BS..Bachelor of Science (4-Years) Programs

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE (4-year) Programs
The Bachelor of Science (BS) program prepares a student to meet the demanding challenges of the modern workplace. The BS degree comprises more than 130 credits of work. During final year, student will be required to spend a good deal of time in completing a project. This project will usually be done in collaboration with industry, under the guidance of a professional nominated by the University. The curriculum for various majors is based on the recommendations of the National Curriculum Revision Committees approved by the Higher Education Commission (HEC), Islamabad. However, the Academic Council of the University may update the curricula from time to time. Please note that all courses detailed in the BS programs below may not be offered in a given academic session. The specific courses being offered will be notified in the semester schedule on the University Learning Management System web site.

Programs by Faculty

Faculty of Computer Science and Information Technology
BS (Computer Science)

BS (Information Technology)

Faculty of Management
BS (Business Administration)

BS (Public Administration)

Faculty of Arts
BS (Accounting and Finance)

BS (Commerce)

BS (Mass Communication)

BS (Psychology)

Duration:
It is four-year full time study program spread over eight semesters. Each semester has at least 18 weeks duration for teaching and examinations etc.

Eligibility Requirements:
Applicants for admission to all Bachelor of Science (BS) Programs must have passed with at least 45% marks, Intermediate (Part I and II, or equivalent examination), or I.Com or ICS or DAE or ‘A’ level examinations. The General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) ‘O’ levels and School Certificate (SC) examinations are considered equivalent to Matriculation, and the GCE ‘A’ levels is considered equivalent to the Intermediate examination. For the GCSE (‘O’) and SC examinations, grades in 6 subjects are considered. ‘A’ level candidates must have passed 3 subjects.
Admission application forms are same for 2-year and 4-year bachelor degree programs.

Note: candidates having less than 45 % in their intermediate or equivalent examination from a recognized institute are eligible to apply for BS provided they firstly qualify Mathematics, Computer Proficiency, and English courses in a single semester (called “Zero semester”) and achieve a semester GPA of at least 2.00. Fee for the Zero semester within Pakistan is Rs 6,000/- payable in two equal installments. Fee (1st fee installment) payable at the time of admission is Rs. 3,000/-. However, fee for the Zero semester for Pakistani students abroad is US $ 250. Such student would be responsible to pay additionally cost of Lecture CDs/DVD’s, Lecture Handouts plus shipment cost.

Assessment of Study Progress:
The students’ study progress evaluation mechanism is based on continuous assessment throughout the semester by giving assignments, on-line quizzes, Graded Moderated Discussion Boards (GMDBs), mid-term and final term exams. The mid-term and final term exams are conducted at VU’s designated centers and usually count for 80 to 85% of the total marks for a course.

Award of Degree:
To be eligible for the award of four-year BS degree, the students are required to complete at least 132 credit hours with minimum Cumulative Grade Point Average of 2.25 out of 4.00.

Course of Study:
The scheme of studies for BS program is outlined as under. The courses may be revised from time to time as a result of continuous review to bring them at par with courses being taught at top-class foreign universities. While reviewing the courses needs of local industry and job market are also given full consideration.

FEE Structure:

a) Fee structure for student within Pakistan:
Tuition fee rates are fixed and are independent of the number of courses being taught in one semester. Security, Admission and Registration fee are charged once at the start of the first semester. The remaining charges are payable quarterly. Security fee is refundable on completion of degree or in case of withdrawal from the University.

Admission Fee Rs. 2,000 one time
Registration Fee Rs. 500 one time
Security Rs. 2,000 (one time, refundable)

Fee (payable quarterly) Rs.1,300 per month

NOTE: Fee payable at the time of admission is Rs. 4,500 (includes admission fee, registration fee, and security deposit).

(b) Fee structure for Student outside Pakistan:
Student outside Pakistan should deposit fee through FTT (Foreign Telegraph Transfer) or bank draft inclusive of Bank charges that is minimum up to $15 per transaction.

Admission Fee & Registration Fee US $100 one time
Tuition fee US $400 for six months

NOTE: Fee payable at the time of admission is US $500 (includes admission fee, registration fee, and Tuition fee for six months).

Course Study of Master of Business ADministration (MBA)

MASTER OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION (MBA)

MASTER OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION (MBA)
The Faculty of Management offers a two-year program leading to an MBA degree. The program is designed specially for Bachelor graduates who want to adopt business as career and likes to enhance their professional business skills. The program provides opportunities to learn special business techniques required to excel in the challenging and rapidly changing world. The student can opt any one of the areas of specialization including “Finance”, ”Marketing”, “Management” “Human Resource Management”, and ”Management Information Systems”.

Admission Criteria
Bachelor’s degree from a recognized university/institute in any discipline with at least 45% marks.
(Note: Candidates having less than 45 % in their graduation from a recognized university/institute are eligible to apply for MBA admission provided they firstly qualify Mathematics, Computer Proficiency, and English courses in a single semester (called “Zero semester”) and achieve a semester GPA of at least 2.00. Fee for the Zero semester for students within Pakistan is Rs 6,000/- payable in two equal installments. Fee (1st fee installment) payable at the time of admission is Rs. 3,000/-. However, fee for the Zero semester for Pakistani students abroad is US $ 250. Such student would be responsible to pay additionally cost of Lecture CDs, Lecture Handouts plus shipment cost).

FEE STRUCTURE:
(a) Fee structure for students within Pakistan:

Admission Fee - Rs. 3,000 one time
Registration Fee - Rs. 1,000 one time
Security - Rs. 5,000 (one time, refundable)
Fee (payable quarterly) - Rs. 2000 per month

(b) Fee structure for Pakistani students abroad:

Admission Fee & Registration Fee - US$100 one time
Tuition fee - US$490 for six months

AWARD OF DEGREE
To be eligible for the award of degree of Master of Business Administration (MBA) students are required to complete courses amounting to at least 72 credit hours with a minimum Cumulative Grade Point Average of 2.30.

Course Study of Master of Information Technology (MIT)

MASTER OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (MIT)

MASTER OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (MIT)
The main educational aim of the Master of Information Technology is to provide broad technical understanding of latest and emerging technologies in the field of information technology. Due to rapid worldwide dependency on software application, the requirement for trained and experienced IT specialist is in great demand. The program offered provides a unique edge in the current complex marketplace.

DURATION
It is two-year full time study program spread over four semesters. Each semester has 18 weeks duration for teaching and examination.

Admission Criteria
Bachelor degree from a recognized university/ institute in any of the following subject: Mathematics, Physics, Computer Science, Commerce, Statistics, Economics, Business Administration, Engineering. Candidate must have at least 45% marks in the graduation degree.
(Note: Candidates who have not studied any one of the required above-mentioned subjects in their graduation are eligible for MIT admission provided they firstly qualify four courses namely Introduction to Computing, Business Mathematics & Statistics, Discrete Mathematics, Technical & Business English by taking a deficiency semester.

Likewise, candidates having less than 45 % in their graduation from a recognized university/institute are eligible to apply for MIT admission provided they firstly qualify Mathematics, Computer Proficiency, and English courses in a single semester (called “Zero semester”) and achieve a semester GPA of at least 2.00. Fee for the Zero semester for students within Pakistan is Rs 6000/- payable in two equal installments. Fee (1st fee installment) payable at the time of admission is Rs. 3000/-. However, fee for the Zero semester for Pakistani students abroad is US $ 250. Such student would be responsible to pay additionally cost of Lecture CDs, Lecture Handouts plus shipment cost.

FEE STRUCTURE:
(a) Fee structure for students within Pakistan:

Admission Fee Rs. 3,000 one time
Registration Fee Rs. 1,000 one time
Security Rs. 5,000 (one time, refundable)
Fee (payable quarterly) Rs. 2000 per month

(b) Fee structure for Pakistani students abroad:

Admission Fee & Registration Fee US$100 one time
Tuition fee US$490 for six months

AWARD OF DEGREE
To be eligible for the award of degree of Master of Information Technology (MIT) students are required to complete courses amounting to at least 72 credit hours with a minimum Cumulative Grade Point Average of 2.30 out of 4.00.

PROJECT
Students are required to complete a project of 6 credit hours in the final year of their Master’s degree program. The choice of the final project is at the student’s discretion. However, consultation with the student advisor is compulsory. Students have to submit a detailed write-up of the project and in some cases may be required to give a presentation

Course Study of Master of Computer Science (MCS)

MASTER OF COMPUTER SCIENCE (MCS)

MASTER OF COMPUTER SCIENCE (MCS)
The Department of Computer Science offers a two-year program leading to an MCS (Master of Computer Science) degree. The program is designed specially for Bachelor graduates who wish to enter this highly exciting and challenging field to meet the growing need of computer science experts in the rapidly evolving 21st century economy. The program provides graduated will with a strong technological base that will enable them to capitalize on the increasing career opportunities in this sector. This specialization provides a highly demanded expertise, great mobility and flexibility, and an impressive range of possible career choices in the industry.

DURATION
It is two-year full time study program spread over four semesters. Each semester has at least 18 weeks duration for teaching and examination etc.

Admission Criteria
Bachelor degree from a recognized university/ institute in any of the following subject: Mathematics, Physics, Computer Science, Commerce, Statistics, Economics, Engineering. Candidate must have at least 45% marks in the graduation degree.

(Note: Candidates who have not studied any one of the required above-mentioned subjects in their graduation are eligible for MCS admission provided they firstly qualify four courses namely Introduction to Computing, Business Mathematics & Statistics, Discrete Mathematics, Technical & Business English by taking a deficiency semester.

Likewise, candidates having less than 45 % in their graduation from a recognized university/institute are eligible to apply for MCS admission provided they firstly qualify Mathematics, Computer Proficiency, and English courses in a single semester (called “Zero semester”) and achieve a semester GPA of at least 2.00. Fee for the Zero semester for students within Pakistan is Rs 6000/- payable in two equal installments. Fee (1st fee installment) payable at the time of admission is Rs. 3000/-. However, fee for the Zero semester for Pakistani students abroad is US $ 250. Such student would be responsible to pay additionally cost of Lecture CDs, Lecture Handouts plus shipment cost.

FEE STRUCTURE:
(a) Fee structure for students within Pakistan:

Admission Fee - Rs. 3,000 one time
Registration Fee - Rs. 1,000 one time
Security - Rs. 5,000 (one time, refundable)
Fee (payable quarterly) - Rs. 2000 per month

(b) Fee structure for Pakistani students abroad:

Admission Fee & Registration Fee - US$100 one time
Tuition fee - US$490 for six months

AWARD OF DEGREE
To be eligible for the award of degree of Master of Computer Science (MCS) students are required to complete courses amounting to at least 72 credit hours with a minimum Cumulative Grade Point Average of 2.30 out of 4.00.

PROJECT
Students are required to complete a project of 6 credit hours in the final year of their Master’s degree program. The choice of the final project is at the student’s discretion. However, consultation with the student advisor is compulsory. Students have to submit a detailed write-up of the project and in some cases may be required to give a presentation.

Masters Programs Others

Masters Programs
Students who have completed their Bachelor’s degree (with at least 45% marks) from a recognized university or institution can apply for admission to Master of Computer Science (MCS), Master of Information Technology (MIT) and Master of Business Administration (MBA) programs. These programs comprise 72 credit hours each, spread over 4 semesters and allow graduates to upgrade their skill sets into the requirements of the modern knowledge era. Strong rigorous curricula allow graduates of these programs to compete effectively with their counterparts who have graduated from the corresponding 4-year BS programs.

MCS (Master of Computer Science)

MIT (Master of Information Technology)

MBA (Master of Business Administration)

Course Study of MS in Computer Science

MASTER OF SCIENCE IN COMPUTER SCIENCE

MASTER OF SCIENCE IN COMPUTER SCIENCE

Master of Science (MS) in Computer Science is a research based degree program being offered by Department of Computer Science at Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore, Peshawar and Sialkot. The program is designed to produce academicians and professionals of high quality throughout the country. Course work designed for MS in Computer Science provides a breadth based knowledge of the field whereas the specialization equips the students with in-depth knowledge of a specific area of computer science.

Duration
It is a two-year duration program spread over four semesters. Each semester has 18 weeks duration.

Eligibility Requirements
16-year education i.e., BS in Computer Science/ BS in Information Technology/ Bachelor of Computer Science (Hons)/ Master of Computer Science/ Master of Information Technology/ M.Sc (Computer Science) from a recognized institution. Candidate must have at least CGPA 2.50 out of 4.00 or first division. Each candidate is required to pass the NTS – GAT-General test.

Entry Test (NTS-GAT-General) will be held at Virtual Campuses (Lahore, Islamabad, Karachi, Peshawar, Sialkot) on Sunday 21 September 2008 at 2:00 pm.
For detailed information about NTS Test (GAT-General) visit NTS website http://www.nts.org.pk/GAT/GAT.asp. Candidate already qualified NTS-GAT-General has to attach photocopy of valid NTS result with their admission form.

Assessment of Study Progress
The students’ study progress evaluation mechanism is based on continuous assessment throughout the semester by giving assignments, online quizzes, Graded Moderated Discussion Boards (GMDBs), mid-term and final term examinations.

Award of Degree
For the award of the Master of Science in Computer Science degree, a student is required to complete the 24-credit hours course work program and six-credit hour thesis research with minimum CGPA of 3.00 out of 4.00.

Fee Structure
Fee payable at the time of submission of admission application form is Rs. 16, 500/- (includes admission fee, registration fee, security, fall semester enrolment fee and NTS test fee). If a candidate has already qualified NTS-GATS-General test then NTS fee Rs. 500/- will be adjusted later. Details of fee structure are as under:

Fee Structure Amount (Rs.)
Admission Fee (Once) 5,000/-
Registration Fee (Once) 2,000/-
Security Fee (Once, refundable) 5,000/-
Enrollment Fee/Semester 4,000/-
Tuition Fee/credit hour 2,500/-
Thesis Fee 14,000/-

Academic Programs...Regulations for BS Programs

II. REGULATIONS
6. SHORT TITLE, COMMENCEMENT AND APPLICATION:

(1). These Regulations may be called the Virtual University of Pakistan, Award of First Degree Regulations, 2003.
(2). These Regulations shall come into force with immediate effect.
(3). These Regulations shall apply to all students on the First Degree rolls of the University.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS:

7. Minimum Academic Requirements

(i) A candidate seeking admission to the Bachelor of Science (BS) Program must have passed the examination shown in prospectus against each course or an examination recognized as equivalent thereto from a recognized institution securing g at least 45 % marks in intermediate or equivalent examination excluding marks awarded for NCC and Hafiz-e-Quran; provided further that the requirement of minimum marks may be amended from time to time by the competent body of the university.
(ii) AGE: A candidate for admission has no limit on age.

8. Numbers to be Admitted: The Executive Council of the university shall determine the last merit of student to be admitted from the admission applications received by the due date.

9. Authority of Admission: The admission may be made by Registrar of the university in consultation with the Executive Council of the University.

10. Deficiency: If the schedule of courses pursued by a candidate does not provide adequate background for the 1st degree course, 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 Executive Council of The University.

11. Time for Admission

(i) Candidate may be admitted at the beginning of the fall or spring semester until the Executive Council of the university decides to have admissions once a year. If a candidate fails to enroll then his/her admission shall stand cancelled.
(ii) The Executive Council of the university may refuse admission to a student without assigning any reason.
(Explanation: All those students who are awarded minor penalty twice on account of misconduct during the course of their undergraduate studies will be debarred for postgraduate admission for a period of two years. After the lapse of two years, after completion of their undergraduate courses, their case will be considered for admission to postgraduate course on the recommendations of the Students Affairs Committee. The students who receive major penalties during their undergraduate courses will not be granted admission to postgraduate courses. However, they will be eligible for admission to postgraduate courses after a lapse of three years, on the recommendations of the Students Affairs Committee).

12. Enrollment

(i) A candidate admitted to the course shall for so long as he/she has not completed all the requirements for the degree, enroll himself/herself for each semester subject to the maximum admissible limit of 12 semesters and the summer session immediately following, failing which his/her admission shall stand cancelled. In case a student discontinued without permission, he/she may seek re-admission, in the same semester, with the approval of the Rector and on the recommendations of the Registrar; or the subsequent year with the permission of the Executive Council of the university, provided that he/she has not already exhausted the maximum residential requirements for the course, and provided further that after the first eight semesters, a candidate may enroll in the semester in which his/her failing/remaining subject (s) is/are offered in accordance with his/her “Scheme of Studies” subject to maximum admissible limit of 12 semesters.

(Explanation of Statute 3(i) and Regulation 7(i): The four semesters provided in excess of the normal duration of the course have to be treated as exactly identical to the original eight in matters of regulating the course conduct. This provision does not place any bar on the students’ right to discontinue their studies during these extra four semesters. But what is inviolable in their case is their consecutive nature. One cannot skip a semester during this extra period and recover it beyond the 12th semester after it has ended. For instance, if a student discontinues his studies in the 11th semester, and the course in question is not offered in the next 12th semester, he cannot claim a right to enroll in the further next (13th) semester, except that he/she avails himself/herself of the terminal summer session. He/she would have come to the end of his/her studies. The law provides him/her no further chance).

(ii) For semester enrolment, a candidate shall deposit university dues, according to bank challan provided, in the specified bank and its branch on the days specified on challan form or displayed on VU website for the purpose; provided that the Director Finance, in special circumstances and on payment of a late fee of Rs.250/- permits a student to deposit dues within seven days after the commencement of the semester. Thereafter, Rs. 500/- would be charged as late fee, provided further that the Rector may allow enrollment of a student after the expiry of seven days of the commencement of the semester under special circumstances of individual cases to be recorded in writing with double late fee, till such time as it does not conflict with the prescribed requirements of 75 % attendance in classes of each subject.

Provided further that the students seeking admission for the first time in any of the first degree courses must deposit dues to fulfill enrolment formalities within the date displayed on VU website by the Registrar, failing which their admission shall stand cancelled; provided further that the admission of such students may be allowed by the Rector till such time as it does not conflict with the prescribed requirements of 75 % attendance in classes of each subject.

(Explanation: Enrollment will only be considered completed when the candidate deposits university dues in the bank).


(iii) The admission of a candidate to the degree program shall be provisional in the first instance and shall be confirmed only when he/she has shown satisfactory progress in courses taken and rectified the course deficiencies, if any.

(iv) Discontinuation of studies: A candidate admitted to the degree program shall, enroll himself/herself for each semester provided that he/she may discontinue studies on account of sickness (duly certified by a registered medical doctor) or due to circumstances beyond his/her control, before appearing in the final examination, with the permission of the Registrar. Provided further that a candidate shall not ordinarily be allowed to discontinue studies for more than a total of four semesters.

(Explanation: Candidates so permitted to discontinue will be allowed to resume their studies by the Registrar vide his office notification).

(v) If a student fails to enroll in any semester without permission of the competent authority, he/she shall cease to be on the rolls of the University and in case he/she desires readmission, he/she shall have to apply for the same.

(Explanation: Executive Council of the University may readmit such a candidate or refuse admission if the reasons advanced are not convincing).

(vi) Candidates seeking re-admission in the university will have to pay re-admission fee as prescribed by Executive Council of the university.

(vii) Withdrawal from course (s): A student shall not be allowed to add a new course, or substitute a course for another after the expiry of ten days from the commencement of the semester, but he/she may be permitted by the Registrar (provided the course load for the semester does not fall below the prescribed minimum credit hours), to drop a course within 35 days. In case a student gives up a course without such permission or intimation, he/she shall be deemed to have failed in that course.

(viii) Minimum and Maximum Credit Hours: Each student shall register himself/herself in the 1st and 2nd semester for all the credit hours prescribed for these semesters. Subsequently he/she shall have to register for courses carrying not less than 17 and not more than 27 credit hours. These credits will include the credits earned in respect of deficiency courses. The students who wish to pass “F” and to improve “D” grade (s) may enroll during the summer session for not more than 12 credit hours. In his/her last semester a student may register himself/herself for courses carrying the remaining credit hours; provided that the maximum does not ordinarily exceed 30 credit hours.

Provided further that the Registrar may allow a student to exceed the maximum limit of 30 credit hours by 1 to 4 credit hours by which he/she may be falling short of the total prescribed credit hours of a program, in special circumstances to be determined in each individual case. These extra credit hours shall be allowed only in the 7th and 8th semesters. In the case of summer session the limit will be 12 credit hours; provided further that the Registrar may allow a student to exceed this limit of 12 credit hours to 16 credit hours of failed courses only by which he/she may be failing to complete the degree programme. Provided further that no course shall be offered during the regular semester, which does not fall within the “Scheme of Studies” in the respective semester.

Clarification of Regulation 6 (viii)

(a) Regular Semesters

i. Each student shall register himself/herself in the first and second semesters for all the credit hours prescribed for these semesters.
ii. Subsequently, he/she shall have to register for courses carrying not less than 17 and not more than 27 credit hours out of the courses being offered during the enrolled semester.
iii.In the 7th and 8th semesters of the degree program a student may register for courses carrying up to 30 credit hours. This limit may be extended by the Registrar up to 34 credit hours if the student will complete the degree programme after enrolment of these extra credits.

(b) Summer Sessions

During any summer session, a student may enroll for courses in which he/she has obtained “F” or “D” grades with the objective of improving the grades. A student may enroll for courses up to a maximum limit of 12 credit hours; however, in summer sessions following 7th up to 12th regular semesters inclusive, a student may enroll courses up to a maximum of 16 credit hours provided that he/she completes his/her degree programme after that session.

(ix) No student will take any course unless he/she has cleared the pre-requisite for it as determined by the University.

(x) Credits earned for a course shall lapse on the expiry of six years for students from the end of the semester in which the course was qualified. Executive Council of the university may, however, revalidate the lapsed courses for special reasons to be recorded. (Explanation: Deficiency courses once qualified will not lapse and shall not be called into question again and need not to be revalidated).

13. Improvement of ‘D’ Grade:

(i) In the summer session or in any of the subsequent semesters a student may repeat once, those courses of the previous semester(s) in which he/she had secured the lowest grade i.e. “D” only. However, a student is not allowed to improve ‘D’ grade of a deficiency course qualified.
(ii) Any improved grade will substitute “F” and “D” grades of the previous Semester for calculating CGPA but “F” and “D” grades will form part of the transcript.

14. Examination and Weightage:

(i) Midterm and final examinations shall be conducted in a formal, proctored environment at examination centers designated for the purpose by the Controller of Examinations.
(ii) A mid-semester examination up to 90 minutes duration will be held after the 22nd lecture of a course, which will carry 25-35% of the total marks allocated for the course.
(iii) In addition, home assignments shall carry 10-20 % of the total marks allocated for the course.
(iv) Participation in class discussions through the Moderated Discussion Board of each subject shall carry up to 5 % of the total marks allocated.
(v) The final examination of up to three hours duration will be held at the end of the course, and shall carry 40-50% of the total marks allocated for the course.
(vi) The teacher shall finally determine the marks allocation of a course.

15. Uniformity/Standard in Tests: In each department the senior most teacher will examine all problems regarding uniformity/standards in tests, examinations, assignments etc. before the declaration of the results for the semester, or any appeal from the student or teacher of any related matter.

16. Minimum Pass Marks: In order to complete a course successfully, a student is required to obtain at least 40 % marks provided he/she avails 20% minimum marks each in semester work (including marks obtained for midterm, assignments and class discussions) and final examination.

17. Conduct of Examination:
(i) The examinations of each course shall be held at times and examination centers to be notified by the Controller of Examinations.
(ii) Teachers responsible for the courses will set their individual examination papers and submit them to the senior most teacher of the subject who shall set the final single paper from the examination papers so submitted. The respective teachers will mark the exam data file/answer papers individually or collectively as may be determined by the competent authority of the university and prepare the award list(s) to hand over to Controller of Examinations through the senior most teacher. The Controller of Examinations will arrange supervision of the examinations and declaration of results.

18. VU Education for Pakistanis Abroad:
Virtual University of Pakistan has extended its services to foreign countries in order to provide opportunity to Pakistanis and their children to seek admission into its degree programmes. Admission requirements, rules and regulations will remain the same for such students as mentioned above. However, Executive Council of the university will formulate the instructions for their admissions, university dues, and conduct of examinations etc. for incorporation into VU Prospectus.

Academic Programs...Statutes for BS programs

Statutes and Regulations: -Statutes for BS programs

I. STATUTES: Duration and Requirements of the Course/Semester.
1. In these Statutes unless there is anything repugnant in the subject or context;

(i) “Audit Course” means a course attended without any liability of taking its examination.
(ii) “Credit Course” means a course of study to be completed as a requirement for a degree.
(iii) “Credit Hour” means the successful completion of a course of one semester hour in theory or two semester hours in practical per week.
(iv) “Deficiency Course” means a course in which a competent body of the university has adjudged a student deficient.
(v) “Non-Credit Course” means a course of study, successful completion of which would not be a requirement for the degree.
(vi) “Semester” means teaching time of 18 weeks inclusive of admission, conduct of examination, preparation and declaration of result etc. and gazetted holidays.

2. Duration of the Course

(i) The minimum number of semesters for completing the course for the degree of Bachelor of Science Programme shall be eight. Provided that in no case a student who does not qualify for the award of degree within the minimum period of eight semesters, he/she may continue his/her studies for a maximum of four further consecutive semesters beyond which he/she shall not be eligible for enrolment.
(ii) The medium of instructions and examinations shall be English except in the case of Islamic Studies, which shall be English/Urdu but exam will be conducted in English/Urdu.

3. Duration of Semester

(i) There will be two semesters in each academic year, Fall and Spring, of 18 weeks each. The commencement of the semesters is regulated by the Executive Council of the University.
(ii) (Explanation: Out of 18 weeks, 15 weeks shall be the actual teaching time, the rest may be utilized for admission, conduct of examinations, preparation and declaration of results etc.).
(iii) There will also be a summer session of 8 to 10 weeks each year as part of an academic year, which shall be optional. Students, who desire to take up deficiency courses as required in their course work programme, failed courses and the courses in which they are allowed to improve “D” grade under the rules, may enroll during this session. It shall not count towards residential requirements.

4. Scheme of Study: The schemes of study for the various degree programs shall be notified by the University. These schemes may be revised by the Executive Council from time to time.

5. Minimum Requirements for various Degrees: The minimum credit requirements for instituting various degrees shall be 130 credit hours for duration of eight semesters. The first degree will be awarded on successful completion of the prescribed credit hours with a minimum Cumulative Grade Point Average of 2.25.

MILESTONES

MILESTONES

Initial funding released by Government of Pakistan...November, 2001
President of Pakistan inaugurates the Virtual University...March 23, 2002
Classes of first cohort of students start...March 25, 2002
Federal Charter granted by Government of Pakistan...September 11, 2002
Virtual University starts broadcasts over its own TV channels (VTV1 & VTV2)...June 15, 2004
University starts lecture recordings in its own studios...July 1, 2004
Launch of MCS, MIT and MBA programs...March, 2006
Launch of two new channels VTV3 & VTV4...September 25, 2006
VU becomes Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union (ABU) Member...November 07, 2006
VU Agreement with Ujala TV Dubai...November 30, 2006
Launch of BA, BCom and BBA programs...September, 2007
Launch of MS program in Computer Science...September, 2007
Introduction of new examination system...November, 2008

BOARD OF GOVERNORS

The general supervision and control of administrative, academic and financial affairs and the power to lay down the policies of the University vests in the Board of Governors consisting of the following members:-


1. Secretary, Ministry of Information Technology, Government of Pakistan (Chairman)
2. Rector, Virtual University of Pakistan (Member)
3. Secretary, Ministry of Education, Government of Pakistan, or his nominee (Member)
4. Secretary, M/o Information & Media Development, Government of Pakistan (Member)
5. Chairman, Higher Education Commission, or his nominee (Member)
6. Chairman, National Telecommunications Corporation, or his nominee (Member)
7. One retired judge of the Supreme Court of Pakistan (Member)
8. One serving or retired Rector or Vice Chancellor of a public university (Member)
9. Three eminent educationists or scientists, not being employees of the University (Members)
10. One expert from the financial sector (Member)
11. One Dean of the University (Member)
12. The Registrar of the University (Secretary)

ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE

The President of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan is the Chancellor of the Virtual University.

The Board of Governors is the apex body of the University, responsible for the general supervision and control of administrative, academic and financial affairs and the power to lay down the policies of the University.

The Rector is the Chief Executive and academic officer of the University whose responsibility is to ensure that the provisions of the Virtual University Ordinance, the Statutes, the Regulations and Rules are faithfully observed in order to promote teaching, research, administration, general efficiency and good order of the University.

Authorities of the University include the Executive Council, the Academic Council, the Boards of Studies, the Advanced Studies and Research Board, the Selection Board, the Finance and Planning Council and the Affiliation Committee.

Officers of the University include the Registrar, the Director Finance, the Controller of Examinations.

How VU Works

VU WORKS
The Virtual University of Pakistan delivers education through a judicious combination of broadcast television and the Internet. VU courses are hand-crafted in meticulous detail by acknowledged experts in the field. Lectures are then recorded in a professional studio environment and after insertion of slides, movie clips and other material, become ready for broadcast. Course lectures are broadcast over free-to-air television and are also made available in the form of multimedia CDs. They can also be made available as streaming media from the Virtual University’s servers. The multiple formats allows for a high degree of flexibility for students who may view the lectures at a time of their choosing within a 24-hour period. Additionally, students can use the lectures to review an entire course before their examinations – a facility simply not available in the conventional face-to-face environment.

In addition to the prescribed texts, comprehensive reading material / lecture notes in the form of web-enabled content are provided through a comprehensive Learning Management System (LMS) hosted on the VU Web Servers and accessible over the Internet. The full power of hyperlinks is utilized for making the on-line experience a truly powerful one. The LMS also provides an e-mail facility to each and every student as well as discussion boards for interaction within the VU community.

An important feature of the LMS is a Question/Answer board where VU faculty provides answers to questions posed by students on the subject matter covered in the lectures. The Question/Answer board (also known as the Moderated Discussion Board) is extremely fine grained, providing separate sessions for each lecture of each course. In addition, read-only access is made available to previous question/answer sessions and this constitutes an extremely useful study resource for students. VU faculty monitors this board on a continuous basis and answers to student questions are provided within a short space of time.

Assignments are handed out through the LMS and also submitted by the students through the same mechanism. Pop-quizzes and practice tests are also conducted through the LMS.

Midterm and Final Examinations for every semester are conducted in a formal proctored environment at exam centers designated for the purpose throughout the country. Invigilators appointed by the University conduct the exams. The formal examination atmosphere assists in critical quality assurance of the student assessment system.

About Virtual University

About VU
The Virtual University, Pakistan’s first University based completely on modern Information and Communication Technologies, was established by the Government as a public sector, not-for-profit institution with a clear mission: to provide extremely affordable world class education to aspiring students all over the country. Using free-to-air satellite television broadcasts and the Internet, the Virtual University allows students to follow its rigorous programs regardless of their physical locations. It thus aims at alleviating the lack of capacity in the existing universities while simultaneously tackling the acute shortage of qualified professors in the country. By identifying the top Professors of the country, regardless of their institutional affiliations, and requesting them to develop and deliver hand-crafted courses, the Virtual University aims at providing the very best courses to not only its own students but also to students of all other universities in the country.

The Virtual University of Pakistan holds a Federal Charter, making its degrees recognized and accepted all over the country as well as overseas.

The University opened its virtual doors in 2002 and in a short span of time its outreach has reached over sixty cities of the country with more than a hundred associated institutions providing infrastructure support to the students. Pakistani students residing overseas in several other countries of the region are also enrolled in the University's programs.