Isn't 3 years full-time still the shortest acceptable for a recognised degree course?
Beagle, yes, but some forward thinking universities are now doing them in two years where they can, with 3 years for a masters.
My son is doing a electronic engineering with computer science masters, the academic is years 1,2 and 4, with year 3 being a placement in industry. The old 4 year academic part is fast-tracked into 3 years.
He has around 27 hours tuition a week, for a 24 week academic year...