Integrated degrees are gaining a foothold in India. But, what are they? Do they have an advantage over conventional degrees? This article decodes them and why they are a great option to pursue.
Education in India is becoming increasingly knowledge and industry-centric. Private and Government educational institutions and universities are doing their part to make students industry-ready, by designing courses that equip them to face jobs in the real world. One suchtrend is the rise of integrated degree courses.
In a nutshell, integrated degreecourses combine undergraduate and postgraduate programmes into a single four or five-year course. Integrated degree courses cover a wide spectrum of disciplines – right from engineering to humanities, and everything in between. Students can club together a course in engineering or architecture, with management studies. For instance, students need not spend four years securing a B.Tech or B.Arch degree, only to spend two more securing a Master’s in Business Administration (MBA).
After clearing the final examinations, students are given both qualifications by institutions. In fact, some courses are designed in a way that students can complete two years of their course in the institution they have enrolled in, and the remainder of the course in a foreign university.
The need for integrated degree courses
Integrated degree coursescame into being especially after engineers began to see a need for qualifications higher than just graduation. Sciences like humanities and architecture soon began to recognizethis requirement as well, and followed suit.
Students choosing integrated degree courses need not take their entrance tests twice. They don’t have to skip a year to prepare for a second entrance exam after their bachelor’s. This also means they don’t have to repeat the taxing admission process, much less scout for good colleges again.
However, integrated degree courses aren’t offered by a multitude of universities and colleges just as yet. Deciding to pursue an integrated degree early enough helps you prepare in advance, thereby increasing your chances in getting admission to the college of your choice. Some technicalinstitutes like IITs, and other engineering colleges and universities like NIIT University, offer integrated degree courses. Another huge advantage is that students with integrated degrees can move on to pursue their PhDs immediately.
Perhaps the biggest advantage of integrated degree courses is the competitive edge that one gains over their colleagues. With just an extra year of studying, students receive a Masters’ degree giving them a clear edge in terms of experience and qualification. They are also more valued by employers. If you are certain you want to dedicate yourprofessional life to a lucrative and respected career, then integrated degree courses will offer you the best of all worlds.
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