IGNOU Master of Arts (MA) Admission Process

6 mins readUpdated on Sep 15, 2023 17:10 IST
IGNOU offers more than 200 courses at certificate, diploma, degree and doctoral levels. IGNOU offers a wide range of courses in Master of Arts and candidates who look to pursue a post-graduate course, IGNOU offers Master of Arts (MA) in 17 specialisations under different schools of the university. However, before applying for admission in the university, candidates are advised to check the eligibility criteria.

Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU), which was established in 1985, is one of the popular institutes in India. Notably, IGNOU Delhi started providing two courses in 1987. There are as many as 21 schools around the nation. It offers more than 200 courses at certificate, diploma, degree and doctoral levels. IGNOU offers a wide range of courses in Master of Arts and candidates who look to pursue a post-graduate course, IGNOU offers Master of Arts (MA) in 17 specialisations under different schools of the university. However, before applying for admission in the university, candidates are advised to check the eligibility criteria.

IGNOU MA: Eligibility Criteria 

The eligibility criteria for admission in MA in IGNOU are as follows:

  • The candidate must be a graduate in any discipline from a recognised university for admission to the course.
  • The candidate should have secured a minimum of 50 per cent marks in graduation in order to be eligible for admission’.

IGNOU Admission 2023-24: Highlights

IGNOU admission 2023 for the July session is currently underway and the last date to apply is September 20. Candidates interested can access the IGNOU admission portal 2023 at ignou.ac.in.

Particulars

IGNOU Admission Highlights 2023

Mode of study

Distance/ Online

Programmes Offered

200+

Admission status 2023

Fresh Admission for 2023: Application Open for the July session till Sep 20

Re-registration for 2nd-year students: Application Open for the July session till Sep 20

How to apply?

Online: Ignouadmission.samarth.edu.in

Offline: Nearest Regional Centre (for select courses)

Number of regional centres

56 (Check out the list here)

Number of study centres

2000+ across the country

Level of programmes offered

Diploma, Certificate, Advanced Diploma, Undergraduate, Postgraduate Diploma, Postgraduate & PhD

Popular programmes

BA | BCom | BSc | MA | MCom| MSc| B.Ed | MBA| MCA | PhD

Also Read:Top 10 MA Subjects & Specialisations

IGNOU Courses: Specialisations

17 specialisations offered through Master of Arts in IGNOU

Q:   What is the last date to apply for IGNOU admission 2024?

A:

The last date for fresh admission and re-registration for IGNOU July 2024 session is extended till Sep 10, 2024. Candidates can apply online on the official website of the university. Candidates shall ensure that they submit their application on or before the prescribed deadline. Besides, the date sheet for June 2024 TEE online is available for students registered under E-Vidya Bharti. 

Q:   When can I take admission in IGNOU for MSc?

A:

For the January cycle, the applications are accepted between the November-December month of the previous year. For the July cycle, a candidate is required to apply in the month of May-August. Currently, IGNOU MSc fresh admission and re-registration is open. The last date to apply for the July session is Jul 31. Aspirants should apply on or before the prescribed deadline.

Q:   How can I get admission for B.Ed at IGNOU?

A:

Application form for B.Ed can be obtained online from the official website of IGNOU. At least, 50% marks either in the Bachelor's degree and/or in the Master's degree in sciences/social sciences/commerce/humanity. Candidates, who are trained in-service teachers in elementary education, will be eligible to apply for the entrance exam and further for admission or who have completed a NCTE recognised teacher education programme through face-to-face mode. Candidates can apply for the exam online by visiting the official website of university i.e. www.ignou.ac.in. Thanks!

Q:   How do I apply for admission in IGNOU?

A:

The application process for IGNOU is completely online. Candidates willing to apply must visit the official website and apply. A step-by-step process of filling IGNOU registration form is as follows:

Step 1: Visit the official website of IGNOU. Click on 'Register Online' and then on 'Fresh Admission'.

Step 2: In the next window, select ' Click here for New Registration'.

Step 3: Register online by adding all the required details. 

Step 4: Log in using the credentials created during the registration process, fill out the form, pay the application fee and submit it.

Q:   How to apply for MBA in IGNOU?

A:

The application process for MBA at IGNOU is completely online. Students willing to apply must visit the official website. A step-by-step process for the IGNOU MBA application is as follows:

Step 1: Visit the official website of IGNOU. Click on 'Register Online and then on 'Fresh Admission'.

Step 2: In the next window, select ' Click here for New Registration'.

Step 3: Register online by adding all the required details. 

Step 4: Log in using the credentials created during the registration process, fill out the form, pay the application fee and submit it. 

For more instructions on the application process,  click here

List of documents required for IGNOU application process 2024:

  • Passport size photograph
  • Identity card
  • Academic certificate (s)
  • Birth certificate or documentary proof of birth
  • Experience certificate, if applicable

Q:   How to apply for B.Ed. in IGNOU? Is the registration open?

A:
IGNOU (Indira Gandhi National Open University) offers a Bachelor of Education (B.Ed. ) programme for aspiring teachers. Here is some information on how to apply and the status of registration: Eligibility Criteria: Candidates who have completed their graduation or post-graduation with at least 50% marks are eligible to apply for the B.Ed. programme. However, there is a relaxation of 5% marks for SC/ST/OBC/PWD candidates. Admission Process: The admission process for the B.Ed. programme includes an entrance test called the IGNOU B.Ed. Entrance Exam. The exam is conducted once a year, and the application forms are released on the official website of IGNOU. Application Procedure: The application form for the IGNOU B.Ed. Entrance Exam can be filled online through the official website of IGNOU. The application fee is Rs. 1000/- and can be paid through credit card, debit card, or net banking. Registration Status: The registration for the IGNOU B.Ed. programme usually starts in the month of March or April every year. However, the registration process for the current year is closed now. You can check the official website of IGNOU for updates on the next cycle of admission. Course Duration: The B.Ed. programme is of two years duration, and the maximum duration to complete the programme is five years. Course Fee: The total fee for the B.Ed. programme is Rs. 50,000/-, which can be paid in installments over the duration of the course. So, if you are interested in applying for the IGNOU B.Ed. programme, you should keep an eye on the official website for updates on the next admission cycle.

Q:   What should I do after taking online admission in IGNOU?

A:

Here are few things that students will recieve after taking admission in IGNOU:

  • Once a students get admission into IGNOU, he or she will recieve the enrollment number and ID for future login to the samarth portal of the university.
  • Based on the choice made by the candidate while filling the application form, he or she will then recieve the study material. Soft copy is available on the official website of the university. 
  • Registered students also recieve a mail from the regional or study centre for counselling. It is an induction ceremony where the course is introduced to the students.
  • A schedule of classes is also shared through mail. For any query regarding classes, students must contact their study centre.

Q:   What is the admission process for MBA at IGNOU?

A:

IGNOU admission to MBA was subject to a valid score in IGNOU OPENMAT exam till 2021. However, for the admission 2021 onwards, IGNOU cancelled the OPENMAT exam and eligible candidates were able to directly apply for the MBA courses via the online registration link before the extended deadline. However, as per the data collated from various sources, IGNOU seems to have scrapped the OPENMAT exam. IGNOU MBA admission 2024 is subject to merit scores obtained by the students in the last qualifying degree. 

IGNOU Course Specialisations

Hindi

Sociology

Development Studies

History

Public Administration

Gandhi and Peace Studies

Philosophy

Economics

English

Political Science

Distance Education

Translation studies

Anthropology

Adult Education

Women’s and Gender Studies

Psychology

Gender & Development Studies

Also Read:  Top 10 Music Colleges in India

IGNOU: Admission Process

Candidates will have to follow the below-mentioned step by step process in order to apply for admission in Master of Arts in IGNOU.

Step 1: Registration

  • The candidate has to register themselves on the official website of the university. The candidate has to create a username and password.
  • On doing so, the candidate has to fill in all necessary information such as: Full name, date of birth, email ID and phone number.
  • Once the correct details have been entered, the candidate is supposed to click on the ‘SUBMIT’ button.
  • The candidate’s username will be sent to the candidate on the email ID which is entered. Candidates are advised that they are to provide a valid and working email ID.
  • Once the registration is complete, the candidate can proceed to login and apply for admission.

Step 2: Fill up Application Form

  • Candidates who have successfully created a username and a password on the official website of the university, can log in and fill up the application forms when made available on the site.
  • On visiting the site of IGNOU, candidates have to click on ‘apply now’.
  • The candidate will have to download the information bulletin, carefully read the instructions and click on the option of ‘click here to proceed’.
  • The candidates have to fill in all the details such as personal details, academic details.
  • On filling the application form, the candidate has to click on ‘submit’ button.
Also Read: Top 10 BA Subjects & Specialisations

Step 3: Documents to be uploaded

The candidate has to upload the following documents along with the application form.

Scanned passport-sized photograph

Scanned signature

Scanned copy of age proof

Scanned copy of 10th mark sheet

Scanned copy of 12th mark sheet

Scanned copy of graduation mark sheet

Scanned copy of experience certificate

Scanned copy of category certificate (If SC/ST/OBC)

Scanned copy of BPL certificate (If below poverty line)

  • Once the required documents have been uploaded, candidates can click on the ‘next button’ to preview the application form.
  • On doing so, the candidate can view the final form before submission. If there is any error or mistake, the candidate can go back and correct the information filled in.

Step 4: Payment of Application Fee

  • The candidate will next have to pay a fee in order to submit the application form for admission in the varsity.
  • Candidates can pay the programme fee through online mode – Net banking / Credit Card / Debit Card.
  • Once the payment is made, the form will show up on the screen. Candidates are advised to take a print out of the application form as it can come handy for future references.

IGNOU: MA Selection Process

Admission in IGNOU is granted on the basis of marks in the qualifying degree examination. The admission committee of the university released a merit list as per the applicant’s marks in the under-graduation degree.

Candidates who are shortlisted for the programme, have to report to the respective regional or centre of the university with all the required documents as below mentioned:

  • ID Proof and photocopies
  • Mark sheets of Graduate course and its photocopies
  • Class 10 mark sheet and photocopy
  • Class 12 mark sheet and photocopy

Note: Applications to MA programmes are invited twice a year: January and July. 

IGNOU Admission 2023-24: Eligibility Criteria

Candidates interested to take admission in IGNOU are required to check the table below to know about the admission and eligibility criteria for IGNOU. The table given below highlights the IGNOU selection criteria 2023 as well for some of the popular UG, PG and diploma courses:

Popular Courses Eligibility Criteria Selection Criteria
MBA

Any UG degree with 50% aggregate

Merit scores at the UG level
B.Ed

Any UG/PG degree with 50% OR BE/BTech with 55%

IGNOU B.Ed Entrance Test
BSc

Class 12 with Science subjects

Merit scores of Class 12 for all BSc specialisations | IGNOU OPENNET for BSc PB Nursing
MSc

UG degree in Science stream

Merit scores at the UG level
MA

Any UG degree

Merit scores at the UG level
BA

Class 12

Merit scores of Class 12
PG Diploma

Any UG degree

Merit scores at the UG level
MCA

Any UG degree with 50% + Maths in Class 12 

Merit scores at the UG level
BCA

Class 12

Merit scores of Class 12

BCom

Class 12

Merit scores of Class 12
B.L.I.Sc

Any UG degree with 50% aggregate

Merit scores of Class 12

Other courses offered by IGNOU

BSc

MBA/PGDM

B Lib I Sc

BEd

BA

MA

MSc

MCom

BCom

BCA

BE /B Tech

MCA

M Lib I Sc

MSW

MEd

BBA

BSW

BSc (Post Basic)

ME

MTech

DOEACC O Level

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