ISLAMABAD: In a bid to bring higher education at a par with internationally-accepted and recognised models, the Higher Education Commission (HEC) on Friday announced that the old two-year BA/BSc degrees (equivalent to 14 years of education) and MA/MSc degrees will no longer be offered by Pakistani universities after Academic Year 2018 and 2020, respectively.
The students of Pakistan faced problems worldwide because of the two-year BA and MA degree programmes, as these were not recognised internationally due to which HEC in 2016 decided to abolish the two-year BA/BSc degrees and MA/MSc degrees.
“In accordance with a decision taken by HEC in 2016, the old two-year BA/BSc degrees (equivalent to 14 years of education) and MA/MSc degrees will no longer be offered by Pakistani universities after Academic Year 2018 and 2020, respectively,” the statement reads.
However, holders of BA/BSc degrees will be allowed to take admission in the third year (fifth semester) of BS (four-year degree) programme after successful completion of 15-18 credit hours of bridging courses as prescribed by HEC and the admitting University.
In place of the two-year BA/BSc, universities will now be able to offer an Associate Degree through recognized campuses or constituent colleges in market driven subjects, after necessary approval from HEC, for students with 12 years of schooling. Detailed guidelines for this programme are available on HEC website.
Students holding Associate Degrees will also be able to re-enter the education system by getting admission in the fifth semester of a BS programme after fulfilling additional entry requirements.
