IGNOU ( Indira Gandhi National Open University)

Discussion in 'General Distance Learning Discussions' started by Pap, Oct 5, 2009.

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  1. Pap

    Pap New Member

    Hi I was interested for the IGNOU ( Indira Gandhi National Open University) it is really cheap alternative, do you know can someone from EU study at this Uni ?
    Any previous experience?

    Thanks :)
     
  2. Kizmet

    Kizmet Moderator

    Hi Pap - I think it's possible to study at a distance but you have to show up at an authorized testing center for your exams. Better check and see if one of thosecenters is anywhere near you. On the other hand, this school is so inexpensive that it would still be affordable even if you had to fly somewhere to take exams.
     
  3. jackrussell

    jackrussell Member

    I respect Indian education system a lot. They produce some of the brightest students. Have tried to check on IGNOU, but left totally confused. I think you should be able to take the exams in one of the British Councils in your country, I remain to be corrected on this.
     
  4. Pap

    Pap New Member

    Thank you Kizmet :)
    Yep, I went trough their web site and I am note sure there is testing center in EU.
     
  5. Pap

    Pap New Member

    I had very similar experience Jackrussell, in case what you are saying is right it will save me lof of energy an time.
    One other thing that confused me is their web site, there is no way you can find the needed information.
     
  6. engadnan

    engadnan Member

    Can anybody help me to find a list of the Learning Centres of IGNOU and the details of the focal person for International Students ?
     
  7. Johann

    Johann Well-Known Member

    The Learning Centres are all here: Study Centres of IGNOU - IGNOU Study Centres

    Click on the state you want on the right -- and you get a list. I think it's set to Hyderabad by default. BTW - I read somewhere that one can write IGNOU exams at his/her nearest Indian Consulate -- not verified.

    Johann
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 17, 2012
  8. TonyM

    TonyM Member

    Madurai Kamaraj University is a legit and established Indian University with a good selection of programs up to master's level. It has an official USA office and testing centers throughout the USA and is very inexpensive. I inquired a while back and it seemed like a pretty straightforward process.

    Page 1
     
  9. Johann

    Johann Well-Known Member

    This is a good alternative. IGNOU has been known to charge foreigners (non-SAARC countries) up to 40-odd times the tiny domestic price, making it less of a bargain over here. Madurai Kamaraj's U.S. fees are definitely affordable (starting at $1,200 per year for Bachelor's) and the school enjoys an excellent reputation (and UGC standing) in its home country.

    Johann
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 18, 2012
  10. Ted Heiks

    Ted Heiks Moderator and Distinguished Senior Member

    I don't know what IGNOU does, but Madurai Kamaraj University charges Westerners 1800 USD per year and locals (and other poor countries) 1800 rupees a year.
     
  11. TonyM

    TonyM Member

    It seems fair to set fees according to the market where a product is sold and not where it is produced just like any other exporter. $1800 is an excellent bargain for a year of grad school in the USA.
     
  12. SteveFoerster

    SteveFoerster Resident Gadfly Staff Member

    Any recommended doctoral options?
     
  13. Kizmet

    Kizmet Moderator

    I know that the UNISA system is reputed to be difficult to navigate (although we've also seen evidence to the contrary) but at least we know of some people who have successfully navigated that system and received their well deserved degrees. I know of no one, on this board or any other DL board who has even successfully enrolled in IGNOU, much less graduated. I'm not rying to say that there's anything wrong with this school, just that it's really an unknown commodity.
     
  14. Johann

    Johann Well-Known Member

    It's pretty easy to find out, Ted:

    Indian fees here: IGNOU - Fees - For Student SAARC Countries
    Other countries: IGNOU - Fees - For Student Others Countries

    That 40 times differential seems to have gone - or, more likely, I misplaced a decimal, years ago...

    Example:

    Bachelor of Arts - 7000 rupees ($129.64) per semester for Indian students
    Bachelor of Arts - $500 per semester for foreign students

    So - pretty fair deal. As others say, nothing wrong with dual-pricing. One difference - Madurai Kamaraj has a presence in the US.
    IGNOU doesn't. That makes MK far more approachable, as I see it. I sent IGNOU an e-mail 5 years ago and I'm still waiting for a reply. :smile: Sort of like the UNISA situation -- very frustrating to try enrolling directly, from what I hear. With UNISA, there IS a U.S. and Canadian "storefront" that will help people through the hoops. None of that with IGNOU.

    It makes me wonder what sort of communication problems one might face with either IGNOU or UNISA once enrolled. I've heard success-stories and horror-stories re: UNISA. Never read any post-enrolment stories, good or bad, from foreigners who had got past the enrolment process with IGNOU.

    At least with Madurai Kamaraj, it looks like they have some people in the US who are there to help.

    Johann
     
  15. Johann

    Johann Well-Known Member

    BTW - as Ted reported, the differential is very pronounced in MK's case. Foreign vs. local fees seem to be about 4:1 for IGNOU. They're about 54:1 for MK. Ted stated correctly that local (Master's degree) fees were 1800 rupees, or $33.64. Foreign fees are $1,800 US. I checked the decimals, this time.

    I'm not saying there's anything wrong with either -- but wow, what a difference!

    Johann
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 18, 2012
  16. TonyM

    TonyM Member

    That's quite a markup, but to me it's still a good deal and fair. First, the USA office is in Maryland has to pay its bills and payroll in USA dollars. Second, USA citizens aren't entitled to any govt support from the Tamil or Indian govts. Finally, there's no US institution that will give you a bachelor's or master's for a few thousand dollars (without a scholarship), although you might come close with UNISA. There are a lot of overseas school open to USA distance learning students, but only a few have testing locations throughout the USA. My guess is that the $1800 fee is similar to the financial burden for Tamil families. If Madarai Kamaraj can bring in a big profit while Americans get a super cheap degree both sides win.

    The list of available programs is pretty impressive: Courses

    Does anyone know of similar arrangements for USA students? There's UNISA and London External? Any others?
     
  17. Johann

    Johann Well-Known Member

    I agree - and this is probably the only time in my life I'll consider a 5,400% markup fair! :smile:

    Johann
     
  18. anidthegreat

    anidthegreat New Member

    Finally you did it from IGNOU or some other place?

    Finally you did it from IGNOU or some other place? Looking for someone who did PHD from IGNOU or some were else.
     
  19. Kizmet

    Kizmet Moderator

    You mean somewhere else in India?
     
  20. Bruce

    Bruce Moderator

    The last time I gave it more than a cursory look, it wasn't possible to do a Ph.D. program at IGNOU from outside of India.

    http://www.ignou.ac.in/userfiles/ProgrammesOffered.pdf
     

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