Tamil Nadu Open University (TNOU)

About

Tamil Nadu Open University (TNOU) was established in the year 2002 by an Act of (No.27 of 2002) Legislature of Tamilnadu. The motto of TNOU is Education for All.  In fact, the Tamilnadu Government through TNOU has assumed the responsibility to meet the ever-growing demands for Higher Education in the State, from diverse sections of the society, irrespective of caste, creed, religion, age, profession and habitat, by way of Reaching the Unreached and Education for All and Ever at an affordable cost.

The Tamil Nadu Open University is the first University in the State to  introduce the Credit Based Self Learning Materials in print as early as 2003.  The Academic Programmes of TNOU are duly recognized by UGC-DEB, NCTE, RCI and the Universities stands out of the 6 open universities to have been accorded with the 12B status by the University Grants Commission (UGC). 

TNOU has been providing degree, diploma and certificate programmes in various fields through Open Distance Learning (ODL) mode, and has set up 13 'Schools of Study' dedicated to different study areas for easy maintenance and inter-disciplinary actions within TNOU like School of Social Sciences, School of Management Studies, School of Humanities, School of Science, etc.  With 8 regional centres and plenty of Learning Support Centres across Tamil Nadu, TNOU has covered majority of the state unlike other universities operating in the state.

The School of Management Studies(SOMS) was established initially among seven Schools under Tamil Nadu Open University Act, 2002 to effectively maintain the Management programmes and came into existence in the year 2003. It starts operations right from the inception of this University with distinct curriculum and teaching methodology, thus taking care of all the proceedings for MBA (General).  MBA programme at TNOU which is innovative and student centered is UGC recognized and DEB approved. The University conducts yearly exam for MBA program.  Its Learning centres (LSC) are technology equipped and have well maintained library for high end distance education.  Counselling classes are held at respective LSCs from time to time, schedule of which is updated on the official website of TNOU. Self instruction study materials are made available at LSCs across Tamil Nadu.

While the round the year admission policy with examination schedules conveniently arranged on weekends and the effective continuous assessment provision have sufficiently addressed the issue of quantity in the form of increasing higher education access, the University has been harnessing the advancement in ICT to continuously improve the quality of higher education.

The growth of the University during the past 20 years has been phenomenal. With a cumulative student strength of over one million in 234 Programmes of study across various disciplines and skills at different levels from Certificate to Post Graduate Programmes that are imparted through 11 Academic Schools, 5 Support Divisions, 1 Media Centre and a robust network of Learner Support Centres and the Community Colleges across the State. As per UGC-DEB approval, the TNOU started its M.Phil. and Ph.D. programme (in Regular Mode) in 2017. These Skill Education and Training Programmes are now offered at Short Term, Certificate, Vocational Diploma and Advanced Vocational Diploma levels in TNOU.

The University has automated its learner support systems including admission, examination, material distribution, academic counselling, etc.  TNOU aims to impart high quality management and commerce education to enhance wide spectrum of individuals and transforming them to a successful business leaders / entrepreneurs who in turn will influence more people thereby lead to advancement of business society.

TNOU has been working towards its Mission to Create intellectual capital in terms of scholarly and system-based research relevant to its evolving techno-development context, Foster application and activity-based learning for sustainable growth of learners, Promote a global vision that promotes diversity, inclusion, and ethical participation in the interconnected society of business, Forge meaningful collaboration with industry, academia, Government, and social sectors such that sustainable and innovative businesses are built which leads to fulfil the collective needs of various stakeholders of the university and society,  Nurture a culture of academic excellence to gain competitive advantage and Offer consultancy and take up research projects related to economic, business and social issues.

Some Highlghts of Tamil Nadu Open University, Chennai

Why to choose Tamil Nadu Open University, Chennai ?

1. A Gateway to "Education for All and Ever"

• TNOU was established in 2002 by the Tamil Nadu government as a state open university to expand access to higher education, particularly for disadvantaged groups like working professionals, homemakers, rural students, and others who may have missed formal learning opportunities
  
• Its motto—"Education for All and Ever"—reflects a strong mission to provide lifelong learning opportunities
  

2. Reputed Accreditation & Recognition

• TNOU holds a NAAC 'A+' grade with a CGPA of 3.32
  
• It is recognized by UGC-DEB, has 12(B) status, and is a member of the Asian Association of Open Universities and the Association of Commonwealth Universities
  
• These credentials ensure that degrees offered are widely respected and usable for further studies or government/private sector employment.
  

3. Wide-Ranging & Flexible Program Offerings

• TNOU offers a diverse array of programs—over 200 offerings across certificates, diplomas, undergraduate, postgraduate, and even Ph.D. and M.Phil. levels
  
• The University includes 11 academic schools, 5 support divisions, a dedicated media centre, and a network of learner support centres and community colleges that facilitate skill-based vocational training
  

4. Easily Accessible & Student-Focused

• TNOU uses a robust online admission system, with two admission windows—January and July—for flexibility
  
• Most programs accept students without entrance exams, simplifying the process for prospective learners
  
• Learners receive printed self-learning materials and digital resources via the university's e-portal, making remote learning seamless—even in remote areas
  
• Online tools cover admissions, registrations, assessments, counseling, and exam processes—ensuring a modern, streamlined experience
  

5. Truly Inclusive & Lifelong Learning

• The university is committed to removing educational barriers for working professionals, homemakers, minority groups, and differently-abled individuals. As an example, TNOU enabled a 67-year-old woman and even prisoners to pursue advanced degrees
  
• Its vision and mission emphasize flexible, technology-enabled, learner-centric education aimed at bridging social and digital divides and supporting sustainable social transformation
  

6. Affordable & Supportive Education

• With over 600 learner support centres across Tamil Nadu, students—especially those in rural areas—can access guidance, materials, and exam support locally
  

Vision & Mission of Tamil Nadu Open University, Chennai

Vision

Tamil Nadu Open University shall make available innovative, socially relevant educational provisions that are learner centred, seamless and are of high quality by employing appropriate technologies to achieve equity in education, sustainable social transformation and composite national development.

Mission

Towards becoming a Centre of Excellence in Open and Distance Learning (ODL) by offering quality programs to meet the current and emerging needs of the adult population, by widening the access to higher education and by functioning as a catalyst to bridge social, including digital divides and to build a developed India, Tamil Nadu Open University shall:

• Evolve flexible and robust curricula to widen educational access, deepen knowledge frontiers and create entrepreneurial skill sets.
  
• Reach the rural communities through lifelong learning programmes for livelihood improvement.
  
• Establish networked environments for quality assurance.
  
• Foster private-public partnerships.
  
• Bridge the digital divide and implement ‘anywhere, anytime’ learning environments.
  
• Become a digital repository for ODL in the State facilitating Research and Development for new knowledge creation.
  
• Coordinate and implement standards in ODL.
  

Admission Procedure

TNOU courses are offered at UG, PG, Doctorate level. There are 97 courses offered at TNOU. The courses are offered in fields like Arts, Science, Management, Vocational Courses. TNOU courses includes MA, Ph.D, B.Sc, M.Sc, MBA, Diploma, B.Com, BCA {Lateral}, B.Ed, BBA. The popular courses at TNOU is MA, Ph.D, B.Sc.

Admission Criteria

Eligibility

• B.A. - Candidate needs to be pass in 12th (HSC) or equivalent examination or PUC or TNOU BPP or 10+3 Years of Diploma or 11+2 Years TTC or 10 +2 Years ITI.
• B.Com. - 10th or 12th (HSC) exam or Equivalent or TNOU BPP or 10+3 Years Diploma or 11+2 Years TTC or 10+2 Years ITI
• BBA - 10+2 examination from a recognized board.
• BCA - 10th or 12th (HSC) examination or equivalent or PUC or TNOU BPP or 10th +3 Years Diploma or 11+2 Years TTC or 10+2 Years ITI and for lateral entry candidate must have any Diploma from Recognized Polytechnic College.
• B.Sc. - 10th exam as well as 12th (HSC) examination or Equivalent or PUC or TNOU BPP or 10th +3 Years Diploma or 11th+2 Years TTC or 10th +2 Years ITI
• MBA - Candidate needs to be pass in Bachelor’s examination in any stream with at least 50% marks in aggregate.
• MCA - Any Bachelor's Degree with a duration of a minimum of 3 (three) years from a recognized University with Mathematics as one of the subjects at +2 level or UG level.
• M.A. - Bachelor’s Degree from any recognized University or Bachelor’s Degree with Tamil Under Part -I from any recognized University
• M.Com. - Graduate in Commerce/ Business Administration/Corporate Secretaryship/ ACA/ AICWA/ and ACS/ who have studied at least 02 papers in Commerce in their degree program
• M.Sc. - Bachelor’s Degree from any recognized University

Admission Process

• Students applying for Under-Graduate, Post-Graduate, Diploma and PG Diploma programs offered by the Tamil Nadu Open University [TNOU] must visit the specified study centres to get the application forms and prospectus. The final selection of the candidates is based on completion of qualifying exam followed by counselling.
  
• The Application Forms can be obtained from the study centers on the payment of prescribed payment of Rs. 100/- in cash.
  
• Application forms can also be obtained From the Deputy Registrar, MPDD, TNOU, 577, Anna Salai, Saidapet, Chennai– 600 015 by post on payment of Rs.150/- by demand draft issued in favour of the Tamil Nadu Open University payable at Chennai.
  
• Admission forms need to be submitted to the study centres on or before April 30th or October 31st of the academic year.
  
• On submission of the Application Form, the Study Centre will issue a statement of acknowledgment to the Applicant and forward the Forms to the Zonal Centres.
  
• The Admission Wing, after the detailed examination of the Application Forms, shall allot the Enrollment Number and send the ID Cards to the Study Centres for handing over to the students.
  
• Then the students may quote their Enrollment Number in all their further references with the University.
  
• Applicants who wish to enroll for a Diploma/ Certificate Program under the scheme of Dual Registration shall submit separate Application Forms.
  
• Separate copies of the eligibility and other certificates, a photograph of the applicant and the signature of the applicant should be attested by any one of the Group A and Group B Officers.
  
• For all the Program the fees shall be paid to the University. The fees may be remitted in any branch of the State Bank of India or Indian Bank.
  
• For remitting the fees, the applicant may use the photocopy of the remittance Challan Form enclosed in the Prospectus. The Banker will return the challan of TNOU copy and STUDENT copy.
  
• The applicant will have to enclose the TNOU copy of the remitted challan with the application for Admission. They may also consult their Study Centers regarding remittance of fees.
  
• Applicants may submit the filled in Application Forms along with the University copy of the Challan.
  
• Selected candidates will have to get their documents verified and the counselling will be held on the dates prescribed.
  

Scholarships

TNOU University provides the facilities to reserved category and disabled candidates in the form of exemption from tuition fees. The following are the scholarships available to the students:SC/ ST students who are pursuing distance education are eligible for reimbursement of fees if they are not employed and if the annual income of their parents does not exceed INR 1,00,000. The students should apply for scholarships in the prescribed form to be obtained from the Offices of Adi Dravidar/ Tribal Welfare Department along with the supporting documents. Differently-abled students studying a Program at the University are eligible for tuition fee exemption. 

1. University provides the facilities to reserved category and disabled candidates in the form of exemption from tuition fees. Following are the facilities available to the students:
2. SC/ ST students who are pursuing distance education are eligible for reimbursement of fees if they are not employed and if the annual income of their parents does not exceed INR 1,00,000
3. The students should apply for scholarships in the prescribed form to be obtained from the Offices of Adi Dravidar/ Tribal Welfare Department along with the supporting documents.

• Differently-abled students studying a Program at the University are eligible for tuition fee exemption.
  
• The candidate may apply in the prescribed Application Form, for admission along with the core banking challan for INR 300 enclosing a copy of the disability certificate.
  

Placements

The University Placements are offered to all the candidates through its dedicated Placement Portal which has been specially designed to meet up the requirements of the recruiters and the students. Up to now TNOU has successfully placed more than 60,000 students and is continuously working to bring the best placement opportunities for the students. TNOU offers a range of Seminars, Guest Lectures, webinars, Conferences, Corporate Meets, Personality Development & Communication Skills Programs, and Counselling Sessions to make the candidate's ready for the placement in the society.

Tamil Nadu Open University, Chennai

• Library: The College has an air-conditioned well-designed and spacious library hall with a vast collection of 55,000 reference books, textbooks, and journals in total.
• Hostel: TNOU provides separate accommodation facilities for both boys and girls with furnished single occupied, twin sharing, and three sharing accommodation. The hostel's mess has good hygiene conditions with healthy food.
• Food Court: There is a food court that serves hygienic food and has cleaned kitchens and dining halls.
• Transportation: The College provides buses that are well connected with all the geographical locations of surrounding areas so that students can commute safely.
• Environment: The university has a big area campus surrounded by greenery and pollution-free landmass. 
• Sports: It promotes all sports activities and participation in competitive sports events. The university has achieved several accolades in sporting events in Rowing, Boxing, Powerlifting, Taekwondo, Rollball, and more at national and international levels. 
• Hospital: It has a highly qualified medical team that attends to all medical needs of the students, faculty, and staff on campus. The medical team is well equipped and provides an ambulance for emergencies. There is also a pharmacy on campus that offers medicines and other healthcare necessities
• Laboratories: TNOU has highly equipped labs more than 40 for the students in order to apply their knowledge practically to gain real-time exposure.

Hostel

The university does not provide hostel facilities, as the course is designed for working individuals and housewives who can study without the need for on-campus accommodation.

Transport

The College provides buses that are well connected with all the geographical locations of surrounding areas so that students can commute safely.Students can commute safely because the College provides buses that are well-connected to all geographical places in the surrounding districts.