As per the University Grants Commission's Curriculum and Credit Framework for Undergraduate Programmes (2022), Curriculum and Credit Framework for Postgraduate Programmes and the proposed model of the Kerala State Higher Education Curriculum Framework for Undergraduate Programmes (2023), steps have been taken to implement a four-year undergraduate Programme plus one-year postgraduate programmes in Mahatma Gandhi University (Vide UO 6761/AD A 1/2023 MGU Dated 16/06/2023). Consequentially subcommittees have been constituted to formulate regulations, scheme, and syllabus for 4 + 1 Year Integrated UG and PG Programme (Vide U 12600/AC A5/2023 MGU Dated 16/12/2023). 4 + 1 Year Integrated UG and PG Programme shall be offered by Graduate School of the University. Graduate School shall be established by the University and headed by Honorary Director and two Joint Directors. These regulations are named the Regulations for the Four-Year Undergraduate Programme and One Year Post Graduate Programme of Mahatma Gandhi University, hereafter referred to as 4 + 1 Year Integrated UG and PG Programme. They shall be effective from 2024-2025 academic year applicable to the students enrolled in the 4 + 1 Year Integrated UG and PG Programme at Graduate School of Mahatma Gandhi University. The 4 + 1 Year Integrated UG and PG Programme is based on the new curricular framework, as envisaged by University Grants Commission guidelines on Curriculum and Credit Framework for Undergraduate Programmes and Credit Framework for Postgraduate Programmes and Kerala State Higher Education Curriculum Framework for Undergraduate Programmes, prepared by the Kerala State Curriculum Committee for Higher Education (GO (Rt) No. 35/2023 Hedn., dated 06.01.2023).
A combination of courses that a student can choose, giving options to pursue interesting and unconventional combinations of courses drawn from different disciplinary areas, like the sciences and the social sciences/humanities. The pathways could be in terms of major-minor options with different disciplines.
A Programme is divided into many ‘courses. A course is a unit of instruction or segment of a subject area under any programme.
The major is the subject that is the focus of study. By selecting a major, the student would provide with an opportunity to pursue in-depth study of a particular discipline.
The discipline or theme that complement the main area of study. The minor can be selected from allied/related discipline to the major or from a different discipline.
Foundation courses of the 4 + 1 Year Integrated UG and PG Programme consist of a set of general courses and discipline specific courses provide foundational knowledge of the discipline.
Another specialty of this Graduate School in academics is its innovative credit system. Credits measure coursework and determine the number of instruction hours required per week in a semester, considering both student and teacher efforts. One credit hour equates to one hour of lecture or tutorial, or a minimum of two hours of lab, practical, or fieldwork per week. The Academic Bank of Credits (ABC), a Ministry of Education initiative, allows for the consistent deposition of students' academic credits. Continuous Assessment (CA) is used to evaluate learners by the course faculty at the institutional level, while Term Assessment (TA) evaluates learners at the end of each semester. A Nodal Officer, a faculty member nominated by the Faculty Council, oversees these processes to ensure academic standards are maintained and students' progress is accurately tracked and reported. This comprehensive system ensures a robust and transparent academic framework, fostering excellence and accountability.
Integrated four-year undergraduate programme (Honours with Research) plus one year P G Programme shall be awarded to those who complete 4 years +1 year with a specific number of credits (177+40 or above).
Students who wish to exit after 4 years shall be awarded 4-year UG Degree (Honours with Research) with a specific number of credits (177 or above) including 12 credits from a Research Project.
Students who wish to exit after 3 years of a 4-year degree programme shall be awarded a UG Degree with a specific number of credits (133 or above )
Students who join after four year UG Degree or continue after 4 Year UG in the 4+1 Integrated UG and PG for One Year PG Degree shall be awarded the 1 Year PG Degree with a specific number of credits (40 or above)
Students who join for two year Post Graduate Degree after 3 Years UG Degree, shall be awarded the same with a specific number of credits (44+40 = 84)
The programme pathways shall be a combination of courses drawn from different disciplines. Students who have joined any programme under these regulations shall have the option to choose the following pathways.
Students may opt for a combination of a Major with Minor with a prescribed number of courses and credits as per the provisions of this regulation. Major and Minor should not be selected from the same discipline.
Students may opt for a combination of a major with multiple disciplines with a prescribed number of courses and credits as per the provisions of this regulation.
There shall be 30 seats each for 4 + 1 Year Integrated UG and PG Programme in Science and Social Sciences. The intake of majors offered in the programme is given in the following table.
| Sl. No. | Major | Intake* |
|---|---|---|
| Science | ||
| 1 | Chemistry | 6 |
| 2 | Physics | 6 |
| 3 | Bio Sciences | 6** |
| 4 | Computer Science | 6 |
| 5 | Environmental Science | 6 |
| Social Sciences | ||
| 1 | International Relations and Politics | 10 |
| 2 | Development Studies | 5 |
| 3 | Gandhian Studies | 5 |
| 4 | History | 10 |
* 1 seat shall be sanctioned over and above the intake in each major in the 3rd semester for students who opt for a change of major after two semesters.
** Progression to PG shall be based on the specialization selected by students as Biochemistry (2 seats), Biotechnology (2 seats), and Microbiology (2 seats) based on merit.