Here’s How HEC’s Cancellation of 2 Year BA and BSc Programs is Affecting Students

The Higher Education Commission (HEC) of Pakistan has abolished the two-year Bachelor’s degree programs at its affiliated institutions across the country. According to its notification, students will no longer be able to pursue two-year degrees like B.Com and B.Sc. This measure is reportedly expected to be enforced in January 2021.

The HEC’s notification has led to students resorting to social media to voice their concerns and questions regarding their futures.


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The following are some FAQs that are in line with the definitive viewpoints of sources close to ProPakistani.

Why Has the HEC Introduced This Policy?

Graduate degree programs around the world are typically either 3-year or 4-year programs. Students with two-year B.Com or B.Sc. degrees cannot qualify for international postgraduate studies with their qualifications. Simply put, students with two-year degrees will not be able to apply for foreign Master’s degree programs that require applicants to have completed 16 years of education. Students enrolled in B.Com or B.Sc. programs will qualify for admission to foreign postgraduate programs only if they have completed both their Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees.

According to the HEC, this is not the first time the policy has been introduced. “We have been working on it for the past two years,” it stated.

In March 2017 and July 2019, a notification issued by the HEC had called upon its affiliated universities to immediately discontinue their two-year academic programs. It had been observed by the HEC that despite its notification, the aforementioned programs are still being offered at institutions.

Local institutions will be held responsible for not acknowledging the HEC’s revised policies if the canceled degrees are still active.

What is HEC’s New Policy?

The HEC will not recognize two-year Bachelor’s degrees including Bachelor’s of Arts (BA) and Bachelor’s of Science (B.Sc.), undertaken after the calendar year 2018. It also issued notifications to its affiliated schools and Degree Awarding Institutions (DAIs ) that it will not recognize these programs in the event of their certifications being awarded to their candidates.

The notification highlighted that students who had enrolled in the discontinued programs at higher education institutes before 31 December 2018 will be allowed to complete them until December 2020. Students who fail in these programs will be awarded the new Associate Degree (AD) upon their completion.

For the avoidance of doubt, students admitted to two-year post-higher secondary or equivalent programs after 31 December 2018 shall have been and shall continue to be admitted to Associate Degree programs.

Through the AD program, the HEC intends for its affiliated institutions to provide general education that has a broader spectrum of application in society. The enrolled students will be trained in the metrics of marketing, financial literacy, and ethics.

Will the Degrees of B.Com. and BA Students be Considered Now, or Will They Have to Reapply?

According to the HEC, these degrees will be accepted. Additionally, the degrees that had commenced prior to December 2019 will also be accepted.

Will Institutions be Fined if They Continue to Offer the Cancelled Programs?

Currently, this option is not under consideration primarily due to the on-going transition from the outdated degree programs to the international standard.

Will the HEC Cancel All the Programs Starting After December 2020?

All the HEC-affiliated institutions are liable to address this query. According to the HEC’s refined plans for the AD programs, the BA/B.Sc. degrees can be converted into ADs with minimum changes in the courses during the first year transition period. To facilitate this change, institutions offering AD programs will be allowed to convert their offered pre-existing program into the new one.

The HEC has also directed institutions to proceed with transient changes in their BA/B.Sc. curricula for the AD program. Although conditionally, the HEC-affiliates should continue transitioning to the AD programs with additions that are in accordance with the policies and guidelines that are periodically provided by the HEC.

What are AD Programs?

AD programs are two-year programs that extend two-year BA or B.Sc. degrees to four years to enable them to be internationally recognized. The goal of an AD program is to provide broad-based education to students along with experiential learning via skill-based courses.

As per the National Qualifications Framework developed by the HEC, AD programs are equivalent to 14 years of education. Prior to their completion, students can enroll themselves in the fifth semester of Bachelor’s programs of their choice after an evaluation of their transcripts by the concerned universities.

Do the Affected Students Have to Apply to Other Schools From Scratch? What About the One Year That They Have Passed?

The HEC’s semester guidelines only allow the exemption of some course credits according to its credits transfer policy.

Students can look for enrollment options in either four-year BS degree programs or BS AD programs. They can take the courses that they have studied in their transcripts. All individual cases will be considered by universities on the basis of the courses that have already been studied, and the universities will decide if the credit hours can be transferred or not.

 


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Are Master’s Degree Programs Being Terminated as Well?

According to the HEC, Master’s degree programs are not being terminated. However, candidates can apply for them only after completing a four-year Bachelor’s degree. For students who will have completed their B.Com/BSc programs by 2020, the decision will be taken by their universities.

 


If you have more questions, leave your queries in the comment section below, and we will get back to you soon.


  • So, After Intermediated,
    Student Kiya Karega, Phir, MBA, MSC, BBA, Etc ?
    Wo Kiya Kare Aur Kaise, In MBA MSC BBA K Fee Affordable Kare, BA/BCOM Ki Annual Fee He 15K Se Upper Nahi Hoti Thi
    Ab Kiya Kare

  • Aesy students jo bsc part 2 m h ..unhy degree mily gi ? Kyu k bsc 2 k paper 2021 feb / march m hongy …or unhy master program .m admission mily ga ya nhi?

  • Can someone tell me that before 2018 degree of B.A or B.com Or Bsc will b accepted for the admission in Masters.? Or it is not accepted for Masters program? Plzzz guide me.

    • Aiza I heard that BA/BSc candidate can apply for BS in 5th semester in relevant field if that is true, this will be good

    • If you have a 2 year BA/BSc then you’ll have to do AD (2 years total) first then you can do Masters. This will decision will take effect from from January 2021.

      • But if someone has a degree before 2018 and it is BA Bcom or Bsc..so. They also took admission in 5th semester cause I heard a news in which they told after 2018 they r not accepting? So

        • If you have a degree before 2018 and it’s a 2 year bachelors then you just have to either enroll in a 5th semester or do AD (both will take 2 more years), and you will be considered a bachelor’s by HEC’s standards.

    • I have completed my BSc in 2014, now i am doing MCS from virtual university. you can complete your degree. don’t waste your time.

  • Anyone please tell me what about the bsc 2 remaining papers?? i heard they will be held in feb 2021 0r march.. ..
    is it true???

  • Kia ab 4 year bcom affiliated college se ho sake ga?after
    4 year bcom.ki degree mile gi ya masters ki?

  • Please meri HEC sy bht request hai jen
    students ka 4 th year ka papers rha gaya hai en ko promote kr ka kam khatam kara hm log ab bht tang ho gaya hai humara kch ni bn rha laktya hua hai hm logo ko plz ni tu humara fee tu waste honi hi ni liken time b bht waste hona hai hm log papers na hona ke wagha bht tension m hai or ab ap es kl khatam b kr rha hai plz hm logo ko tabha na kara

    • It’s okay
      All students and their Future are important for HEC So You are all don’t worry HEC have many other sources about your qualification.
      HEC’ve many scholarships for Local and Foreign Countries for 4 Years and 7 and 9 Years.
      When yoj completed Your Intermediate then you can Apply and avail the scholarships
      Thanks.

  • AoA…
    As due to COVID-19 HEC postponed BA/BSc annual exams 2020 that were going to held in December 2020. So these examination will be conducted in 2021 then what about those 80,000plus students that are under ba bsc program offered by punjab university. It’s a humble request to open admissions in MSc (2 year) program 2021 so kindly pay attention to this matter.

  • BA k students jinke exam abhi nov 2020 mai thay jo k COVID ki wajah se postponed hogaye hainnn tou ab in students ka kya hoga ??
    HEC se request hai k jo jo students enroll hve ve hainn unko tou degree dein na phr beshak next year se degree cancel krdein lkn jo enroll hve ve hain students unko tou degree dein naa!!!
    Please HEC, don’t play with our future!!
    Everybody is answerable to Allah..!

  • Yr kitny log hain jo Foreign countries jaty hain?? Sirf isi wjy sy BA BSC ka khtam krna bakwas hai. Q k BA Bsc bnda 2 saal mai max 15k mai clear kr jata tha & jobs k lye bhi capable hojata tha! BS k 1 semester ki fee hi 20 sy 30k hoti hai. Ya tu semester fee bhi km kry HEC.

  • Sir my question is Have completed degrees before 2018 who have had Bs.c or B.A before Can those people get admission in master’s degree or Not?

  • A. o. a
    sir b. com part 2 k exams abi recently howy hain kya degree mil jay gi or wo acceptable ho gi plz sir inform me
    Thank you

  • What is about private students who have already been registered and willing to complete their graduation as private candidates ?

  • 2020 me B.sc complete hojayega so kya M.A / M.sc me admission ho sakta hai ya nai, because i can’t join 5th semester in Bs regular program because of my job. What is the policy of HEC for the students who are currently doing job with private study.

  • I can not bank account so you have it in all myself many is safe and only myself used only allow us in the right place to apply in credit card my name myself anything information about only me details about me Hamza Naveed and my phone number in my cnic registration 03243303298 and my age is over that 26 year old and my working in art director in shooting set director and my city karchi you need my help with cnic I’d card number so I can give you my need it any cash my home is very important that in cash batter all my home problem solving this cash need to be only my home happy anything problem solving please find my hall it

  • Sir I have completed my B.Sc in January 2020 in suply exam. To kia Meri degree bhi cancel ho gi ?

  • I have recently, in November 2020, completed my BA. Can I apply for 2 years Masters degree.

  • کوئی بتا دیں کہ بی اے ،بی ایس سی 2019 سے 2021 سیشن والے ایکسپٹ ایبل ہونگے یا نہیں؟؟؟

  • This year all candidates enrolled for academic year 2019 in MA regular & private should be allowed by HEC to appear in forthcoming exams to complete their masters degree coz DAIs ignored HEC directives, it is not a mistake at candidates’ level.

    • Gufran bhai plz mjy y batay k abi Next year me ny M.A mein admission krna ha to kia me admission ly sakti hu master me Next year

  • Will there be any alternative for the students who were willing to apply for BA,BSC OR BCOM ?

  • Student who have an AD degree would be illegible for getting admission in a Master’s degree or not?

  • It’s shameful!
    HEC is playing with the future of thousands of other students like me.

  • Listen sir.. Apka kam stidents ko taraqqi k mawaqy farahm krna h .. Na k unky future se khelna .. Kindly jin students ne b.a part 1 ke exms dye h unka rslt announce kre or agr esa na hua to hm sb students ko ehtejaj krna prega mjubran bacho ki zndgi s na khenn khudara🙏

  • Aoa sir plzz tell me .k hm agr adp ki degree lety hain then 5th semester of bscs mn admission ly…to after completion of bscs 4years program wo adp ki degree fazool hogi ?wo hmary liye important ni hogi whenever we will apply for job only final degree of bscs can be taken ??

  • Slam sir….agr hamy kisi uni ny admission na diya bs k 5th semester ma to hm kaya karn gy?????

  • I registered myself in ma arabic..and i also submitted the examination foam..my registration year in ma is 2019..so my foam will be refundable or acceptable??

  • اسلام وعلیکم
    میری طرح ہر اس بی اے بی ایس سی کا طالب علم کو ہائیر ایجوکیشن کمیشن کے نئے فیصلے پر انتشار کا شکار ہو گا جس نے چودہ سال یا سولہ سال اس امید کے ساتھ پڑھا ہو گا کہ ہمیں اپنا مستقبل بہتر بنانا ہے اور سولہ سال کی محنت اور کوشش کے بعد آپ کو پتہ چلے کہ آپکی ڈگری منظور شدہ ہی نہیں یا آپ نے تو بی اے ایم اے کیا ہے یا کر رہے ہیں ان کی تو آجکل کے دور میں کوئی ویلیو ہی نہیں آپ کا اپنے مستقبل کو بہتر بنانے کا کوئی حق نہیں آپ اپنی ڈگری  کو اٹھائے اور خود سمیت آگ لگا لے کیونکہ نہ تو آپ کو کوئی جاب مل سکتی ہیں اور نہ ہی آپ کی تعلیم ہمارے نظام تعلیم سے مطابقت رکھتی ہے
    یہ پوسٹ سب بے اے ، بی ایس سی طلباء و طالبات کے لیے اور ہر اس سٹوڈنٹ کے لیے جن کی دو سالہ ڈگری خطرے میں ہے چاہے وہ ماسٹر لیول پر ہیں یا گریجویشن لیول پر
    اب بات کرتے اصل مسئلے پر جو کہ ایچ ای سی کا نیا لیا گیا فیصلہ ہے کہ 2018 کے بعد کی ڈگریاں منظور شدہ نہیں ہو گی
    اب بہت سارے طلباء کو اس فیصلے سے اختلاف ہے اور ہونا بھی چاہیے کہ سالہاسال سے تو بی اے ایم اے کی ڈگریز چل رہی تھیں تب تو کسی وزیر تعلیم کو مسلے نہیں ہوئے اب تک کے جو وزیر تعلیمات رہے ہیں وہ خود انہیں ڈگریز سے یہاں تک پہنچے ہیں
    اگر اب ہم بی ایس کی ڈگری پر بات کریں تو وہ تو پچھلے چھ، سات سالوں میں شروع ہوئی تو پہلے تو پاکستان کا ہر طالب علم درجہ بہ درجہ انھیں ڈگریز سے ہوتے ہوئے بہت سے شعبوں جڑے ہوئے اب بھی آپ کسی بھی سکول کالج کا ریکارڈ نکالے تو ٹیچرز کی ایک بڑی تعداد بی اے بی ایڈ ایم اے ایم ایڈ ہولڈرز ہیں اور تعلیم کے شعبے میں ہی نہیں ہر شعبے کے ساتھ ایسے لوگ منسلک ہیں جن کے پاس یہی ڈگریز ہیں تو اب ان ڈگریز میں کیا پرابلمز پیدا ہو گئی کہ یہ جاری نہیں رہ سکتی
    میرے خیال میں ایک بی اے ایم اے ہولڈر میٹرک تک کے سٹوڈنٹس کوبہت اچھی تعلیم دے سکتے ہیں اور دے رہے آپ پرائیویٹ سکولز کالجز دیکھیں وہاں ایم اے کرنے کے بعد بارہ پندرہ ہزار میں ایک ٹیچر پڑھا رہا ہوتا کیوں
    کیونکہ اس نے سولہ سال دھکے کھائے ہوتے ایک اچھی جاب حاصل کرنے کے لیے پر وہ مجبور ہوتا ہے کیونکہ اس نے ایک فیملی کو سپورٹ کرنا ہوتا ہے اور بہت معزرت کے ساتھ یہ ایک بی اے ایم اے ہولڈرز ہی ہیں جو پرائیویٹ سکول یا اداروں میں اتنی کم تنخواہوں پر اپنی خدمات دے رہے ہوتے
    اور پھر پاکستان کے لاکھوں طلباء ایسے ہیں جو اپنے حالاتوں کی وجہ سے یونیورسٹیز میں داخلے نہیں لے سکتے
    اور میں بہت سے طلباء ایسے بھی دیکھے ہیں جو اپنی چھوٹی چھوٹی جابز کے ساتھ اپنی تعلیم کو بہتر بنا رہے ہوتے  پرائیویٹ پڑھ کے تو تعلیم تو ہر ایک کا حق ہے تو ہائیر ایجوکیشن کمیشن کو یہ حق کس نے دیا کہ وہ لاکھوں طلباء سے ان کا مستقبل چھین لے اور یہ بلکل غلط فیصلہ ہے ہمیں اس کی پرزور مزمت کرنی ہے تاکہ ایچ ای سی اپنے اس فیصلے کو واپس اور تعلیم کو آسان بنائے نا کہ ایک عام بندے کی پہنچ سے دور کر دیں
    میری دو سالہ ڈگری کے ہر طلباء و طالبات سے گزارش ہے کہ وہ اس فیصلے پر اپنا احتجاج ریکارڈ کروائے اپنا مستقبل بچائے پاکستان کا مستقبل بچائے
    اور ہائیر ایجوکیشن کمیشن سے بھی درخواست ہے کہ وہ اپنا یہ فیصلہ واپس لے تاکہ پاکستان پڑھا لکھا ہو سکے نا کہ پاکستان میں ناخواندگی اور بڑھے

  • maine 2018 se pehle b. A kiya ha ( 2yrz) .. Ab degree hasil krne k liye apply kri hu.. Usky bad HEC se attest krwaungi..
    To kya wo accept krngy? Yani meri degree recognize hogi?
    Plz reply

  • HEC should not abolish the 2 years degree programs.Jub hm B.Sc 2 years kay baad M.Sc 2 years ki kar lety hein to hmary automatically 4 years he bn jaty hein.This is affecting the students negatively.We can’t accept this decesion .If they are doing so do alternate for us they are talking about foreign study programs then give us the foreign study visas to continue and ya pher universities k charges less karein .

  • Superior College Lahore is offering M.Com 2 years (morning/evening/weekend) to those students who have attained their 14 years B.Com prior to 2020. They claim that HEC has relaxed the policy for 14 years B.Com who have got their credentials till 2020. However, they may be taking a chance by allowing such students to continue their education is such a way. Because HEC directions are ambiguous for past students and it might turn out in future that HEC may not recognize the said M.Com degree. If anyone have any information, Please conform. Another issue is most of the colleges / universities are not allowing students to continue from the fifth semester. They are not sure as to what would be the stance of HEC such scenarios. And, even if they do accommodate, most of the students who are doing a job after 14 years of education may not be able to avail this option because mostly these programs are being offered in morning sessions and not in evening. So virtually there is a full stop as far as the higher studies are concerned for such students :( … HEC has to come up with some solution …

  • I’ve done BSC (2 years )back in 2008. I wanted to proceed my studies. In which programme should I enroll now?

  • Sub log citizens portal Pa complain kro ky jo students ab admition la chuky hn unko chance dia Jay ky vo degree complete kr lain jis student ny 2019 ma addmition lia tha unky exams hi 21 ma hony thy agr ab uni paper ni lati to ya uni ka qasoor h ku ky all gvt uni 2 year program ky admition kr rhi h hec ko chiyh phly all universities ma isky addmition close krway


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