Are Online Technical Degrees Valid? Latest UGC Guidelines For 2024

Are Online Technical Degrees Valid? Latest UGC Guidelines for 2024

Online education has become widely recognized today. While previously, only a limited number of degree programs were available online, now almost all undergraduate and postgraduate courses can be pursued remotely. With advanced technology and various online learning platforms, you can comfortably complete your degree from home.

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Are online technical degree courses valid?

Technical degree courses refer to programs that emphasize practical education alongside theoretical knowledge. These skill-based courses, like B.Tech, focus on applying theoretical concepts in practice, as practical skills are crucial for success in such fields.

The curriculum for these technical courses includes hands-on laboratory classes that equip you with specific skills and tools, which require in-person instruction. If you’re interested in pursuing civil engineering, it’s not something you can learn from home—you need practical, on-site experience to learn how to build roads, buildings, and bridges.

A B.Tech in Computer Science cannot be completed entirely online because it requires hands-on learning in technical skills like programming, database management, machine learning, cloud computing, neural networks, and more. Despite the misconception that it can be done remotely on a computer since it’s a COMPUTER science degree, this is not the case.

Guidance and expert mentoring are essential when learning advanced technological skills like programming languages and digital tools. So, are online technical degree courses truly valid?

Some technical courses cannot be pursued online, as the Government of India does not approve them in that mode.

Even though the government prohibits these courses, some fraudulent institutions still offer online degrees for technical programs. You must be cautious of these fake institutions because the degrees they provide are invalid. These degrees will not be recognized by any public or private firm or organization for employment.

However, some colleges still offer a few technical courses in online and blended formats, but only for working professionals.

Let’s first review the technical courses, and then we can discuss online courses for working professionals, including the relevant rules, regulations, and government guidelines.

Technical Courses That Are Not Valid Online

Technical courses in fields like Engineering, Medicine, Architecture, Pharmacy, and Hotel Management typically cannot be pursued online.

Below is a list of technical courses, categorized by domain, that are not valid for online learning.

Stream	Courses
Engineering	Bachelor of Technology (B.Tech) Master of Technology (M.Tech) Bachelor of Engineering (BE) Diploma in Engineering (Polytechnic)
Medical	Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery (BAMS) Bachelor of Homoeopathic Medicine and Surgery (BHMS) Diploma in Homoeopathic Medicine and Surgery (DHMS) Bachelor of Naturopathy and Yogic Sciences (BNYS) Bachelor of Unani Medicine (BUMS)
Dental	Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) Diploma in Dental Hygienist Master of Dental Surgery (MDS)
Architecture	Bachelor of Architecture (B.Arch) Diploma in Architecture Master of Architecture (M.Arch)
Hotel Management	Bachelor of Hotel Management & Catering Technology (BHMCT) BBA in Hotel Management B.Sc in Hotel Management & Hospital Administration (B.Sc HHA) B.Voc in Hotel Management PGDM in Hotel Management Master of Tourism and Hospitality Management (MTHM) Master of Hotel Management (MHM) MBA in Hotel Management M.Sc in Tourism & Hospitality Management
Pharmacy	Bachelor of Pharmacy (B.Pharm) Diploma in Pharmacy (D.Pharm) Master of Pharmacy (M.Pharma) Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD)
Nursing	B.Sc Nursing M.Sc Nursing General Nursing & Midwifery (GNM) Auxiliary Nursing & Midwifery (ANM)
Agriculture	M.Sc Agriculture B.Sc Agriculture M.Sc Sericulture
Culinary Studies	B.Sc Culinary Arts BA Culinary Arts PGDM Culinary Arts Bachelor of Catering Technology & Culinary Arts (BCTCA)
Physiotherapy	Diploma in Physiotherapy Bachelor of Physiotherapy Master of Physiotherapy

Valid Online Technical Courses For Working Professionals

Some technical courses are available both online and in a hybrid format (combining online and offline components). However, these courses are exclusively for working professionals.

The Government of India has approved the delivery of technical programs through online mode under the Work Integrated Learning Program (WILP). This initiative aims to provide working professionals with the opportunity to enhance their technical skills without having to leave their jobs.

What is WILP?

The Work Integrated Learning Program (WILP) is designed exclusively for working professionals and operates entirely online. This includes classes, assignments, quizzes, projects, virtual laboratories, and examinations. It’s important to note that WILP is strictly for individuals who are currently employed.

For courses that require hardware tools for practical training, there are remote labs at various centers where online learners can complete their hands-on exercises.

Working professionals can continue their jobs while pursuing these WILP courses. The curriculum is meticulously designed to accommodate their work schedules, ensuring that academic commitments do not conflict with their professional responsibilities.

Why is WILP Allowed?

The WILP program is specifically intended for working professionals who are employed in a field related to the degree they want to pursue. Eligibility criteria require that applicants be currently working in a relevant field to qualify for the program.

If you work in the IT field and hold the necessary academic qualifications (a bachelor’s degree or diploma), you can apply for the online B.Tech or M.Tech program through WILP.

Since the applicant is already working in the field and possesses relevant technical and practical skills, they primarily need additional knowledge of current academic content to stay updated with evolving workplace requirements.

If you’re working in the IT department of a company, you’re likely already skilled in programming languages like Java, C++, and Python. Given your foundational knowledge, you may not require extensive hands-on training for new and modern technologies. Therefore, fully online education is a viable option for working professionals even for technical courses.

Given below are some of the courses that are valid according to the WILP:

Online Technical Degree Courses for Working Professionals
Course	Specialisation
Bachelor of Technology (B.Tech)	Computer Science engineering Mechanical Engineering Civil Engineering Electronics Engineering Electrical Engineering Mechanical & Automobile Engineering
Master of Technology (M.Tech)	Computer Science Civil Structure Civil Construction Electronics & Communication Civil Engineering Mechanical Design Mechanical Engineering Electrical Power System Mechanical Production Environmental Engineering Electronics VLSI Civil Highway Electrical Control System Electrical Power Electronic

What are the Online Colleges that offer Technical Courses for Working Professionals?

Here are three top colleges that offer both B.Tech and M.Tech programs designed for working professionals:

Online Colleges for Technical Courses for Working Professionals
College Name	Learning Mode	Course	Eligibility	Total Fee
Birla Institute of Technology and Science (BITS) Pilani (WILP)	Online Mode (online classes, online assignments, virtual labs, online exams) Exams can be given in the offline mode as well at designated centres There are various remote labs as well for students to access hardware tools remotely.	-B.Tech Engineering Technology -B.Tech Process Engineering	– Working professionals with Diploma in Engineering or a B.Sc degree in relevant specialisation (with minimum 60% marks). – Work experience of minimum 2 years.	₹4,41,500/-
		– M.Tech Software Systems – M.Tech Software Engineering – M.Tech Computing Systems and Infrastructure – Integrated M.Tech Software Systems – M.Tech Embedded Systems – M.Tech Microelectronics – M.Tech Digital Manufacturing – M.Tech Design Engineering – M.Tech Automotive Engineering – M.Tech Automotive Electronics – M.Tech Manufacturing Management – M.Tech Quality Management – M.Tech Pharmaceutical Operations & Management – M.Tech Environmental Engineering – M.Tech Sanitation Science, Technology, & Management	– Working professionals with B.Tech, BE, M.Sc, MCA or other equivalent degree in relevant specialisation (with minimum 60% marks). – Work experience of minimum 1 year.	₹4,41,500/-
Sri Venkateswara University (SVU WILP)	Hybrid Mode (Mix of online classes and offline classes that are conducted on the campus in evenings and on weekends and holidays; recorded lectures, 247 virtual labs, online assignments, online examinations) There are various remote labs as well for students to access hardware tools remotely.*	– B.Tech Computer Science & Engineering – B.Tech Civil Engineering – B.Tech Electronics & Communication Engineering – B.Tech Electrical Engineering – B.Tech Mechanical Engineering	– Working professionals with Diploma in Engineering or in relevant specialisation. – Full-time Work experience of minimum 2 years	₹2,24,200/-
Sri Venkateswara University (SVU WILP)		– M.Tech Computer Science & Engineering – M.Tech Structural Engineering – M.Tech Highway Engineering – M.Tech Electronics & Communication Engineering – M.Tech VLSI – M.Tech Power System – M.Tech Power Electronics – M.Tech Mechanical Engineering – M.Tech Production Engineering – M.Tech Thermal Engineering	– Working professionals with Degree in Engineering or in relevant specialisation. – Full-time Work experience of minimum 2 years	₹2,24,200/-
Lingaya’s Vidyapeeth	Offline Mode (Offline Campus classes are held on weekends and holidays during the day time, offline assignments, practical labs, offline exams)	– B.Tech Civil Engineering – B.Tech Mechanical Engineering – B.Tech Computer Science Engineering – B.Tech Electronics & Communication Engineering – B.Tech Mechanical & Automobile Engineering	Only Lateral entry allowed for students with any of the following qualifications (with at least 50% marks): – Diploma in Polytechnic – 12th+B.Sc (relevant stream) – 12th+BCA (relevant stream)	₹2,57,500/-
Lingaya’s Vidyapeeth		– M.Tech Civil Engineering – M.Tech Mechanical Engineering – M.Tech Computer Science Engineering – M.Tech ECE Engineering	Students are eligible with any of the following qualifications (with at least 50% marks): – B.Tech/BE – B.Sc + M.Sc (relevant stream) – BCA + MCA (relevant stream)	₹1,63,500/-