UOU Courses and Fees

UOU runs more than 120 programmes through its 13 academic schools in open and distance learning (ODL) mode. Students study at their own pace, and the university sends study material to enrolled learners. The fee structure is lower than many regular degree options in Uttarakhand.

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

Other options include Diploma in Yoga at INR 9,850, Diploma in Tourism Studies at INR 13,700, Certificate in Geoinformatics at INR 12,600, and Certificate in Cyber Security at INR 3,850. The university also offers vocational certificates in Vedic Karmkand, Organic Farming, Naturopathy, and Panchayat Raj, with fees ranging from INR 1,600 to INR 3,100.

UOU Admission Process

UOU gives admission to UG and PG courses mainly through qualifying exam marks. Most courses do not need an entrance test. Students complete registration, document upload, and fee payment online at uou.ac.in.

UG Programme Admission (BA, B.Com, BBA, BCA, B.Sc, B.Ed, BTTM)

For most UG courses, students need to have passed Class 12 from a recognised board.

• BA, B.Com, BBA, BTTM: Class 12 pass in any stream
• BCA: Class 12 with Mathematics as a subject
• B.Sc: Class 12 with relevant science subjects, either PCM or PCB
• B.Ed: Graduation with at least 50% marks for General category and 45% for SC/ST/OBC category

UG admission is available in the July and January sessions. For most UG programmes in the general category, there is no merit cutoff, and seats are filled on a first-come basis.

PG Programme Admission (MA, MBA, M.Sc, MCA, M.Com, MSW)

For PG courses, students must hold a relevant undergraduate degree. The required minimum marks depend on the programme and category, and are generally between 45% and 55%. These courses do not require an entrance test.

• MA in most specialisations: Graduation in the relevant subject or an allied discipline
• MBA: Graduation in any stream, with no CAT or MAT score needed
• M.Sc: B.Sc in the matching science stream with at least 45% marks
• MCA: BCA or B.Sc IT with Mathematics and at least 50% marks
• M.Ed (Special Education): B.Ed or an equivalent qualification

PhD Admission

For PhD admission, applicants need a PG degree with at least 55% marks. Reserved category applicants need 50% marks. Admission is based on the UOU Research Entrance Test and an interview with the Doctoral Committee. Applicants with UGC JRF do not have to take the entrance test.

UOU Placements and Career Outcomes

UOU is an open and distance learning university, so it does not run regular campus placement drives like a residential campus. Many students are already employed, self-employed, or from rural areas and use the degree for career growth.

NIRF 2025 data shows that 884 UOU graduates found employment in 2023-24. The reported median salary was INR 5.15 LPA. Outcomes differ by discipline, with higher salaries in Technology, Management, and Environmental Sciences, and lower figures in Arts and Humanities.

Yoga and Tourism courses have strong local value because Uttarakhand is a major pilgrimage and wellness destination. Students from these programmes can look for work in Rishikesh, Haridwar, and the Char Dham circuit.

UOU Scholarships

UOU students can apply for national and state-level scholarships. Applications are handled through the National Scholarship Portal (NSP) and the Uttarakhand state scholarship portal.

UOU Regional Centres and Infrastructure

UOU has its academic headquarters in Haldwani, Nainital district, Uttarakhand. To reach students in the plains as well as hill areas, the university works through 8 regional centres in the state.

• Regional centres are located in Dehradun, Haridwar, Pauri, Uttarkashi, Haldwani, Ranikhet, Pithoragarh, and Karnaprayag

The university also has authorised study centres at degree colleges across Uttarakhand, helping students from remote areas access support closer to home. The Haldwani headquarters includes administrative offices, 13 academic schools, a central library, computer labs, and a university press that produces study material.

UOU does not offer hostel accommodation because it follows an open and distance learning model. Students usually study from home and visit study centres for counselling sessions, practical examinations, and term-end examinations.

UOU vs IGNOU vs HP Open University

Students in northern India often compare UOU with IGNOU and HP Open University because all three offer open and distance education. Uttarakhand students usually look at UOU for local relevance, IGNOU for wider recognition, and HP Open University as a nearby state open university option.

IGNOU has the largest programme list and the strongest name recall among employers for distance education. UOU offers state-level relevance for students aiming at opportunities in Uttarakhand and is also useful for region-linked courses such as Yoga, Tourism, and Mountain Ecology. HP Open University is a nearby peer for Himachal Pradesh students who compare both state open universities.