Explore Courses
Top University
Isha
28 November, 2025
Table of Contents
Distance education is one of the most preferred methods of learning for those who do not have the time or resources to attend regular classes. Chennai has many distance education universities that offer various courses at different academic levels. Courses offered by the distance education universities in Chennai are highly affordable, with UG/PG/diploma/certificate courses starting as low as INR 800. Generally, the distance education in Chennai courses fee ranges between 5000 to 30,000.
The blog below lists the top open universities that offer various distance education in Chennai. Several reputable distance education universities in India include Madras University, Annamalai University CDOE, Periyar University CDOE, and Anna University Centre for Distance and Education.
If you’re interested to learn more about the universities offering distance education in Chennai and various courses offered, the blog explores more details in depth. So why wait? Let’s get started and dive right into the blog.
Chennai is a major educational hub and home to some of the most reputable institutions in India. Apart from top-ranked institutions, such as IIT Madras and IIM Tiruchirappalli, there are various correspondence courses in Chennai for learners who wish to pursue highly flexible and accessible self-paced learning programmes. Let’s have a look at the top universities in Chennai for distance education, the various courses they offer, their USPs, etc.
One of the best and popular distance education universities in Chennai is Madras University. It is known as the mother of all the old universities based in South India. Madras University distance education is one of the top choices of the learners who wish to manage their academic needs along with their commitments. The Madras university correspondence courses offers quality education with no compromise, along with top-notch learning facilities and student support. Madras University course fee range is INR 5120 – INR 29,400.
One of the most premium distance education universities in Chennai, established in 2002 is Tamil Nadu Open University or TNOU. It offers distance education for all the interested learners who wish to pursue flexible courses. The Tamil Nadu Open University courses are UGC – DEB recognised, which makes all its degrees valid and credible. TNOU acts on the motive, providing education for all at an affordable cost. The TNOU course fee range is INR 800 – INR 25900.
Offering distance courses in Chennai, Anna University Centre of Distance and Online Education is another esteemed university making education accessible for all through self learning and distance education methodology. The distance programs offered by the University lie with a broader vision and harness the ability of the students to operate in a highly competitive and diverse environment by equipping them with the modern-day needs and demands of the industries through its curriculum, decided by the industry experts and highly reputed academicians. If you are looking for best distance education universities in Chennai, Anna University has to be included in the list. Anna university course fee range is INR 2700 – INR 45,500.
Established in 1992, the Centre for Distance Education in online education of Bharathidasan University is among the top distance education universities in Chennai offering student flexible distance programmes that help them manage their studies along with their personal commitments. The University offers 20 undergraduate, 21 postgraduate programmes through its open and distance learning mode. Besides offering these correspondence courses in Chennai, the university also offers programmes in financial management, IT, computer science and application, library, information sciences, etc. to upskill the learners and allow them to study in a self learning mode. Bharathidasan University course fee range is INR 2700- INR 45,500.
Through its Centre for Distance and Online Education, Annamalai University, a distance education university in Chennai offers several courses, supporting the varied academic needs of learners. It provides a highly flexible and globally accessible distance learning environment, tailored for learners who have professional or personal commitments but wish to pursue higher learning.
Annamalai University distance education courses are highly flexible and accessible, allowing you to study from anywhere at any time through its virtual learning environments. Students have access to a range of digital resources, including live webinars, recorded lectures, e-books, and online assignments.
Annamalai University distance education admission process is also simple and straightforward. The Annamalai University distance education course fee ranges from INR 4,000 to INR 17,000.
Also known as SRM-IST, SRM Institute of Science and Technology is a private institution based in Chennai. Through its rate of online and distance education, SRM distance education portal offers flexible programmes for trusted learners to pursue. The institution focuses on combining the best practices to create the best 10% distance education models and leveraging the scientific method in the development of learning/reference materials and practices. The university promotes cognitive learning experiences for students and emphasises skill development by sourcing knowledge from various areas to provide them industrial industry-relevant wisdom. SRM distance education course fee is INR 75000.
Serving educational excellence for the past 53 years, Madurai Kamaraj University is another distance education university in Chennai offering a highly vibrant and dynamic learning environment, providing a wide range of educational opportunities in higher education for students to pursue distance education. The university aims to provide top-class, high-quality education that triggers innovation and research, teaching, and societal development through its various outreach activities. The University has a directorate of distance education established in 1971, offering highly affordable and flexible programmes at various academic levels. While the university is primarily based in Madurai, it has its study centres in Chennai, offering various distance education and correspondence programmes. Madurai Kamaraj University course fee ranges from INR 4000 – INR 37000.
Indira Gandhi National Open University or IGNOU was established in 1985, and it has its regional centres all over India. IGNOU Chennai is a very popular education Centre for all the learners looking to pursue distance education. The courses are highly affordable, and you can pursue your undergraduate, postgraduate, certificate, and diploma programmes across disciplines based on your interest and academic needs. IGNOU course fee ranges from INR 500 – INR 60000.
If you’re interested in taking admission in any of the distance courses offered by the top universities in Chennai, you have to first make sure that you match the eligibility criteria so that you are accepted into the programs. While the eligibility criteria for the courses differ based on their academic levels and university by university, below mentioned is the general eligibility criteria for the various courses.
If you’re interested in pursuing distance education and want to enrol in a distance university in Chennai, there are various options to choose from. However, when it comes to choosing the best institute for yourself, there are various factors that you should consider so that you can make the best of your distance education and earn a degree while managing your personal and professional commitments. Consider the following factors while choosing the most suitable institution for distance education in Chennai for yourself.
For anyone who is looking to pursue flexible courses through the distance mode of education in Chennai, the blog lists the top nine institutions offering distance courses at various academic levels, such as undergraduate, postgraduate, diploma and certificate programmes. These universities offer highly affordable education and maintain top-notch educational services. Based on your academic needs and professional pursuits, you can choose from any of these universities and pursue highly flexible courses through distance education, without the need to compromise with your personal or professional commitments.
Chennai is the hub of top educational institutions offering distance education in India. However, the best university to pursue a course from would depend upon your personal academic needs, professional requirements and other factors, making it the most suitable choice for you.
Yes, undoubtedly, distance education is valid for government jobs or any other exam for employability purposes. The value of distance programmes holds equal regard and value to any other regular courses for employability opportunities in the government sector.
Yes, many open universities offer various academic financial assistance options, including scholarships, loans, and easy payment plans, to help make education more accessible for online students.
Students enrolled for distance education study by themselves and need to appear at the exam centres allocated. However, online courses, students attend live classes and at times take the exams from anywhere in a web-proctored environment.
Our team of experts, or experienced individuals, will answer it over online meet. Book your slot now!
Book Free Online Counselling
Get Free Career Guidance
