UoB Offers the Option of a Higher Diploma For Regular Students in Master’s Programs

Sakhir – University of Bahrain (Ali Al Sabbaq)

10 May 2023

Dr. Jawaher bint Shaheen Al-Mudhahka, President of the University of Bahrain (UoB), confirmed that the National University continues to provide academic tracks that contribute to accelerating the transition of students to working life and provide them with opportunities for promotion, according to university standards and controls, and by following best practices in the higher education sector.

Dr. Al-Mudhahka announced the establishment and award of a higher diploma in postgraduate programs in all academic programs that grant students a master’s degree, in case they wish to suffice with this qualification.

She stated, “The University is keen to promote flexible learning paths, and to develop students’ experiences and knowledge and research capabilities in their majors, taking into account their academic circumstances and their aspirations for academic achievement.” Noting that “providing the opportunity to obtain a higher diploma for regular students in master’s programs expands the options for postgraduate students and helps them to advance academically and professionally.”.

For his part, the Vice President for Academic Programs and Postgraduate Studies, Dr. Mohammed Reda Qader, stated “The new tracks offered by the University target three groups of students in postgraduate studies, which are: students who do not wish to complete their studies for the master’s degree and have a cumulative GPA of 3 or above, students whose cumulative GPA does not allow them to complete their master’s program because they received two consecutive academic warnings because of their low cumulative GPA, provided that it is not less than (2.67), and students whose maximum period of study in the program (8 consecutive semesters) has ended, provided that their cumulative GPA is not less than (2.67)”.

Regarding the application rules for students wishing to obtain a higher diploma, Dr. Qader explained that: “A master’s student who wants to obtain a higher diploma should address the head of the relevant department in this regard, provided that the student has completed 18 credit hours, and their cumulative GPA is not less than (2.67), and their grade in any of the courses, that are based on which the Diploma grade will be calculated, is not less than (C)”.

In addition, the Vice President for Academic Programs and Postgraduate Studies pointed out that the University’s decision regarding the higher diploma degree stipulates that students with a GPA of 3 or above may return to the master’s program within a period not exceeding 5 years from the date of obtaining the higher diploma degree, while those with lower GPAs are strictly not allowed to return to the same master’s program.

Moreover, he stated that the University’s decision includes all current master’s programs offered by seven colleges at the University, namely: Business Administration, Arts, Sciences, Information Technology, Law, Health and Sports Sciences, and Engineering. Calling on students wishing to submit their applications to obtain a higher diploma, to apply through the “Student Status” window on the Student Information Management website (https://sis.uob.edu.bh/) from May 10, 2023 to May 20, 2023, in addition to addressing the concerned department head in writing.