Online and Distance Degrees

How IGNOU, open universities and platforms like SWAYAM expand access to higher education, and questions about quality and recognition.

Not everyone can attend college full-time on campus. Distance and online education offer another route.

Open universities

IGNOU, the Indira Gandhi National Open University, founded in 1985, is one of the largest universities in the world by enrolment, with millions of students over its history.
States run open universities too.

They serve working adults, rural students, women with family responsibilities and others.

SWAYAM

SWAYAM, launched in 2017, is a government platform offering free online courses from Indian institutions. Students can earn credits that some universities accept.

Online degrees

The UGC allowed recognised universities meeting quality criteria to offer full online degrees from 2020-21. Many universities, including private ones, launched online MBA, BCom and other programmes.

Benefits

Access for those unable to relocate or stop working.
Lower cost.
Flexibility.

Concerns

Completion rates for online courses are often low.
Quality and interaction.
Recognition by employers.
Digital divide: not everyone has good internet.

Blended learning

Many institutions combine online and in-person learning, which research suggests can work well if well designed.

The working learner

A 28-year-old shop manager completes an online MBA from a recognised university while working, attending live classes on weekends. The degree helps him move into a regional management role.

Thinking online degrees are always inferior

Quality varies; well-designed programmes from recognised institutions can offer real value and access.

Key takeaways

IGNOU (1985) and state open universities serve millions of distance learners.
SWAYAM (2017) offers free online courses with credits.
UGC allowed online degrees from 2020-21.
Access and cost benefits come with concerns about completion and recognition.