What is an Open University?: Advantages, List of Popular Universities, How to Choose

Find out what an open university is and how its distance learning programmes aid higher education.

What is an Open University?

What is an Open University? - With the rising demand for skill-based education in India, the number of open universities with alternative regular courses is on the rise. Open Universities have lots of pros. Open universities in India offer distance learning and online programmes. They have made education accessible to even those residing in remote areas where higher education opportunities and facilities are quite limited. The public open universities in India can be categorised into two - central and state. For example, Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) is a central open university and Nalanda Open University is state-run. Numerous private institutes in the country offer distance learning.

According to the Department of Higher Studies under the Ministry of Human Resource and Development (MHRD), Open and Distance Learning is a system where teachers and learners don’t always have to be in the same place or even at the same time. It is flexible with timing, teaching methods, and even admission rules, but still keeps the needed quality. Open universities become a great choice for you if you live far away or if you can’t attend regular classes because of work or family needs. In the article below, you can learn more about open universities and how they help students in many different situations.

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Advantages of Studying at an Open University

Open universities can benefit different people from different walks of life in the following ways.

• Open Universities follow an open-door study policy, meaning you get admission mostly based on basic education and past records, and you don’t really need extra experience or references.

   

• These universities don’t use normal classroom teaching, so the fees stay quite low and easier for people from many income levels.

   

• Open Universities give good education and skill training to learners in remote places and also to students who can’t attend regular classes because of health issues.

   

• Another nice thing is there’s no fixed age limit, so anyone at any age can go for higher education if they want.

   

• They work under the UGC, so the degrees and certificates you get from Open Universities are UGC approved and fully valid.

   

• You get more time freedom too; like a 3-year programme can be stretched to 4 or even 6 years if you need it.

   

• Their main goal is to give everyone equal chance to learn and grow so they can improve their life.

   

• Open Universities can take in a huge number of students. IGNOU, for example, is the world’s biggest open university with around 4 million learners across many places.

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Who Should Opt for an Open University?

• Open University is ideal for people who haven’t had the fortune of pursuing regular schooling or did not score good grades in higher secondary, for any reason.
• For those residing in remote areas, not properly connected with the city by road or transport, Open University is the best solution as attendance is not a factor and the study material can be sent to them by post. There are regional centres set up by open universities where students can submit assignments and take exams.
  
• Opting for an Open University is most beneficial to the students from the weaker sections of society as they are not burdened with heavy fees and other expenditures plus they can take up a job alongside.
• Open University is best suited for candidates with gap year/years too. Some people have to give up education due to medical or financial reasons. For these people, gap years pose a big problem when they plan to resume education. Open Universities are open to such candidates as they offer equal opportunity to all.
• People with full-time jobs and families to take care of, also often choose open universities to pursue higher education. 

List of Popular Open Universities 

Here’s the list of Open Universities in India which offer numerous academic programmes at nominal charges. The following universities are government-funded and act under the purview of UGC:

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IGNOU 

Founded in 1985, Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) is known as one of the biggest and most popular open universities in the country. The university offers more than 200 distance learning programmes across 27 Schools of Study, giving you a wide choice of subjects even if you study from home. The system is made easy for students because IGNOU has a simple online portal, 67 regional centres, more than 2500 learner support centres, and even 29 overseas partner institutions that help learners in other Asian countries too.

Many students choose IGNOU because it provides flexible distance learning, and some of the most preferred courses include BA, MA, MBA, and BEd. The tuition fee at IGNOU is also quite affordable for most learners, usually somewhere between INR 10K to 50K, depending on the programme you go for. The whole setup makes IGNOU a strong option for students looking for quality distance education without too much cost or travel.

How to Choose an Open University?

Consider the following factors while choosing your ideal open university. 

• Figure out what your educational goals are. Determine what course you want to enrol on and how much time you can dedicate to it.
• Check if open universities with regional study centres in your proximity offer your desired course. 
• Check if the tuition fee for your programme at your chosen university fits your budget. 
• Check details about the university, read reviews, check out what facilities they have to offer, and also check for accreditations by UGC, NAAC, AICTE and the likes. 
• Also, look up information about student support, faculty and industry recognition. 

Open Learning Institutes in Major States and Cities

In the table below, students who wish to enrol on a distance learning programme can check out some state-wise and city-wise lists of open and distance learning institutes. 

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