The Higher Education Commission (HEC) has directed universities and other higher education institutions to stop offering new admissions in Associate Degree Programs (ADPs) conducted through annual and private-candidate modes. The directive was issued through a notification dated September 25, following concerns that some institutions continued to offer ADPs using structures that do not comply with the HEC Undergraduate Education Policy. According to the commission, certain institutions had continued offering programmes through the old annual examination and private-candidate systems after conventional two-year BA and BSc programmes were phased out. HEC also noted that some institutions had changed the titles of former BA and BSc programmes to Associate Degrees without making corresponding changes to their academic structure and delivery methods. The commission has instructed institutions to ensure their programmes and admission practices comply with the applicable undergraduate education framework.
The HEC directive specifically prohibits new admissions to ADPs offered through annual or private-candidate modes. Institutions that continue making such admissions or offering programmes in violation of the commission’s requirements could face regulatory action under applicable laws and regulations. HEC has also asked higher education institutions to submit consolidated programme-wise and session-wise information about students enrolled in these programmes. The required information includes programme titles, mode of study, enrollment session or year, number of enrolled students and number of graduates. Registrars and Controllers of Examinations are required to verify the information, while vice chancellors or heads of institutions must countersign the submitted data. The commission has further instructed institutions to ensure that their admission advertisements, prospectuses and academic offerings accurately reflect the requirements of the HEC policy.
The action is linked to HEC’s broader transition away from the conventional two-year BA and BSc examination structure toward properly structured Associate Degree programmes. Under the HEC Undergraduate Education Policy, an Associate Degree is designed as a two-year undergraduate qualification based on the semester system. The policy provides for a programme structure covering the required credit hours and academic components rather than an annual examination route. HEC had previously warned students and parents against enrolling in phased-out two-year BA, BSc, MA and MSc programmes, stating that degrees obtained through programmes continuing after the relevant phase-out deadlines would not be recognized or attested. The commission has also established the Associate Degree as part of the broader undergraduate framework, with its implementation subject to the relevant university approvals and applicable academic requirements.
The latest directive is expected to affect institutions that continue to advertise Associate Degree admissions under annual examination or private-candidate arrangements. HEC’s instructions indicate that the immediate restriction concerns new admissions, while institutions have separately been asked to provide details of students already enrolled in such programmes. This reporting requirement will give the commission information about existing cohorts, their programmes and their enrollment status. The move also reinforces HEC’s position that changing the name of an older BA or BSc-style programme does not by itself bring the programme into compliance with current undergraduate requirements. Universities and colleges will therefore need to review their admission advertisements, programme structures and examination arrangements before enrolling students in Associate Degree programmes.
Follow the SPIN IDG WhatsApp Channel for updates across the Smart Pakistan Insights Network covering all of Pakistan’s technology ecosystem.
