
Isha
07 November, 2025
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Tamil Nadu Open University (TNOU) is one of those universities that have expanded learning beyond any barriers, allowing learners to continue with their education while managing any other commitments without a break. Tamil Nadu Open University distance education courses are UGC approved. If you are looking to enrol in one of the best distance education universities in India, TNOU courses can be a good option.
The Tamil Nadu Open University distance education courses list is vast and includes programmes at undergraduate, postgraduate, vocational diploma, and certification. Generally, Tamil Nadu Open University courses fees structure ranges between INR 12,000 and INR 25,000 for UG courses and INR 8,000 and INR 22,000 for PG courses. TNOU courses fee for diploma and certifications are more affordable. Through this blog, we shall explore the Tamil Nadu Open University courses details, including the fee structure and eligibility. Let’s hop right into it.
Tamil Nadu Open University is recognised by the UGC-DEB (University Grants Commission–Distance Education Bureau) and has been graded with an NAAC A+, showing the high-quality programmes it offers. Established in 2002, TNOU meets the ever-growing demand for flexible higher education for learners from diverse sections of society who wish to pursue self-paced programmes.
Tamil Nadu Open University offers various programmes at an affordable cost. With its open access resources and an academic planner, TNOU offers various undergraduate, postgraduate, vocational diploma, and certificate distance programmes with the help of programme coordinators. The university has twelve regional centres that extend academic assistance to students. Mentioned below are the various benefits of enrolling in a distance programme offered by TNOU.
Tamil Nadu Open University, or TNOU, offers undergraduate, postgraduate, vocational diploma, and certificate courses. The table below mentions all the different TNOU courses offered along with the courses’ fee structure and their duration. Apart from this, the breakdown of the fee is listed below:
Tamil Nadu Open University distance education courses list includes approximately 15 UG programmes that span a duration of a minimum of three years to a maximum of six years. The medium of the TNOU courses is Tamil and English, and except for BA Tamil, all the remaining 14 undergraduate courses follow a semester-based system.
| Course | Duration | Total Fee |
|---|---|---|
| B.A. English | 3 Years | INR 12,900/- |
| B.A. History | 3 Years | INR 12,900/- |
| B.A. Economics | 3 Years | INR 12,900/- |
| B.A. Political Science | 3 Years | INR 12,900/- |
| B.A. Sociology | 3 Years | INR 12,900/- |
| B.A. Tamil | 3 Years | INR 11,025/- |
| B.Com. | 3 Years | INR 12,900/- |
| B.B.A. | 3 Years | INR 16,650/- |
| B.Sc. Mathematics | 3 Years | INR 20,400/- |
| B.C.A. | 3 Years | INR 30,900/- |
| B.C.A. Lateral Entry (LE) | 2 Years | INR 20,600/- |
| B.Sc. Physics | 3 Years | INR 23,400/- |
| B.Sc. Chemistry | 3 Years | INR 23,400/- |
| B.Sc. Botany | 3 Years | INR 23,400/- |
| B.Sc. Zoology | 3 Years | INR 23,400/- |
TNOU PG courses are taught in the Tamil and English mediums. However, MA English, MA Criminal Justice Administration, MSc Mathematics, and MSc Zoology do not follow a semester-based system, unlike the rest of the courses. Check out the different postgraduate courses offered and their respective fees.
| Course | Duration | Total Fee |
|---|---|---|
| MBA (Finance, Operations, Marketing, Human Resources, Information Technology) | 2 Years | INR 25,900/- |
| M.A. History | 2 Years | INR 9,500/- |
| M.A. Political Science | 2 Years | INR 9,500/- |
| M.A. English | 2 Years | INR 9,500/- |
| Master of Social Work | 2 Years | INR 9,500/- |
| M.A. Criminology & Criminal Justice Administration | 2 Years | INR 9,500/- |
| M.A. Sociology | 2 Years | INR 9,500/- |
| M.Sc. Geography | 2 Years | INR 21,900/- |
| M.A. Tamil | 2 Years | INR 8,600/- |
| M.Com | 2 Years | INR 10,900/- |
| M.Sc. Mathematics | 2 Years | INR 11,900/- |
| M.Sc. Physics | 2 Years | INR 21,900/- |
| M.Sc. Botany | 2 Years | INR 21,900/- |
| M.Sc. Zoology | 2 Years | INR 21,900/- |
Apart from undergraduate and postgraduate programmes, TNOU offers advanced vocational and vocational diploma programmes with a minimum duration of one year and a maximum of two years, along with simple diploma programmes. In total, the Tamil Nadu Open University offers nine vocational diploma programmes and eight diploma programmes.
| Course | Duration | Total Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Advanced Vocational Diploma in General Duty Assistant | 1 Year | INR 16,130/- |
| Advanced Vocational Diploma in General Duty Assistant (LE) | 1 Year | INR 17,000/- |
| Vocational Diploma in General Duty Assistant | 1–2 Years | INR 8,500/- |
| Vocational Diploma in Fashion Design and Garment Making | 1–2 Years | INR 5,500/- |
| Vocational Diploma in Refrigeration & Air-Conditioning Technician | 1–2 Years | INR 5,500/- |
| Vocational Diploma in Acupressure Therapy | 1–2 Years | INR 5,500/- |
| Vocational Diploma in Office Automation | 1–2 Years | INR 5,500/- |
| Vocational Diploma in InDesign | 1–2 Years | INR 5,500/- |
| Vocational Diploma in Beauty Therapy | 1–2 Years | INR 8,500/- |
| Vocational Diploma in Vehicle Mechanic | 1–2 Years | INR 5,500/- |
| Vocational Diploma in Industrial Fitter | 1–2 Years | INR 8,500/- |
| Vocational Diploma in Welding Technology | 1–2 Years | INR 5,500/- |
| Vocational Diploma in Early Childhood Care & Education (Kindergarten) | 1–2 Years | INR 8,500/- |
| Diploma in Archaeology and Epigraphy | 1–2 Years | INR 4,800/- |
| Diploma in Wildlife Tourism | 1–2 Years | INR 4,800/- |
| Diploma in Tourism and Tour Operations Management | 1–2 Years | INR 4,800/- |
| Diploma in Nutrition and Health Education | 1–2 Years | INR 5,300/- |
| Diploma in Silambam | 1–2 Years | INR 1,750/- |
| Diploma in Journalism | 1–2 Years | INR 5,300/- |
| Diploma in Tamil Research and Methodology | 1–2 Years | INR 5,300/- |
| Diploma in Media Art | 1–2 Years | INR 3,300/- |
Tamil Nadu University also offers 12 certification programmes, each with a duration of at least six months and up to 12 months, primarily taught in English. The university also offers short-term certification courses that span over a duration of 3 to 6 months, taught mainly in Tamil and English.
| Course | Duration | Total Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate Programme in Modern Techniques and Technology in Teaching | 3–6 Months | INR 2,500/- |
| Certificate in ICT in Functional Tamil | 3–6 Months | INR 2,500/- |
| Certificate Programme on Brain-Based Learning Techniques | 3–6 Months | INR 2,500/- |
| Certificate Programme in Advanced Technological Applications in Teaching Mathematics | 3–6 Months | INR 2,500/- |
| Certificate in Chemical Laboratory Safety Management | 3–6 Months | INR 2,800/- |
| Certificate in Environmental Conservation | 3–6 Months | INR 2,800/- |
| Certificate in Aquaculture | 3–6 Months | INR 2,100/- |
| Certificate in Climate Change | 3–6 Months | INR 1,800/- |
| Certificate in Entrepreneurship Development | 3–6 Months | INR 800/- |
| Certificate Course in Conservation Techniques | 3–6 Months | INR 2,500/- |
| Certificate in BS-VI: Emission Standards | 3–6 Months | INR 2,500/- |
| Certificate in Silambam | 3–6 Months | INR 1,000/- |
| Short-Term Course in Logistics and Supply Chain Management | 3–6 Months | INR 1,800/- |
| Short-Term Course in Tailoring and Dressmaking | 3–6 Months | INR 1,800/- |
| Short-Term Course in Surface Embellishments | 3–6 Months | INR 2,000/- |
| Short-Term Course in Life Skills and Personality Development | 3–6 Months | INR 1,550/- |
| Short-Term Course in Road Safety & First Aid | 3–6 Months | INR 1,300/- |
| Short Course in Office Automation | 3–6 Months | INR 1,300/- |
| Short-Term Course in Basic Computer Operations | 3–6 Months | INR 1,300/- |
| Short-Term Course in Industrial Safety & Security | 3–6 Months | INR 1,300/- |
| Short-Term Course in Cold Storage Management | 3–6 Months | INR 1,300/- |
| Short-Term Course in Beautician | 3–6 Months | INR 1,300/- |
| Short-Term Course in Social Justice | 3–6 Months | INR 800/- |
| Short-Term Course in Dr B.R. Ambedkar’s Thoughts | 3–6 Months | INR 800/- |
| Short-Term Course in Theatre Arts | 3–6 Months | INR 1,800/- |
| Short-Term Course in Gnana Tamil | 3–6 Months | INR 800/- |
Check out the eligibility criteria for the various Tamil Nadu Open University distance education courses.
The admission process for enrollment in the TNOU courses is simple and easy to follow by filling out the online admission form at the TNOU portal. Have a look at the general admission process here.
Log in to the official website of the TNOU portal.
Create your student profile and generate your credentials for any future contact.
Fill out the admission form, mention all necessary details, and attach all relevant documents.
Choose the course and pay the programme fee.
Check for any additional formalities that need to be completed.
Upon fee confirmation, wait for the admission confirmation letter that shall be sent to your previously generated credentials.
Through open education, students, professionals and learners have turned their lives around and achieved immense professional success by pursuing flexible and self-paced courses, allowing them to continue learning while managing other commitments. The Tamil Nadu Open University (TNOU) provides a diverse range of undergraduate, postgraduate, diploma, vocational diploma, and certificate courses. These programmes are highly flexible and accessible and offered across various disciplines and specialisations to cater to the varied academic needs and professional aspirations of the learners.
Students enrolled in the distance mode of degree study by themselves and need to appear at exam centres allocated in person. However, with an online course, students can take the exams from anywhere in a web-proctored environment.
Yes, a distance degree is valid. Ensure that the degree is recognised by UGC before enrolling at any institution. Many companies recognise and recruit candidates with distance degrees.
Yes, you can pursue distance courses from TNOU. Tamil Nadu Open University, or TNOU, offers various kinds of undergraduate, postgraduate, diploma, vocational diploma, and certificate courses.
Yes, TNOU has twelve regional centres to offer extensive academic support to the learners and help them in case of any queries or issues.
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