Guidelines for Dual/Double & Joint Degree Programmes

Internationalisation has been a highlight in Germany’s and India’s current policies and strategies to develop their higher education and research systems. The regulations of the University Grants Commission (UGC) on twinning, joint degree, and dual degree programmes, first published in 2021, are establishing an overall framework in India, allowing a broad set of international activities for HEIs.

The publication ‘Indo-German Higher Education Cooperation: Guidelines for Student Exchange, Dual/Double and Joint Degree Programmes’ is a contribution of a joint Indo-German working group, comprised of representatives from HEIs and other experts who compiled information, assessed and compared the legal regulations and contributed their expertise on implementing international academic collaboration programmes.

These guidelines aim to offer practical support. A dedicated chapter in the document focuses on barriers and hurdles, highlighting points to consider when setting up a structured exchange programme in order to avoid potential pitfalls.

Download the publication here.

You may want to listen in to a recent panel discussion on Guidelines for Student Exchange, Dual/Double and Joint Degree Programmes with Dr Solenne Schwanemann, Leibniz University Hannover, Dr Manish Jain, Dr. B. R. Ambedkar University, Delhi, Dr Ravikant Ranjan, Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee (IITR) and Susanne Krause, Hof University of Applied Sciences. Click here to watch.

The Indian higher education system has developed significantly after gaining independence from British colonial rule. It has seen exponential growth in the number of institutions and student enrolments over the last three decades. The chapter aims to outline key features of the Indian higher education system, providing guidance for informed decision-making and strategy development, particularly in the context of internationalisation.

The chapter gives an overview of different types of HEIs, and degree programmes offered by them. The chapter also deals with Internationalisation and international cooperation at Indian HEIs, accreditation and internal/ international rankings and key takeaways.

The German university system exhibits significant differences from the Indian system. The chapter aims to provide insights into higher education in Germany, particularly in the context of internationalisation.

The chapter gives an overview of different types of HEIs, and degree programmes offered by them. The chapter also deals with Internationalisation and international cooperation at German HEIs, accreditation and internal/ international rankings and key takeaways.

This chapter describes the relevant models of cooperation between HEIs. The chapter focuses on student exchange or twinning programmes, followed by dual/double and joint degree programmes. The chapter also explains cooperation models for doctoral studies. For each collaboration model, the regulations and implementation practices in India and Germany are briefly explained, and differences are highlighted. Additionally, some recommendations are offered that could help to avoid pitfalls and facilitate cooperation.

Establishing a structured international exchange or dual/double and joint degree programmes involves the integration of two distinct education systems, which may add to the complexity arising from cultural and linguistic differences. National education systems, as well as different types of universities within these systems, have their own specific course structures, approved by their respective governing bodies/senates or national education regulatory bodies, as applicable.

Given that the jurisdiction of the agreement spans two different countries, both partner institutions must collaboratively establish common points. This necessitates close cooperation on an equal footing, as a single institute cannot regulate every aspect of such programmes.

The chapter talks about key aspects to consider while setting up student exchange/twinning, dual/double, or joint degree programmes.

The HEIs within the working group offer various templates and model contracts that can facilitate the establishment of cooperation projects. You may want to refer to the models and templates that will be published soon.

1. India’s NEP 2020
2. Overview of HEIs in India
3. Regulations of the UGC on twinning, joint, and dual degree programmes
4. Regulations of the UGC on the credit transfer system (draft)
5. Ranking results of the NIRF
6. Overview of the accreditation status of Indian HEIs by the NAAC
7. Academic Bank of Credits for HEIs in India
8. Request of the UGC to establish international offices in HEIs
9. National Higher Education Qualifications Framework (NHEQF)
10. Minimum standards and procedures for awarding a PhD degree
11. All India Survey on Higher Education (AISHE)
12. Strategy for the internationalisation of education, science, and research by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) (in German)
13. Overview of HEIs and degrees in Germany
14. Database of all the state-accredited German HEIs
15. State Treaty on Study Accreditation (Studienakkreditierungsvertrag) regulating the accreditation of study programmes in Germany (in German)
16. Overview of structured and individual PhD programmes in Germany
17. Guidelines for binational doctoral programmes, including a template for cotutelle contracts, by the HRK
18. Overview of international cooperation agreements of German universities
19. Overview of the regulations of the ECTS
20. Joint statement from the 6^th German-Indian inter-governmental consultations (2022)
21. India-Germany vision to enhance cooperation in innovation and technology (2023)

Editor: Dr Katja Lasch, DAAD Regional Office New Delhi
Project Coordination: Shikha Sinha, DAAD Regional Office New Delhi

Author Team

1. Dr Amitava Datta, Jadavpur University, Kolkata
2. Christine Meyerhof, Leibniz University Hannover (until 30.06.2023)
3. Constanze Mittag-Buhmann, TUD Dresden University of Technology (until 31.03.2023)
4. Dr Cornelia Krause, TUD Dresden University of Technology
5. Ass. iur. Karen Schlüter, Maître en Droit
6. Dr Katja Lasch, DAAD Regional Office New Delhi
7. Dr Manish Jain, Dr. B. R. Ambedkar University, Delhi
8. Dr Naresh Sharma, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER), Pune
9. Dr P. Arumugam, Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee (IITR)
10. Dr Rajesh Pankaj, Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI)
11. Dr Ravikant Ranjan, Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee (IITR)
12. Snigdha Sharma, Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IITM) (until 31.03.2023)
13. Dr Solenne Schwanemann, Leibniz University Hannover
14. Susanne Krause, Hof University of Applied Sciences
15. Vani Samuel, Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IITM)

The information on this page and also in the guidelines was compiled by the participants of the Indo-German working group above and reflects their assessment. This is for informational purposes only and does not claim to be exhaustive. The information provided is, therefore, not legally binding.