GetMyUni's Verdict on Madras University Distance Education

Parvathy Krishnakumar

"The robust academic standing of Madras University Distance Education programs is evident in their well-established reputation, offering curriculums that are both flexible and affordable."

Madras University Distance Education (IDE) programs are ideal for those seeking an affordable and flexible environment to earn a degree. Although there are limitations compared to regular courses, most students who have graduated from these programs have regarded the university's distance education programs as decent, with suitable study materials and relatively quick administrative processes.

Needless to say, distance education programs are not appropriate for those who intend to learn the subjects in depth and with passion, as these programs are mainly curated for those who cannot join regular courses due to their jobs or other circumstances. As Madras University is one of the oldest and most elite universities in the country, its distance degree programs are also widely recognised by the top companies and universities across the globe.

The university is committed to providing students with all the required resources and study materials to complete their courses hassle-free. However, there have been instances where students have faced issues due to slow communication from the university and not receiving the course materials on time. 

Table of Contents

• An Extensive Selection of Courses
• Good Quality Academics & Professors
• Easily Accessible Offline & Online Resources
• No Housing Facilities for Contact Classes
• Lack of Conventional Campus Experience
• Decent Placements
• Overall Impression of Madras University Distance Education

An Extensive Selection of Courses

IDE offers a diverse array of courses across various disciplines, catering to a diverse range of academic interests and career aspirations. The university offers around 84 undergraduate, postgraduate, diploma and certificate programs in multiple fields, such as Science, Arts, Commerce and Management. Besides the standard subjects, the university also has courses for those interested in Theology, Performing Arts, Language Studies, etc.

The course curriculums of these programs equip students with the knowledge and skills necessary to succeed in the real world. As mentioned earlier, the courses have the same validation and recognition as the regular programs offered by the university, and therefore, students can use the degrees obtained through distance education for job searches and higher studies.

Following are some of the highly regarded and in-demand bachelors and masters courses the university offers. Students must select their courses based on their interests, career goals and academic background.

• Bachelor of Science (B.Sc) in Computer Science
• Bachelor of Arts (BA) in English
• Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Economics
• Bachelor of Commerce (B.Com)
• Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA)
• Master of Science (M.Sc) in Computer Science
• Master of Arts (MA) in English
• Master of Arts (MA) in Economics
• Master of Commerce (M.Com)
• Master of Business Administration (MBA).

The university has a number of specialisations for diploma and certificate programs for those who intend to understand the subjects if their interests are in-depth and are qualified to pursue jobs in the same.

Affordable Courses

The course fees at IDE vary depending on the program, duration and academic stream. However, the prices are generally more affordable than those of other universities. Also, it's lower than the regular courses as there are only limited requirements for distance learning. 

The annual average tuition fees for undergraduate courses range from INR 6470 to INR 9400 for first-year students, and for subsequent years, they range from INR 5470 to INR 8400. The annual average fees for postgraduate programs range between INR 7400 and INR 17,150 for the first year and INR 6400 and INR 15,150 for subsequent years. 

In addition to the tuition fees, students may be required to pay additional fees for materials, exams and other services. Also, the university offers specific scholarships to students based on their eligibility.

Attendance Policy

All students must have a minimum attendance of 50% for the theory classes conducted for specific courses, especially for Psychology programs. Failure to obtain the required attendance percentage will result in not receiving the hall tickets for appearing in the yearly examination.

Good Quality Academics & Professors

The academics at the university are designed to be flexible and accessible to working professionals and others who cannot attend traditional classroom-based courses. The university provides the required study materials and assistance to the students based on their needs to complete the courses successfully.

The course materials are well-written and generally up-to-date, and the online platform is easy to use. According to the students, the quality of academics at the university is high, and they appreciate the flexibility of distance learning and the quality of course materials.

Additionally, some professors are knowledgeable and experienced and easily accessible to students. They are available to provide students with support and guidance and can be approached to clear their doubts. As Madras University is one of the top universities in the country, the professors here are highly educated and experienced. Some of these professors are also in charge of the distance education programs. 

The professors are available to students through various channels, such as email, phone and online discussion forums. They can also meet with students during personal contact programs (PCPs). The university has a strong research focus, and many professors are actively involved in research, which helps them impart updated and useful information to students regarding their courses. 

As previously mentioned, the online platform plays a significant role in the course as it is where most academic activities are informed to students. The platform is said to be easy to use and navigate, and students can access it anytime. Overall, most of the students are satisfied with the quality of academics at the university and would recommend it to anyone looking for a flexible and affordable distance learning program.

Easily Accessible Offline & Online Resources

The university provides a well-rounded offline and online infrastructure to support its distance education students, which includes physical facilities, online platforms and support services. The students can access the physical facilities through the Personal Contact Programs (PCPs) if they feel they need a better understanding of the subjects.

The physical facilities include well-equipped classrooms, laboratories, libraries, and other facilities for PCPs. It must be noted that PCPs are optional, and students are not obliged to attend offline classes unless it is imperative for their course program, for example, Science programs that require practical lessons.

Nonetheless, the PCPs allow students to meet their professors and classmates in person, which can enhance their learning experience. The university also has various regional centres in different parts of the country that provide students access to study materials, counselling and other support services. 

The university uses several online platforms to deliver its distance education programs, such as the Learning Management System (LMS), the central platform for accessing course materials, assignment submissions, and contacting professors. The virtual classroom is used for online lectures and discussions. 

However, some students have raised concerns regarding the latency in delivering course materials and the outdated books irrelevant to the current scenario. In such cases, they had to visit the university campus to collect their books, which were also bulky.

Students who feel they require better resources can access the online library, which consists of a wide range of electronic resources, such as e-books, journals and articles. Past graduates have mentioned that the online library is an excellent source for finding information that might be missing from their curriculum textbooks. Additionally, they can access the library on campus when they visit for contact classes.

No Housing Facilities for Contact Classes

Distance education students have no housing facilities, and they have to find their own accommodation. There are several hotels and PGs available near the campus for per-day rent. The expenses range from nominal to exorbitant based on the preferences, requirements and luxury. There is no on-campus housing for these students.

Lack of Conventional Campus Experience

Distance learning programs like that for residential students have no traditional campus life. However, the university offers several opportunities for students to connect with their peers through online platforms and contact classes. However, no on-campus events or extracurricular activities are dedicated to distance education students.

The students can use the online forums and discussion groups to ask questions, share ideas and get to know one another. Apart from meeting their peers at contact classes, online forums, and discussion groups, students can connect with their classmates through social media, a great way to stay updated on university events and news and meet other students with similar interests. 

The university also has numerous student organisations that conduct online events and extracurricular activities, which help students to network with other students and develop leadership skills. The university conducts events such as webinars, online workshops, and conferences for students throughout the year.

Basically, the campus experience per se is what the students make of it. Though there is no on-campus life, there are still plenty of opportunities to connect with their classmates and build a community. 

Diversity Among Students

The university strives to promote diversity and inclusion in its student body, also reflected in distance learning. Students from all over the country with different backgrounds acquire degrees from the university. According to recent statistics, 45% of students who opt for distance education are women, and 10% are from outside the country. 

Besides, the university offers various financial aid programs and scholarships to support students from low-income families who can afford to attend the university.

Dress Code

Naturally, there is no defined uniform for students pursuing distance education, nor do they have a strict dress code. However, students are encouraged to dress appropriately for the contact classes conducted on campus. Male students must wear shirts, trousers and shoes and avoid wearing shorts/tank tops. Similarly, female students must wear modest clothes appropriate for a university setting. 

Decent Placements

As the university has a strong reputation for providing students with the skills and knowledge required to succeed in the workforce, its graduates are in demand by employers. The placement records of the university are pretty impressive, as most of the students have managed to get good jobs after graduation. 

The placement cell at the university plays a crucial role in helping students find jobs and provides several resources to prepare students for placement interviews. It also organises job fairs and other networking events on campus for interested students to connect with potential employers. Besides, the university has a strong alumni network that can help students find jobs and internships.

However, the job opportunities available for distance education students through the university are not the same as that for regular students. Therefore, they are advised to find jobs in their own ways too. Additionally, students have good internship opportunities while pursuing their courses in content writing and others.

Nevertheless, the university has had a decent placement record over the years. According to the previous year's records, 84% of students have been offered jobs by reputed companies through the placement drive held at the university. Based on the documents, the highest salary package offered was INR 35 LPA, and the lowest was INR 7 LPA. Most of the good placements were for MBA, MCA and BCA students. 

Some of the top recruiters who have participated in the placement drives organised by the university are as follows.

• Wipro
• Infosys
• ICICI Bank
• Tata Consultancy Services
• Tech Mahindra.

Overall Impression of Madras University Distance Education

Based on the students' reviews and insights on online platforms, the general impression of the distance education programs offered by Madras University is positive. It is a well-established and respected university with a solid academic reputation, committed to providing quality education to its students. 

The distance degree programs have well-designed academic curricula, allowing students to access experienced and knowledgeable professors. The university also provides a comprehensive infrastructure to support the students. However, there are a few drawbacks for the university compared to the other central universities offering distance education.

Some of the pros and cons of the university to understand it better are as follows.

*Source: ideunom.ac.in and University of Madras, Institute of Distance Education Facebook