Two-year BA, MA programmes to be abolished

E-Paper | July 25, 2026

ISLAMABAD: The Higher Education Commission (HEC) has decided to abolish two-year bachelors and masters programmes after the academic years 2018 and 2020 respectively.

Through an official letter, the HEC informed all degree awarding institution in the country on Friday that there will be no admissions in the conventional BA and BSc degrees after the year 2018 and in MA and MSc after 2020. The letter says universities are using the abbreviations BS and BSc (Hons) for degrees awarded after 14 years of education and that Ms, MPhil and MSc (Hons) is being used for degrees awarded after 18 years of education, which is creating confusion for employers, both national and international.

The letter says the HEC had constituted a committee of experts from various universities to work on the possibility of phasing out BA and BSc programmes, to devise a mechanism for accommodating students who had already had BA and BSc degrees into a four year BS program and that the committee had analysed BA and BSc programmes in various universities.

“The committee proposed a bridging semester as foundation to cover the academic deficiency of students who would be entering in to the 5th semester of the BS programme,” the letter reads.

It says all degree awarding institutions are advised to comply with the commissions’ endorsement of the committee’s recommendations.

Asked if the step will create hurdles for students as obtaining a four year bachelors degree may not be possible for everyone, HEC spokesperson Ayesha Ikram said the step had been taken for improving education standards.

Another HEC official said the letter was sent just to remind universities of the decision and that the deadline for this may be extended for a year or more.

Published in Dawn, March 18th, 2017

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Sajjad kamran

Mar 18, 2017 02:14pm

I have my serious doubts if anything rational can ever happen in this country. HEC's decision in this particular case is just one example.

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dr.arshad

Mar 18, 2017 02:47pm

The private Universities/Colleges will have field day. They shall fleece students for so many years. Looking at the thriving "business"of private educational institutions ,I think Federal and Provincial governments have stopped spending on education. Two most vital sectors (education and health)seem to have been handed over to heartless capitalists.They ironically exploit the most talented people (teachers and doctors) in our country. When will our nation rise?Abolish and nationalise private institutions till our nation matures.

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Rauf

Mar 18, 2017 05:25pm

2 year undergrad was a scam anyway. It's also a waste of time in terms of jobs and careers, you'll always get beaten by someone with proper education. This is long overdue from HEC, nowhere in world you get a credible Bachelors for doing 2 years. As always, some students and some money making mafia seeking shortcuts in life.

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Kamran

Mar 18, 2017 06:33pm

Does this mean css will further get twonyear extension?

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M babar toor

Mar 18, 2017 07:47pm

improving standard? OR making money for four years? i my opinion two yr study programs will continue by including thesis and research works in it. instead of 4 yrs of formal education with limited research works of 6 credit hrs. the HEC journals are the forum of publishing the research works of the students instead of making it the university TOP SECRET property. publishing the journals will also disclosed the "INTELLECTUAL" supervisors through publicly recognition of the student efforts and the supervisions. it is vital to change the casual educational trend, instead of retaining the student for more years. it is very much clear that current educational standard produces nothing.

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my Comments

Mar 19, 2017 05:13am

Not every one needs a B.Sc. or B.A or B.Com. designation. Some of these students would do very well with 'applied' courses and training, say '2 or 3 year' technology courses (electrical/mechanical/architectura/civil engg), or Book-keeping/accounting courses or teaching/Administrative courses/training etc.) That would provide them 'hands on training' to fit much better in today's job market. If co-op programs can be introduced (3 months yearly on job training in industry, each year of academic year, that would be even better. But all this will take dedication and planning from responsible people who have power and authority to make it happen.

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Zeb

Mar 19, 2017 08:22am

make schools 12 years and then all colleges/universities 4 years program. That's pretty much standard everywhere else in the world. It's good decision. Pakistani education so far was really tough to explain in foreign countries.

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