New Delhi, April 12 - Aiming to make higher education more industry-centric, the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) is now starting flexible dual degree and integrated courses in management, Human Resource Development Minister Kapil Sibal said Thursday.

A flexible management programme being offered by the AICTE after class 12 will provide an undergraduate degree in three or four years, followed by a masters degree in five years.

"A student can enroll in the course after 12th. At the completion of three years, they will get a bachelors degree, after four years they will get applied management credit and then they can join the industry," AICTE Chairman S.S. Mantha said.

"After few years of work, students can do one more year and get a masters degree in applied management," he said.

Entry in the course will be through a common entrance test at first year. Students can also leave after three or four years, as per their wish, and may rejoin when they want.

Another set of integrated courses being brought by the AICTE will combine management with technical courses like engineering, pharmacy, and architecture.

"Considering the demand of technology managers, it is proposed to commence a five year dual degree programme and six months internship," Mantha said.

"Students will not have to give CAT or MAT, they will spend one year in college and six months in internship, after which they will get the integrated management degree," he said.

Both courses, will start from this academic year (2012-13), Mantha said.