Understanding the new Curriculum Framework at UPES

In the Fall Semester of the Academic Year 2020, UPES, Dehradun rolled out its new curriculum for the new cohorts enrolling at the University. The curriculum was the outcome of many months of deliberations based on feedback from students, faculty, alumni and most importantly, the industry that employs the UPES graduates. As an institute of higher learning the curriculum at UPES has always been learner centric and industry focused. With a mandate since its inception, UPES has always looked to fulfill the needs of both the learners and the society and future that awaits them. The University believes that learning is life long and the young people who leave its portals appreciate the value of this.

 

As a rule, realignment of the curriculum is the norm at UPES. An inherent part of its academic process and continued growth. As an University we believe knowledge and learning are both dynamic and organic. In keeping with this, the Academic year commencing in September 2020 introduced some major realignment in the curriculum to coincide with the NEP 2020. Keeping the meta-learning needs of the 21st Century global citizen in perspective, the curriculum framework was restructured to focus on the student’s core curricular needs along with options for focused subject specialization. Simultaneously to allow for the intellectual breadth and depth of an university education, Minor/Exploratory subject options from other Schools at UPES are now a compulsory part of the students learning journey. Also based on the multifaceted needs of the global workplace and evolving lifestyles the curriculum offers Signature# and Life Skills* courses through its newly instituted School for Life. To round off this learning experience, the students are also required to do 3/2 mandatory internships in the social sector, government/public sector and the industry.

 

New Curriculum Framework at a glance

 

Level

Core

Core Specialization

Minor/Exploratory^

Signature#

Life Skills*

 

70% of Credit Weightage

30% of Credit Weightage

Year One (Basic)

 

 

 

 

 

Social Internship

Year Two (Intermediate)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Public/Government Internship (4 & 5 year programmes)

Professional Internship (3 year programmes)

Year Three (Advanced)

 

 

 

 

 

Professional Internship

Year Four

(Specialism)

 

 

 

 

 

Year Five

(Specialism)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Term Definition of Course Nomenclature:

  1. *Life Skill: Those courses that typically add width and depth to the professional development with a focus on transferable skills and adaptability of the student in preparation of their daily lives and general employability skills. (Total 12 credits across 3 years)
  2. #Signature: Those courses that are undertaken by all UPES undergraduate and graduate students that contributes to a broad-based intellectual perspective that is far reaching and global and, is the unique attribute of the UPES Graduate Profile. (Total 18/12 credits across 3/2 years)
  3. ^Exploratory: Courses that enhance a broad base learning opportunity and allow students to explore a selection of courses on offer from the various Schools at UPES. Exploratory courses may contribute towards: (Total 18/12 credits across 3/2 years)
    1. a Minor qualification (if all the selected courses are from the same School and add up to the credit requirements of such a qualification), or
    2. a second Minor as may be the case (where the first minor may be a mandatory requirement of a specific School/programme and built into the said curriculum).
    3. Students also have the freedom of choice in this segment to read a variety of different courses from different schools for an all-round learning experience.