# Tamil Nadu Open University

> Tamil Nadu Open University is a state open university established under Tamil Nadu Act 27 of 2002, with its headquarters at Saidapet in Chennai. It offers open and distance learning through self-learning materials and academic support arrangements. This profile covers named university degrees in the current UGC-DEB ODL register and the university’s 2026 programme table.

- Canonical page: https://www.studentstraffic.com/university/tamil-nadu-open-university
- Last reviewed: 2026-10-25
- Publisher: Students Traffic (https://www.studentstraffic.com/)

## Key facts

- Location: Chennai, [India](https://www.studentstraffic.com/countries/india)
- Type: Public
- Established: 2002
- Official website: https://www.tnou.ac.in/
- Published programmes on Students Traffic: 25

## Recognition and approvals

- UGC-DEB listed ODL degree programmes, July 2026–27 session
- Verify: [UGC-DEB current recognised ODL programme register](https://deb.ugc.ac.in/Home/HEI_Prog_List)

## Programmes

| Programme | Course | Duration | Medium | Fees |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [B.A. English](https://www.studentstraffic.com/tnou-b-a-english) | B.A. English | 3 years | English | ₹4,600–₹5,900 |
| [B.A. History](https://www.studentstraffic.com/tnou-b-a-history) | B.A. History | 3 years | English / Tamil | ₹4,490–₹5,900 |
| [B.A. Tamil](https://www.studentstraffic.com/tnou-b-a-tamil) | B.A. Languages | 3 years | Tamil | ₹4,490–₹5,790 |
| [B.A. Sociology](https://www.studentstraffic.com/tnou-b-a-sociology) | B.A. Sociology | 3 years | English / Tamil | ₹4,490–₹5,900 |
| [B.Com.](https://www.studentstraffic.com/tnou-b-com) | B.Com | 3 years | English / Tamil | ₹4,490–₹5,900 |
| [B.Sc. Zoology](https://www.studentstraffic.com/tnou-b-sc-zoology) | B.Sc. Biological Sciences | 3 years | English | ₹7,700–₹9,000 |
| [B.Sc. Botany](https://www.studentstraffic.com/tnou-b-sc-botany) | B.Sc. Biological Sciences | 3 years | English | ₹7,700–₹9,000 |
| [B.Sc. Chemistry](https://www.studentstraffic.com/tnou-b-sc-chemistry) | B.Sc. Chemistry | 3 years | English | ₹7,700–₹9,000 |
| [B.Sc. Mathematics](https://www.studentstraffic.com/tnou-b-sc-mathematics) | B.Sc. Mathematics | 3 years | English | ₹6,300–₹7,600 |
| [B.Sc. Physics](https://www.studentstraffic.com/tnou-b-sc-physics) | B.Sc. Physics | 3 years | English | ₹7,700–₹9,000 |
| [B.A. Economics](https://www.studentstraffic.com/tnou-b-a-economics) | Bachelor's Economics | 3 years | English / Tamil | ₹4,490–₹5,900 |
| [B.A. Political Science](https://www.studentstraffic.com/tnou-b-a-political-science) | Bachelor's Political Science | 3 years | English / Tamil | ₹4,490–₹5,900 |
| [M.A. English](https://www.studentstraffic.com/tnou-m-a-english) | M.A. English | 2 years | English | ₹6,600–₹8,100 |
| [M.A. History](https://www.studentstraffic.com/tnou-m-a-history) | M.A. History | 2 years | English / Tamil | ₹6,320–₹8,100 |
| [M.A. Tamil](https://www.studentstraffic.com/tnou-m-a-tamil) | M.A. Linguistics | 2 years | Tamil | ₹6,320–₹7,820 |
| [M.A. Sociology](https://www.studentstraffic.com/tnou-m-a-sociology) | M.A. Sociology | 2 years | English / Tamil | ₹6,320–₹8,100 |
| [M.Com.](https://www.studentstraffic.com/tnou-m-com) | M.Com | 2 years | English | ₹6,600–₹8,100 |
| [M.Sc. Zoology](https://www.studentstraffic.com/tnou-m-sc-zoology) | M.Sc. Biological Sciences | 2 years | English | ₹10,800–₹12,300 |
| [M.Sc. Botany](https://www.studentstraffic.com/tnou-m-sc-botany) | M.Sc. Biological Sciences | 2 years | English | ₹10,800–₹12,300 |
| [M.Sc. Mathematics](https://www.studentstraffic.com/tnou-m-sc-mathematics) | M.Sc. Mathematics | 2 years | English | ₹10,800–₹12,300 |
| [M.Sc. Physics](https://www.studentstraffic.com/tnou-m-sc-physics) | M.Sc. Physics | 2 years | English | ₹10,800–₹12,300 |
| [M.A. Political Science](https://www.studentstraffic.com/tnou-m-a-political-science) | Master Political Science | 2 years | English / Tamil | ₹6,320–₹8,100 |
| [M.A. Criminology and Criminal Justice Administration](https://www.studentstraffic.com/tnou-m-a-criminology-and-criminal-justice-administration) | Master's Criminology | 2 years | English | ₹6,600–₹8,100 |
| [M.Sc. Geography](https://www.studentstraffic.com/tnou-m-sc-geography) | Master's Geography | 2 years | English | ₹10,800–₹12,300 |
| [Master of Social Work](https://www.studentstraffic.com/tnou-master-of-social-work) | Master's Social Work | 2 years | English / Tamil | ₹6,320–₹8,100 |

## Why students choose it

- Current university tables provide programme-specific qualifications and explicit teaching-medium options.
- Printed-book and electronic-material charge options are published for the current academic-cycle programmes.
- The university’s regional-centre and electronic-learning arrangements support open and distance study.

## Things to consider

- These are open and distance learning degrees with programme-specific assignments, practicals and examinations.
- Choose the published Tamil or English medium option available for the exact programme.
- Confirm the current admission cycle, authorised centre, complete charges and material option before payment.

## Best fit for

- Learners meeting the precise published school and prior-degree requirements.
- Students able to organise independent study and attend the required academic or examination activities.
- Applicants seeking a UGC-DEB listed open and distance degree through the university’s own official route.

## Campus and city

Learning is through the university’s open and distance learning arrangements, with printed or electronic study materials and programme-specific academic requirements. The university lists regional centres across Tamil Nadu and publishes assignment, examination and practical notices. Plan independent study alongside the counselling, practical work and examinations applicable to the chosen programme; this is not a residential classroom timetable.

The university’s headquarters is at No. 577, Anna Salai, Saidapet, Chennai 600015. Its website lists regional centres including Chennai, Coimbatore, Madurai, Salem, Tiruchirappalli, Tirunelveli and other Tamil Nadu locations. Confirm the authorised support centre and examination or practical venue for the exact programme rather than assuming every academic activity takes place at the Chennai headquarters.

Requirements differ by programme. The university publishes separate practical examination schedules and assignment information, while laboratory-based science degrees need their specific practical and assessment arrangements confirmed. Self-learning materials do not remove practical, assignment or examination obligations. An academic science, social work or criminology degree does not itself confer a clinical licence, police appointment or a guaranteed professional outcome.


## Hostel, food and safety

For a distance-learning programme, plan travel around any required counselling, practical or examination sessions at the assigned university venue. Obtain accommodation information separately if an academic activity requires a visit. Do not assume that admission includes a residential place, meals or a hostel fee within the programme charge.

Learners travelling for practicals or examinations should arrange meals around the confirmed venue and session times. Ask the relevant centre about current local facilities and any specific dietary or accessibility needs. The programme-fee table’s printed and electronic material options do not establish a meal plan.

The university’s 2026 website asks students to use only tnou.ac.in and tnouportal.in for admissions and academic activities. It also recommends the Tamil Nadu Police Kaaval Uthavi app for emergency assistance. Retain official receipts and learner records, and obtain current centre, examination and university help-desk contacts before travelling.

The university provides regional-centre contacts, a help desk, electronic learning materials, assignment information and grievance routes. Its 2026 prospectus lists qualification, identity and application records; use the checklist for the exact level and cycle. The AY 2026–27 admission portal states admission is closed; follow the next official announcement for a future application.


## Frequently asked questions

### Is this a residential or distance-learning university profile?

The degrees listed here are Open and Distance Learning awards. Study materials and academic support are combined with the assignments, practicals and examinations required for the exact programme. Confirm attendance and venues with the university; a distance admission is not a residential campus timetable.

### Which admission cycle is currently available?

The official AY 2026–27 online admission portal states that admission has closed. Check the next official university announcement and portal for future availability rather than relying on an old application deadline or a third-party agent.

### Are Tamil and English both available?

Availability depends on the degree. The 2026 table lists Tamil for BA and MA Tamil, English for several language/science programmes, and separate Tamil and English choices for certain Arts, Commerce and Social Work degrees. Choose the exact medium shown for your programme; this does not mean every session is bilingual.

### What is the undergraduate qualification?

The current table lists 10th and 12th pass or equivalent, including specified NIOS/RIOS, DOTE diploma and NCVT ITI routes. Science degrees additionally require a listed Mathematics or science subject. Obtain university assessment of the exact qualification and programme before applying.

### Do all master’s programmes accept any undergraduate degree?

No. Several Arts, Geography and Social Work routes list any recognised bachelor’s degree after the required school qualifications. Mathematics, Botany, Physics, Zoology, Commerce and MA Tamil have their own prior-subject conditions. Check the exact programme’s qualification list.

### How long can I take to complete the degree?

The current programme table gives undergraduate degrees a minimum of three years and a maximum of six years, and postgraduate degrees a minimum of two years and a maximum of four years. Progress, assessment and other university regulations still apply.

### What do the published fee ranges mean?

The current table gives different charges for printed books and electronic copies, with Tamil and English amounts differing where both media are offered. The displayed range covers the verified options for that exact programme. It does not establish isolated annual tuition or a full-course total. Confirm the selected option and other applicable charges before payment.

### Which documents should I prepare?

The 2026 prospectus lists self-attested school records and, for PG entry, the qualifying degree certificate, along with Aadhaar, community certificate, bank details and a passport-size photograph. Use the exact current cycle checklist and confirm any equivalent qualification documents directly.

### Where are practicals and examinations held?

The university publishes examination-centre and practical schedules and operates regional support centres in Tamil Nadu. Confirm the venue assigned to the exact programme and session. Do not assume the headquarters, nearest centre or every listed centre can provide every practical requirement.

### Can a learner outside India rely on these conditions?

The listed qualification and local-charge conditions do not establish an overseas study or foreign-qualification route. Obtain a written university assessment of your qualification, residence, required attendance and applicant category before relying on admission. An ODL offer does not itself establish student-visa eligibility.


## Sources

- [Current AY2026 programme, qualification, medium and fee table](https://www.tnou.ac.in/Documents/2026/KVS/AY%202026%20Fee%20Strue.pdf) (checked 2026-10-25)
- [University CalendarYear2026 prospectus and document list](https://www.tnou.ac.in/Documents/2026/KVS/CY2026PROSPECTUS06022026.pdf) (checked 2026-10-25)
- [Current UGC-DEB programme recognition register, July2026–27](https://deb.ugc.ac.in/Home/HEI_Prog_List) (checked 2026-10-25)
- [University current prospectus and fee index](https://www.tnou.ac.in/ProspectusNew.php) (checked 2026-10-25)
- [Official AY2026–27 admission portal, closed status](https://tnouportal.in/OnlineadmissionHomeAY2026.aspx) (checked 2026-10-25)
- [Official current home, regional centres and student notices](https://www.tnou.ac.in/) (checked 2026-10-25)

## Free counselling

Students Traffic offers free admission counselling for this university and its programmes.

- Contact: https://www.studentstraffic.com/contact
- WhatsApp: https://wa.me/919176162888
- Phone: +91 91761 62888
- Email: hello@studentstraffic.com