VIRTUAL UNIVERSITY OF PAKISTAN
ADMISSION POLICY AND REGULATIONS, 2021
PART-I
ADMISSION POLICY
1. INTRODUCTION
1.1 According to Section 5 of the Virtual University Ordinance 2002, the University shall be open to persons of either sex, transgender and of whatever religion, race, class, creed, colour or domicile, or wherever located, who academically qualify for admission to the courses of study offered by the University and no such person shall be denied the privileges of the University on the grounds only of sex, religion, creed, race, class, colour or domicile.
1.2 This Admission Policy shall be read in conjunction with the Academic Policies, Rules and Regulations of the Virtual University of Pakistan. If something related to admission is not covered under this policy, in that case, the competent authority of the University will take the decision. However, any such decision shall later be presented to the Executive Council for approval. Higher Education Commission (HEC) periodically revises admission requirements of various degree programs. These admission requirements may be incorporated by the university after approval from the statutory bodies.
2. SHORT TITLE, COMMENCEMENT AND APPLICATION
2.1 This may be called as “Admission Policy & Regulation of the Virtual University of Pakistan”.
2.2 This policy shall apply to all programs of the University.
2.2 This policy shall come into force with immediate effect after approval from statutory bodies.
2.3 The Registrar shall be responsible for implementation of the Admission Policy in its true letter and spirit.
3. DEFINITIONS
In this policy, unless there is anything repugnant in the subject or context, the following shall have the meanings hereby respectively assigned to them:
(i) “Academic Council” means “Academic Council of the University”.
(ii) “Academic Department” means a teaching, training, research and/or technological department or center of the University devoted to imparting or creating knowledge in a particular academic discipline.
(iii) “Academic Year” means “Fall” and following “Spring” Semester.
(iv) “Bodies” mean University authorities such as “BOS”, “Academic Council” and “Executive Council” etc.
(v) “BOS” stands for “Board of Studies” of an Academic Department.
(vi) “BOG” stands for “Board of Governors of the University”.
(vii) “Competent Authority” means the Rector of the University or an employee
to whom the power is delegated by or under these rules.
(viii) “Controller Examination” means the Controller of Examination of the University.
(ix) “Dean” means the Dean of a Faculty of the University.
(x) “Directorate” means a section of the University for a particular activity.
(xi) “Equivalence Committee” means the Equivalence Committee of the University.
(xii) “Executive Council” means the Executive Council of the University.
(xiii) “Faculty” means a Faculty of the University.
(xiv) “Graduate program” means academic programs of 18 years and up to 22 years of education.
(xv) “HOD/Head “means Head of a “Teaching/Academic Department” of the University.
(xvi) “HEC” stands for Higher Education Commission of Pakistan.
(xvii) “ICTs” means Information and Communication Technologies.
(xviii) “Institute” means a Management Division of the University intended for research and/ or imparting knowledge.
(xix) “Local Student” means University student whose study status is local and studying at VU while residing within Pakistan.
(xx) “Management Division” means a group of academic departments of the University.
(xxi) "Prescribed" means prescribed by regulations or rules.
(xxii) “Overseas Student” means University student whose study status is overseas and studying at VU while residing outside Pakistan.
(xxiii) “OPKST’ means Overseas Pakistani Student living abroad.
(xxiv) “Registrar” means the Registrar of the University.
(xxv) “Regular Student” means a student who if registered for formal academic credits and who carries the full load required in a given semester by his/her curriculum.
(xxvi) “Scheme of Study” means a prescribed semester wise breakup and order of courses to be offered in a study program.
(xxvii) “Semester” means a duration of at least eighteen (18) weeks.
(xxviii) “Student” means student at the University either local or overseas.
(xxix) “Study Program” means an academic program offered by the University.
(xxx) “Undergraduate Program” means academic programs of 14 years and up to 16 years of education.
(xxxi) “University” means the Virtual University of Pakistan.
(xxxii) “University Teacher" means Professors, Associate Professors, Assistant Professors, Lecturers, Tutors, and research staff engaged by the University for teaching undergraduate, postgraduate, honours classes or programs and includes such other persons as may be declared as Teachers by regulations.
(xxxiii) “VU” stands for the Virtual University of Pakistan.
The terms which are explicitly defined in these ‘Admission Policy and Regulations’ shall bear an interpretation that may be determined by the “Competent Authority” of the University. All other terms and expressions shall have the same meaning as assigned to them under the Virtual University of Pakistan Ordinance 2002.
4. OBJECTIVES
4.1 To ensure admission according to the VU Ordinance 2002.
4.2 To streamline the admission process with a more responsive and service-oriented approach.
4.3 To ensure fairness, transparency, and equitable access to the University programs.
4.4 To empower applicants by allowing them to manage their applications online.
4.5 To ensure that the University’s legal liabilities shall be managed effectively through consistent and appropriate admission processes without prejudices.
5. MODE OF ADMISSION
5.1 Admissions will be based fully on Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs)/ University web-portal, unless otherwise defined specifically. However, the admitted students shall provide required set of documents in hard form for record and verification purpose.
6. ADMISSIONS SCHEDULE
6.1 The University shall offer admissions twice in an academic year for the Fall and Spring semesters respectively for regular degree and diploma programs wherein applicable. Graduate programs (MS/MPhil and PhD) shall be offered as per suggestion of the Dean of the respective Faculty.
6.2 The University may offer admissions in short/professional certificates, as and when required.
6.3 The start and end date of the admission session shall be published at the VU website but for widespread advertisement, print/electronic/social media may also be used.
6.2 Moreover, where the University deems that it would not be feasible to meet the prescribed schedule of admission due to unavoidable circumstances, the University reserves the right to make an alternative admissions strategy with the approval of the Rector.
7. ADMISSION SEATS
7.1 The University shall admit students solely on the basis of their educational qualification regardless of race, colour, gender, religion, disabilities, geographical location (Local/Dual National as well as Foreigner) or age.
7.2 A student shall pursue only one degree program at a time. If a student is found admitted in more than one degree program at VU, he/she may be penalized, and his/her admission shall be cancelled in all extra degree program(s). The student may enroll in any diploma/certificate course(s) along with any degree program subjected to the condition that course(s)/subject(s) shall not overlap.
7.3 The University discourages any quota system in admission, however, if the Board of Governors, Virtual University of Pakistan, approves any quota keeping in mind any Federal Government Policy/direction, then admission may be granted accordingly.
7.4 The Competent Authority of the University may increase or decrease the number of admission seat(s) allocated to any program and there shall be no appeal against such a decision.
8. TECHNICAL FACILITIES
The Directorate of ICTs shall ensure the implementation and execution of the electronic admission process smoothly. The Directorate of ICTs shall be responsible for maintaining an e-copy of admissions record.
9. FEE MATTERS
The Directorate of Finance shall deal with fee related matters. Fee will be charged according to approved rates by the BOG. The University can also charge the late fee/fine to those students who will not submit the fee within due dates, after getting approval from Competent authority.
10. ADVERTISEMENT AND MARKETING
The Registrar office shall be responsible for developing roadmap of admissions. The Marketing and Directorate of Campuses shall be responsible for the effective advertisement and marketing campaign related to the admissions according to the roadmap.
11. APPLICANTS’ RESPONSIBILITY
11.1 The University expects from the applicants to be aware of their responsibilities with reference to submission of the online admission application form and the admissions process.
11.2 Applicants should be familiar with the University rules and regulations regarding the admissions given in the Prospectus as well as on the VU website.
11.3 Applicants shall be made aware of the obligations placed upon them at each stage of the admissions process through VU support system (website/VIS, emails, or SMS or telephonically etc.).
11.4 It is the applicants’ responsibility to:
11.4.1 provide accurate information against all relevant data fields of their applications.
11.4.2 respond to any additional information required to support the University in reaching its decision or assessing an applicant’s eligibility, fee status promptly and/or within any timescales indicated in the University’s request(s).
11.4.3 provide any evidence of qualifications/certificates or change in any particulars/credentials.
11.4.4 ensure that the applicant completes the registration process and submits payment within the specified deadlines using the University’s official channels.
11.4.5 In case of provision of wrong or false information, the applicant shall be held responsible, and the University reserves the right to take any action as deemed appropriate.
12. PROCESSING AND CONFIRMATION OF ADMISSION
12.1 Admission Section of the Registrar’s office shall process the admission applications. However, admissions shall be confirmed by the Dean of the respective Faculty. Moreover, if the Dean is not present/exist/available then the Registrar shall confirm the admissions.
12.2 The Registrar shall publish the enrollment book (electronic as well as hard copy) of the admitted students within the 45-days of the commencement of the respective semester.
12.3 Initially, all the admissions in the University shall be provisional, subject to the verification of the certificate/degrees of the students.
12.4 Applicants should be aware that the presentation of incorrect/false/forged/fraudulent information or document(s) is a criminal offence. The University reserves the right to initiate legal action and cancel his/her admission at any stage declaring them blacklisted.
13. COMPLAINTS AND APPEALS
The University is committed in providing applicants with appropriate feedback to resolve the queries within available resources. The Admission Office will record suitably the comments and decision on each admission application and respond to requests for feedback in that context. The complaints must be submitted by the applicant via Email/Help system or through a written application addressing to the Registrar, within seven days of the decision. The University encourages the applicants to submit (if any) appeal directly to the relevant forum of the University. The complaints/appeals/requests for feedback from third parties on behalf of an applicant shall not be permissible. The Rector has the final authority to review the appeal(s).
14. RECORD KEEPING OF ADMISSION
14.1 The Registrar Office shall be responsible for overall record of admissions (in any form).
14.2 The Directorate of ICTs shall prepare an e-copy of all admissions record. However, Registrar’s office shall keep e-copy of this record and Hard copy in the form of ‘enrollment book’ properly signed by the Dean(s), Registrar and Rector.
14.3 The Registrar’s Office shall keep the record of educational documents of the students submitted in hard form.
14.4 The Registrar’s Office may keep hard copy of the student’s admission record for five years after the graduation of a student. However, it shall ensure the custody of the e-copy record forever.
15. STEPWISE ADMISSION PROCESS
Step 1: Finalization of the programs to be offered by the University.
Step 2: Development and distribution of Prospectus.
Step 3: Advertisement and marketing of admissions schedule.
Step 4: Submission of Admission Application Forms by the applicants.
Step 5: Processing of admission application forms by the admission section of the
Registrar’s office.
Step 6: Review and finalization of admissions by the respective Dean of the Faculty.
Step 7: Issuance of provisional Notification of the admission (electronically).
Step 7: Submission of Fee and sets of documents (hard copy) by the applicants.
Step 8: Dispatch of ‘Student Identity Cards’ and Hard copy of admission letter to the admitted students.
Step 9: Entry of the record of the documents received in the hard form by the Registrar’s
Office.
Step 10: Verification of the documents submitted by the students from their previous institutes, wherein applicable.
Step 11: Finalization and publishing of the Enroll Book.
15. REMOVAL OF DIFFICULTIES
If any difficulty arises in carrying out any of the provisions of this Admission Policy, the Rector may, in individual cases, make such decision, not inconsistent with the spirit of Admission Policy, as may appear to be necessary to remove the difficulty, provided that such a decision does not contradict the Virtual University of Pakistan Ordinance, 2002.
PART-II
ADMISSION REGULATIONS
1. PROGRAM TO BE OFFERED
1.1 The HOD through respective Dean shall provide the final list of approved programs with minimum admission eligibility criteria to the Admission Section of the Registrar Office well before the start of admission process.
2. PROSPECTUS
2.1 The Registrar’s Office shall be responsible for the timely development of the Prospectus and its distribution.
3. ADMISSION COMMITTEE
3.1 The Rector shall constitute the Admission Committee for an academic year to regulate the admission process.
3.2 The Terms of References (TORs) of the Committee will be as under:
i. Admission schedule for each admission session.
ii. Finalization of the Prospectus and its approval from the Rector.
iii. Oversee the implementation of admission regulations.
iv. Advertisement, marketing plan and its execution for the admission cycle.
v. Ensure the readiness of the IT system for admission process.
vi. Any other duty assigned by the Rector.
4. ADMISSION PROCEDURE
4.1 Up to the possible extent, University shall facilitate the admission process and application procedure by adopting Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) and any other means.
4.2 A candidate seeking admission in any study program(s) shall apply through the University’s Online Admission/ e-Portal https://www.vu.edu.pk/Apply/
4.3 No hard copy admission application forms shall be accepted. The e-copy of the Prospectus shall be available on the University’s website.
4.4 Basic requirements and information for online admission shall be published on the University’s website. However, applicant should have and submit the following:
4.4.1 Personal email address (e.g., userid@gmail.com; userid@yahoo.com; ….).
4.4.2 Personal mobile number (if personal contact number is not available then he/she has to provide parent’s/guardian’s number only).
4.4.3 Passport size photograph (preferably with blue background) with signature (at the bottom) of the applicant.
4.4.4 Scanned copy of CNIC/B-form (if CNIC is not issued)/NICOP (for Overseas Pakistanis).
4.4.5 Serial number of the prospectus (purchased from any of the VU designated Virtual Campus) or payment of Prospectus fee voucher by using web-portal.
4.4.6 Scanned copy (clear, complete & readable) of the following documents:
4.4.6.1 Attested copy of the certificate/detailed mark sheet of Secondary School Examination (SSE) or equivalent Certificate & or ‘O’ Level.
4.4.6.2 Attested copy of the certificate/detailed mark sheet of Intermediate Examination or equivalent Certificate & ‘A’ Level.
4.4.6.3 Attested copy of the Bachelor (02-years) or equivalent degree for admission in master’s program.
4.4.6.4 Attested copy of the BS (04-year)/ Master (02-year) or equivalent relevant degree for admission in MS/MPhil programs.
4.4.6.5 Attested copy of the MS/MPhil or equivalent relevant degree for admission in PhD program.
4.4.6.6 The overseas candidate shall have to submit a copy of the passport (First two pages and most recent entry/exist immigration stamped pages).
Note:
i. Candidates having ‘O’ & ‘A’ levels qualification must provide an equivalence certificate from Inter Board Committee of Chairmen (IBCC), Islamabad. However, under any unavoidable circumstances (declared by the State such as Pandemics, earthquakes, or any natural calamities) the University has the right to relax the requirements.
ii. Candidates having a degree from foreign Universities/Institutions must provide its equivalence from the Higher Education Commission (HEC), Islamabad, Pakistan.
iii. The candidate holding any religious qualifications (Deeni Asnaad) must submit its equivalence certificate(s) issued by concerned authorities such as IBCC and/or HEC at the time of admission.
iv. The University shall make the final decision regarding the relevant/equivalent qualification of the candidate.
4.5 How to apply for admission
a. Applicants may apply in a number of degree programs at a time where they qualify. However, one-degree program will be allowed to continue at one time. Any duplication can cause the cancellation of admission in any or all programs.
b. The applicant may select any one option from the following for study:
i. Home Based (Local)
ii. Campus Based (Local) or
iii. OPKST (Overseas)
c. A nominal admission processing fee (non-refundable) will be charged at the time of submission of the admission application form for each program applied.
d. Application forms submitted with incomplete documents shall not be considered for admission.
e. Admission forms will be accepted or rejected based on information provided and uploaded in the admission portal by the applicant.
f. In case applicant’s admission form is rejected due to any deficiency(ies), he/she may re-apply and submit another admission form by removing the deficiency(ies) identified by the admission office.
g. The applicant may request for the Review of Rejection of his/her Admission Application Form via email review@vu.edu.pk (or any other option specified time to time), if he/she claims that the rejection reason is in-appropriate or non-genuine.
h. Applicants must deposit the fee only in the VU designated banking channels as mentioned on prescribed fee challan. Applicants shall not be permitted to deposit the fee directly into the Virtual University’s account OR payment to any PVC/campus representative or person is strictly prohibited.
i. The University does not allow any option for depositing fee other than described above.
j. The University shall not be responsible if the applicant deposits the fee to any PVC/campus representative or person.
k. All those students who have been awarded minor or major penalty on account of indiscipline/misconduct during their studies will be debarred from admission, however, such students’ admission will be considered for admission on the recommendations of the Disciplinary Advisory Committee (DAC)/Unfair Means Committee (UMC).
l. The University reserves the right to refuse the admission to any individual with proper reasoning.
m. A candidate shall not be entitled to claim admission as a matter of right.
5. ANNOUNCEMENT OF ADMITTED CANDIDATES
5.1 The Dean shall present candidates for admission to a degree (except honorary Degrees) in the courses falling within the purview of the faculty.
5.2 Applicant shall be informed about his/her admission confirmation via electronic means and later by delivering Admission Package through postal/courier service.
5.3 Virtual Campuses/Private Virtual Campuses will display lists of respective admitted students on their notice boards with regular update.
6. ISSUANCE OF STUDENT IDENTITY CARD
The “Registrar” shall issue an Identity Card to each admitted student containing the student’s particulars along with the expiry date of the card.
7. FEE MATTERS
7.1 The Directorate of Finance shall deal with fee related matters.
7.2 Admission shall be confirmed for those applicants who have deposited fee within the stipulated time mentioned on the voucher.
7.3 Applicants shall contact the Directorate of Finance for any adjustment or change or revision of the fee voucher after approval from the Rector.
7.4 In cases, where an applicant has deposited fee and his/her admission could not be confirmed due to certain circumstance, the deposited fee will be refunded as per the HEC/University policy.
7.5 Fee will be charged according to approved rates by the BOG. The University upon getting the approval from Competent Authority, can also charge the late fee/fine from the student(s) who will not submit the fee within due dates.
8. OVERSEAS STUDENTS
Pakistani Nationals residing abroad can seek admission at Virtual University as an overseas student. The admission process shall remain the same as for local students. Nonetheless, such candidates shall have to pay dues as per prescribed rates for overseas students. This provision is only for those programs where psychomotor (Lab/Practicum) is not involved. The Examination of such students shall be carried out as prescribed in Examination Regulations of the University.
9. FOREIGN NATIONAL STUDENTS
Foreign Nationals shall have the provision to get admission at Virtual University of Pakistan on open merit basis according to the procedure/SoPs determined by HEC or Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
9.1 RESIDING WITHIN PAKISTAN
9.1.1 The candidate possessing Foreign/Dual Nationality and residing within Pakistan (provided they can understand ‘English’ and ‘Urdu’ Language) will be eligible to apply for admission through Online Admission Link.
9.1.2 Foreign/Dual National shall also apply online.
9.1.3 Foreign/Dual National candidate shall be required to submit/provide the prescribed documents to the Admission Office, Virtual University of Pakistan for further processing of admission:
9.1.3.1 Admission Application Form filled and submitted Online.
9.1.3.2 Two attested copies of Visa and valid Passport.
9.1.3.3 Five attested copies of the Refugee Card (if applicable).
9.1.3.4 Two attested photocopy sets of all educational documents.
9.1.3.5 HEC or IBCC equivalence certificate in case of foreign qualification/degree.
9.1.4 The admission confirmation of foreign/dual national students will be subjected to the approval of the Government of Pakistan.
9.1.5 Foreign/dual national students shall have to pay fee as prescribed.
9.2 RESIDING OUTSIDE PAKISTAN
9.2.1 The candidate possessing Foreign/Dual Nationality and residing outside Pakistan (provided they can understand ‘English’ and ‘Urdu’ Language) shall be eligible to apply for admission through Online Admission Link.
9.2.2 Foreign/Dual National shall apply online.
9.2.3 Foreign/Dual National candidate shall be required to submit/provide the prescribed documents to the Admission Office, Virtual University of Pakistan, for further processing of admission:
9.2.3.1 Admission Application Form filled and submitted Online.
9.2.3.2 Two attested copies of Visa and valid Passport.
9.2.3.3 Five attested copies of the Refugee Card (if applicable).
9.2.3.4 Two attested photocopy sets of all educational documents.
9.2.3.5 HEC or IBCC equivalence certificate in case of foreign qualification/degree.
9.2.4 The admission confirmation of foreign/dual national students will be subjected to the approval of the Government of Pakistan.
9.2.5 Foreign/dual national students shall have to pay fee as prescribed.
10. ADMISSION ON THE BASIS OF COURSE EXEMPTION/TRANSFER OF COURSE CREDIT HOUR(S)
10.1 The University shall allow admission on the basis of course exemption/transfer of course credit hour(s) to those students who will be studying in any University/HEI recognized by the HEC as per the University policy where applicable upon the payment of prescribed fee along with other dues.
10.2 The applicant applying for admission on the basis of course exemption/transfer of course credit hour(s) shall not be considered for the award of scholarship or roll of honor.
10.3 The University may grant course(s) exemption and accept transfer of credit hours towards its study programs, where applicable at the time of admission only. It is subject to fulfillment of admission eligibility criteria.
10.4 The applicant shall provide the requisite information as prescribed in the course exemption/transfer of course credit hour(s) policy of the University at the time of making application for admission.
10.5 The Equivalence Committee shall decide all cases before the commencement of classes.
10.6 The course exemption/transfer of course credit hour(s) shall be applicable to all degree programs as prescribed by the University on case-to-case and course to course basis.
10.7 The applicant shall provide the following documents online as well as hard copy:
10.7.1 Original NOC/Migration Certificate (for non-VU students).
10.7.2 Original consolidated transcript(s) on which basis course exemption/transfer of credit hours have applied (VU students may submit attested photocopies).
10.7.3 Attested copy of the syllabus with detailed course(s) contents for which the student has applied for course exemption/transfer of course credit hour(s) duly verified/attested by the concerned authority of the institute/university (for non-VU students).
10.7.4 Students who have been dropped from university/institute due to exigent circumstances may apply for course exemption/transfer of course credit hour(s) subject to the submission of proper paperwork from the institute/university. However, students failed by their institute/university cannot apply for course exemption/transfer of credit hours.
10.7.5 Course exemption/transfer of course credit hour(s) is not applicable if the applicant seeks admission after the completion of the Zero semester.
10.7.6 Course exemption/transfer of course credit hour(s) towards a merit-based degree program requires a merit list qualification.
10.7.7 Applicants can seek course exemption/transfer of course credit hour(s) based on a diploma qualification only if the diploma granted on graduation-based admission (14 years of education).
10.7.8 Applications for course exemption/transfer of course credit hour(s) shall be considered by the Equivalence Committee of the University on a case to case and course to course basis with reference to Virtual University’s program specific study schemes and course outlines.
10.7.9 Course(s) pertaining to Specialization, Internship and Final project shall not be considered for exemption under any circumstances.
10.7.10 Students can apply for course exemption/transfer of course credit hour(s) only once and for a single admission session of a study program.
10.7.11 Course exemption/transfer of course credit hour(s) cannot be granted for the same level consecutive degrees.
10.7.12 Courses, those are qualified/passed/completed in the last five years, shall only be considered for exemption.
10.7.13 The accumulative credits accepted for transfer in any program should not exceed one-half (50%) of the total credits required to complete that particular program under any case.
10.7.14 The Exempted Course(s)/credit hours transferred shall be displayed in the student’s transcript as ‘Exempted (marked as ‘E’)’ and shall not count towards the calculation of CGPA.
10.7.15 Equivalence Committee shall determine the study scheme and minimum time required to complete the respective degree, after course exemption/transfer of course credit hour(s)is granted.
10.7.16 Upon getting admission on the basis of course exemption/transfer of credit hour(s), the student will not be entitled to any Scholarship/Medal/Merit position.
10.7.17 Processing fee (non-refundable) will be charged upon submitting the course exemption/transfer of credit hour(s) application.
10.7.18 The incomplete applications shall be rejected straightway.
10.7.19 The applicant(s) will be informed about the decision of the Equivalence Committee through e-mail/courier service.
10.7.20 A prefix “E” will be mentioned in the remark’s column against each exempted course in the student’s transcript.
10.7.21 Course exemption/transfer of course credit hour(s) is a facility, not a matter of right.
10.7.22 The decision of the Equivalence Committee is considered final and cannot be challenged in any court of law under any circumstances.
10.7.23 The University reserves the right to take legal action against those applicant(s) who either conceal the facts or deceive the University by submitting Tampered/Fake/Forged educational documents, etc.
A. FOR NON-VU STUDENTS IN ADDITION TO GENERAL COURSE EXEMPTION/TRANSFER POLICY
i. Course(s) with less than a ‘B’ grade/71% marks in the annual system will not be considered.
ii. In case of a foreign degree/transcript, an Equivalence Certificate from the HEC (Higher Education Commission, Pakistan) will be required.
iii. The duration/level of both degrees (i.e., the degree program for which admission is applied and the degree on the basis of which the Course exemption/transfer of course credit hour(s) is applied) should be the same.
iv. The transcript/mark sheet on the basis of which the candidate(s) intends to apply for course(s) exemption/transfer of credit hours must be issued by the Controller of Examinations of the HEIs. Any result card/transcript/marks sheet issued by the HoD/In-charge of a teaching department will not be considered.
B. FOR VU-STUDENTS IN ADDITION TO GENERAL COURSE EXEMPTION/ TRANSFER POLICY
i. Courses having a ‘C’ or above grade will be considered for exemption/transfer.
ii. If the student applies for course exemption/transfer of credit hours based on VU Certificate Course(s) then they must surrender those certificate course(s).
iii. Students who discontinued their studies either by themselves or by the University may also apply unless or otherwise dropped/terminated by the University due to any disciplinary action.
C. EQUIVALENCE COMMITTEE
i. The Equivalence Committee shall be constituted by the Rector for one academic year starting from the Fall semester admissions.
ii. Equivalence Committee shall examine the cases of Course exemption/transfer of course credit hour(s).
iii. Course exemption/transfer of course credit hour(s) is a facility and not a matter of right. The decision of Equivalence Committee of the University shall be final and cannot be challenged at any forum.
iv. Equivalence Committee shall consider course(s) for Course exemption/transfer of course credit hour(s) in which the candidate has secured at least ‘B’ grade with 75% content similarity in the respective course(s).
11. VARIATION IN ADMISSION SEATS (Merit-Based program)
The University authorities may exercise their right to increase or decrease the number of admission seat(s) allocated to any program and there shall be no appeal against such a decision.
12. TIE-BREAKER IN CASE OF EQUAL MERIT PERCENTAGE/SCORE
12.1 If two or more candidates have equal merit percentage/score up to three decimal places, then tiebreaker in the following order will be considered.
12.2 The candidate with a higher percentage of marks in the latest degree/certificate based on which the candidate applied for admission (e.g., intermediate if the candidate applied for a BS or Associate Degree program or etc.; Bachelor, if applied for Master and BS (04-year) or Master (02-year) in case of MS/MPhil program).
13. STUDY PROGRAM CHANGE
13.1 The student may apply for the change of study program once, subject to the following conditions:
a. The change between study programs shall only be allowed among programs if student fulfills the admission eligibility criteria.
b. The application shall be submitted through LMS by following the prescribed procedure within due date announced in the academic calendar in each semester.
c. The student shall deposit the prescribed fee for the “Study Program Change”.
d. The qualified common course(s) shall be transferred towards new study program along with earned grade(s) and grade point(s) wherein:
(i) The level, grading scheme and the assessment of qualified course(s) should be same as required in the new study program.
(ii) A prefix “T” will be mentioned in the remarks column against each transferred course in the student’s transcript.
(iii) The duration of the previous study program shall be counted towards the new program. Hence, the minimum residential requirement of the changed study program may be revised (pro-rata adjustment).
(iv) Neither a separate course(s) completion certificate shall be issued against the transferred course, nor shall such course(s) be counted towards any program except the new study program.
(v) The credit for each qualified course(s) shall be claimed towards only one study program.
(vi) A students may request for the issuance of a course completion certificate likewise short certificate course(s) for each qualified course upon payment of prescribed fee for a course that is not transferred.
A. Continuation of study of VU 02-Year Bachelor’s degree holders towards BS Program
VU graduates holding a 02-year Bachelor’s/Associate degree may apply for admission towards respective 04-year BS program subject to the following condition:
(i) Applicant must surrender already issued 02-year bachelor’s degree to the University.
(ii) Qualified course(s) along with grades earned will be eligible for transfer towards the new BS degree program.
(iii) In case, a student fails to complete the 04-Year BS program; the student shall have the right to claim the surrendered 02-Year degree.
B. Continuation of the study of VU 02-year Bachelor’s degree holders towards BS Program instead of respective BS degree program:
Student shall apply afresh through admission application form subject to the following conditions:
(i) Shall pay all dues except registration fee.
(ii) The difference in fee (if any) shall be charged/adjusted accordingly after admission confirmation.
(iii) Qualified common course(s) may be considered exempted if a student applies for it by submitting exemption Proforma at the time of admission.
(iv) The student will not be eligible for a 02-year Bachelor/Associate degree of new discipline/degree program.
(v) The University shall determine the respective plan of study and residential requirements for the applicant on a case-to-case basis (pro-rata adjustment).
(vi) Exempted courses shall be displayed in the student’s transcript as “Exempted” i.e, “E” and will not be counted towards calculation GPA/CGPA.
(vii) A maximum 50% of the credit hours allocated to course work of the respective study scheme can be exempted.
(viii) The course(s) qualified with at least “C” grade or above may be considered for exemption.
14. DEFICIENCY
If the schedule of courses pursued by a candidate does not provide adequate background for the degree course/program, which he/she intends to take up, he/she may be required to make up the deficiency by taking one or more additional course(s) of deficiency level as may be prescribed by the respective Department/Board of Studies of the University.
15. RE-ADMISSION
15.1 A student who has been marked withdrawn or admission is cancelled due to any reason may apply for re-admission as per the prescribed process on the payment of the fee in each semester i.e., fall and spring semesters, respectively, within due dates of admission.
15.2 A student may apply for re-admission for a maximum of two times in a degree program.
15.3 The following students shall not be eligible to apply for Re-admission:
(i) Admission cancelled due to more than two consecutive semesters freeze.
(ii) The security fee has been refunded.
(iii) Enrolled in Short Certificate Courses, Deficiency or Zero Semester.
(iv) Enrolled in BS (04-years) Program but converted into 02-years Bachelor’s degree (If such students want to continue their 04-year program, they must apply for a new admission with a course exemptions request)
16. CLOSING OF ADMISSION
16.1 The admission process shall be concluded within a week of the commencement of classes as the applicants apply for admission from across the country and abroad.
16.2 The Dean may admit any applicant within a week (7 days) from the commencement of classes due to hardship faced by the applicant, but such applicant should have already filled the Online Admission Form, found eligible and deposited the prescribed fee.
16.3 The Rector may admit any applicant within ten (10) days from the commencement of classes due to any hardship faced by the applicant, but such applicant should have already filled Online Admission Form, found eligible and deposited the prescribed fee.
16.4 No admission will be confirmed after the expiry of ten (10) days.
16.5 The Accounts Department will ensure and verify the deposited fee record of applicants/ admitted students.
16.6 IT Department shall ensure that all admission related information has been delivered to the applicants/admitted students.
16.7 The Admission Section of the Registrar’s office will ensure the provision of admission offer letter to the admitted students via e-mail/postal service.
17. VERIFICATION OF CERTIFICATES/DEGREES
The University shall have the right to verify the certificates/degrees submitted by the applicants to the University from their respective Boards/Universities/Institutes. In case, if their previous Boards/Universities/Institutes does not reply/verify the documents, the admission will be cancelled, and the University shall have the right to initiate legal action about the concealment of facts.
18. CONFIRMATION OF ADMISSION
18.1 Initially, all the admissions in the University will be provisional subject to the verification of the certificate/result cards/degrees of the students.
18.2 Applicants should be aware that the presentation of incorrect/false/forged/fraudulent information or document is a criminal offence. The University reserves the right to initiate legal action and cancel his/her admission at any stage.
19. CANCELLATION OF ADMISSION
19.1 “Cancellation of Admission” means when admission is cancelled by the University after recording the reason applicable under University Rules. Admission of a student shall be cancelled and duly notified by the Registrar if:
(i) The student has been admitted ‘provisionally’ and fails to provide required document(s) to the University within three weeks of the start of classes of the admitting semester. However, under exceptional circumstances, for reasons to be recorded, the Registrar may relax the submission date by one extra week.
(ii) The “Unfair Means Committee” or “Disciplinary Advisory Committee” so advises:
(iii) The student fails to complete the requirements of the respective study program within the maximum prescribed time period and does not seek further extension before the commencement of the following semester.
(iv) The student fails to resume/continue studies after freezing two consecutive semesters.
(v) The student has availed maximum chances allowed for improvement of CGPA but fails to achieve minimum required CGPA for the award of diploma/degree upon completion of entire prescribed course work of a study program. (Included in re-admission subject to 50% and B grade rules).
(vi) Any document/record submitted by the student is found fake/forged/bogus/tampered etc.
(vii) Student misstates or conceals any fact/information regarding his/her admission.
(viii) The University reserves the right to:
a) Initiate legal proceedings against such students.
b) Quash the exam results of such student,
c) Debarred from Virtual University of Pakistan
d) Forfeit the deposited amounts and
e) Circulate information about such students to other relevant Boards/Universities/Institutes or publicize the information.
20. WITHDRAWAL OF ADMISSION
“Withdrawn” means the discontinuation of studies and removal of enrolment status from the rolls of the University upon student’s request or by the University, whatsoever reason.
21. MISCELLANEOUS
Any matter not covered under this policy shall be referred to the Rector, Virtual University of Pakistan/Academic Council in writing, whose decision in the matter shall be considered as “Final”.