42% students express interest in continuing studies into fourth year under Keralam’s FYUGP: survey

Around 42% of students enrolled in Keralam’s first batch of the Four-Year Undergraduate Programme (FYUGP) have expressed interest in continuing their studies into the fourth year, according to a State-level survey conducted by the Kerala State Higher Education Council (KSHEC).

A total of 66,014 students presently pursuing their third year of undergraduate studies participated in the survey. Students from all universities in Keralam that have implemented the FYUGP participated in the survey.

When asked about their plans after completing the third year, 23,951 students said they intended to continue into the fourth year of the FYUGP. Another 5,468 students said they planned to join two-year postgraduate programmes after completing the third year. A total of 7,123 students expressed an intention to seek employment, while 3,574 said they planned to prepare for competitive examinations.

Notably, 2,148 students expressed interest in pursuing higher studies outside Keralam and 1,388 indicated a preference for higher studies abroad. As many as 20,752 students said they had not yet reached a final decision regarding their future studies. Only 162 students expressed interest in opting for the N-1 pathway, which enables students to fast-track their studies and graduate ahead of schedule.

The survey also sought to ascertain the level of certainty among students about continuing into the fourth year. As many as 13,912 students said they would “definitely” continue, while 12,865 said they would “most probably” continue.

Regarding the choice of study pathway in the fourth year, 12,780 students expressed a preference for the Honours programme, while 11,653 preferred Honours with Research. Another 8,903 students said they would choose either pathway depending on the opportunities available to them. Taken together, 33,336 students expressed interest in the Honours or Honours with Research pathways.

At the same time, the survey highlighted a significant demand for greater academic guidance before students make decisions about their future study and career paths. As many as 20,181 students said they needed more academic guidance before making a final decision.

The finding points to a substantial requirement for clearer information and counselling on the fourth-year study options, research opportunities, postgraduate education, employment prospects and skill-development pathways, official sources said.

The survey included questions on where students would prefer to pursue their fourth year, whether those exiting after the third year intended to immediately join a two-year postgraduate programme, the types of postgraduate programmes they preferred, their understanding of the various academic pathways available after the third year and the academic areas in which they required greater guidance.

A senior official pointed out that universities and colleges could play a key role by offering students comprehensive information on the Honours and Honours with Research options, available subjects, research facilities and opportunities for further study and employment. Such orientation would help students make more informed choices about their academic futures.