Archive · 25 Jul 2025
DU's Fourth Year: Humanities Favor It More Than Science/Commerce
DU is changing its undergraduate programs to a four-year format, but not all students are on board.
Some students, especially in science and commerce, are choosing to end their studies after three years.
They're opting out because they may not see a clear research path.
On the other hand, students in Humanities and Languages are more likely to stay for the fourth year.
This is the first time the program is being offered, so students have questions about how it will work.
Some students want to go on to get PhDs, so the extra year helps them with that.
Delhi University (DU) is implementing a four-year undergraduate program.
Some students are opting out of the fourth year, especially in Science and Commerce.
Humanities and Languages programs see a higher percentage of students choosing to continue.
The last date for students to decide on the fourth year was July 31.
Interest in the fourth year varies across different colleges and departments within DU.
- Who
- DU undergraduate students, including those in Science, Humanities, and Commerce.
- What
- DU students are choosing whether or not to participate in a new fourth year of undergraduate study.
- When
- The decision deadline was July 31.
- Where
- Delhi University (DU).
- Why
- Students have varied reasons, including uncertainties about the program, job prospects, and research interests.
Students Opting Out
Students Opting In
Research Focus
Students Opting Out
Uncertainty about the research path.
Students Opting In
Clearer path to PhD.
Career Goals
Students Opting Out
Preferring jobs or Master's elsewhere.
Students Opting In
Seeking to bypass Master's programs.
- DU Program Change
- Transition to a four-year undergraduate format
- Students Exiting Early
- 9,674 students
- St Stephen's College Math Students
- Some chose to stay, some chose to exit
- Miranda House Science Students
- 40% to 60% opted out of fourth year
- Shri Ram College of Commerce
- 170 out of 900 BCom (Hons) students opted in
- Kirori Mal College Split
- Nearly even split between those staying and exiting