Popular Indian Dual Degree Programmes with International Tie-Ups

What is a Dual Degree Programme?

Dual degree programmes are a specific type of programme which allows students to study two different degrees, generally from different disciplines or different institutions. In recent times, many institutions have started offering dual degree programmes in collaboration with leading international universities. Students can complete a part of their education in India and the rest at a university abroad.

Due to Indian universities having tie-ups with global universities, students can earn degrees from both universities. According to the University Grants Commission (Academic Collaboration between Indian and Foreign Higher Educational Institutions to Offer Twinning, Joint Degree, and Dual Degree Programme) Regulations, 2022, these tie-ups will ensure academic and research excellence in Indian Higher Educational Institutions and will help Indian universities achieve higher global rankings.

Benefits of Studying International Dual Degrees

Studying dual degree programmes with international collaboration has a lot of benefits. Listed below are some of the important benefits of studying an International degree programme.

Global Exposure - Apart from studying at Indian universities, students also get a chance to pursue a part of their education at universities abroad. It allows students to experience different educational cultures and faculties, which provides them with a well-rounded education.

Enhanced Career Opportunities - Candidates holding multiple degrees from India and abroad are highly desired by employers. Students having international dual degrees are recruited by global multinational companies.

Less cost compared to a full-fledged study abroad programme - As compared to studying a full-fledged degree at a foreign university, dual degree programmes generally have lower fees, making it ideal for students with financial constraints.

Develop Diverse Skill Development - A dual degree provides students an opportunity to study in two distinct educational cultures. It helps students develop critical thinking, analytical and leadership skills.

Broader Networking Opportunities - After graduation, students earn not one but two degrees from prominent universities in different countries. Students get a chance to understand global challenges and build a good network from not just an Indian university but also from a foreign university.

Important Guidelines for Dual Degree Programmes- According to the University Grants Commission (UGC)

• Universities should offer dual degree programmes in the same discipline/subject areas and at the same level. Degrees will be provided separately by Indian and Foreign Universities upon completion of the degree requirements.
• Students should meet the admission and eligibility criteria of both institutions and be admitted to the institutes separately.
• Candidates must earn a total of 30 credits from an Indian institution.
• Credits earned for the course should be counted towards degrees awarded by both institutions.
• Collaborating higher educational institutions should ensure that credit earned by the individual should not be from overlapping course content/curriculum.
• For a doctoral degree, students should have a supervisor at each institution in India and abroad. Individuals should spend a minimum of one semester in each institution during the study period. However, students should submit a single thesis, as per the guidelines devised by both institutions jointly.
• Fees for the entire duration of the programme should be made publicly available during the admission procedure. It should be reasonable to make higher education accessible to all the sections of the society.
• Collaborating higher education should make provision for exit for students unable to complete their dual degree programme along with future acceptance of the credits earned by the students.
• All other provisions regarding offering dual degree programmes shall be mutually decided by both institutions as per the rules, regulations and laws of their respective countries.

Popular Dual Degree Programmes in Different Fields

In recent times, many institutes have started offering dual degree programmes with international collaboration. Listed below are some of the major fields in which dual degree programmes are offered. We will also discuss some of the popular providers of each discipline.

Engineering

Some of the popular dual degree programmes offered in engineering disciplines are mentioned below.

• BE Electronics and BE Electrical Engineering
• BE Electrical and Electronics and BE Electrical Engineering
• BE Mechanical and BS Mechanical Engineering
• BE Computer Science and BS Computer Science Engineering
• BTech Computer Science Engineering and Bachelor of Cyber Security
• BTech Computer Science Engineering and Bachelor of Data Science
• BTech Civil Engineering and Bachelor of Engineering Honours
• BTech in Mechanical Engineering and Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) Mechanical Engineering Major
• BTech Mechatronics Engineering and Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) Mechatronics Honours Major

Top Colleges Providing Engineering Dual Degree Programmes

• BITS Pilani
• Symbiosis Pune
• OP Jindal Global University
• Manipal University, Jaipur
• IIT Roorkee

BITS Pilani, Manipal University Jaipur, and IIT Roorkee have introduced dual degree programmes having international collaboration. BITS Pilani have recently introduced two interdisciplinary courses for science students, namely the Master of Science (MSc) degree programme in Semiconductor and Nanoscience, and the Bachelor of Engineering (BE) programme in Environmental and Sustainability Engineering.

IIT Roorkee in collaboration with Niigata University, Japan has launched a dual PhD programme. Similarly, Manipal University, Jaipur in collaboration with Deakin University, Melbourne has launched BTech and BE (Honours) dual degree programmes.

Apart from this, many Indian universities also collaborate with global institutions to offer a pathway programme with a bachelor’s degree from India and a master's degree from abroad.

Management

Popular dual degree programmes offered in management disciplines are mentioned below.

• BBA Honours with research and Bachelor of Business Analytics
• MBA and Masters Degree in Finance
• MBA in Banking and Finance with a specialisation in financial services and MSc in Finance
• Dual MBA in FinTech Management (India and abroad)

Top Colleges Providing Management Dual Degree Programmes

• IIM Bangalore
• IIM Calcutta
• NMIMS
• Symbiosis School of Banking and Finance (SSBF, Pune)
• DoMS, IIT Madras
• IIM Sambalpur

How do you Enrol in a Dual Degree Programme?

Listed below are some of the steps to enrol in a dual degree programme-

1. Research the Institutions-

Students should research the institution carefully and check for collaborations with foreign institutions and their dual degree offerings.

2. Understand the Eligibility Criteria-

Each programme has different academic and entrance exam requirements. Some colleges require GRE/GMAT and TOEFL/IELTS scores for the international part of the course.

3. Application Procedure-

Most dual degree programmes follow a streamlined application procedure, where students have to meet the eligibility requirements of both Indian and foreign universities.

4. Financial Planning

These dual degree programmes are cost-effective as compared to studying for a full-time course at a foreign university. However, students should plan for tuition, travel and accommodation costs.

Things to Consider Before Choosing a Dual Degree Programme

Some of the factors candidates should consider before choosing a dual degree programme with international collaboration are mentioned below.

• Accreditation- Students should ensure both degrees are recognised by relevant education authorities in India and abroad.
• Career Goals- Students should choose a programme that aligns with their long-term career plans.
• Financial Feasibility- Check for scholarships and financial assistance provided by the institutes.
• Course Duration and Requirements- Some dual degree programmes may take longer than traditional degrees, so students should know the course duration of the course to plan accordingly.

Students pursuing these degrees can gain knowledge of education cultures from both India and abroad. It is an excellent way to gain global exposure alongside reducing costs associated with pursuing a full-time degree at a foreign university. Graduates have the opportunity to apply for job roles in both domestic and global job markets as per their interests and future aspirations.