Kerala University introduces four-year undergraduate courses for first time in state

Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala University will offer four-year undergraduate honours courses starting this academic year. The following courses will now have a duration of four years: B.A. (Hons.) in Language and Communication Skills, Politics and Public Administration; B.Sc. (Hons.) in Life Science; and B.Com. (Hons.). These courses will commence at the Kariavattom Campus of the University.

Additionally, the B.Com. (Hons.) courses will also be introduced in UITs (University Institute of Technology), operated by the university. The specific department within the university campus where the honours courses will be associated with will be determined later, according to vice-chancellor Dr. Mohanan Kunummal.

The B.A. (Hons.) course is designed after courses of Delhi University and Banaras Hindu University, while the B.Sc. (Hons.) course draws inspiration from the Indian Institute of Science's honours program.

In the current academic year, the four-year duration will be applicable only to courses offered at the university campus, while affiliated colleges will adopt the extended duration from the following year. Colleges interested in starting the honours course are invited to submit letters of interest.

Colleges eligible for the honours courses must have been running an undergraduate program and its corresponding postgraduate program for a minimum of ten years. The VC emphasised that the courses would be developed according to Kerala State Higher Education Council standards.

Starting next year, honours courses will be available in all 44 departments at Kerala University's Kariavattom campus.

Other state universities will start four-year courses next academic year.