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Karnataka State Open University
Karnataka State Open University is an institute of higher education, established in 1996 under the State Legislature Act in 1992. The aim of the university is to build a recognized platform for open and distance learning for the unreached section of society and increase access to higher education for students across the nation.
The university offers a large number of distance courses with UGC-approved study materials. KSOU has established 21 regional centers and numerous affiliated colleges as study centers across the state. The university contributes immensely in disseminating education even to the areas where it is difficult to reach by other educational means. This is further facilitated by the new advancements in technology and virtual educational means.
Apart from varied courses, the university excels in providing a quality of SLMs and audio-video lectures. The university has been approved by the University Grants Commission Distance Education Bureau (UGC-DEB) and provides courses and study materials as per the guidelines of UGC. Admissions are open for students twice a year and students can take admission by applying online. The professional courses at KSOU have also received the necessary AICTE approvals.
Overview of Karnataka State Open University
For your easy reference, here is a brief overview of the important details about KSOU.
Overview of Karnataka State Open University (KSOU) |
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| Key Features | Details |
| Course Types |
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| Mode of Education | Online Distance Learning (ODL) Mode |
| Approvals and Recognitions |
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| Undergraduate Degree Programmes |
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| Postgraduate Degree Programmes |
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| Diploma Programmes |
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| Certificate Programmes |
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| Postgraduate Certificate Courses |
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| Ph.D Programmes |
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| Fee Range |
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| Scholarship and Fee Concession |
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| General Eligibility |
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| Duration |
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| Learning Pedagogy and Support |
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| Student Support Facilities |
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| Placement Support | Available |
Why Take Admission in Karnataka State Open University
While looking for an open-distance learning university, students need to take various factors into account, to land at the right choice for higher education. Getting admission in a premier higher learning institute is a dream for many students. Karnataka State Open University is one of India’s top government universities providing distance education to students.
In case you are wondering if KSOU can be the right choice for your higher education, then here are a few of the university’s distinguishing factors that make it a top choice for your educational journey.
1. Well-Reputed Institute of Higher Education
KSOU was formed from the prestigious University of Mysore and emerged as an independent university of distance education in 1996. It is a state government university with over 2 decades of experience in disseminating higher education to students. Being such a well now and prestigious organization, obtaining a degree or diploma from such a university can be a beneficial step in one’s education and career.
2. Credibility of Degree
The credibility of the university and the degree is an extremely important factor when going in for open or distance education considering the irreversible devotion of time and effort that goes in the educational process. KSOU is a fully authorized state open university, with the approval of UGC-DEB as well as recognition from the AICTE for its professional courses. So the student can be completely sure of the credibility and validity of their degree/certificate/diploma.
3. Financial Aid to Students
One of the main missions of KSOU has been to extend educational support to those sections of the society which have difficulty in accessing it from conventional sources. With this initiative, the university has a number of financial support features.
- The course fee ranges at KSOU are pretty affordable and pocket-friendly.
- The university also offers scholarships to students through its Mukta Sanjeevni Yojna from which economically weaker students can seek financial aid.
- There are fee concessions for women candidates, cab/auto drivers, their wives and children as well.
4. Wide Number of Course Choices
The university has over 35 courses in addition to various Ph.D programmes. The university offers these courses to students:
- Undergraduate Degree Programmes
- Postgraduate Degree Programmes
- Diploma Courses
- Certification Courses
- Postgraduate Certification Courses
- Ph.D
With so many course choices, students are more likely to find their preferred course at KSOU.
5. Efficient Educational Framework
The courses and learning support at KSOU has been developed in a manner to enhance the educational experience of the students even if through online-distance mode. There are a number of pedagogical tools and support features for students to ensure that the courses at this university are at par with the regular courses offered by other universities.
With consideration of all such factors, it can be said that KSOU is one of the most viable alternatives for distance education in India for students.
Courses Offered at Karnataka State Open University (KSOU)
1. Undergraduate Degree Programmes
Undergraduate Degree Courses at Karnataka State Open University (KSOU) |
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| Course | Bachelor’s Degree Programme |
| Level of Course | Graduation |
| Duration | 3 years (Except B.Lib.I.Sc which is of 1 Year Duration) |
| Mode | Online Distance Learning (ODL) |
| No. of Semesters | 6 |
| Courses |
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| General Eligibility |
OR
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| Approximate Fee Range (For Full Course) |
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2. Postgraduate Degree Programmes
Postgraduate Degree Courses at KSOU |
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| Course | Master’s Degree Programme |
| Level of Course | Post Graduation |
| Duration | 2 years (Except M.Lib.I.Sc which is of 1 Year Duration) |
| Mode | Online Distance Learning (ODL) Mode |
| No. of Semesters | 4 |
| Courses |
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| General Eligibility |
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| Approximate Fee Range (For Full Course) |
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3. Diploma Programmes
Diploma Courses at Karnataka State Open University (KSOU) |
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| Course | Diploma Programme |
| Level of Course | Undergraduate |
| Duration | 1 Year |
| Mode | Online Distance Learning (ODL) Mode |
| No. of Semesters | 2 |
| Courses |
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| General Eligibility |
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| Fee Structure |
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4. Certification Programmes
Certification Courses at Karnataka State Open University (KSOU) |
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| Course | Certification Programme |
| Level of Course | Post Secondary and Higher Secondary Education |
| Duration | 6 Months |
| Mode | Online Distance Learning (ODL) Mode |
| Courses |
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| General Eligibility |
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| Fee Structure |
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5. Postgraduate Certification Courses
Postgraduate Certification Courses at Karnataka State Open University (KSOU) |
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| Course | Postgraduate Certification Programme |
| Level of Course | Post Graduation |
| Duration | 6 Months |
| Mode | Online Distance Learning (ODL) Mode |
| Courses |
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| General Eligibility |
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| Fee Structure |
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6. Doctoral Programmes
Apart from the above mentioned programmes, the university also provides doctoral courses to students in the distance mode. Ph.D courses are offered to students in the following subjects:
Ph.D Subject Areas |
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| Kannada | English |
| Hindi | History |
| Economics | Political Science |
| Sociology | Public Administration |
| Ancient History and Archeology | Journalism and Mass Communication |
| Commerce | Management |
| Biochemistry | Biotechnology |
| Chemistry | Food and Nutrition |
| Environmental Science | Microbiology |
| Psychology | Library Science |
| Information Technology | Geography |
Admission Procedure of Karnataka State Open University
The admissions at KSOU for the year 2022-23 will take place in July.
Students can take admission either with the help of regional centers or they can self admit themselves via online mode.
Here are the steps to be followed by candidates for self-admission:
- Students need to visit the official site of the Karnataka State Open University (KSOU)
- Then, they can fill the application form by selecting the nearest regional center
- After this, candidates are required to upload/attach all the self-attested documents asked by the university
- Candidates are required to visit the nearest regional center with their original documents and also one set of photocopy of documents for verification
- After the completion of the verification purpose, students are required to pay their academic fees online
- In the end, students can collect their Roll number, Study material, and ID card
Course Fee Range and Scholarship Provisions
Given below is the course fee range for some of the popular courses offered at KSOU
Course Fee Range at KSOU |
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| Course | Total Course Fee |
| B.A | INR 20450 |
| B.Com | INR 21950 |
| B.Sc | INR 60950 |
| BBA | INR 30950 |
| BCA | INR 60950 |
| B.Lib.I.Sc | INR 10450 |
| M.A | INR 17600 |
| M.Com | INR 20700 |
| M.Sc | INR 50700 |
| MBA | INR 50700 |
| M.Lib.I.Sc | INR 15450 |
| Diploma in Kannada (DIK) | INR 5250 |
| Diploma in Nutrition and Health Education (DNHE) | INR 5850 |
| Diploma in Journalism (DIJ) & Diploma in Information Technology (DIT) | INR 6550 |
| Diploma in Computer Application (DCA) | INR 6950 |
| Diploma in Early Childhood Care and Education (DCCE) | INR 15,000 |
| PG Diploma Courses | INR 5250- INR 9150 |
| Certificate Courses | INR 4000- INR 6000 |
*Examination Fee Amounts are not Included in the Above Fee Structure
Students can find the detailed course fee details of all courses at KSOU by visiting the official university website and accessing the course-wise prospectus.
Scholarship and Fee Concessions at KSOU
One of the main motives of the university is to enable a larger number of students to access higher education, especially for those who are unable to do so because of financial or other constraints. To address this aspect, KSOU provides students with the following financial aids:
Fee Concession and Scholarship Facilities at KSOU |
|
| Facility | Details |
| Mukta Sanjeevni Yojna | This is a scholarship scheme wherein economically weaker students are provided with scholarships to pursue their degrees without any concerns. |
| Fee Concession for Women | Women who fall Below the Poverty Line (BPL) are eligible to apply for a 15% concession on their tuition fee provided they submit the required documents about their BPL status. |
| Fee Concession for Cab and Auto Drivers | Cab and Auto drivers, their wives and two children are also provided with a 30% concession on their tuition fee as an initiative to enable the sections of the population who may not be going for higher education |
So higher education at KSOU is quite affordable to pursue.
Academic and Pedagogical Support
KSOU courses have been designed so that they are at par with similar regular courses.
The university offers multimodal learning support along with self-help tools to ensure that students get the comprehensive learning experience like an offline conventional course.
Given below are some of the best learning pedagogical features of KSOU
Pedagogical Tools at KSOU |
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| Personal Contact Programme (PCP) | Case Studies |
| Printed Learning Materials | Counseling |
| Audio-video Learning Materials | Illustrative Course Content |
Faculty at KSOU
The faculty at KSOU consists of 29 departments of well-qualified and experienced professors who help in providing an excellent educational experience to students. The faculties at KSOU have been listed below.
Faculties at KSOU |
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|---|---|
| Kannada | Telugu |
| English | Hindi |
| Sanskrit | Management |
| Economics | Commerce |
| Computer Science | Information Technology |
| Food and Nutrition | Chemistry |
| Geography | Physics |
| Education | Public Administration |
| History | Political Science |
| Sociology | Psychology |
| Zoology | Mathematics |
| Environmental Science | Biotechnology |
| Biochemistry | Microbiology |
| Ancient History and Archaeology | Journalism and Mass Communication |
| Library and Information Science | |
Examination and Evaluation Procedure at KSOU
The evaluation procedure of KSOU consists of Internal Assessment (IA) and Term-End Examinations in a ratio of 20:80.
- Students need to submit one assignment to the university centre for each subject in each semester. These assignments comprise the Internal Assessment (IA) component of the subject.
- The assignment questions are uploaded on the official website of the university and the students need to submit their assignments at the university centre.
- The term-end examinations are held two times a year at KSOU, and students need to appear for the exam at designated centres. These exams comprise 80% of the candidate’s academic weightage for a subject.
- Students need to complete the registrations and payment of examination fees after the dates of the examinations are announced by the university.
Student Support Facilities at KSOU
Student support is one of the most important aspects of any educational institution. At KSOU, there are multiple authorities and support features that enable students to experience a truly hassle-free educational journey with KSOU.
The university follows a 3 tier system for addressing student concerns:
- Learner Support Centres
- Regional Centres
- Headquarters
These are the student support features at KSOU:
Student Support at KSOU |
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| Library Facility | Scholarship and Fee Concessions |
| Skill Development Programmes | 24×7 Help Centre |
| Admission Counseling Services | Learner Support Centres |
| Health Centre at Campus | Escalation System for Queries |
Placement Assistance of Karnataka State Open University
Every university provides placement support to students even to those who are studying from distant places. The university has its own Placement Cell that partners with various companies and organizations to help students find the best jobs for themselves.
The Karnataka State Open University also helps students in getting internships/jobs in order to provide them an opportunity to explore varied job profiles. The university becomes the mediator between students and firms.
It regularly holds placement fairs and job melas for students from all over Karnataka.
Is a KSOU Degree/Diploma Valid?
This is a very common concern of students who opt for a distance or open learning course.
- Firstly, since KSOU has approvals from UGC-DEB and AICTE (for professional courses) the degree/diploma from the university is credible and acceptable nationally and internationally.
- Degrees from KSOU are also valid in case a student wants to apply for government examinations and entrances.
- The distance degree is of equal value and importance as a similar regular degree.
Prospectus of Karnataka State Open University (KSOU)
Students can find course-wise, detailed prospectus of KSOU on the homepage of the official university website.
About Karnataka State Open University (KSOU)
Karnataka State Open University (KSOU) was formed in 1992 and started functioning in 1996. It is a state public university and offers distance learning courses at higher education levels. The university has the approval of UGC-DEB and of AICTE for its professional courses. There are undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral level education offered at the university. With over 35 courses and robust student support facilities, KSOU stands out as one of Karnataka’s and India’s best distance learning universities.
KSOU Review
- Course Review: KSOU has a large number of course choices for students based on their area of interest and educational level. There are over 35 courses at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels along with a number of Ph.D courses offered in various disciplines. The learning support for the courses are also efficient and multimodal.
- University Review: the university has the approval from UGC-DEB to offer courses fully in the distance learning mode. It has multifaceted student support facilities. Learning tools and pedagogical features are regularly updated keeping in mind the changing educational needs of students.
Similar Online & ODL Universities of India
There are a number of other online and ODL universities in India which are well-accredited. Here we have listed down some of the top options for you.
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Top Online Universities in India |
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| University | Location | Approvals and Recognitions |
| MMU Maulana Online | Haryana | UGC-DEB, AICTE, NAAC A++, NIRF, AIU |
| Bharathiar University Distance Education | Tamil Nadu | UGC-DEB, NAAC (Rated ‘A’), NIRF |
| Tamil Nadu Open University | Tamil Nadu | UGC-DEB, NCTE, RCI |
| Alagappa University Distance Education | Tamil Nadu | UGC-DEB, NAAC (Rated A+), NIRF |
| University of Mysore Online | Karnataka | UGC-DEB, AICTE, AIU, NAAC (Rated ‘A’, NIRF) |
| BITS Pilani WILP | Pilani | NAAC (A) |
| Jain Online University | Bangalore | UGC-DEB, AICTE, NAAC A+, NIRF |
| Online Manipal | Jaipur | UGC, NAAC (A+), ACU |
| LPU Online | Phagwara, Punjab | UGC, ACU, NIRF |
| Annamalai University Distance Education | Tamil Nadu | Is it valid? |
| Andhra University Distance Education | Andhra Pradesh | UGC-DEB, AICTE, NAAC |
| Madurai Kamaraj University Distance Education | Tamil Nadu | UGC-DEB, NAAC |
| University of Mumbai Distance Education | Maharashtra | UGC-DEB, NAAC A |
| Kashmir University Distance Education | Jammu and Kashmir | UGC-DEB, NAAC |
| Vidyasagar University Distance Education | West Bengal | UGC-DEB, NAAC |
| Shivaji University Distance Education | Maharashtra | UGC-DEB, NAAC, NIRF |
| Subharti University Distance Education | Uttar Pradesh | UGC-DEB, NAAC A+, AICTE |
| Kerala University Distance Education | Kerala | UGC-DEB, NAAC A, AICTE |
| Mangalore University Distance Education | Karnataka | UGC-DEB, NAAC, AICTE |
| Madras University Distance Education | Tamil Nadu | UGC-DEB |
Conclusion
The Karnataka State Open University provides a platform to everyone who wants to continue higher studies along with earning. The university promotes learning with learning. Hence, KSOU provides a myriad of courses to distance learners and facilities like self-study material, audio-video lectures, etc.
