IGNOU International/NRI Admission: Overseas Study Centres & Process

IGNOU's international division is a platform that allows overseas students to pursue higher education without relocating to India. NRI, OCI card holders, foreign nationals and other international learners are eligible to enroll under the IGNOU NRI admission category.

The university provides opportunities to pursue various undergraduate, postgraduate, diploma and certificate programs in management, commerce, computer applications, arts and social sciences. Depending on the program and mode of learning, international students can choose to join an online program through IGNOU’s international online portal or can take up any eligible ODL program through an Overseas Study Centre. IGNOU offers learning options that are globally accessible and provides recognized degrees, making it a popular option for international students.

Read below to know about IGNOU international/NRI admission, including courses offered, eligibility criteria, fee structure, list of study centres, application process and more. You can also connect with CollegeSathi to seek an expert’s guidance.

Who Can Apply for IGNOU International Admission?

IGNOU international admission is designed for learners who wish to study from the university while residing outside India, as well as certain foreign nationals living in India. Through its international division, IGNOU offers separate admission methods for Overseas Students and Foreign Students Residing in India (FSRI). According to the applicant category and mode of study, the list of programs and their eligibility criteria may differ. Applicants are advised to review the updated admission guidelines on the official website before enrolling. 

The following categories of applicants are generally eligible for IGNOU international admission:

• Non-Resident Indians (NRIs): Indian nationals who are living outside India and want to study higher studies under IGNOU NRI admission.
• Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) Card Holders: The international admission process is applicable to eligible OCI card holders.
• Foreign Nationals: Citizens of countries other than India who meet the eligibility requirements for their chosen program.
• Foreign Students Residing in India (FSRI): Foreign passport holders legally residing in India can apply under the FSRI category. IGNOU provides a separate list of programs and fee structure for these applicants.

Before submitting your application, make sure you select the correct admission category, as the application process, available programs, fee structure, and learner support may differ for overseas students and FSRI candidates. Admission to ODL programs for overseas learners is generally processed through IGNOU's Overseas Study Centres.

Why IGNOU is Ideal for NRIs and International Students?

IGNOU provides both online and distance education programs for NRIs and international students. However, program availability depends on the mode of study and applicant category. Many learners living outside India choose to study at IGNOU because of its affordable tuition, flexible learning options and a wide range of academic programs. There are some of the main reasons to choose IGNOU:

• Low Cost Education: IGNOU offers programs at very low cost compared to many universities providing distance or online education. So, quality higher education is available for NRIs and international students. 

• Variety of Courses: International students can select from undergraduate, postgraduate, diploma and certificate courses in a wide range of disciplines such as management, commerce, arts, social sciences, computer application and more.

• Flexible Learning: IGNOU offers flexible learning opportunities to students to learn at their own pace and from anywhere without quitting their jobs.

• Accreditation: University recognised by UGC and accredited by NAAC with A++ grade. Some technical and management courses are also accredited by AICTE, and NCTE degrees are accepted and respected throughout the world.

• Support for International Students: IGNOU has an international division and overseas study centres, which provide admission guidance, academic support, study materials and examination facilities to eligible international learners.

IGNOU Overseas Study Centres

To support students living outside India, IGNOU has established several overseas study centres in selected countries through its international division. Students can apply for eligible courses and send assignments and examination forms through these centres. Students may receive academic counselling, administrative assistance, examination support and other services depending on the study centre. But not all Overseas Study Centres offer all programs. Students should check the list of programs offered by their chosen study centre. 

Currently, there are 25 IGNOU Overseas Study Centres across 15 countries. Below is a table of Overseas Study Centre (OSC) codes and their corresponding locations.

OSC Code	Location	OSC Code	Location
ID5102	Abu Dhabi, U.A.E.	ID9202	Kyrgyzstan
ID5104	Sharjah, U.A.E.	ID9301	Singapore
ID5509	Sharjah, U.A.E.	ID9308	Singapore
ID5704	Kuwait	D9401	Kenya
ID5706	Kuwait	ID9602	Nepal
ID5905	Oman	ID9604	Nepal
ID5906	Oman	ID9702	Sri Lanka
ID5907	Oman	ID9710	Afghanistan
ID6001	Bahrain	ID4001	Guyana
ID6002	Bahrain	D5600	Ras-Al-Khaimah, U.A.E.
ID6101	Jeddah Saudi Arabia	ID7202	Mauritius
ID6102	Riyadh, Saudi Arabia	ID8203	Ivory Coast
ID8105	Ethiopia	-	-

What Services Do Overseas Study Centres Provide?

Overseas Study Centres provide academic and administrative support to help international students complete their programs successfully. Depending on the centre and the program, the services may include:

• Admission guidance and counselling
• Academic support
• Assignment submission assistance
• Study material distribution (where applicable)
• Practical sessions (for eligible programs)
• Term-End Examination (TEE) support
• Administrative assistance

Available IGNOU Courses for NRIs and International Students

IGNOU offers a wide range of undergraduate, postgraduate, diploma and certificate programs for eligible NRIs and international students. Students can apply via the international online portal or via an approved overseas study centre depending on the program and mode of study.

Management, commerce, computer applications, arts and social sciences are the popular disciplines. IGNOU is a good option for freshers and also for working professionals who are looking for higher education with flexibility. However, availability of programs, eligibility requirements and fee structure may vary based on applicant category and mode of learning.  

The table below highlights some of the most popular IGNOU programs available for international students along with their eligibility criteria and indicative fees.

Course	Eligibility	Fees for SAARC Students	Fees for Non-SAARC Students
MBA	At least 3 years of graduation with a minimum of 50% marks	₹58,000	USD $4750
MCA	BCA/ Bachelor degree in CSE/ B.Sc/ B.Com/ BA with Mathematics at graduation and 10+2 level	₹84,000	USD $5200
MA in Distance Education	Graduation	₹12,000/year	USD $ 800/year
BCom	10+2	₹8000/year	USD $500/year
BCA	10+2/ Diploma in Commercial Practice or its equivalent	₹10,000/sem	USD $800/sem
MSW	Graduation	₹30,000/year	USD $1300/year
Diploma in Creative English Writing	10+2 and at least 20 years old	₹8000	USD $600
MA in Journalism and Mass Communication	Graduation	₹22,000	USD $1350
Certificate in Information Technology	10th Class/ SSC/ IGNOU'S BPP/ Microsoft's DLC or its equivalent	₹10,000	USD $650
MA in Translation Studies	Graduate in any specialization with knowledge of Hindi and English	₹11,000	USD $650

IGNOU International/NRI Admission Process

Using the IGNOU international admission portal, eligible NRIs and international students can apply for admission. Before starting the application, applicants should review the program eligibility criteria, fee structure, and required documents to ensure they meet all admission requirements. The step-by-step guide for the IGNOU NRI admission process is mentioned below:

Step 1: Visit the International Admission Portal

Visit the IGNOU international admission portal and click "New Registration" to create your account using a valid email address and mobile number.

Step 2: Create Your Applicant Account

After logging in, register yourself by providing asked details and create a username and password. These credentials will be used to log in, complete the application form, and track your admission status.

Step 3: Select Your Program

Log in to your account and choose the program you wish to pursue. Before proceeding, review the program's eligibility criteria, fee structure, duration, and mode of study to ensure it matches your academic qualifications.

Step 4: Fill Out the Application Form

Enter your personal, academic, and contact details carefully. Make sure all information matches your official documents, as incorrect information may delay or lead to the rejection of your application.

Step 5: Upload the Required Documents

Upload scanned copies of all required documents in the prescribed format.

Step 6: Pay the Application Fee

Pay the prescribed program fee through the available online payment options, such as a credit card or debit card. After successful payment, review your application carefully and submit it. It is advisable to download or print the application form and payment receipt for future reference.

Step 7: Track Your Admission Status

Once your application is submitted, you can log in to the portal to track its status. If IGNOU finds any discrepancy in your application or uploaded documents, you will be notified to make the necessary corrections. After successful verification, the university will send your admission confirmation to your registered email address.

Documents Required

The list of documents FSRI students need to submit along with their application forms is:

• Application form downloaded from IGNOU’s website.
• Valid study visa for the minimum duration of the program (Not required for citizens of Nepal and Bhutan)
• Demand draft for the requisite fee payable in equivalent INR through Demand in favour of "IGNOU" payable at "New Delhi".
• Copy of passport
• No objection certificate from the concerned Embassy in India regarding study in IGNOU.
• Copies of the educational certificates (translated into English by the designated authentic agency if in any other language).
• Equivalence Certificate (In case the equivalence is not known, an equivalence certificate to be obtained from the AIU office).
• Valid proof of residence in India.

If you are an overseas student, you have to submit the following documents:

• Application form (can be downloaded from IGNOU‟s Website)
• Copies of the educational certificates (translated into English by the designated
• authentic agency if in any other language).
• Copy of passport
• Residence permit of the respective country for other than the national of that country.
• Equivalence Certificate

Common Tips for NRI/International Students

While IGNOU offers a flexible learning experience, international students may face a few practical challenges during their studies. Keeping the following tips in mind can help you stay on track:

• Select the appropriate category (NRI, OCI, Foreign National, or FSRI) before applying.
• Printed study materials may take longer to reach overseas addresses. Use IGNOU's digital resources whenever possible while waiting for physical materials.
• If your program includes online counselling sessions or other live academic activities, check the schedule carefully and adjust it to your local time zone.
• Stay connected through eGyanKosh and other official digital platforms to access study materials, assignments, announcements, and academic updates throughout your program.