It is open to all students who are enrolled in colleges under the VTU, both affiliated and autonomous. | Photo Credit: FILE PHOTO
The Visvesvaraya Technological University (VTU) has begun offering minor degrees to provide additional opportunities for skill enhancement and entrepreneurial development for engineering students in the State.
These degrees are offered online as five-semester courses. Those who registered may begin attending these courses from the fourth semester onwards if they have a Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 5.0, even if they have a backlog. Candidates must complete the course before the commencement of the eighth semester. The degrees will have 18 credits.
“A minor degree, pursued alongside the BE/BTech programme, enables diversification and enhancement of students’ skill sets, thereby addressing contemporary industry demands. A minor degree in engineering and technology is an academic credential earned in addition to the BE/BTech degree programme by completing a prescribed set of additional courses in a discipline other than the student’s primary branch of study,” read a circular.
Speaking to The Hindu, S. Vidyashankar, Vice-Chancellor of VTU, said, “For the benefit and interest of students, we have introduced the minor degree programme. We have formulated the necessary regulations and guidelines for this. We have informed all affiliated colleges under the VTU to follow these guidelines. This initiative will be highly beneficial and will provide valuable opportunities for students.”
A minor degree enables students to bridge disciplinary boundaries and function effectively in multidisciplinary teams. These programmes emphasise the fundamental principles of multiple engineering disciplines, critical and analytical thinking, and the ability to develop innovative and integrated solutions to interdisciplinary problems, the VTU said.
The minor degrees will be offered in a wide range of subjects particularly in emerging technologies.
It is open to all students who are enrolled in colleges under the VTU, both affiliated and autonomous. However, these courses must be completed concurrently with a major degree programme. Students cannot earn a minor after they have already earned their bachelor’s degree.
The courses offered for a minor degree will be treated on par with the regular courses of a major degree pursued by the student with respect to attendance requirements, assessment, and examination requirements, the university said.
Students who successfully complete the online, offline, or blended courses prescribed for the minor degree before the commencement of the eighth semester examinations shall be eligible for the award of the degree, provided they also complete the BE/BTech programme after the results of all the semesters have been declared.
Published - October 11, 2026 08:11 pm IST