What are the categories of distance learning institutes?

With inputs from Aspire Magazine, Go the Distance, 2011.

Question:  What are the categories for Distance education institutes in India?

Answer:

Distance education institutes in India can broadly be divided into three categories.

First are the departments of correspondence courses in universities and university level institutions. Secondly, open universities that are involved in imparting higher education only through the distance mode and thirdly, private institutions that offer distance learning programmes but mostly for professional courses.

Open universities offer distance learning programs for students across the country. These universities are present in nearly every state and specialise in correspondence or distant learning courses. In the open system, the courses are open to any person who may not possess any formal qualifications. But in some institutions they should have attained the age of 18 years for undergraduate and diploma courses and 21 years for postgraduate courses. Enrolment in some courses is subject to qualifying in a written exam but the admission process and qualifying criteria is simpler than those offered by regular universities.

Distant education institutes offer the course guidelines and recommend a study method once admission is secured in the institute. Library facilities and online information are also available for a few professional courses. One can study the subject according to his or her own convenience but has to appear for the exam or test decided by the university before receiving a degree. Usually test centres are located in different locations across the country but for some institutes students have to visit the campus at least once a year.

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