The Top 10 Distance/Online M.Sc. Colleges in India

Top 10 Distance/Online M.Sc. Colleges in India 

Master of Science (M.Sc.) 

Master of Science, popularly known as M. Sc., is a 2-year postgraduate course that is the next natural step after obtaining a B.Sc. (Bachelor of Science). M.Sc. is a more specialized field of study based on research. The course is an excellent combination of theory and practical knowledge that prepares students for the professional world. Students also have to write a thesis at the end of the semester.

In today's science- and technology-driven world, the M.Sc. opens the door to many specialized careers in science and technology.

1. Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) 

Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) is a prestigious New Delhi, India, university. Named after Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, the university was established in 1985 with a budget of Rs 20 million after the Indian Parliament passed the Indira Gandhi National Open University Act of 1985 (IGNOU Act of 1985). The central government of India runs IGNOU, which claims to be the largest university in the world with over 4 million active students.

IGNOU offers a 2-year M.Sc. program with the following specializations:

• M.Sc. in Analytical Chemistry 
• M.Sc. in Science and Biochemistry 
• M.Sc. in Food and Nutrition 
• M.Sc. in Renewable Energy and Environment
• M.Sc. in Environmental Science
• M.Sc. Counseling and Family Therapy 
• M.Sc. in Physics 
• M.Sc. in Geography 
• M.Sc. in Zoology 

2. Dr. Br. Ambedkar Open University 

Dr. BR Ambedkar Open University, also known as Andhra Pradesh Open University, was established in 1982. The Andhra Pradesh government subsequently changed the name of the university to Dr. B. R. Ambedkar Open University on October 26, 1991. With the establishment of this university, the first of its kind in India, the Government of Andhra Pradesh ushered in an era of affirmative action to offer higher education opportunities to all segments of society in response to changing demands from individuals and communities. Dr. Br. Ambedkar Open University offers two years of M.Sc. programs with the following specializations:

• M.Sc. in Psychology 
• M.Sc. in Botany 
• M.Sc. in Physics 
• M.Sc. in Zoology 
• M.Sc. in Mathematics 

3. Lovely Professional University Distance Education 

Lovely Professional University (LPU) was established in 2005. Today, it is recognized as one of the leading educational institutions in India and has secured the 41st position in the prestigious NIRF ranking.

To make education accessible to all, the university has established a Center for Distance and Online Education, which provides excellent learning opportunities for students. The center provides a completely digital ecosystem for students to flourish.

In addition, LPU provides opportunities for students to participate in campus events, thereby promoting holistic development. It also provides advanced career support services to help students secure well-paying jobs. 

Lovely Professional University offers a 2-year M.Sc. program divided into 4 semesters. 

4. Manipal Online 

Manipal University was born with the basic objective of strengthening the close link between education and skill development and making the youth of Sikkim educated, skilled, and employable, enabling them to avail themselves of various opportunities in Sikkim and beyond. This will also create more job opportunities for our youth and thus solve the growing unemployment in the state. 

This online Master of Computer Applications (MCA) from Manipal University Jaipur (MUJ) is tailored for professionals who want to become strategic, innovative technology leaders in today's digital, data-driven world. The program will enable students to become successful IT leaders recognized and rewarded by top companies worldwide. Students will receive extensive opportunities to advance their skills with exclusive access to the Google Cloud Computing Foundations curriculum and the use of extensive e-libraries, a state-of-the-art virtual programming environment, and webinars from industry experts to develop as professionals. 

5. Chandigarh University Online 

To provide affordable distance education, Chandigarh University has entered into open and distance learning. Chandigarh University focuses on student-centered quality and online education for aspirants to fulfill the needs of students who cannot complete their education due to various reasons. Chandigarh University (Punjab) strives to create excellence in distance and online education by providing the best through a technological interface. Chandigarh University offers a 2-year M.Sc. program divided into 4 semesters with the following specializations:

• M.Sc. in Data Science
• M.Sc. in Mathematics 

6. Rajiv Gandhi University 

Rajiv Gandhi University (formerly Arunachal University) is a premier institution of higher learning in the state of Arunachal Pradesh and has completed twenty-five years of its existence. The late Smt. Indira Gandhi, the then Prime Minister of India, laid the foundation stone of the university on February 4, 1984, at Rono Hills, where the present campus is located. Since its inception, the university has strived to achieve excellence and fulfill the goals set by the Higher Education Act.

Faculty members are actively involved in research activities with financial support from UGC and other funding agencies. Since its inception, the university has been approved for several research project proposals by various funding agencies. The departments organized several seminars, workshops, and conferences. Several members of the faculty participated in national and international conferences and seminars organized here and abroad.

M.Sc. specialization offered by Rajiv Gandhi University 

• Botany 
• Chemistry 
• Mathematics and computing 
• Physics 
• Zoology 

7. Netaji Subhas Open University

Netaji Subhas Open University was established in 1997. This university is an open university. In 2000, this university began offering a bachelor's degree. In 2002, NSOU began offering a master's degree in mathematics. Now, this university offers various arts, humanities, social, and professional study programs. This university has three centers in Kalyani, Durgapur, and Jalpaiguri and more than 100 study centers in Kolkata. This university also offers online courses.

Netaji Subhas Open University offers you an M.Sc. program with the following specializations:

• M.Sc. in Mathematics 
• M.Sc. in Geography 
• M.Sc. in Zoology

8. Vidyasagar University 

The university was established on September 29, 1981, by an act called the Vidyasagar University Act 1981 (West Bengal Act XVIII of 1981) after Pandit Iswar Chandra Bandyopadhyay, known as Vidyasagar, an educationist and social worker from Bengal. Vidyasagar University was established with the mission of providing an answer to the needs of the region, ethnic, socio-cultural, and geographical, along with mainstream education. The logo of the university with the motto "education, knowledge, progress" embodies the above mission. The University shall be an affiliated corporation, with its jurisdiction not to be extended beyond the limits of the Midnapore District or any district that may hereafter be formed out of any part thereof.

Vidyasagar University offers you an M.Sc. program with the following specializations:

• M.Sc. in Dietetics and Community Nutrition Management
• M.Sc. in Environmental Science
• M.Sc. in Zoology
• M.Sc. in Botany 
• M.Sc. in Geography
• M.Sc. in Physics 

9. Andhra University 

One of the oldest and NAAC Class 'A' accredited universities, Andhra University has built an international image of academic excellence. Established in 1972, the Center for Distance and Online Education is an organ of this university and is one of the pioneering institutions in higher education. It seeks to extend the reach of higher education to different sections of society in different geographical areas, especially in Andhra Pradesh.

The students of this institution study the same syllabus and are subject to the same regulations as the regular students of Andhra University. The degree awarded is also the same. The learning package includes study materials for self-study, audio-video packages, and personal interaction.

Andhra University offers you an M.Sc. program with the following specialization:

• M.Sc. in Botany 
• M.Sc. in Zoology 
• M.Sc. in Organic Chemistry 
• M.Sc. in Physics 
• M.Sc. in Psychology