Uncertainty Grapples Delhi University S Maiden Fyup Batch

For several Delhi University students nearing the end of their undergraduate studies, the choice of continuing into the fourth year under the Four-Year Undergraduate Programme (FYUP) has come with uncertainty.Introduced with the promise of greater research exposure and academic flexibility, the programme has left several students questioning whether adequate support systems are in place.

“When the fourth year was introduced, the infrastructure was not ready. Till date, we feel there aren’t as many classrooms and professors to suffice when it comes to completing the syllabus in time,” says Digvijay Singh, a final year student of Moti Lal Nehru College. He adds that students often struggle to get clarity about upcoming coursework, with answers not always readily available.

Concerns have also emerged around the dissertation, a key component of the fourth-year curriculum. “There are no separate classes being held to teach us how to work on it, and often even our doubts don’t get resolved,” says Abhishek, a fourth-year BA (Hons) Economics student of Ramjas College, adding, “When left to figure things out ourselves, it worries us to think what if our dissertation is not up to the mark.”

For others, the uncertainty is about what comes next. “A lot of what we study in the fourth year isn’t covered in the first year of a master’s programme. I’m worried that when we enter the second year of a master’s course, we may not be on par with students who completed the conventional first year,” says Dipti Bharadwaj of BA (Hons) History at Deen Dayal Upadhyaya College.

Haneet Gandhi, dean of admissions, DU, tells us: “We are well prepared. Roughly 23,000 students are part of the first batch of the four-year programme. When spread across 67 colleges, this is not a large number and is fairly manageable. We have qualified teachers who are more than equipped to address students’ queries. Apart from this, guest faculty can also be engaged, and some colleges have already done so to ensure students have opportunities to clear their doubts.”

DU says colleges are equipped to manage the first FYUP batch and that arrangements are being made based on student enrolment.

Does opting for FYUP put a three-year degree on hold?

No. Students can exit after three years with a degree and return later to complete the fourth year.

How does FYUP compare with a traditional Masters route?

DU says a four-year degree followed by a one-year Master’s is academically comparable to a three-year degree followed by a two-year Master’s.

What support is available for research and dissertations?

DU says expectations have been relaxed for first-time researchers. The university has also reduced coursework by one four-credit paper and shifted those credits to research, giving students more time to focus on dissertations.

Inputs by K Ratnabali, dean of academic affairs, DU