MU-affiliated colleges to offer four-year degree courses

Starting from 2024-25, students in 812 non-autonomous colleges affiliated with the University of Mumbai will be able to pursue four-year degree courses like BA, BSc, and BCom. This decision was made by MU's academic council in line with NEP guidelines and aims to provide innovative and employment-oriented educational opportunities. MU has formed clusters of colleges to decentralize the implementation process and promote a multidisciplinary approach to learning. The undergraduate degree program will offer multiple entry and exit points, with options for certification, diploma, and basic Bachelor's degrees.

Beginning from 2024-25, students in all the 812 non-autonomous colleges affiliated with the University of Mumbai (MU) will get the opportunity to pursue four-year degree courses like BA, BSc and BCom. On Wednesday, MU’s academic council put its stamp of approval on this.

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MU had already granted this privilege to a majority of the 62 autonomous colleges under its purview. In line with New Education Policy (NEP) guidelines, it decided to extend this to non-autonomous colleges, and has prepared a comprehensive curriculum and credit scheme for the humanities, commerce, and science disciplines.

A press statement issued by MU explained, ‘While devising the four-year degree course for BSc, BCom and BA, the recommendations of the Ravindra Kulkarni Committee report, University Grants Commission guidelines, and relevant government directives were diligently considered. This strategic approach aims to offer students innovative, multi-dimensional, flexible, employment-oriented, and skill-enhancing educational opportunities.”

MU vice-chancellor Ravindra Kulkarni said that MU had formed a cluster of colleges to decentralise the implementation process. “Each cluster will be headed by a ‘lead college,’ responsible for the quality enhancement of member colleges,” he said. “The structure encourages colleges within a cluster to collectively design courses, promoting a multidisciplinary approach to learning and enabling resource-sharing.” Two types of clusters have been established: one for engineering colleges and another for traditional courses.

The new structure

The undergraduate degree program will offer multiple entries and exits for students in the four years. These options are at the end of the second, fourth, and sixth semesters, respectively, in the four-year degree program, with certification, diploma, and basic Bachelor’s degrees. Students will receive a Bachelor’s degree with Honours/Honours with Research on successfully completing all eight semesters of the UG program. Students choosing a three-year course can avail of a maximum of 132 credits and for a four-years honours degree can get a maximum of 176 credit points. Credits offered per semester will be a minimum of 20 and a maximum of 22.