List of Top Distance Education Courses in Kolkata 2025
Looking for a Distance Learning course in Kolkata? Here's your guide to distance learning institutes and distance education courses in Kolkata.
List of Top Distance Education Courses in Kolkata – Distance learning programmes are a popular choice among a large group as they fit best with the rest of their responsibilities. These distance education courses allow them to learn and gain a degree or certificate at their own pace without the pressure of showing up for a class daily. In this article, we will take a look at the list of the top distance education courses in Kolkata in 2025. In addition to that, we will also learn about the best open universities in Kolkata. Read further to learn more.
Best Distance Learning and Open Universities in Kolkata
Before getting into the list of courses, let us take a look at the best distance education and open universities in Kolkata.
Netaji Subhash Open University (NSOU) -
Ranked second in the Open Universities category of the NIRF 2024 Rankings, NSOU offers a Choice-Based Credit System to their students where they can pick and choose the courses within their programme. NSOU programmes are aimed at developing job-oriented skills which makes the institute a popular choice for distance education in Kolkata.
Popular courses at NSOU and their approximate tuition fee are provided in the table below.
| Course |
Approx. Tuition Fees/ Fees Range |
|---|---|
| INR 10K |
|
| INR 8K to 25K |
|
| INR 14-16K |
|
| INR 11-36K |
|
| INR 11K |
|
| INR 9K to 1L |
|
| INR 10K |
|
| INR 8K |
University of Kalyani Directorate of Open and Distance Learning -
Kalyani University’s DODL is another popular choice of distance learning institute in Kolkata. Their flagship courses include BTech and MBA. The institute is recognised by the UGC. It is also an AIU member. The NAAC has accredited it with a Grade ‘A’.
Some courses at Kalyani University DODL and their tuition fee are provided in the table below.
| Course |
Approx. Tuition Fees/ Fees Range |
|---|---|
| MA (Bengali, English, History, Education) |
INR 10-12K |
| MSc (Zoology, Botany) |
INR 40-41K |
| MA/ MSc Geography |
INR 40-41K |
| MSc Mathematics |
INR 16-17K |
University of North Bengal Centre for Distance and Online Education -
North Bengal’s CDOE was established in the year 2000. It was earlier known as the Directorate of Distance Education. Currently, they provide a total of 7 undergraduate and postgraduate courses. At NBU CDOE, they are committed to offering quality education in the Open and Distance Learning (ODL) mode.
Courses offered at NBU CDOE are mentioned in the table below.
| Course |
Approx. Tuition Fees/ Fees Range |
|---|---|
| BA |
INR 35K |
| MA |
INR 28-29K |
| BCom |
INR 35K |
Burdwan University Centre for Distance and Online Education -
The University of Burdwan’s CDOE offers PG programmes in 6 subjects across 11 study centres. They also offer a BEd and an MBA in open and distance learning mode.
Distance learning courses at Burdwan University are listed below.
| Course |
Approx. Tuition Fees/ Fees Range |
|---|---|
| MA |
INR 8-9K |
| MSc Computer Science |
INR 15,000 - 15,500 |
| BEd |
INR 50,000 |
| MBA |
INR 60,000 |
Rabindra Bharati University CDOE -
The open learning programmes at Rabindra Bharati University CDOE are 2 to 4 years long. The distance learning courses that they offer include MA, MA Fine Arts and MSW.
Courses offered at Rabindra Bharati University CDOE are provided in the table below.
| Course |
Approx. Tuition Fees/ Fees Range |
|---|---|
| MA (Bengali, Sanskrit, History, Education) |
INR 20,000 |
| MA Vocal Music and Rabindra Sangeet |
INR 40,000 |
| MA Environmental Studies |
INR 28,000 |
| MA Geography |
INR 48,000 |
| MSW |
INR 40,000 |
Also Read -
Top Universities in Kolkata
Top Distance Education Courses in Kolkata
Distance learning courses in Kolkata are offered in most mainstream disciplines. Open universities in Kolkata offer open learning and correspondence courses in streams like Arts and Humanities, Commerce and Finance, Language, Teaching and Education, IT, and Management among others. Some popular and frequently chosen courses offered at open universities in Kolkata are listed below.
- MA - A Master of Arts degree is a popular choice to pursue remotely. This degree course is offered in various subjects like English, Hindi, Bengali, History, Political Science, etc. While regular MA courses are two years long, the distance learning version can be completed in 2 to 4 years.
- MSc - Many BSc graduates opt to take up jobs right after their graduation. A distance learning MSc programme is a popular choice to further their education without giving up on jobs.
- MBA - Students in great numbers from across the country pursue MBA programmes in the distance learning format. MBA in Kolkata’s distance learning institutes is offered in various specialisations like Marketing, Banking and Finance, Customer Relationship Management, etc.
- BCA - Students also often choose a distance learning BCA programme as an additional course to further their education. The curriculum of this programme is quite divergent. It teaches students programming languages, operating systems, data management systems, computer networks, etc.
- MCA - A Master’s in Computer Application is a postgraduate course with an advanced curriculum that includes the same areas of knowledge as a BCA degree course. Students can complete their MCA via distance learning without the pressure of completing it in 2 years.
- Certificate and Diploma Courses - Open universities also offer a variety of certificate and diploma courses in numerous fields. Some of them include PG Diploma in Computer Applications, Certificate and Diploma courses in Web Design & Development, Animation & Multimedia, Nursing Diplomas, etc.
- Vocational Courses - The variety of vocational courses can vary from institute to institute. Vocational courses are courses that are aimed at developing job-oriented skills more than other mainstream academic courses. These can be certificate courses, diploma or advanced diploma courses. Popular vocational courses in Kolkata include Needlework and Knitting, Fire Safety and Security Management, Counselling, Applied Yoga & Naturopathy and even Carpet Making at some institutes.
Open universities in Kolkata have changed the way the city gets education. They’ve made it accessible for people from all walks of life. Students can opt for flexible open learning programmes, learn at their own pace, and manage jobs and still have a chance at career advancement with these valid degrees.
Also Read -
Top 5 Open Universities in India
List of Open Universities in India
Top Distance Education Universities in Chennai
Aayushi is a BAJMC graduate and an ardent consumer of content with a keen passion for film, TV and books. She specialises in Mass Communication and Humanities related exams, entrances and courses.