Tamil Nadu Open University is the first open university in Tamil Nadu and was set up to help learners who cannot easily pay for higher education. Its courses are recognised by the University Grants Commission [UGC], National Council for Teacher Education [NCTE], RCI and DEB, and students can choose options such as B.A. and MBA along with diploma, PG diploma, certificate and vocational courses.

TNOU offers 3-year undergraduate programmes, including B.A., B.Com., B.Sc., BBA and BCA, and 2-year master’s programmes such as MBA, MCA, M.A., M.Com. and M.Sc. Application forms are issued through study centres, with form costs of Rs. 100/- in cash at the centres and Rs. 150/- by post.

  • Students applying for B.A., B.Com., B.Sc., BCA and BBA must have cleared the 10+2 examination from a recognised board.
  • Students seeking M.Com., M.A. and M.Sc. admission must have completed a bachelor’s course from a recognised board.
  • MBA applicants need a bachelor’s degree in any discipline from a recognised board.
  • For MBA admission, the undergraduate degree must carry at least 50% marks.
  • Final admission is decided through merit in the qualifying examination and counselling.
  • UG admission is given on the basis of 10+2 completion or TNOU BPP conducted by Tamil Nadu Open University.
  • Students admitted to a bachelor’s degree through 10+2 must complete the Bachelor Preparatory Program to become eligible for the degree programme.
  • BPP examinations are held before the semester examinations begin.
  • Tamil Nadu Open University provides self-learning material in printed and electronic form.
  • The university conducts counselling at different locations in Tamil Nadu, usually during March-May and September-November.
  • Students may also register at the same time for any one-year Diploma Programme or six-month Certificate Programme.

TNOU Important Dates

Event Date
Last date to apply for TNOU Academic Year 2026-27 admission to all programmes October 13, 2026

Subject to revision. Kindly check with the official sources to confirm

TNOU UG Admissions

Tamil Nadu Open University - [TNOU] admits students to 3-year undergraduate courses such as B.A., B.Com., B.Sc., BCA and BBA. It also allows lateral entry into the 2-year BCA programme when the student meets the required eligibility rules.

For most UG courses, students need 10+2 in the relevant subjects. A student applying for BCA lateral entry must hold any diploma from a recognised polytechnic college. Students who do not meet the regular school qualification can become eligible for UG admission through the 6-month TNOU BPP conducted by the university. Application forms are available at study centres recognised by the university.

Course Specialization Minimum Eligibility Selection Criteria
B.A. Urdu Student must have passed 12th (HSC) or an equivalent examination, PUC, TNOU BPP, 10+3 Years of Diploma, 11+2 Years TTC or 10+2 Years ITI. Admission is based on merit in 10+2 or TNOU BPP, followed by counselling.
English
English and Communication
History
Criminology & Criminal Justice Administration
History & Heritage Management
Tourism and Travel Studies
Economics
Business Economics
Public Administration
Political Science
Sociology
Human Rights
Islamic Studies
B.Com. Computer Applications 10th or 12th (HSC) examination, equivalent examination, TNOU BPP, 10+3 Years Diploma, 11+2 Years TTC or 10+2 Years ITI is required. Selection is made through merit in the 10+2 examination or TNOU BPP, followed by counselling.
Bank Management
Corporate Secretaryship
Accounting & Finance
BBA Computer Applications Student must have passed the 10+2 examination from a recognised board. Admission depends on HSC merit or TNOU BPP, followed by counselling.
Marketing Management
Retail Management
General
BCA Simultaneous Registration - SE Student must have passed 10th or 12th (HSC), an equivalent examination, PUC, TNOU BPP, 10th +3 Years Diploma, 11+2 Years TTC or 10+2 Years ITI. For lateral entry, the student must have any diploma from a recognised polytechnic college. Admission is through 10+2 merit or TNOU BPP, followed by counselling.
Lateral Entry - LE
Computer Application
B.Sc. Mathematics Student must have passed 10th as well as 12th (HSC), an equivalent examination, PUC, TNOU BPP, 10th +3 Years Diploma, 11th+2 Years TTC or 10th +2 Years ITI. Selection is based on HSC marks or TNOU BPP, followed by counselling.
Mathematics with Computer Applications
Psychology
Geography
Computer Science
Multimedia
Visual Communication
Apparel and Fashion Design
B.Sc. Apparel and Fashion Design (Lateral Entry - LE) Student must have a Three Year Diploma in Textile Technology from a Polytechnic College or TNOU DAFD. Admission is based on 10+2 marks or TNOU BPP, followed by counselling conducted by the university.

Eligible students must fill in and submit the offline application form at the study centres prescribed by the university. For BBA, B.Com., BCA, B.Sc. and B.A., final selection uses the qualifying examination record and entrance exam scores.

Students with no formal educational qualification, or those who have not completed 10+2, can take the non-formal route to a UG programme if they are 21 years old at the time of application. Such students must complete the 6-month Bachelor Preparatory Program. To receive the UG Course completion certificate, students must score at least 35% in the Term-End Examination and 40% overall in both terms.

TNOU PG Admissions

Tamil Nadu Open University - [TNOU] offers 2-year postgraduate courses in M.A., M.Sc., M.Com., MBA and MCA. The M.Sc. course is available in 18 basic specializations, while M.A. is offered in 7 basic disciplines.

For admission to M.A., M.Sc., M.Com., MBA and MCA, students must have a bachelor’s degree from a recognised university with at least 50% aggregate marks in the relevant discipline. Admission is merit-based, and students can get the application form from TNOU study centres.

Course Specialization Minimum Eligibility Selection Criteria
MBA Management Student must have passed a bachelor’s examination in any stream with at least 50% aggregate marks. Selection is based on merit, followed by counselling.
MCA Computer Applications Any bachelor’s degree of at least 3 years from a recognised university is required, with Mathematics as one of the subjects at +2 level or UG level. Admission is through merit in the qualifying examination, followed by counselling.
MCA lateral entry Computer Applications Student must have a Bachelor’s Degree or Equivalent with Degree, or B.Sc. Computer Science, BCA, BE, B.Tech. Computer Science or Computer Engineering from any recognised university. Merit-based
M.A. History Student must have a bachelor’s degree from any recognised university or a bachelor’s degree with Tamil under Part -I from any recognised university. Admission is based on merit, followed by counselling.
Public Administration
Sociology
Political Science
Economics
English
Translation Studies
Linguistics
Tourism and Travel Studies
Women Studies
Criminology & Criminal Justice Administration
Human Rights
Development Administration
Police Administration
International Relations
Anthropology
Gender Studies
Islamic Studies
M.Com. Commerce Student must be a graduate in Commerce, Business Administration, Corporate Secretaryship, ACA, AICWA or ACS, or must have studied at least 02 Commerce papers in the degree programme. Merit-based, followed by counselling.
M.Sc. Psychology Student must hold a bachelor’s degree from any recognised university. Merit-based, followed by counselling.
Counselling & Psychotherapy
Counselling & Psychotherapy (Lateral Entry - LE)
Mathematics
Computer Science
Geography
Apparel and Fashion Design
M.L.I.Sc Library Science Student must have a Bachelor of Library Science or Bachelor of Library and Information Science from a recognised university. Merit-based

Students applying to M.Sc., M.A., M.Com., MBA and MCA must register offline through the application forms kept at the study centres. To qualify for the programme completion certificate, a student must score at least 45% in the Term-End Examination and 50% overall in both terms.

TNOU Diploma and PG Diploma Admissions

Tamil Nadu Open University - [TNOU] offers a 3-year full-time Diploma programme and PG Diploma courses. These diploma and PG diploma options are available in several specializations.

For TNOU Diploma courses, the minimum requirement is 10+2 or graduation from a recognised university. PG Diploma applicants with a bachelor’s or master’s qualification have to appear in a university-level entrance exam to become eligible for MBA admission.

Course Specialization Minimum Eligibility Selection Criteria
Diploma Management  Student must hold a bachelor’s degree from any recognised university or must have passed 10+2 (HSC) with 3 years of managerial, supervisory or professional experience. Selection is based on merit in the qualifying examination, followed by counselling.
Database Student must have passed 10+2 (HSC) or an equivalent examination, or TNOU BPP (Entrance Test).
Retail Management 10+2 (HSC) or equivalent examination is required.
Archaeology and Epigraphy 10+2 (HSC) or equivalent examination is required.
Museology and Conservation Student must have passed 10+2 (HSC) or an equivalent examination, or must have appeared in TNOU BPP (Entrance Test).
Film Acting HSC examination, equivalent examination or TNOU BPP 2 entrance exam is required.
Television Acting HSC examination, equivalent examination or TNOU BPP 2 entrance exam is required.
Drama and Theatre Acting HSC examination, equivalent examination or TNOU BPP 2 entrance exam is required.
Data Sciences and Big Data Analytics 10+2 examination, equivalent examination or TNOU BPP 2 entrance exam is required.
Yoga for Human Excellence Student must be 21 Years of age and must have TNOU-BPP or qualification from any university.
Cloud Computing HSC examination, equivalent examination, TNOU BPP or PPH is required.
Customs Clearing and Forwarding 10+2 examination, equivalent examination, TNOU BPP or PPH is required.
PG Diploma Information Technology Management Student must have a bachelor’s degree from any recognised university.
Spoken English Graduation from any recognised university is required.
Psychological Counselling Student must have a bachelor’s or master’s degree in Psychology, or may be any graduate applicant.
Mathematics Student must hold B.Sc. in Applied Mathematics.
Applied Mathematics Student must specifically hold B.Sc. in Applied Mathematics.
Computer Application Applicant must have a bachelor’s degree.
Software Quality Management Bachelor’s degree is required.
Information Security Graduation or post-graduation in Psychology or Education is required.
Guidance and Counselling Student must have UG or PG in Psychology education, or must be any other graduate who studied Psychology, with at least one paper in UG or PG, from a recognised university.
Gerontology Bachelor’s degree is required.
Child Rights & Child Protection Bachelor’s degree is required.
Social Welfare Administration Student must hold a PG degree in Social Sciences from any recognised university.

Degrees awarded by universities not recognised by the University Grants Commission [UGC] are not accepted for admission. Students are eligible only if they passed the qualifying examination under the 10+2+3 pattern, 11+1+3 pattern, 11+2+2 pattern or the Open University system. Copies of certificates must be enclosed after being duly certified by a person authorised to attest certificates.

TNOU Application Process

Students applying for Under-Graduate, Post-Graduate, Diploma and PG Diploma programmes at Tamil Nadu Open University [TNOU] must collect the application form and prospectus from the specified study centres. The university makes final admission decisions after checking the qualifying examination record and completing counselling.

  1. Students can get the application form from study centres by paying the prescribed cash amount of Rs. 100/-.
  2. Students may also get the form by post from the Deputy Registrar, MPDD, TNOU, 577, Anna Salai, Saidapet, Chennai 600 015, by sending a demand draft of Rs. 150/- in favour of Tamil Nadu Open University, payable at Chennai.
  3. The filled admission form must reach the study centre on or before April 30th or October 31st of the academic year.
  4. After the form is submitted, the Study Centre gives the applicant an acknowledgment statement and sends the forms to the Zonal Centres.
  5. The Admission Wing checks the application forms in detail, allots the Enrollment Number and sends ID Cards to the Study Centres for issue to students.
  6. Students must use their Enrollment Number in all later communication with the university.
  7. Students who want to join a Diploma or Certificate Programme through Dual Registration must submit separate application forms.
  8. Separate copies of eligibility certificates and other certificates, along with the applicant’s photograph and signature, must be attested by any Group A or Group B Officer.
  9. For every programme, fees are paid to the university through any branch of the State Bank of India or Indian Bank.
  10. To pay the fees, the applicant may use a photocopy of the remittance Challan Form attached to the prospectus. The bank returns the TNOU copy and the STUDENT copy of the challan.
  11. The TNOU copy of the paid challan must be enclosed with the admission application. Students may also ask their Study Centres about fee remittance.
  12. Applicants may submit the completed application form with the University copy of the challan.
  13. Selected students must complete document verification, and counselling is held on the dates prescribed.
  14. Documents Checklists:
  • Passport size photograph.
  • Signature of the candidate.
  • 10th Standard Mark Sheet or equivalent proof for Date of Birth.
  • 12th Standard Mark Sheet, wherever applicable.
  • UG Degree Certificate, wherever applicable.
  • Community Certificate for SC/ST/OBC (NCL) candidates.

TNOU Scholarships

The university gives reserved category and disabled candidates support through tuition fee exemption. These facilities are available to eligible students.

SC/ST students in distance education can get fee reimbursement if they are not employed and their parents’ annual income is not more than INR 1,00,000.

Students must apply for scholarships in the prescribed form collected from the offices of the Adi Dravidar/ Tribal Welfare Department and must attach the required supporting documents.

  • Differently-abled students enrolled in a programme at the university are eligible for tuition fee exemption.
  • The candidate may apply in the prescribed Application Form for admission and attach the core banking challan for INR 300 along with a copy of the disability certificate.

TNOU FAQs

Ques. What should students know about Tamil Nadu Open University?

Ans. Tamil Nadu Open University is Tamil Nadu’s first open university. It works for learners who find higher education difficult to afford. Its courses have recognition from the University Grants Commission [UGC], National Council for Teacher Education [NCTE], RCI and DEB.

Ques. Which programmes can a student study at TNOU?

Ans. TNOU offers 3-year undergraduate courses such as B.A., B.Com., B.Sc., BBA and BCA. It also offers 2-year master’s courses in MBA, MCA, M.A., M.Com. and M.Sc., along with Diploma and Postgraduate Diploma programmes in many specializations. Certificate and Vocational courses are also available.

Ques. What qualifications are needed for TNOU admission?

Ans. The basic admission requirements at TNOU are:

  • For B.A., B.Com., B.Sc., BCA and BBA, students must have passed 10+2 from a recognised board.
  • For M.Com., M.A. and M.Sc., students must have completed a bachelor’s course from a recognised board.
  • For MBA, students need a bachelor’s degree in any discipline from a recognised board.
  • For MBA eligibility, the undergraduate degree must carry at least 50% marks.

Ques. How does TNOU select students for its courses?

Ans. TNOU follows these admission rules:

  • UG admission is based on 10+2 completion or TNOU BPP conducted by Tamil Nadu Open University.
  • PG admission is merit-based, and application forms are available at TNOU study centres.
  • PG Diploma applicants with a bachelor’s or master’s qualification must appear in a university-level entrance exam to become eligible for MBA admission.

Ques. Does TNOU provide fee support or scholarships?

Ans. TNOU gives tuition fee exemption support to reserved category and disabled candidates. SC/ST students pursuing distance education can receive fee reimbursement if they are not employed and their parents’ annual income is not above INR 1,00,000. Differently-abled students studying a programme at the university are eligible for tuition fee exemption.