Home Open UniversityMadras University Distance Education: Start date, UG, PG, MBA, Fees, Eligibility & Application process 

Madras University Distance Education: Start date, UG, PG, MBA, Fees, Eligibility & Application process 

by Sangeeta
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Madras University Distance Education: The Institute of Distance Education (IDE) at the University of Madras is one of the oldest and best universities in India, offering more than 120 courses every year in various fields such as Arts, Science, Commerce, Management, Languages, Computer Applications, and more. The University conducts admissions for these courses once a year. Madras University Correspondence Courses Admissions for the 2026-27 session are expected to open on 01 May 2026.

If you are looking for admission to Madras University Distance Education for the 2026-27 academic session and need complete information, then this article is for you. In this article, we will discuss admissions for 2026, UG, PG, MBA, Diploma, Certificate courses, start date, last date, fees, eligibility, and the application process.

About Madras University & Institute of Distance Education (IDE)

The University of Madras is one of the oldest universities in India, founded in 1857, but it established its Institute of Distance Education (IDE) in 1981.  Its objective is to provide higher education degrees to students from all backgrounds through flexible learning and at affordable fees. Madras University offers many UG, PG, diploma, and certificate programs through distance learning mode, for which students do not need to take any entrance exam for admission. 

This system is specifically designed for those candidates, including working professionals, students preparing for competitive exams, and housewives, who are looking for affordable fees. IDE Madras University is recognised by UGC-DEB, making the degree fully valid, and the university is accredited by NAAC.

Why Choose IDE Madras University 

  • Government State University
  • NAAC-accredited
  • UGC-DEB Approved
  • Affordable fee structure
  • Various UG/PG/Diploma and Certificate programs
  • Supportive faculty 
  • Flexible learning mode

Madras University Distance Education: Key Highlights

Particulars Details
University Name University of Madras
Distance Education Wing Institute of Distance Education (IDE)
Established IDE was established in 1981
Location Chennai, Tamil Nadu
Mode of Study Distance / Correspondence
Courses Offered UG, PG, MBA, Diploma & Certificate Programs
Popular Courses BA, BCom, BSc, MA, MCom, MSc, MBA
MBA Mode Distance / Correspondence
B.Ed Availability Not offered in Distance Mode
Admission Mode Online & Offline
Admission Basis Merit-based
Entrance Exam Not required (for most courses)
Study Material Printed Books + Digital PDF
Examination Mode Offline (Pen & Paper)
Degree Validity Valid & Recognized
Approval & Recognition UGC – DEB
NAAC Status NAAC Accredited University
Suitable For Working Professionals, Job Aspirants, Homemakers
Official Distance Education Body Institute of Distance Education (IDE), University of Madras
Official site www.ideunom.ac.in

Madras University Distance Education Admission 

University of Madras provides admission to lakhs of students every year through distance education mode, and this process will be followed this year as well. For this purpose, the university will start the DDE registration process from 01 May 2026. Madras University Distance Education admission offers a wide range of programs such as BA, MA, BSc, BCom, MCom, MBA, MSc, and more, but the BEd program is not offered in Distance learning mode. Admission to IDE UNOM will be primarily based on the merit list; there is no need to clear any entrance exam.

30 June 2026 will be the last date for the IDE Madras University application form; for this, students will have to pay an application fee of 300. 


Madras University Distance Education: Latest Updates

  • The last date for submitting internal assignments for Madras University Distance Education has arrived. If you do not submit your assignments, your results will not be released. The last date for internal assignment submission is 31 January 2026. Check Here

IDE Madras University Admission: Important dates 

Event Expected Dates (2026)
Admission Notification Release 01 May 2026
Online Application Start Date 01 May 2026
Madras University DDE Last Date to Apply 30 June 2026
IDE Last Date to Apply (With Late Fee) 31 July 2026
UG Admission Last Date 30 June 2026
PG Admission Last Date 30 June 2026
MBA Distance Education Last Date 30 June 2026
Extended/Re-opened Admission September 2026
Study Material Dispatch September 2026
Academic Session Commencement October 2026

Madras University Distance Education Courses List 

Madras University’s Institute of Distance Education offers 73 programs, including 17 undergraduate programs, 21 postgraduate programs (including MBA), 19 diploma programs, and 16 certificate programs. All these programs enrol 35,000 students per year.

Madras University Distance Education UG Courses List

Madras University offers 17 programs in its UG Correspondence Courses, each of which is a three-year program. Admission offers in a wide range of course scuh as BA, BBA, BCom, BSc, BCA, and BFA. To be admitted to any of these programs, students must meet the basic eligibility criteria. A merit list will be prepared based on the marks obtained in the last examination. Madras University Distance Education admission 2026 application form will be open on 01 May 2026 (Expected date), and the last date for submission will be 30 June 2026. The DDE UG program fees range from INR 6070 to INR 10,070 per year.

IDE UNOM UG Eligibility criteria 

  • Students should have cleared the 12th (Intermediate) class in any subject from a government-approved board (HSC/CBSE/NIOS/etc).
  • There is no age limit for Madras University DDE admission. 

Madras University DDE UG Courses List  & Fees Structure

Course Name Madras University (INR) Other States (INR) TN Govt +2 / PUC (Second Year) (INR)
BA Tamil INR 6070 INR 6370 INR 6470
BA Literature in Tamil INR 6070 INR 6370 INR 6470
BA French INR 8970 INR 9270 INR 9370
BA English INR 6070 INR 6370 INR 6470
BA Economics INR 6070 INR 6370 INR 6470
BA Historical Studies INR 6070 INR 6370 INR 6470
BA Sociology INR 8970 INR 9270 INR 9370
BA Public Administration INR 6070 INR 6370 INR 6470
BA Criminology & Police Administration INR 6070 INR 6370 INR 6470
BCom INR 7050 INR 7350 INR 7450
BCom (Corporate Secretaryship) INR 7050 INR 7350 INR 7450
BCom (Bank Management) INR 7050 INR 7350 INR 7450
BCom (Computer Applications) INR 7750 INR 8050 INR 8150
BBA (Business Administration) INR 7070 INR 7370 INR 7470
BSc Mathematics INR 7170 INR 7470 INR 7570
BSc Psychology INR 8970 INR 9270 INR 9370
BSc Geography INR 9670 INR 9970 INR 10,070
BCA (Computer Applications) INR 9670 INR 9970 INR 10,070
BFA (Music) INR 8970 INR 9270 INR 9370

Madras University Distance Education PG Courses List

Madras University offers a postgraduate program in correspondence learning mode, which is a 2-year professional course divided into 4 semesters. This program is for all students who want to pursue a professional degree while working.  The university offers many courses in this distance learning mode, such as MA, MSc, MBA, MCom, and more. Admission to all these programs will be based on a merit list. Madras University Distance Education PG program registration form will commence on 01 May 2026 for the 2026-27 session, and the last date is 30 June 2026. 

Eligibility Criteria for PG IDE University of Madras

  • Students should have a 10+2+3 (bachelor’s degree) in any subject from a recognised university.
  • A minimum of 50% marks is required for the UR category and 45% marks for the reserved categories (SC/ST/OBC/PwD).

Madras University DDE PG Courses List  & Fees Structure

Course Name Madras University Graduates (INR) Other University Graduates (INR) Second Year Fees (INR)
MA Tamil INR 7,000 INR 7,400 INR 5,950
MA English INR 7,000 INR 7,400 INR 5,950
MA Economics INR 7,000 INR 7,400 INR 5,950
MA Christian Studies INR 8,000 INR 8,400 INR 6,950
MA Historical Studies INR 7,000 INR 7,400 INR 5,950
MA Sociology INR 11,200 INR 11,600 INR 10,150
MA Political Science INR 7,000 INR 7,400 INR 5,950
MA Sanskrit INR 8,000 INR 8,400 INR 6,950
MA Applied Saiva Siddhantha INR 8,000 INR 8,400 INR 6,950
MA Public Administration INR 7,000 INR 7,400 INR 5,950
MA Human Rights & Duties Education INR 7,000 INR 7,400 INR 5,950
MA Journalism INR 15,750 INR 16,150 INR 14,700
MCom INR 7,000 INR 7,400 INR 5,950
MSc Mathematics INR 8,000 INR 8,400 INR 6,950
MSc Psychology INR 11,200 INR 11,600 INR 10,150
MSc Counselling Psychology INR 12,050 INR 12,450 INR 11,000
MSc Cyber Forensics & Information Security INR 12,150 INR 12,550 INR 11,100
MSc Geography INR 15,750 INR 16,150 INR 14,700
MSc Information Technology INR 15,750 INR 16,150 INR 14,700
MCA INR 17,950 INR 18,350 INR 16,200
MFA (Music) INR 15,750 INR 16,150 INR 14,700

MBA Distance Education: Madras University (IDE)

Madras University offers an MBA program in distance education mode. This program is offered with six specialisations. It is one of the most popular management programs in higher education, chosen by a large number of students due to its affordable fees and high market value. The admission will be mainly based on the first come, first-served basis, but students must meet the basic eligibility criteria. To be eligible for MBA DDE admission, students must have a 10+2+3 (graduate degree) in any subject with a minimum of 50% marks. 

MBA Specialisations Offered

  • MBA in General Management
  • MBA in Financial Management
  • MBA in Marketing Management
  • MBA in Human Resource Management
  • MBA in Systems Management
  • MBA in Logistics & Supply Chain Management

Madras University Distance Education Degree Certificate

Certificate Course Name Madras University (INR) TN Govt. +2 / PUC Passed (INR) Other States +2 / PUC Passed (INR)
Accounting and Auditing INR 8050 INR 8350 INR 8450
Computer Applications INR 7950 INR 8250 INR 8350
Corporate Social Responsibility INR 8050 INR 8350 INR 8450
E-Commerce INR 8050 INR 8350 INR 8450
Indian Christianity INR 8350 INR 8650 INR 8750
Karnatic Music INR 8350 INR 8650 INR 8750
Library and Information Sciences INR 5150 INR 5450 INR 5550
Management INR 8350 INR 8650 INR 8750
Naturopathy and Yogic Sciences INR 5450 INR 5750 INR 5850
Police Administration INR 5450 INR 5750 INR 5850
Research Methods of Social Sciences INR 8050 INR 8350 INR 8450
Christian Scriptures and Interpretation INR 8350 INR 8650 INR 8750
Voice Training INR 8350 INR 8650 INR 8750
Spoken Tamil INR 5450 INR 5750 INR 5850
Taxation INR 8050 INR 8350 INR 8450
Written Tamil INR 8050 INR 8350 INR 8450
Online Teaching INR 8350 INR 8650 INR 8750

Is Madras University Distance Education Degree Valid?

Many students have this question: Is the Madras University Distance Education degree valid? The answer is yes. Madras University is recognised by the UGC-DEB (University Grants Commission – Distance Education Bureau), which means you can use this degree anywhere, whether for government jobs, private jobs, or anywhere in the world.

IDE Madras University Distance Education 2026: Admission Process

  1. Interested candidates should visit the official website of Madras University DDE at http://www.ideunom.ac.in/. 
  2. Now, click on the “Admissions 2026” link to open the application form.
  3. Please fill in all the required fields correctly.
  4. Upload/attach the required documents.
  5. Pay the application form fee to IDE, Madras University and download the fee receipt.

Madras University Correspondence Courses Admission Required Documents

  • ID Proof (Aadhar Card/Voter ID/DL/etc.)
  • 10th, 12th & Graduate degree
  • Caste Certificate
  • TC
  • Passport-size Photographs
  • Signature

FAQs for Madras University Distance Education

Question: What is the last date for Madras University distance education 2026?

Answer: The last date for submitting application forms for IDE Madras University might be 30 June 2026, but there is no official update regarding admissions yet. This date is based on last year’s schedule.

Question: What is the fee structure for distance education in Madras University 2026?

Answer: The fees for Madras University DDE will range from INR 5150 to INR 18,350 per year.

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