Proposal suggests excellent university students could graduate in 1.5-2.5 years

Students in talent programs or those achieving excellent academic standing may complete their university degrees in 1.5 to 2.5 years, halving the current duration, according to a Ministry of Education proposal.

This content is part of a draft circular on university-level training regulations, for which the Ministry of Education and Training is collecting feedback until 11/6.

Specifically, under the national education system framework, the standard duration for university-level programs is typically three to five years of full-time study. In the draft, the Ministry proposes that the minimum study period for students to complete the program should not be less than two-thirds of the standard time, and the maximum not exceed 2.5 times this duration.

This means students could graduate university as early as 2-3.3 years, depending on the standard program length set by each university. Conversely, studies could extend up to 7.5 to 12.5 years.

This marks a significant change from current regulations. According to the Ministry's 2021 circular, students must complete programs within a maximum of two times the standard duration, with no minimum specified.

Notably, the Ministry's new draft specifically allows students enrolled in university-level talent programs or those who achieve an excellent cumulative grade point average (GPA) to shorten their study period. This is permissible provided they do not graduate earlier than one-half of the standard duration.

Consequently, this group of students could accelerate their studies and graduate after a minimum of 1.5 years for a three-year program or 2.5 years for a five-year program.

According to Ministry regulations, a university academic year comprises two to three main semesters, with a minimum of 30 weeks of in-class study. Universities also have the option to organize supplementary semesters. The number of lecture hours for any given course in a full-time program must not exceed 15 hours per week.

The Ministry anticipates that for special cases, such as expert modules, workshops, studios, intensive practical training, or programs involving international lecturers/experts, universities may arrange full-time study schedules exceeding the aforementioned limit. This is conditional on ensuring a manageable study load, adequate break times, and students' comprehension abilities.

Furthermore, the draft includes other notable provisions. It allows high school students who are exempt from graduation exams (those selected for international competition teams or higher) to register for accumulating credits at universities. This initiative aims to enable these students to shorten the time required to obtain their degrees later on.

For the first time, the Ministry also plans to introduce regulations concerning the application of digital technology and artificial intelligence in higher education. These regulations will outline principles and responsibilities for both lecturers and students.