Tamil Nadu Open University (TNOU) – was established in the year 2002 by an Act (No.27 of 2002) of the Legislative Assembly of the Government of Tamil Nadu (TN). The University is the institution of India for open and distance learning. The University was established with the motto of providing education to anyone, anytime, and anywhere. he programmes offered in Tamil Nadu Open University are recognized by University Grant Commission (UGC), Distance Education Education Council (DEC), National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE), Rehabilitation Council of India (RCI).
Tamil Nadu Open University
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.
| Name | Tamil Nadu Open University |
| Established | 2002 |
| Location | Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India |
| Courses | UG, PG, PG Diploma, Certificate, Vocational etc |
| Website | tnou.ac.in |
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TNOU Regional Centres
There is total of 12 regional centres.
- Chennai
- Coimbatore
- Dharmapuri
- Madurai
- Mayiladuthurai
- The Nilgiris
- Salem
- Sivagangai
- Tiruvannamalai
- Tiruchirappalli
- Tirunelveli
- Vilupuram
TNOU Schools of Study
There are total 11 Schools of Study established by the University.
- School of Science
- School of Social Sciences
- School of Education
- School of Humanities
- School of Management Studies
- School of Continuing Education
- School of Library and Information Science
- School of Computer Science
- School of Tamil and Cultural Studies
- School of Journalism and New Media Studies
- School of Politics and Public Administration
TNOU Programmes Offered
Tamil Nadu Open University offers 8 different programmes. Check the list of programmes offered at TNOU.
- Master Degree Programmes
- Bachelor Degree Programmes
- Post Graduate Diploma Programmes
- Diploma Programmes
- Certificate Programmes
- Vocational Diploma Programmes
- Advanced Vocational Diploma Programmes
- Short Term Programmes
TNOU Credit System
The University follows the ‘Credit system’ for its Programme. Each credit in the system is equivalent to 30 hours of student study comprising all learning activities (i.e., reading and comprehending the print material, attending to face-to-face counselling sessions, teleconference sessions where available and writing assignment responses/open book tests). Thus, for example, a four-credit Course expects120 hours of study from the student. Credit System helps the learners to understand the academic effort they have to put in to successfully complete a Course/Programme. Completion of an academic Programme requires successfully clearing the requirements of both Continuous Assesment and the Term-End Examination of each Course in a Programme.
TNOU Credit Exchange and Transfer
Under the scheme of Credit Exchange/Transfer in force at the University, students who had partly completed an approved Programme of study at the Indira Gandhi National Open University [IGNOU] or other Open Universities in India or at a University in Tamil Nadu recognized by the University Grants Commission, can carry forward the credits they had accumulated in the Programme of study concerned and continue the studies at the Tamil Nadu Open University, subject to the conditions laid down by the University .
TNOU Dual Registration
Students who are already enrolled in a Programme of one year or longer duration can simultaneously register themselves for any one-year Diploma Programme or Certificate Programme of six months duration. University shall not, however, extend any concession, if there is clash of dates for counselling or examination schedules for the two Programmes.
Official Website: www.tnou.ac.in
