core subjects of their choice along with electives from other streams. Vocational courses and internships are also a part of the curriculum.??

The incoming batch of students can opt for four-year undergraduate courses from the next academic year. From the next academic year, the incoming students will have the opportunity to opt for four-year undergraduate courses. The UGC will probably approve the FY-UGP for older students, implying that students who enrolled in standard, three-year undergraduate programmes this academic year may also have the option of joining the four-year degree programme beginning with the following session.??

Benefits of a 4 Year Undergraduate Program

Boost in Vocational and Practical Knowledge

Multidisciplinary and Vocational Education, which would equip students with the essential real-world skills to find employment after college, is one of the main changes that NEP 2020 seeks to implement. Encouraging research and development, vocational training and internships will support the development of practical skills and occupational credentials, which are more important in light of the rapid pace of global change.???????????

Increase in Academic Flexibility??

The new NEP 2020 aims to provide a system in which students have the freedom to enrol in or withdraw from courses as they see fit. They can even change their degree programs in response to the changing industry trends. This kind of academic flexibility has existed in international education systems for long and it is a great move to bring this in India as well.?

Digital Repository of Credits Earned??

The FY-UGP will be based on a credit hour system. There are a specific number of credit hours each student has to complete to be able to graduate and the credit earned can be stored in a digital repository known as the “Academic Bank of Credits.” Since the courses offered through the online modes would also be considered for Credit transfer and accumulation, a more flexible form of education is provided for the students.??

Specialization Options in FY-UGP

The FY-UGP helps colleges and universities to enable their students to a better placement opportunities as they can use the last year of the degree to provide vocational or Job ready certifications and provide in-demand skills.? Some of the new-age specializations that HEIs can choose to provide their students are AI and ML, Full Stack Development, Data Science,? Digital Marketing and Business Analytics.?

Some of the new-age specializations that HEIs can choose to provide their students are AI and ML, Full Stack Development, Data Science,? Digital Marketing and Business Analytics.?

The FY-UGP is definitely a great stride in bringing much-needed emphasis on industry training and flexibility in Higher Education Institutions. However, the true meaning of the four-year UG program and its vision as laid out in the NEP 2020 can only be accomplished when an HEI includes quality research, hands-on projects, internships, apprenticeships and Job Ready Certifications etc, into the course design, curriculum and the assessment pattern of students and use the extra year to train students to be industry ready.?

(Dear readers, At upGrad Campus, we believe that any institution can be turned into a Next-Gen Institution with the right kind of technology and course structure. If you are ?a part of a Higher Education Institution and looking to transform your college/university, you can reach out to us at [email protected] or drop us a message on WhatsApp.)