Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) offers a vast range of online programmes for students looking for flexible and affordable education. IGNOU online courses allow learners to study from home while balancing work and personal commitments. Courses at IGNOU Online follow UGC guidelines and are widely accepted for higher studies and career growth in India.
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IGNOU offers a variety of online undergraduate, postgraduate, diploma, and certificate programmes. These programmes are designed to meet the learning needs of students, working professionals, and lifelong learners. Below are the details of the online programmes at IGNOU, along with their duration.
IGNOU online UG programmes are designed for students who have completed Class 12. Most undergraduate courses have a minimum duration of 3 years, while students get up to 6 years to complete the programme. This flexible timeline helps learners study at their own pace.
| UG Programme | Duration |
|---|---|
Bachelor of Tourism and Travel Management | Minimum: 3 years |
Bachelor of Computer Applications | Minimum: 3 years |
Bachelor of Social Work | Minimum: 3 years |
Bachelor of Computer Applications | Minimum: 3 years |
Bachelor of Commerce | Minimum: 3 years |
Bachelor of Library and Information Sciences | Minimum: 1 year |
Bachelor of Arts in Tourism Studies | Minimum: 3 years |
IGNOU online PG programmes are suitable for graduates who want to continue higher studies or upgrade their skills. These courses generally have a minimum duration of 2 years and a maximum duration of 5 years.
| PG Programme | Duration |
|---|---|
Minimum: 2 years | |
Master of Arts in Sustainability Science | Minimum: 2 years |
Minimum: 2 years | |
Master of Arts in Distance Education | Minimum: 2 years |
Minimum: 2 years | |
Master of Arts (English) | Minimum: 2 years |
MA Journalism and Mass Communication | Minimum: 2 years |
Master of Business Administration | Minimum: 2 years |
Master of Computer Applications | Minimum: 2 years |
M.A. in Translation Studies | Minimum: 2 years |
Master of Arts (Hindi) | Minimum: 2 years |
M.A. in Gandhi and Peace Studies | Minimum: 2 years |
IGNOU offers several online diploma and PG diploma programmes in different fields. These programmes usually have a minimum duration of 1 year and can be completed within a maximum of 3 years, depending on the learner’s pace.
| Diploma / PG Diploma Programme Name | Duration |
|---|---|
Diploma in Creative Writing in English | Minimum: 1 year |
Diploma in Urdu Language | Minimum: 1 year |
Diploma in Tourism Studies | Minimum: 1 year |
Diploma Programme in Nutrition and Health Education | Minimum: 1 year |
Post Graduate Diploma in Environmental and Occupational Health | Minimum: 1 year |
Post Graduate Diploma in Development Communication | Minimum: 1 year |
Post Graduate Diploma in Digital Media | Minimum: 1 year |
Post Graduate Diploma in Distance Education | Minimum: 1 year |
Minimum: 1 year | |
Post Graduate Diploma in Sustainability Science | Minimum: 1 year |
Post Graduate Diploma in Gandhi and Peace Studies | Minimum: 1 year |
Post Graduate Diploma in Journalism and Mass Communication | Minimum: 1 year |
IGNOU online certificate programmes are short-term courses and have a minimum duration of 6 months, with a maximum time of up to 2 years to complete the programme.
| Certificate Programme Name | Duration |
|---|---|
Minimum: 6 months | |
Minimum: 6 months | |
Minimum: 6 months | |
Certificate in Urdu Language | Minimum: 6 months |
Minimum: 6 months | |
Minimum: 6 months | |
Minimum: 6 months | |
Minimum: 6 months | |
Minimum: 6 months | |
Certificate Programme in Peace Studies and Conflict Management | Minimum: 6 months |
Certificate Programme in Library and Information Science | Minimum: 6 months |
Minimum: 6 months | |
Minimum: 6 months | |
Minimum: 6 months | |
Minimum: 6 months |
Also Read: IGNOU Online & Distance Learning: Flexible Pathways to Jobs and Career Growth
Meeting IGNOU eligibility criteria allows more learners to access higher education. Most IGNOU online courses do not have age limits, and the qualification required depends on the programme level.
Programme Level | Eligibility Criteria |
|---|---|
Undergraduate (UG) | Passed Class 12 or an equivalent qualification |
Postgraduate (PG) | Completion of a Bachelor’s degree from a recognised university |
Diploma | Completed 10+2 |
Postgraduate Diploma (PG Diploma) | Completion of a graduate degree from a recognised university |
Certificate | Completion of Class 10 or Class 12, depending on the programme |
IGNOU online programmes are affordable and suitable for students from different backgrounds. The fee structure depends on the programme level, ranging from Rs 900 to Rs 58,000. IGNOU fees are usually charged per year or per semester. Apart from the course fee, students also need to pay exam fees separately as per IGNOU rules. Below are some of the fees for a few IGNOU online courses.
| Programme | Fees |
|---|---|
Bachelor of Commerce (BCom) | Rs. 4,000 per year |
Bachelor of Computer Applications (BCA) | Rs. 6,000 per semester |
PG Programme Fees
Programme | Fees |
|---|---|
Master of Commerce (MCom) | Rs. 9,000 per year |
Master of Business Administration | Rs 58,000 (Total fee) |
| Programme | Fees |
|---|---|
Post Graduate Diploma in Distance Education | Rs. 6,000 for the full programme |
Diploma in Creative Writing in English (Online) | Rs. 4,100 for the full programme |
Important Points about IGNOU Online Fees
The IGNOU Online admission process is completely online and easy to follow. Applicants can apply from home without visiting any IGNOU centre. Admissions are usually conducted in January and July cycles, depending on the programme. Below is the IGNOU Online admission process:
Step 1: Online Registration- Students need to create an account on the IGNOU Online admission portal using their email ID and mobile number.
Step 2: Choose the Programme- After logging in, candidates can select the preferred online UG, PG, diploma, or certificate programme.
Step 3: Fill Application Details- Applicants need to enter personal information, educational details, and other required information carefully.
Step 4: Upload Required Documents- Students need to upload scanned copies of documents such as photographs, signatures, and academic certificates in the given format.
Step 5: Pay the Fees Online- The programme fee is paid online through available digital payment options.
Step 6: Admission Confirmation- After successful submission and payment, the admission is confirmed, and students can access their programme details through the portal.
Note: The dates for IGNOU online admissions 2026 will be announced soon on the official portal.
IGNOU uses a simple and transparent evaluation system for its online programmes. Students are assessed through assignments and term-end examinations, which together decide the final result.
Assignments- Assignments are compulsory for all IGNOU online courses. Students must submit them online within the given deadline. The marks obtained in assignments are counted in the final evaluation.
Term-End Examinations (TEE) - IGNOU conducts term-end exams according to its official schedule. Students must complete the exam form separately and pay the exam fee. The exam may be conducted in a computer-based or centre-based mode, depending on the programme.
Final Evaluation- The final result is prepared by combining assignment marks and exam scores, following IGNOU’s evaluation rules for each course.
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IGNOU is a central university recognised by the UGC, and its online programmes are offered as per the approved online learning rules. This makes IGNOU online degrees, diplomas and certificates valid in India.
These qualifications can be used for higher education, competitive exams and job opportunities, depending on the requirements of the organisation. IGNOU online programmes focus on skill development and flexible learning, which helps students and working professionals continue their education without leaving their jobs.
The courses are suitable for learners who want to improve skills, support career growth, or gain an additional qualification while studying online.
In conclusion, IGNOU Online Programmes are a good option for students who want to study flexibly and affordably. The university offers recognised courses, a simple admission process and an easy evaluation system. These programmes are suitable for working professionals and students who want to continue their education without attending regular classes.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Yes, IGNOU courses are flexible, making it easy for working professionals to study alongside their jobs.
Students are assessed through assignments and term-end exams, and both marks contribute to the final result.
The IGNOU course fee is paid online using a debit card, credit card, or net banking.
Students need a recent photograph, signature, and proof of their educational qualifications.
Most IGNOU online programmes do not have any age limit.
For undergraduate courses, students must have completed Class 12. Postgraduate courses require a graduate degree. Diploma courses need Class 12, while PG Diploma courses require a graduate degree.
IGNOU admissions are done completely online. Students need to register and fill out the application form on the official IGNOU portal.
On Question asked by student community
Having currently doing the PGDMCH from IGNOU, the eligibility for you to take the DNB PDCET after the completion of your ongoing diploma course to obtain a secondary degree might modify. You can check out the latest requirements and eligibility criteria for the DNB PDCET follow the given link
Hello,
You cannot directly transfer your M.Com admission from IGNOU to Jain University. IGNOU and Jain University follow different systems, so credit transfer between them is usually not allowed.
If you want to study at Jain University, you will need to take fresh admission there. You can, however, check with Jain University if they accept credit transfer or lateral entry from IGNOU, though this is very rare.
So, most likely, you will have to take new admission in M.Com at Jain University and start again from the first year.
Hope it helps !
Hello,
Yes, you can transfer your BCA credits from Andhra University to IGNOU through the External Credit Transfer (ECT) process.
Steps you may follow.
Your final IGNOU degree is valid for UPSC and all government jobs, as IGNOU is UGC and AIU-recognized.
Hope you understand.
Hello, Yes, IGNOU has a policy for "External Credit Transfer" (ECT), but it is extremely specific. You can transfer a maximum of 50% of the total program credits (e.g., up to 50-60 credits for a ~120 credit BCA program) from another recognized university like Andhra University, provided you have not completed the degree there.
However, this is not a simple lateral entry. The transfer is done on a course-by-course basis, not a year-by-year basis. You must first take admission as a new, 1st-year student in IGNOU's BCA program. After your admission is confirmed, you must apply for credit transfer by submitting your Andhra University marksheets, the detailed syllabus of every subject you passed, and a fee. The IGNOU faculty will then manually compare your old syllabus to their current one. They will only grant you an exemption for the specific IGNOU courses that are a very close match in content and credit weight. You will then have to study and pass all the remaining courses to get the IGNOU degree.
I hope your confusion is cleared and you found this information helpful. For any study related queries you can ask in the Careers360 app. Have a great day!
Hi,
It is likely that the admission for BPP in not open for the upcoming session. While IGNOU is taking admission for many other programmes, the BPP is seems to be either paused or not currently accepting new admissions. You can check the official website of IGNOU to confirm it. It is not open for the session of July session, but you can keep an eye out for the January session as many programmes have two sessions.
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