Online education has transformed the way we learn and earn a degree or credential. Online programmes have enabled not only students but working professionals to study without leaving their jobs or other commitments and at their own pace. Open Universities have long been providing education with flexibility to students in remote areas and professionals to complete their education.
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Several open universities in India offer online programmes alongside distance education. This particularly makes learning easier and accessible to students with different backgrounds and age. While open and distance learning programmes provide access to physical books and minimal classes, online programmes can be accessed through live lectures, ebooks, recorded videos, and doubt clearing sessions.
As per UGC’s latest update on higher educational institutions (HEIs), two state open universities are entitled to offer online programmes.
Name | Number of Programmes | Fee Range |
|---|---|---|
10 | UG: Rs 12,000 - Rs 45,000 PG: Rs 13,000 - Rs 50,000 | |
10 | UG: Rs 30,000 - Rs 36,000 PG: Rs 30,000 - Rs 80,000 |
Established by the Government of Gujarat, Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Open University (BAOU) offers UGC-entitled online programmes in arts, commerce, and computer applications. BAOU Online programmes are delivered through the Centre for Online Education (COE) in accordance with the University Grants Commission (Open and Distance Learning Programmes and Online Programmes) Regulations, 2020.
Programme Name | Fees | Eligibility |
|---|---|---|
Bachelor of Arts (English) | Rs 12,000 | 10+2 or equivalent or successful in B.P.P. examination. |
Bachelor of Commerce (B.Com) | Rs 16,500 | 10+2 or equivalent or successful in B.P.P. examination. |
Bachelor of Computer Applications (BCA) | Rs 45,000 | First year/ first semester: 12th std or its equivalent, 10th std + ITI (2 or more years) + NCVT/GCVT + GSHEB/GOSE 12th english exam, 10th + 3 years diploma (polytechnic) Second year/ third semester: Students who completed a 10 + 3 years diploma in CE/IT/CS or 10 + 2 with one year DCA from a statutory examination body or recognised university are eligible for the direct admission in the third semester. Third year/ fifth semester: Students who have completed advance diploma in computer application from a recognised university are eligible for direct admission in the third year. |
| Programme Name | Fees | Eligibility |
|---|---|---|
Master of Arts (English) | Rs 13,000 | Bachelor’s degree of any recognised university or professional degree |
Master of Arts (Gujarati) | Rs 13,000 | 10+2 or equivalent or successful in B.P.P. examination. |
Master of Arts (Sociology) | Rs 13,000 | Bachelor;s degree of any recognised university or professional degree. |
Master of Computer Applications (MCA) | Rs 50,000 | B.C.A./ B.Sc. (Computer Science/IT), B.E./B.Tech. (CSE/IT) or an equivalent degree, or any graduation (B.E., B.Tech., B.Sc., B.Com., B.A., B.Voc.) preferably with Mathematics at 10+2 or graduation level, with at least 50% marks (45% for reserved category). Students without a Mathematics background need to complete compulsory bridge courses in mathematics and computer-related subjects as per university norms. |
Master of Commerce (M.Com) | Rs 22,000 | Bachelor’s degree from a recognised university |
Master of Library and Information Science (MLIS) | Rs 20,000 | Bachelor’s degree from a recognised university |
Master of Arts in Journalism and Mass Communication (MAJMC) | Rs 40,000 | Bachelor’s degree from a recognised university |
Karnataka State Open University (KSOU) is one of the open universities offering online programmes at the bachelor’s and master’s level. KSOU Online programmes are available in arts, commerce, science, and management, empowering students to achieve their educational goals while balancing studies with other commitments.
| Programme Name | Fee | Eligibility |
|---|---|---|
Bachelor of Arts (History, Economics, Political Science) | Rs 30,000 | Two Year Pre-University examination conducted by the PreUniversity Education Board in Karnataka State OR Any other examination considered as equivalent there to OR Candidates from other states who have successfully completed 12 years of schooling (either 10+2 or 11+1 or Higher Secondary Examination-12 Years of Schooling) excluding Nursery Education OR Pre University Examination in Vocational Courses conducted by the Department of Vocational Education, Government of Karnataka |
Bachelor of Commerce (B.Com | Rs 36,000 |
| Programme Name | Fees | Eligibility |
|---|---|---|
Rs 30,000 | Bachelor’s Degree without studying Cognate subjects OR B.A./B.Sc./B.A. (Performing Arts) degree offering Kannada as a major/optional subject, or an equivalent qualification. Those who have passed the Kannada Pandit exam (Government of Karnataka), Kannada Ratna exam (Kannada Sahitya Parishath, Bengaluru), or Vidwan exam in Kannada (Madras University) along with a B.Ed. Graduates with a Post-PU Diploma in Kannada or those who studied Kannada as a second language/minor subject in B.A./B.Sc./B.Com. with at least 50% marks are also eligible. | |
Rs 30,000 | Bachelor’s Degree of Three years duration without studying Cognate subjects OR B.A./B.Sc./B.Music degree offering English as a second language or minor subject with at least 50% marks, OR those with a four-year B.A., B.Ed. (University of Mysore, Regional College Scheme) with English as major/optional, or a four-year B.Ed./B.Sc. Ed. (University of Mysore, Regional College Scheme) with at least 50% in English. Graduates holding a Post-Graduate Diploma in English are also eligible. | |
Rs 30,000 | Bachelor’s Degree of Three years duration or equivalent without studying Cognate subjects OR B.A./B.Sc./B.A. (Performing Arts) degree examination of any recognized university offering Hindi as a language under Group-I or Group II, Provided they have obtained not less than 50 percent of marks. OR Graduates of any recognised University who have not studied Hindi as a language or optional subject are eligible if they have qualified in one of the following equivalent Hindi examinations: Rashtrabhasha Praveen or Visharda (Dakshina Bharat Hindi Prachara Sabha, Chennai), Rashtrabhasha Vidwan or Rajabhasha Prakash (Karnataka Hindi Prachara Samithi, Bangalore), Hindi Ratna (Mysore Hindi Prachara Parishat, Bangalore), Bhasha Praveen (Karnataka Mahila Hindi Seva Samithi, Bangalore), or Sahitya Vishard/Madhyama/Uttama (Hindi Sahitya Sammelan, Prayag). | |
Rs 30,000 | Bachelor’s Degree without studying Cognate subjects OR B.A./B.Sc./B.Com./B.Musi c/BYNS/BBM or five-year BAMS/LLB degree offering Sanskrit as a second language or minor subject with at least 50% marks. Graduates who have passed the Sahitya Examination of the Board of Sanskrit Education, Govt. of Karnataka, or equivalent exams such as Kovida (Bharatiya Vidyabhavan, Mumbai or Sanskrit Bharati, New Delhi) or Samartha (Bhasha Pracarinisabha, Chittor). Graduates with a Post-PU Diploma in Sanskrit, those who passed Vidwat Madhyama (B.A) by the Board of Sanskrit Education or Karnataka Sanskrit University, and graduates who cleared the Kannada Pandit Exam conducted by the Government of Karnataka are also eligible. | |
Rs 30,000 | Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent without studying Cognate subjects OR B.A./B.A. (Performing Arts) Degree Examination of any recognized University offering Economics as one of the Major/Optional subjects at the Degree level or an examination of any university considered as equivalent thereto. | |
Rs 40,000 | Bachelor’s Degree without studying Cognate Subjects are eligible such admitted candidates have to qualify the Master’s Preparatory Program (MPP) examination conducted by the Karnataka State Open University. OR Candidates who have passed three years B.Com /B.B.M. /B.B.A. Degree Examination of any recognised University or an examination of any University considered equivalent thereto. | |
Rs 80,000 | Bachelor’s degree from a recognised University or equivalent | |
Rs 80,000 | Bachelor’s Degree from a recognised University. |
Candidates can apply for admission to Open Universities online programmes after meeting the eligibility criteria. They need to submit a duly filled application form along with the required documents in the universities’ online admission portal.
Visit the official website of your chosen university
Select the online programme and meet the admission criteria
Fill in the registration form
Login with the registered email and password
Complete the admission form
Upload the required documents
Wait for the admission confirmation
Applicants are required to pay the admission or registration fee while processing the admission form. This is a one-time fee that applicants will be charged during the admission process. The registration fee for open universities online programmes is Rs 1,000.
Pursuing online programmes from open universities help students not only follow their academic pursuits but also fulfill their career aspirations. With a recognised degree, placement opportunities, and global exposure, open universities allow learners to make the most of their learning through online programmes.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Online programmes at open universities cost between Rs 12,000 and Rs 80,000, depending on the university.
For UG programmes, candidates must have passed 10+2 and hold a bachelor’s degree for PG programmes.
Pursuing online programmes from open universities provides an accredited degree at an affordable cost, career advancement, and global exposure.
Open universities offer a variety of online programmes at the bachelor’s and master’s level from Online BA, Online BCom, and Online BCA to Online MA, Online MCom, Online MSc, and Online MBA.
Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Open University (BAOU) and Karnataka State Open University (KSOU) are the open universities offering UGC-entitled online programmes.
On Question asked by student community
Hello,
For BCA CET in Maharashtra, these subjects in 12th are mandatory:
English
Mathematics or Statistics
Any stream is allowed (Science, Commerce, or Arts)
You must pass 12th from a recognized board.
Maths or Statistics is compulsory.
Hope it helps !
Hello,
You can find complete and reliable information about BCA government colleges in the link given below. It covers important details such as the list of colleges, eligibility criteria, admission process, entrance exams (if any), fees structure, and course duration. This information will help you compare different colleges and make
HELLO,
Even if you are a PCB student , still you can pursue BCA ( Bachelor's of Computer Applications) as most of the colleges accept students from any stream like even if you are from commerce , arts or from a Science stream. There is just an eligibility criteria that
Hello Meena. In Unnao there are some of the best and notable colleges where you can persue your bachelors in computer application but the options are mostly private colleges and those are affiliated with Chhatrapati Shahu Ji Maharaj University(CSJMU), Kanpur and other regional bodies. Some of the most known for
HELLO,
MAH CET is required for BCA if you want admissions in government or top colleges in Maharashtra , but some private colleges offers direct admissions for BCA based on merit - means based on your 12th class marks and some colleges also allow management quota seats.
But if you