SCHOOL OF LIBERAL STUDIES

• Integration of Smart Technology with Liberal Arts
• Renowned Academicians as faculty
• Experiential learning (application of theory to solve real-world problems) 
• Peer learning across domains, ensuring a continuum of student engagement 
• Labs to promote transdisciplinary learning 
• Unmatched Global Opportunities
  • Student exchange opportunities at the world’s Top Universities such as the University of Bologna, and the University of Gothenburg.
  • Semester abroad opportunity at the University of California, Berkeley.

About Programme

The SOLS curriculum has been designed in keeping with the guidelines of the NEP 2022 and, in particular, to achieve the objectives laid down in that policy. There are 12 Foundation courses where the students from all the schools in the university learn together. These courses are meant to train the students to develop capacities to collaborate across disciplines and to practise lifelong learning.

Students can mix and match courses to major in general disciplines like economics, political science and literature or, in more specialized sub-disciplines like environmental economics, Indian literature, and gender politics. Each student goes through disciplinary core courses and a choice of electives for their chosen specializations.

SOLS students learn the applications of the theory taught in the classrooms by participating in live projects in the various labs, by carrying out fieldwork in the neighbourhood and by being involved in internships in government offices, NGOs and businesses.

SOLS students are trained to be global citizens. We have partnerships with foreign universities (Gothenburg University, University of Bologna), faculty members visiting from foreign universities (Groningen University – in the top 100 global universities list) and our faculty members have a rich exposure to foreign universities.

Our activities in the labs are problem-solving exercises in health, education, technology, urbanization, environment, citizenship and gender. These activities are specifically designed to train our students to be problem solvers in their professions. In addition, SOLS is committed to training students to conduct research with faculty members in case they want to pursue higher studies.

The 4-year degree program allows a student to exit after the 3^rd year with a Bachelor’s degree. Those who stay the 4^th year, get an Honours degree (in their chosen major) by taking additional courses and working on a project or research paper.

Why Liberal Studies

Society is going through a massive transformation and the future challenges and opportunities in the transformed society are yet to be experienced. The young must be trained in anticipating challenges and identifying opportunities. This requires people from different specializations to work together to solve a common problem or make the best of an opportunity. Seven areas – health, education, technology, urbanization, environment, citizenship and gender – need to be addressed if our transformed society is to be just and sustainable. Working together requires an appreciation of the perspectives brought to the table by different disciplines and Liberal Studies brings together students and faculty to work together on solving these specific issues in society. Students are, therefore, taught not only through classroom lectures but also through the actual projects in labs set up for investigations into the seven specific issues mentioned above.

Though Apple’s Steve Jobs was a college dropout, throughout his life he audited Liberal Arts classes and credited this Liberal Arts training for the core values of Apple. Indeed, Howard Schultz, Starbucks CEO (B.S. in Communications), Andrea Jung, Avon CEO (B.A. in English Literature), Michael Eisner, Walt Disney Company CEO (B.A. in English Literature and Theatre), Carly Fiorina, Hewlett-Packard CEO (B.A. in Medieval History and Philosophy), Jack Ma, Alibaba Chairman (B.A. in English) and Kenneth Chenault, American Express CEO (B.A. in History) are some of the many examples of successful careers with a Liberal Studies degree.

74 per cent of the 320 CEOs surveyed by the Association of American Colleges and Universities in 2013, recommended a Liberal Studies education for a more creative and dynamic workplace.

UPES’ curriculum framework is holistic in its overall structure and yet focuses on the individual need of the student to discover, experience, explore and challenge. Along with the core subject, students have the option to choose from subject-focused specialisations. They are also allowed to choose minor/exploratory subjects from other schools at UPES that are: School of Advanced Engineering, School of Computer Science, School of Law, School of Business, School of Health Sciences, School of Design, School of Modern Media, and School of Liberal Studies.

Further, based on the multifaceted needs of the global workplace and evolving lifestyles, the curriculum offers Signature and Life-Skills courses through School for Life. To round off this learning experience, students must do mandatory internships in the social sector, government/public sector, and industry. The combinations available for students to pick and choose from are endless, ensuring both depth and width of knowledge.