University of Mumbai’s academic council has approved new guidelines that will pave the way for the introduction of twinning, dual degree, and joint degree programmes beginning in the academic year 2025-2026.

This decision aims to broaden the range of educational opportunities for students, allowing affiliated colleges and the university itself to collaborate with one another and expand the options available.

The new guidelines provide for both distance learning and online education platforms. Under the Centre for Distance and Online Education, Mumbai University will offer dual degrees to affiliated colleges.

The guidelines also enable collaboration between colleges at different levels to offer these programmes, which will include the possibility of earning one degree in physical mode and another in online or distance mode, or even both in physical mode.

Vice-Chancellor Ravindra Kulkarni explained that for dual degrees offered in physical mode, participating institutions must be located within a 5-20 km radius of each other. Additionally, these institutions must ensure there is no overlap of credits or courses between the programmes.

International collaborations are another key feature of the new guidelines. Mumbai University and its affiliated colleges can partner with international institutions that rank within the top 1000 of the QS World University Rankings. Indian institutions must be in the top 100 of the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) and hold a NAAC grade of A to be eligible for collaboration.

The university has already formed partnerships with St Louis University and Moscow University to offer joint degrees, and is planning further collaborations.