Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) is a Central Open Learning University established in 1985 under the IGNOU Act 1985. The institute is run by the central government of India. IGNOU is the largest university in the world, in terms of active enrollment of over 4 million students. It is also the country's first distance learning University offering a range of UGC approved online degree courses at UG, PG, and Diploma levels. IGNOU offers quality higher educational opportunities to all sections of Indian society.
IGNOU has created courses in a plethora of fields: Information Technology, Tribal Studies, travel and tourism, Environmental Studies, Sustainable Development, Disaster Management, and Library and Information Science Certification.
Let us take a look at some of the most popular online IGNOU courses that provide certification.
Online Undergraduate Courses with Certificates
Course | Duration | Eligibility |
Online Bachelor of Tourism | 3 -6 years | 10+2 or its equivalent or BDP from IGNOU |
Online Bachelor of Library and Information Science (BLIS) | 1-4 years | Bachelor’s with 50% marks ( 45% for students of SC/ST/OBC/PH category) or Bachelor’s with a Diploma ( one year) in Library Science or Bachelor’s with 2 years of working experience in a Library & Information Centre |
Online Postgraduate courses with certificates
Course | Duration | Eligibility Criteria |
Online MA Gandhi and Peace Studies | 2-5 years | Bachelor’s Degree in any discipline from a recognised University. |
Online MA Hindi | 2 Years | Bachelor's Degree or a higher degree from a recognised University. |
Online MA Translation Studies | 2 - 5 years | Graduate in any discipline with adequate knowledge of Hindi and English. |
Online diploma courses with certificates
Course | Duration | Cost | Eligibility Criteria |
Online Diploma in Tourism Studies | 1 -4 years | Rs. 4,200 | BPP from IGNOU or 10+2 or its equivalent |
Online PG Diploma in Gandhi and Peace Studies | 1-3 years | Rs. 3,700 | Bachelor’s degree from a recognised University / Institute. |
Online PG Diploma in Sustainability Science | 1 Year | 6.20 K | Bachelor’s degree from a recognised University / Institute. |
Online Certification Courses
Course | Duration | Eligibility Criteria |
Online Post Graduate Certificate in Gandhi and Peace Studies | 6 months - 2 years | Bachelor's or a higher degree in any discipline from a recognised University |
Online Certificate in Disaster Management (CDM) | 6 months - 2 years | 10+2 or its equivalent to BPP from IGNOU |
Online Certificate in Environmental Studies (CES) | 6 months - 2 years | 10+2 or its equivalent or BPP from IGNOU |
Note: The above data is collected and compiled by the Careers360 team.
Online Courses with Certificates available at IGNOU - Undergraduate Courses
IGNOU offers a number of undergraduate online courses to candidates who have passed class 12. Some of these are Bachelors in Tourism and Library Sciences. The undergraduate online course at IGNOU is a three-year course which is divided into six semesters.
List of Undergraduate Online Courses at IGNOU - Eligibility Criteria
Online UG courses with certificates along with the required eligibility criteria is as follows:
For the online Bachelor of Tourism, the eligibility requirement is 10+2 qualification/equivalent or BDP from IGNOU
For the online Bachelor of Library and Information Science, the eligibility requirement is 50% marks (45% for students of SC/ST/OBC/PH category)
or
UG with a Diploma (one year) in Library Science
or
UG with 2 years of work experience in a Library and Information center
Bachelor of Tourism
Online Bachelor of Tourism is one of the best IGNOU online degree courses. This is a 3-year degree program in tourism designed for those who are interested in pursuing a career in travel and tourism. Through this UGC approved online degree course, learners will become familiar with different aspects of Tourism as well as learn how to create awareness about tourism, and impart basic training in organizing tourism services.
Duration: 3 Years
Online Bachelor of Tourism course curriculum
Foundation Course in Tourism
Tourism Development: Products, Operations and Case Studies
Foundation Course in Humanities & Social Sciences
Foundation Course in English 1 & 2
Modern Indian languages
Indian Culture: Perspective for Tourism
Ecology, Environment and Tourism
Foundation Course in Science and Technology
Project on Indian Culture: Perspective for Tourism
Management in Tourism
Tourism in Marketing
Project on Tourism marketing
Application Oriented courses
Elective courses
Bachelor of Library and Information Sciences (BLIS)
The online Bachelor of Library and Information Sciences (BLIS) course is designed for students who wish to have a career in library science. The world is connected through networks and such a world requires instant access to information. The Library and Information Sciences professionals update and reorient themselves to serve their users in this changing scenario.
Duration 1-4 years
Online Courses with Certificates available at IGNOU - Diploma/PG Diploma Courses
Along with the undergraduate degree programs, candidates who are interested in pursuing diploma or post graduate diploma courses can also apply at IGNOU. These diploma or PG diploma courses can last from 1 to 4 years, depending on the pace of the student.
The students opting for online diploma/PG diploma courses with certificates have to meet certain eligibility criteria. They are as follows:
Online Diploma in Tourism Studies provides learners with the facility to specialise in the chosen operational areas in tourism studies and helps them acquire associated skills. This is a 36-credit online diploma program.
Duration: 1 - 4 years
Online Diploma in Tourism Studies course curriculum
Foundation Course in Tourism (Core course)
Tourism Development: Products, Operations and Case Studies (Core course)
Management in Tourism (Core course)
Indian Culture: Perspective for Tourism (Elective)
Project on Indian Culture: Perspective for Tourism (Project)
Ecology, Environment and Tourism (Elective)
Project on Ecology, Environment and Tourism (Project)
Tourism Marketing (Elective)
Project on Tourism Marketing (Project)
PG Diploma in Gandhi and Peace Studies
This online postgraduate diploma course will teach you the Gandhian approach to peace from the interdisciplinary perspective and understand Gandhi’s views and perceptions on economic, social, political, environmental, development, related issues, etc. The perks of the PG Diploma in Gandhi and Peace Studies is that the diploma holder can join third Semester MA in Gandhi and Peace Studies under a modular approach after paying the prescribed fees.
Duration: 1 -3 years
PG Diploma in Sustainability Science
This online PG diploma program imbues in students the values of Sustainability Science. They will learn the genesis and principles of sustainable development, its tools, implementation and assessment strategies in a holistic way.
Duration: 1-4 years
Online Courses with Certificates available at IGNOU - Post Graduate Courses
IGNOU also offers advanced courses such as online Postgraduate courses in Gandhi and Peace Studies, Hindi, and Translation Studies. Below, we have listed these online courses with certificates along with their course content, eligibility criteria, duration and fees.
List of online Postgraduate courses at IGNOU - Eligibility Criteria
Candidates opting for online postgraduate courses with certificates have to meet certain eligibility criteria. They are as follows:
MA Gandhi and Peace Studies
The online MA Gandhi and Peace Studies program promotes both theoretical and applied research in Gandhian Studies, Conflict Management, Peace and Social Regeneration. The online degree course is for those interested in understanding the Gandhian model of development and conflict resolution in the real world. You will learn about Gandhi’s ideals on different aspects such as social, gender, political, economic, environmental and sustainable development issues. You will also learn how to critique and evaluate Gandhian models, its place in the contemporary world and contributions made by its followers.
Duration: 2-5 years
Online MA Gandhi and Peace Studies course curriculum
Gandhi: The Man and His Times (Core Course)
Philosophy of Gandhi (Core Course)
Gandhi’s Social Thought (Core Course)
Gandhi’s Political Thought (Core Course)
Gandhi’s Economic Thought (Elective Course)
Non-Violent Movements after Gandhi (Elective Course)
Gandhi in the 21st Century (Elective Course)
Gandhi, Ecology and Sustainable Development (Elective Course)
Introduction to Peace and Conflict Resolution (Core Course)
Gandhian Approach to Peace and Conflict Resolution
Conflict Management, Transformation and Peace Building (Elective Course)
Human Security (Elective Course)
Women and Peace (Elective Course)
Civil Society, Political Regimes and Conflict (Elective Course)
Introduction to Research Methods (Elective Course)
Human Rights: Indian Perspective (Elective Course)
Project Work (Gandhi and Peace Studies)
MA Hindi
The online MA Hindi program teaches learners a wide range of Hindi literature. This online degree course consists of subjects worth 64 credits. This ugc approved online degree is suited for those interested in taking a career in the academic field (teaching, research) and who wish to gain certification in Hindi.
Duration: 2-4 years
MA Translation Studies
The online MA Translation Studies program teaches you the theories and practices of translation. This online masters degree delves into fundamental concepts such as integrating teaching, translation practices in contemporary time, research in translation, etc. After completing this online degree course, you will gain opportunities to work as translators, academicians, and others.
Duration: 2 -5 Years
Online Courses with Certificates available at IGNOU - Certificates/PG Certificates
Other than online UG, PG, diploma and PG diploma courses, IGNOU also offers online certificates as well as postgraduate certificates. Below we have listed these courses along with their duration, eligibility criteria, fees, and course content.
List of online certificate/Postgraduate certificate courses at IGNOU - Eligibility Criteria
Individuals opting for online certificate/Postgraduate certificate courses have to meet certain eligibility criteria. They are as follows:
Post Graduate Certificate in Gandhi and Peace Studies (PGCGPS)
This online PG certificate is a 16-credit programme designed for young graduates and teachers, political leaders, NGO functionaries as well as anyone who wishes to have a better understanding of Gandhi and his principles in the contemporary context. Once you complete IGNOU PGCGPS, you will learn how to apply peaceful solutions in different scenarios.
Duration: 6 Months - 2 Years
Fee: Rs. 2,000
Online Postgraduate Certificate in Gandhi and Peace Studies course curriculum
Gandhi: The Man and His Times
Introduction to Peace and Conflict Resolution
Non-violence Movements after Gandhi
Gandhian Approach to Peace and Conflict Resolution
Certificate in Disaster Management (CDM)
If you wish to be prepared in times of disaster, then this is the perfect disaster management course for you. Online Certificate in Disaster Management makes you a certified professional who knows the techniques for effective community participation. besides highlighting ways to collect relevant information pertaining to disasters and also its effective dissemination.
Duration: 6 Months - 2 Years
Online Certificate in Disaster Management course curriculum
Foundation Course in Disaster Management
Disaster management: Methods and Techniques
Certificate in Environmental Studies (CES)
This is one of the best online environmental studies courses for anyone interested in acquiring knowledge of the environment as well as its associated problems. The online certificate in Environmental Studies is for a wide range of learners such as landscape architects, administrators, hydrologists, ecologists, foresters, planners, engineers, industrialists, and agriculturists, among others will benefit from this programme.
Duration: 6 Months - 2 Years
Online Certificate in Environmental Studies course curriculum
Environment - An Introduction
Environment and Conservation Ethics
Environmental Issues and Tourism Development
Environment, Community and Tourism
Tourism as a Tool for Conservation
Policy and Infrastructure
Pressures and Threshold
Environmental Impacts - 1& 2
Human Activities and Environment-I & 2
Management of Environment-I & 2
Popular Online Courses with Certificates at IGNOU - Admission Process
IGNOU offers a variety of online courses with certificates in different fields. Some of them are in Gandhi and Peace studies, Disaster Management and Environmental Studies. Below we have listed the procedure for applying to these online programs.
The step-by-step process for applying for online courses with certificate in IGNOU:
Visit https://ignouadmission.samarth.edu.in
Register an account by filling in certain details
You will receive a ‘Username’ and ‘Password’ to your registered mobile phone and email
Sign into your account using the aforementioned details
Fill in the application form
Upload the necessary documents and files:
Recent passport size Photograph (maximum size 100KB in JPG format).
Signature (maximum size 100KB in JPG format).
Scanned copies of the relevant documents (maximum size 200KB each document in JPG/PDF format).
Read the instruction and declaration carefully and then click on the ‘Declaration’ box.
Preview the inputted data and ensure they are correct.
Make a payment of Fee through Credit/Debit card/Net Banking.
Payment confirmation message will be sent to the registered mobile and email.
Press the Next button to see the form preview.
After the final submission of the online application form, you can download the application form and keep a printout for your record.
IGNOU Online Degree Courses Examination Details
The evaluation system in IGNOU is robust and quite unique. The Institute aims to promote the self-assessment of students. The evaluation takes place in a multi-layered manner. They are self-assessments through assignments, seminars, project work and final examinations. The candidates must complete all their assignments before taking the end-term examination in order to complete their course. The candidate is also required to submit their marked assignments to the respective coordinator of their study centre.
The link to the online Examination form, in general, is provided on the home page of the IGNOU website. For ease of access, the link is as follows: https://exam.ignou.ac.in/
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
The online degree courses can take 3 years whereas the smaller certification courses can be completed within a few months. Also since this is either online/distance learning, the student can extend the course duration. So online degree courses can be completed within 6 years and online master's programs can be completed within 4-5 years if required.
To take an online BLIS course, you must have a one-year diploma in the respective field. Or you should have a bachelor’s degree with minimum 2 years of work experience in the same field. Or another option is to have a bachelor's degree with a minimum aggregate of 50% (general) and 45% for ST/SC/PH/OB category students.
This IGNOU online course familiarizes the students with the Tribal society and its nature. If you are someone who wishes to work in the social welfare field, then this online IGNOU is definitely for you.
You must have a degree to apply for the online PGCAP programme.
Yes, all the UG, PG, diplomas and certification courses of IGNOU are approved by the UGC.
For all the IGNOU online courses with certificates, two languages are offered, namely Hindi and English as the medium of instruction.
No. Only application fees are included in the annual fees for IGNOU online courses. The exams will have to be paid for separately.
Yes. One example is the online certification course in Arabic Language which is approved by the UGC.
On Question asked by student community
Hello,
If you are pursuing your master’s from IGNOU (January 2025 batch), you will become eligible to get into M.Phil. or Ph.D. programme only after completing your master’s degree successfully with the required minimum percentage which is (usually 55%).
However, you should know that as per the latest UGC regulations, M.Phil. programmes have been discontinued in most of the universities across India, and admissions are now being offered directly to the Ph.D. programmes based on NET/JRF scores or university entrance tests.
Hope You Understand.
Hey there,
Masters from IGNOU January 2025, you probably will be done with it late 2026 or early 2027. Still, M.Phil won't be an option as per the new education policy (NEP 2020), it has been abolished.
A great majority of universities including IGNOU have already ceased M.Phil courses. In fact, after your masters completion with minimum 55% marks (or 50% for a reserved category), you are eligible to submit your application for doctoral research directly, not M.Phil. Moreover, only qualifying in the entrance test and interview will be your next step.
Hope it helps!!!
Thank you.
Hello,
Yes, both the D.EL.Ed from NIOS (2017-19) and the BA from IGNOU are likely valid. The Supreme Court of India has recognized the NIOS D.EL.Ed program as a valid qualifications for the teaching positions, particularly for in-service teachers who were in service as of August 10, 2017.
I hope it will clear your query!!
Yes, a B.Com degree is eligible for the IGNOU B.Ed entrance test, but with conditions. You must have a bachelor's or master's degree in Commerce, Science, Social Science, or Humanities with at least 50% marks (or 45% for reserved categories). You also need to be a trained in-service teacher in elementary education or have completed an NCTE-recognized teacher education program through face-to-face mode.
Hello,
Thank you for your question!
IGNOU does not offer MSc Zoology as a regular program.
IGNOU mainly provides MSc in Life Science, Environmental Science, and other distance learning programs, but Zoology (regular specialization) is not available. If you want to pursue MSc Zoology, you’ll have to look at state universities like MDU Rohtak, Kurukshetra University, DU, BHU, AMU, etc.
All the best!