Delhi University Introduces New Degree Format for Students

New Degree Format at Delhi University

The University of Delhi (DU) has announced a revamped format for the degrees awarded to students. This change is part of the Four-Year Undergraduate Programme (FYUP) and will include the student’s photograph along with details about their major and minor subjects. Additionally, it will indicate if the student has chosen a research or entrepreneurship track. The first group of students under the Undergraduate Curriculum Framework (UGCF-2022) will receive these updated degrees during the university's 103rd convocation on November 20.

In the past, degrees from Delhi University did not feature photographs; however, this new initiative marks the first time such an inclusion will occur. This update will not only affect the physical degrees but will also extend to digital degrees, provisional certificates, mark sheets, transcripts, and migration certificates. The new format aims to clearly outline the subjects studied and the academic paths taken by students, enhancing the identification of their fields of expertise.

Degree Titles Based on Major and Minor Subjects

The structure for BA, BCom, and BSc degrees under the Four-Year Undergraduate Programme will also see modifications. For programs with a single core discipline, the major and minor subjects will be clearly stated. Furthermore, the degree will indicate whether the student has pursued an ‘Honours with Research’ or ‘Honours with Entrepreneurship’ track. For courses with two core subjects, the degree will be designated as a ‘Bachelor of Arts’ with an ‘Honours with Research’ label. Multi-core courses will also adopt the new format, with specific mentions for Physical Sciences, Life Sciences, and Commerce; for instance, Commerce students will have ‘Commerce’ as their major.

Inclusion of Specialisation Details

The updated degree format will also highlight specific areas of expertise. For example, within Applied Physical Sciences, specialisations like Analytical Chemistry or Industrial Chemistry will be explicitly noted. Similarly, 'Agro-chemical and Pest Management' will be included under Applied Life Sciences, while 'Food and Nutrition' and 'Human Development' will be recognized under Home Science.

Completion of Credits Required for Major and Minor Status

To have their 'Major' and 'Minor' subjects reflected on their degrees, students must fulfill the credit requirements outlined in UGCF-2022. Merely selecting a subject does not guarantee its inclusion; students must meet the academic standards set forth. Dr. Gurpreet Singh Tuteja, the Controller of Examinations at Delhi University, stated that these changes are designed with the students' best interests in mind. The first cohort of students admitted in 2022 under UGCF-2022 will receive their degrees in this new format during the upcoming convocation.