Founded in 1985, IGNOU proclaims itself the world’s largest open/distance education university offering over 338 programmes through its 21 schools of studies to 2.89 million students in India and 36 countries around the world. A snapshot profile of this institution which also hosts almost one-third of the country’s students in higher education:
Schools of Studies. Agriculture; Computer and Information Sciences; Continuing Education; Education; Engineering and Technology; Extension & Development Studies; Foreign Languages; Gender and Development Studies; Health Sciences; Humanities; Interdisciplinary and Transdisciplinary Studies; Journalism and New Media Studies; Law; Management Studies; Performing and Visual Arts; Sciences; Social Sciences; Social Work; Translation Studies and Training; Tourism; Hospitality Service Sectoral Management; Vocational Education and Training
Eligibility. For IGNOU’s diploma and certificate programmes, the minimum eligibility requirement is completion of class VIII. For bachelor’s programmes students must produce Plus Two (class XII) certification. However for those who cannot meet this requirement, IGNOU offers a special six-month Bachelor’s Preparatory Programme which prepares students for undergraduate studies. The eligibility criterion for Master’s programmes is a bachelor’s degree. There is no age limit for admission into IGNOU programmes.
Admission. The university follows two academic annual cycles for most programmes —January to December and July to June. Students can apply for admission through the year.
Instruction system. IGNOU delivers its study programmes through multiple media including self-instructional print and audio-video materials; radio and television broadcasts; conventional classroom tutoring in its 3,000 learning centres countrywide with access to bricks-and-mortar labs and libraries; teleconferencing; video conferencing; interactive radio counseling; interactive multimedia CD-ROM and internet-based facilities. For degree programmes in the sciences, computer sciences, nursing, medical sciences, education and engineering & technology, students can attend intensive practical classes/practice teaching held at select study/work/programme centres across the country.
Flexible system. A bachelor’s degree programme (i.e. BA/B.Com/B.Sc/BCA/BTS/BSW) can be completed in a minimum of three years and a maximum of six years. Similarly, a diploma can be completed within one-four years; and a Master’s degree in two to five years. Students enroled in other universities can also sign up for IGNOU programmes simultaneously.
Tuition fees range between Rs.850-100,000 per year. Students from scheduled tribes (STs) and scheduled castes (SCs) are exempt from tuition fees.
For further information visit www.ignou.ac.in