IGNOU MSW : Fees 2026, Course Duration, Dates, Eligibility

Maidan Garhi, New DelhiOpen UniversityEstd 1985NAAC Grade A++
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Collegedunia Team

Content Curator | Updated 3+ months ago

The Master of Social Work (MSW) is a two-year, 72-credit Open and Distance Learning (ODL) postgraduate degree programme offered by the School of Social Work (SOSW) at Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU), New Delhi. The programme provides professional education and training in social work, covering core social work methods, social development, research, case work, group work, community organisation, HIV/AIDS, disaster management, and international social work. The total programme fee is Rs. 18,500 per year (Rs. 37,000 for the full programme), and the programme is offered in both English and Hindi medium through the ODL mode. MSW is one of the most popular postgraduate programmes at IGNOU, with a wide network of study centres across India, making it accessible to students and working professionals in all states and union territories.

Admissions for the January 2026 session are currently open, with the last date for application submission being 30 March 2026. The programme includes a mandatory fieldwork component comprising Social Work Practicum-I and II, Block Placement, Internship, and a Dissertation (Project Work), providing learners with hands-on professional training.

Since MSW is offered exclusively in Open Distance Learning (ODL) mode, students study through self-learning print material in English or Hindi and attend counselling sessions and fieldwork at designated study centres. The programme has an extensive study centre network across India, including centres in Hyderabad, Karnal, Shimla, Jammu, Bangalore, Cochin, Bhopal, Pune, Imphal, Shillong, Aizwal, Port Blair, Kohima, Bhubaneswar, Khanna, Jaipur, Gangtok, Chennai, Agartala, Lucknow, Kolkata, Delhi (Delhi 1, Delhi 2, Delhi 3, Noida), Srinagar, Dehradun, Ranchi, Vijayawada, Raipur, Nagpur, Jorhat, Guwahati, Trivandrum, Jabalpur, Rajkot, Madurai, Koraput, Siliguri, Darbhanga, Aligarh, Varanasi, Mumbai, Patna, Chandigarh, Panaji, Vatakara, Visakhapatnam, Bijapur, Deoghar, Jodhpur, Ahmedabad, Angul, and Rairangpur, as well as Army study centres across the country. Students are allotted a study centre based on their place of residence.

Key Points

  • MSW at IGNOU is offered by the School of Social Work (SOSW) and is available in both English and Hindi medium, making it accessible to a wider range of students compared to the MSWC (Counselling) programme which is English-only.
  • The programme covers a comprehensive social work curriculum including core methods (case work, group work, community organisation), social development, research, HIV/AIDS, disaster management, criminal justice, and international social work.
  • The revised MSW programme (from July 2018 session onwards) includes Block Placement and Internship in the practical component, along with a Dissertation (Project Work).
  • Students can complete the programme in a minimum of 2 years and a maximum of 4 years.
  • The programme includes elective courses, allowing students to choose areas of specialisation such as Women and Child Development, HIV/AIDS, Disaster Management, or International Social Work.
  • The MSW degree is recognised by all member institutions of the Association of Indian Universities (AIU) and is at par with MSW degrees from all Indian universities.
  • The programme has one of the widest study centre networks among IGNOU postgraduate programmes, including Army study centres for defence personnel.
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IGNOU Latest Updates and News

16 Sep, 2026 IGNOU July 2026 Session re-registration deadline has been extended to Sept 30, 2026, @onlinerr.ignou.ac.in, for all ODL and Online programs. Read News.

16 Sep, 2026 IGNOU July 2026 Session registration deadline has been extended to Sept 30, 2026, @ignouadmission.samarth.edu.in. Read More.

IGNOU MSW Fees

The MSW programme fee is Rs. 18,500 per year, payable at the time of admission for Year 1 and at the time of re-registration for Year 2. In addition, students pay a one-time Registration Fee and Development Fee as applicable. The examination fee is Rs. 200 per course, payable at the time of submitting the examination form. The total programme cost over two years is approximately Rs. 37,000 plus examination and other fees.

Fee Components

Fee ComponentAmount (Rs.)
Programme Fee - Year 118,500
Programme Fee - Year 218,500
Registration Fee (one-time, approx.)200
Development Fee (one-time, approx.)200
Examination Fee (per course x approx. 12 courses)2,400
Total Fees (approx.)39,800
  • Programme fee is to be paid in lump sum at the time of registration for each year.
  • Fee once paid is not refundable under any circumstances.
  • Year 2 re-registration fee must be paid as per the schedule notified by the university (typically by 30 September for July session and 31 March for January session).
  • Late re-registration attracts a late fee of Rs. 200 to Rs. 1,000 depending on the delay.
  • No hostel facility is applicable for this ODL programme.
  • Fee can be paid online via Credit Card (Master/Visa), Debit Card (Master/Visa/RuPay), or Net Banking.

IGNOU MSW Admission 2026

Admissions to the MSW programme are open twice a year - January session and July session. For the January 2026 session, the admission portal is currently active and the last date for submission of the application form is 30 March 2026. The programme is available at a wide network of study centres across India; students are allotted a centre based on their place of residence. The admission process is entirely online through the IGNOU Admission Portal (ignouadmission.samarth.edu.in).

Admission and Examination Dates

EventDate
January 2026 Session - Admission Portal OpenNovember 2025 (ongoing)
January 2026 Session - Last Date for Application Submission30 March 2026
June 2026 TEE - Exam Form Submission (without late fee)1 March 2026 to 31 March 2026
June 2026 TEE - Exam Form Submission (with late fee)1 April 2026 to 15 May 2026
June 2026 Term-End Examination (TEE) Commencement1 June 2026
Year 2 Re-registration Last Date (for January 2026 admitted students)30 September 2026
July 2026 Session - Admission Portal Opens (tentative)July 2026
July 2026 Session - Last Date for Application (tentative)September/October 2026
December 2026 TEE (tentative)December 2026 - January 2027

Note: Students admitted in the January 2026 session will be eligible to appear in the December 2026 TEE for Year 1 courses for the first time. Completion of Year 1 fieldwork practicum is mandatory before starting Year 2 fieldwork.

The dates mentioned above are tentative and subject to change.

Eligibility Criteria

  • Candidates must hold a Bachelor's Degree or a higher degree from a recognised university in any discipline.
  • There is no minimum age bar for admission to the MSW programme.
  • The programme is available in both English and Hindi medium; students must select their preferred medium at the time of admission.

Admission Process

  • Visit the IGNOU Admission Portal at ignouadmission.samarth.edu.in and click on New Registration.
  • Fill in the online application form with personal, educational, and programme details, and select the preferred medium (English or Hindi).
  • Upload scanned copies of photograph (less than 100 KB), signature (less than 100 KB), educational qualification certificate (less than 200 KB), and category certificate if applicable (less than 200 KB).
  • Pay the Year 1 programme fee, registration fee, and development fee online via Credit/Debit Card or Net Banking.
  • Keep the APAAR ID ready before starting the application process.
  • After confirmation of admission, study material in the chosen medium will be dispatched by registered post.
  • Students are allotted a study centre based on their place of residence.
  • Attend the Induction Programme organised by the study centre after enrolment.
  • Complete fieldwork practicum (MSWL-013 and MSWL-014) in Year 1 under the supervision of a qualified social worker assigned by the study centre.
  • Submit assignments to the study centre within the stipulated time frame.
  • Fill the online examination form on the IGNOU Student Portal (Samarth Platform) within the prescribed dates to appear in the TEE.
  • Pay Year 2 programme fee and submit re-registration form as per the schedule notified by the university.

IGNOU: Students' Opinion

AI-Generated Summary based on 2 Reviews

The college offers a supportive academic environment with a faculty to student ratio of 9:8, promoting positive relationships between students and faculty members who are described as friendly and approachable. The academic structure is rigorous, with four exams per semester, which some students find challenging. The annual course fee is 18,000, covering tuition, caution, registration, admission, development, lab, and other compulsory charges, making it relatively affordable.

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 By Collegedunia’s Personal AI

IGNOU MSW Scholarships 2026

IGNOU students enrolled in the MSW programme are eligible for a range of government scholarships. Students from SC, ST, OBC, EBC, and PwD categories can apply for scholarships on the National Scholarship Portal (scholarships.gov.in) after confirmation of admission. SC/ST students are required to pay the full fee at the time of admission and subsequently apply for reimbursement through their respective State's Directorate of Social Welfare.

Scholarship Details

ScholarshipEligibilityAmount/BenefitApplication Portal
Post-Matric Scholarship for SC StudentsSC category studentsFull tuition fee reimbursement + maintenance allowancescholarships.gov.in / State Social Welfare Dept.
Post-Matric Scholarship for ST StudentsST category studentsFull tuition fee reimbursement + maintenance allowancescholarships.gov.in / State Social Welfare Dept.
Post-Matric Scholarship for OBC StudentsOBC category students (family income below Rs. 1 lakh per annum)Tuition fee reimbursement (subject to state limits)scholarships.gov.in
NCPEDP Scholarship for PwD StudentsStudents with disabilities at PG levelFinancial assistanceNCPEDP / scholarships.gov.in
Central Sector Scholarship (EBC)Economically Backward Class studentsFinancial assistance towards feesscholarships.gov.in
  • SC/ST students must pay the full fee at the time of admission and then apply for reimbursement through the concerned Regional Director of IGNOU to the State Directorate of Social Welfare.
  • Scholarship amounts and eligibility criteria may vary by state; students should check their respective state scholarship portals as well.
  • Application deadlines for scholarships vary; students should check the National Scholarship Portal regularly for updates.

IGNOU MSW Placement 2026

Dedicated placement data exclusive to the MSW programme at IGNOU is not publicly available, as this is an ODL postgraduate programme. However, MSW is one of the most sought-after postgraduate qualifications for careers in social welfare, NGOs, government, healthcare, and corporate sectors. The fieldwork and internship components provide direct industry exposure and networking opportunities.

Graduates of the MSW programme can pursue careers in the following areas:

Career Opportunities

Career/Opportunity AreaDetails
Social Worker / Programme OfficerWorking with NGOs, social welfare agencies, and government departments
School/College CounsellorProviding academic, career, and personal counselling to students
Medical Social WorkerWorking in hospitals and healthcare settings
Community Development OfficerManaging community development programmes for government and NGOs
HR / Employee Welfare OfficerManaging employee welfare and assistance programmes in corporates
Researcher / AcademicianPursuing M.Phil./Ph.D. in Social Work and teaching at universities
Child Welfare OfficerWorking with child care institutions, adoption centres, and juvenile justice boards
Disaster Management CoordinatorWorking with disaster relief and rehabilitation organisations

IGNOU MSW FAQs

Ques. What is the difference between IGNOU MSW (Generic) and IGNOU MSWC (Counselling)?

Ans. MSW (Generic) is a broad-based social work programme covering all major methods of social work, with elective options in Women and Child Development, HIV/AIDS, Disaster Management, and International Social Work. It is available in both English and Hindi. MSWC (Counselling) is a specialised programme focused exclusively on counselling theory and practice, available only in English. Both are 2-year, 72-credit ODL programmes with the same fee structure.

Ques. Is fieldwork mandatory in the MSW programme? What does it involve?

Ans. Yes, fieldwork is mandatory and constitutes a significant portion of the programme. In Year 1, students must complete Social Work Practicum-I (MSWL-013, 8 credits) and Block Placement (MSWL-014, 8 credits). In Year 2, students must complete Social Work Practicum-II (MSWL-015, 8 credits) and Internship (MSWL-016, 8 credits), along with a Dissertation/Project Work (MSWP-001, 4 credits). Completion of Year 1 fieldwork is mandatory before starting Year 2 fieldwork.

Ques. Can I pursue IGNOU MSW while working full-time?

Ans. Yes. The MSW programme is designed as an ODL programme, so theory study is self-paced. Counselling sessions are mostly held on weekends and holidays at the study centre. However, the fieldwork components (practicum, block placement, and internship) require dedicated time commitment, which should be planned in advance with your employer.

Ques. Is the IGNOU MSW degree valid for government jobs?

Ans. Yes. The MSW degree awarded by IGNOU is recognised by all member institutions of the Association of Indian Universities (AIU) and is at par with MSW degrees from all Indian universities. It is valid for government jobs where MSW is a required qualification, including positions in social welfare departments, child protection, probation services, and healthcare.

Ques. What elective courses are available in the MSW programme?

Ans. The MSW programme offers elective courses including: MSWE-001 (HIV/AIDS: Stigma, Discrimination and Prevention), MSWE-002 (Women and Child Development), MSWE-003 (Disaster Management), MSWE-007 (International Social Work), and MSWE-010 (Social Work in African Context). Students can choose electives based on their area of interest and career goals.

Ques. Can I pursue M.Phil. or Ph.D. in Social Work after IGNOU MSW?

Ans. Yes. After completing the MSW from IGNOU, you are eligible to apply for M.Phil. and Ph.D. programmes in Social Work at IGNOU and other universities. IGNOU offers a Ph.D. programme in Social Work through the School of Social Work. The MSW degree is also accepted for NET/JRF examinations conducted by UGC for social work, which is a prerequisite for teaching positions at colleges and universities.

IGNOU: 47 Answered Questions

I made a mistake while applying for the BEd course at IGNOU. Can I make changes to the application form after the final submission?

Aditi Randhawa

This is a frequently asked question among students navigating higher education decisions.

Important considerations:

  • Research Thoroughly: Verify information through official websites, NIRF rankings, and authentic reviews.
  • Campus Visits: Attend open houses or virtual tours to understand infrastructure and culture.
  • Alumni Insights: Connect with graduates for honest feedback about academics and placements.
  • Document Verification: Check NBA/NAAC accreditation, UGC approval, and affiliations.
  • Career Alignment: Ensure the program aligns with your long-term professional goals.

For the most accurate information, contact the college admission office directly or consult the official prospectus and website.

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How to change IGNOU subject/course/medium?

Dev Anand

how to change subject/course/medium at IGNOU:

IGNOU allows changes in certain circumstances:

  • Subject change: possible within the first 30 days of admission for the current session. visit your regional center or apply through ignou.ac.in ? student zone ? program change/subject change
  • Program/course change: if you want to switch to a completely different program (e.g., BA to BCA), you generally cannot transfer — you must re-apply for the new program fresh. some provisions exist within the same school/faculty
  • Medium change: can typically be changed with a written request to your regional study center

the annual window for changes is narrow — usually the first month of each admission cycle (Jan or July). after the window, changes are not generally accepted. visit ignou.ac.in ? student support or your nearest IGNOU regional center. bring your enrollment ID and relevant documents. call your regional center to confirm the current process as IGNOU procedures can vary slightly by center.

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Can I get admission into the Early Childhood Course at IGNOU without the entrance exam?

ShreshthaAcademic Counsellor

The Diploma Programme in Early Childhood Care and Education at IGNOU is a 1 year program. It is a very suitable program with no age bar. It is a holistic program that trains the students and helps them develop the knowledge, attitude and skills necessary for working with young children who are up to 6 years of age. Through this course, you will be trained to organize and manage child-care centers like crèches, preschools, nursery schools, kindergartens, and day-care centers.

Students who are above 18 years old are eligible for the early childhood course at IGNOU. The minimum educational qualification for this course is 10+2 or its equivalent. After fulfilling the eligibility criteria you can fill out the application form and submit it along with the required documents. The required documents for this course are proof of high school completion certificate, a criminal background check, and a certain GPA. There are 4 sections of the Diploma in Early Childhood Care and Education (DECE) course in IGNOU given below:

  • DECE-1 Organizing Child Care Services
  •  DECE-2 Child Health and Nutrition
  •  DECE-3 Services and Programmer for Children
  •  DECE-4 Project Work: Working With Young Children in a Child Care Setting

The admission process to Diploma in Childhood Care and Education at IGNOU does not require any entrance examination. 

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How can I apply for a certificate course at IGNOU?

RishitaFormer Student at IGNOU

To enrol in a certificate course at IGNOU, you simply need to go to their official website @https://ignouadmission.samarth.edu.in./ and submit the online application form.

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Why do we have to re-register for IGNOU courses?

Jyoti SinghStudent at IGNOU

IGNOU re-registration is required to allow students to continue taking classes for the upcoming semester or academic year. This applies to both Indian and international students enrolled in IGNOU.

For re-registration, one needs to go to the official website @https://onlinerr.ignou.ac.in/, fill up the form and make the online payment. 

IGNOU July 2024 session re-registration will be done from May 1 - June 30, 2024.

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Who is eligible for the MSc course at IGNOU?

AyanM.Sc Student at IGNOU

Students who want to be admitted to the M.Sc program at IGNOU must fulfil the eligibility criteria. Students must be science graduates with 50% marks. Students can join the M.Sc program in both Hindi and English language.

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How to take admission in IGNOU BSc course?

Varnika Raturi

Students who are willing to be admitted to the B.Sc course must visit the official site of the IGNOU at @ignouadmission.samarth.edu.in. Before applying for the B.SC course you must meet the minimum eligibility criteria that is students must pass class 12th successfully with at least 50% marks with science stream from a recognized board.

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Can anyone apply for an MCom course in IGNOU with a supplementary in a subject?

Bhawnastudying BCom from IGNOU

No, according to my knowledge, you cannot apply for an MCom in IGNOU having a supplementary in a subject. To be eligible for MCom in IGNOU, you need a bachelor's degree in the relevant subject. 

So, you first clear your supplement subject then you can apply for MCom in IGNOU.

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When can I take admission in IGNOU for MSc course?

Shailesh KhemkaStudies at IGNOU

IGNOU conducts admission in 2 phases, once in January and the next phase in July. The application form release date for the 2nd phase of admission has been released on 15th May 2024. 

The last date for admission to MSc for 2024 is 30th June. The last date for MSc re-registration is 30th June. And, the last date for submission of the exam form is 25th May. The MSc admission form for any specialization at IGNOU is available on the official website. The link to the admission portal is @ignouadmission.samarth.edu.in.

The registration fee is INR 300 for the MSc course. IGNOU offers a total of 16 subjects as MSc specialization and it is a 2-year postgraduate degree.

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What are the eligibility and admission dates for the MEd course at IGNOU?

Abhay DagaStudies at IGNOU

IGNOU offers a 1-year MEd course at the postgraduate level. The eligibility criteria for taking admission in this course is that you will have to be a BEd graduate with a minimum of 55% with two years of learning experience from a Government-recognised school/research institution in education/NCTE-recognised teacher education. You will have to appear for the all-India test that is conducted to secure a seat for this course.

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