UGC Approved NSQF Programmes

The University Grants Commission (UGC) had launched a scheme on 27 February, 2014 for skills development based higher education as part of college/university education, leading to Bachelor of Vocation (B.Voc.) Degree, Master of Vocation (M.Voc.) Degree and Ph.D (Research level). Considering the implementation modalities, the guidelines of the scheme have been revised in the year 2015. The B.Voc. and M.Voc. programmes are focused on universities and colleges providing undergraduate and postgraduate studies which would also incorporate specific job roles and their NOSs along with broad based general education. This would enable the candidates completing these programmes to make a meaningful participation in accelerating India’s economy by gaining appropriate employment, becoming entrepreneurs and creating appropriate knowledge.

Objectives:

1. To provide judicious mix of skills relating to a profession and appropriate content of general education.

2. To ensure that the students have adequate knowledge and skills, so that they are work ready at each exit point of the programme.

3. To provide flexibility to students by means of pre-defined entry and multiple exit points.

4. To integrate NSQF within the undergraduate level of higher education in order to enhance employability of the graduates and meet industry requirements. Such graduates apart from meeting the needs of local and national industry are also expected to be equipped to become part of the global workforce.

5. To Provide Vertical Mobility To Students Coming Out Of these courses.

Assessment

a. The Skill component of the course will be assessed and certified by the respective Sector Skill Councils. In case, there is no Sector Skill Council for a specific trade, the assessment may be done by an allied Sector Council or the Industry partner. The certifying bodies may comply with and obtain accreditation from the National Accreditation Board for Certification Bodies (NABCB) set up under Quality Council of India (QCI). Wherever the university/college may deem fit, it may issue a joint certificate for the course(s) with the respective Sector Skill Council (s)

b. The credits for the skill component will be awarded in terms of NSQF level certification which will have 60% weightage of total credits of the course in following manner.

c. The general education component will be assessed by the concerned university as per the prevailing standards and procedures. The following formula may be used for the credit calculation in general education component of the courses:

i. General Education credit refers to a unit by which the course work is measured. It determines the number of hours of instructions required per week. One credit is equivalent to one hour of teaching (lecture or tutorial) or two hours of practical work/field work per week. Accordingly, one Credit would mean equivalent of 14-15 periods of 60 minutes each or 28 – 30 hrs of workshops / labs.

ii. For internship / field work, the credit weightage for equivalent hours shall be 50% of that for lectures / tutorials.

iii. For self-learning, based on e-content or otherwise, the credit weightage for equivalent hours of study shall be 50% of that for lectures / tutorials.