Delhi University plans study-abroad programme for UG students, scholarships for some

Delhi University proposes to allow undergraduate students to spend a semester at a foreign institution of higher education while still earning a DU degree. The Academic Council is set to discuss the ‘Semester Away Programme’ at its meeting on Wednesday, April 15, 2026.

As per the proposal, part of the supplementary agenda for the AC meeting, students enrolled from the academic year 2022–23 onwards, may be allowed to opt for the programme in the third, fifth or seventh semesters, without affecting the completion of their degree at Delhi University.

The agenda also includes proposals to expand flexibility in earning credits through online courses and revisions in the undergraduate BA Programme structures.

University of Delhi: Semester Away Programme (SAP)

According to the supplementary agenda, the aim of the SAP is to provide “wider exposure, range of multidisciplinary approaches, pedagogy, research, internships, projects and global connect”.

Students participating in the programme will continue to be enrolled in Delhi University, which will remain the “parent institution” and award the final degree.

The credits earned by the student from the foreign institution shall be considered for the degree, provided there is no overlap in course content.

QS, THE rankings

The programme will operate through memoranda of understanding (MoU) between DU and foreign institutions. University of Delhi will consider partnerships with only those institutions with comparable or higher places on the QS World Ranking or Times Higher Education (THE) ranking than DU’s .

In cases where the institution as a whole doesn’t meet the overall ranking criteria, ranking of the discipline in which a student seeks to opt for SAP may be considered.

Additionally, universities ranked within the top 1,000 globally may also qualify if they have signed MoUs with Delhi University.

The international relations office will act as the nodal body for initiating the SAP. It will identify the foreign institution, notify the number of seats, and invite applications from students.

Student selection, learning agreement

Students will be selected by a committee chaired by the chairperson of International Relations, with an emphasis on maintaining diversity among selected candidates.

A key component of the programme will be the “learning agreement" signed between the University of Delhi and the foreign university for each student participating in the SAP. This agreement will specify courses, credits, duration, and other matters related to the Semester Away Programme, the agenda notes.

The Academic Expert Committee will examine the applications for signing the learning agreement along with mapping of courses. The committee will include senior academic administrators, such as the dean of academic affairs, chairperson of IR, controller of examinations, dean of the respective faculty, chairperson of the research council and joint registrar.

Study abroad scholarship

Delhi University also proposes to financially support “a few outstanding meritorious students” from historically-marginalised and economically-disadvantaged backgrounds – Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), Other Backward Classes (OBC), Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) and Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD).

The proposal also says DU may seek funding from alumni and corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives to sponsor students participating in the programme.

DU Academic Council: Online courses, BA Programme

The Delhi University Academic Council will also consider expanding flexibility for students to earn credits through online platforms such as SWAYAM and other approved MOOCs.

Some sections of Delhi University teachers have opposed the move. Former AC-member Rudrashish Chakraborty said it “will severely compromise the quality of the teaching - learning process” and that online courses can never replace in-person teaching.

Current AC member and law professor, Anumeha Mishra said: “Online classes are not a substitute for physical classes. Swayam and MOOCs are an attempt by the government to promote online courses at the expense of physical teaching. This is going to severely compromise the 'teaching learning process' in educational institution[s]. This is yet another assault on comprehensive and critical academic culture.”.

DU’s proposal allows undergraduate students to earn up to 5% of their total credits through such platforms which are equivalent to about eight credits in a four-year programme, while postgraduate students can earn up to four credits in two-year programmes and two credits in one-year programmes.

Departments will be required to form panels to identify suitable online courses, ensure syllabus alignment, and monitor implementation.

The supplementary agenda also includes proposals related to BA programmes, including revision in programme structure, course combinations to include offers that are popular with students.