Content Curator | Updated on - Mar 31, 2026

The Bachelor of Arts (Education) programme, offered under the programme code BAFEDU by Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU), is a 3-year undergraduate degree delivered entirely through Open Distance Learning (ODL) mode. Introduced by IGNOU's School of Education and aligned with the National Education Policy (NEP 2020), the programme provides a comprehensive foundation in educational theory, philosophy of education, psychology of learning, curriculum development, and educational management. The total programme fee is Rs. 15,300 for the full 3-year duration (Rs. 5,000 per year plus Registration Fee of Rs. 300 and Development Fee of Rs. 200 per year). With no entrance exam and open admissions twice a year, the programme is highly popular among aspiring teachers, school administrators, and working professionals seeking a UGC-recognized degree in Education through distance mode.

Admission for the January 2026 cycle is currently ongoing. The last date to submit the application form (without late fee) is 30th March 2026. Students who miss this deadline may apply with a late fee until a further extended date as announced by IGNOU. The July 2026 admission cycle is expected to open around May-June 2026, based on previous year patterns.

Since this programme is offered exclusively in Distance/ODL mode, students can study from IGNOU's network of Regional Centres and Study Centres spread across India. Key centres where BAFEDU is offered include:

Regional Centre, New Delhi (IGNOU Headquarters, Maidan Garhi)
Regional Centre, Lucknow
Regional Centre, Bhopal
Regional Centre, Jaipur
Regional Centre, Kolkata
Regional Centre, Hyderabad
Regional Centre, Bangalore
Regional Centre, Chennai
Regional Centre, Shimla
Regional Centre, Dehradun
Regional Centre, Ranchi
Regional Centre, Bhubaneshwar
Regional Centre, Pune
Regional Centre, Jammu
Regional Centre, Srinagar
Regional Centre, Patna
Regional Centre, Ahmedabad
Regional Centre, Mumbai
(And many more across all states and union territories of India)

Key Points

The programme is offered in both English and Hindi medium, making it accessible to a wide range of students.
Students can complete the degree in a minimum of 3 years and a maximum of 6 years, providing flexibility for working learners.
The curriculum covers Philosophy of Education, Psychology of Learning, Curriculum and Instruction, Educational Management, and Inclusive Education.
IGNOU's BA Education degree is recognized by UGC and the Association of Indian Universities (AIU), making it valid for government jobs, higher studies (MA Education, M.Ed.), and teaching-related positions.
No entrance examination is required; admission is based on 10+2 qualification.
Study material is provided by IGNOU in printed form (or soft copy on request) directly to the student's address.
Students are required to submit Tutor Marked Assignments (TMAs) each year as part of internal assessment, carrying 30% weightage.
Note: BAFEDU is a BA degree in Education as a subject; it is NOT equivalent to B.Ed. (Bachelor of Education), which is a professional teaching degree. B.Ed. requires a separate admission process.

Official Link:

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Highlights
Fees
Admission
Scholarships
FAQs

IGNOU BA (Education) Fees

The BAFEDU programme at IGNOU is highly affordable, with a total programme fee of Rs. 15,300 for the entire 3-year duration. The annual tuition fee of Rs. 5,000 is supplemented by a one-time Registration Fee of Rs. 300 and a Development Fee of Rs. 200 per year. There is no hostel facility at IGNOU as it is a distance learning university.

Fee Components

Fee Component	Amount
Tuition Fee (per year)	Rs. 5,000
Registration Fee (one-time, non-refundable)	Rs. 300
University Development Fee (per year)	Rs. 200
Examination Fee (per course, per TEE)	As decided by the University (approx. Rs. 120 per course)
Total Programme Fee (3 years, excl. exam fee)	Rs. 15,300

The Registration Fee of Rs. 300 is a one-time, non-refundable charge paid at the time of first admission.
Development Fee of Rs. 200 is charged per year.
Examination fee is not included in the programme fee and is paid separately at the time of filling the Term End Examination (TEE) form.
Fee can be paid online via Credit Card, Debit Card, or Net Banking through the IGNOU Samarth portal.
Refund Policy: Fee paid will be refunded prior to confirmation of admission. After confirmation, 15% of programme fee (subject to a ceiling of Rs. 2,000) will be deducted. No refund is admissible after 60 days of the closing date of admissions.
EMI options are not officially available; students pay fees year-wise (annually).
Study material is available in soft copy (free) or printed form (included in fee).

IGNOU BA (Education) Admission 2026

IGNOU conducts admissions for the BAFEDU programme twice a year - in January and July cycles. The January 2026 admission cycle is currently active. Admissions are merit-free and open to all eligible candidates who have passed 10+2 or equivalent. The application process is entirely online through the IGNOU Samarth portal (ignouadmission.samarth.edu.in).

IGNOU BAFEDU Admission Dates

Event	Date
January 2026 Admission Portal Opens	January 2026
Last Date to Apply (without late fee)	30th March 2026
Last Date to Apply (with late fee)	To be announced
Confirmation of Admission	Within 2-4 weeks of application
July 2026 Admission Cycle Opens (Tentative)	May 2026
Last Date for July 2026 Cycle (Tentative)	July 2026

IGNOU Term End Examination (TEE) Dates

Event	Date
TEE Exam Form Submission (without late fee)	10th March 2026 to 10th April 2026
TEE Exam Form Submission (with late fee of Rs. 1,100)	11th April 2026 to 24th April 2026
June 2026 TEE Commencement	1st June 2026
June 2026 TEE End Date (Tentative)	15th July 2026
December 2026 TEE (Tentative)	December 2026

The dates mentioned above are tentative and subject to change.

Eligibility Criteria

Candidates must have passed 10+2 (Class 12) or its equivalent from a recognized board.
There is no upper age limit for admission.
No minimum percentage requirement is specified; pass marks in 10+2 are sufficient.

Admission Process

Visit the IGNOU Samarth Admission Portal at ignouadmission.samarth.edu.in.
Click on "New Registration" and create a login with your email and mobile number.
Select the BAFEDU programme and fill in the online application form.
Upload scanned copies of required documents: photograph, signature, 10th marksheet, 12th marksheet, and category certificate (if applicable).
Pay the programme fee online via Credit/Debit Card or Net Banking.
Select your preferred Regional Centre and Study Centre.
Submit the form and save/print the confirmation for future reference.
IGNOU will dispatch study materials to the registered address after admission confirmation.

IGNOU: Students' Opinion

AI-Generated Summary based on 4 Reviews

The college has a capacity of 500-600 people, which includes both faculty and students. It offers an affordable annual fee of 5,000, which is lower than many other institutions. Scholarships are available for students from SC and OBC categories to help make education more affordable for those from economically disadvantaged backgrounds.

However, finding on-campus employment can be difficult, and the salaries offered may not meet expectations. Additional expenses include a tuition fee of 500 per subject and separate registration fees, but there are no honorarium charges.

By Collegedunia’s Personal AI

IGNOU BA (Education) Scholarships 2026

IGNOU students enrolled in the BAFEDU programme are eligible for several government scholarships available through the National Scholarship Portal (NSP). These scholarships are primarily targeted at SC, ST, OBC, minority, and economically weaker section (EWS) students. IGNOU directs students to apply for scholarships at scholarships.gov.in after confirmation of admission.

Available Scholarships

Scholarship Name	Eligibility	Amount
Post-Matric Scholarship for SC Students	SC category, family income below Rs. 2.5 lakh/year	Up to full tuition fee + maintenance allowance
Post-Matric Scholarship for ST Students	ST category, family income below Rs. 2.5 lakh/year	Up to full tuition fee + maintenance allowance
Post-Matric Scholarship for OBC Students	OBC category, family income below Rs. 1 lakh/year	Up to Rs. 1,000 per year
Post-Matric Scholarship for Minorities	Muslim, Christian, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, Zoroastrian; income below Rs. 2 lakh/year	Up to Rs. 3,000 per year
Central Sector Scheme of Scholarship (CSSS)	Top 20 percentile in 12th board; family income below Rs. 8 lakh/year	Rs. 10,000 per year (UG)
Ishan Uday Scholarship (NE Region)	Students from North-East states	Rs. 5,400 per month

All scholarships are applied through the National Scholarship Portal (scholarships.gov.in).
Students must apply after receiving their IGNOU enrollment number/confirmation of admission.
Scholarship application deadlines vary by scheme; typically open between July and November each year.
Students must renew scholarships annually by submitting renewal applications on NSP.
IGNOU fee exemption is available for BPL students in select programmes; students should check with their Regional Centre for details.

IGNOU BA (Education) FAQs

Ques. Is IGNOU BA Education (BAFEDU) the same as B.Ed.? Can I teach in schools after completing it?

Ans. No, BAFEDU is a Bachelor of Arts with Education as a subject, not a professional B.Ed. (Bachelor of Education) degree. To teach in government schools (TGT/PGT level), you need a B.Ed. degree. However, BAFEDU provides an excellent academic foundation in educational theory and can be pursued alongside or before B.Ed. IGNOU also offers a separate B.Ed. programme for those who wish to become professional teachers.

Ques. Can I pursue IGNOU BA Education while working as a school teacher or tutor?

Ans. Absolutely. The programme is designed for self-paced, distance learning with no mandatory attendance. Many school teachers, tutors, and education professionals pursue BAFEDU to deepen their understanding of educational theory and upgrade their academic qualifications. You only need to submit assignments and appear for TEE twice a year.

Ques. What is the difference between BAFEDU (BA Education) and B.Ed. at IGNOU?

Ans. BAFEDU is an undergraduate degree in Education as an academic discipline, covering educational philosophy, psychology, and management. B.Ed. is a professional 2-year programme that trains candidates to become school teachers and is mandatory for teaching in government schools. BAFEDU graduates can apply for B.Ed. after completing their degree.

Ques. Does IGNOU BA Education have any practical teaching component?

Ans. No, the BAFEDU programme does not include a practical teaching/internship component. It is a purely academic programme. The assessment is based on Tutor Marked Assignments (TMAs) and Term End Examinations (TEE). This distinguishes it from B.Ed., which includes school internship.

Ques. After BAFEDU, can I pursue MA Education or M.Ed. from IGNOU?

Ans. Yes. After completing BAFEDU, you can pursue MA Education from IGNOU or other universities. For M.Ed. (Master of Education), you typically need a B.Ed. degree as the minimum qualification. IGNOU offers both MA Education and M.Ed. programmes through distance mode.

Ques. Is IGNOU BA Education degree accepted for government jobs and competitive exams?

Ans. Yes, the BAFEDU degree is fully recognized by UGC and AIU. It is accepted for government jobs that require a graduation degree. Many students use this degree to qualify for SSC, banking, and state government exams. It is also useful for those preparing for CTET/STET (after completing B.Ed.) as it provides a strong foundation in educational theory.

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Why To Join IGNOU - Reviews & Rating

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4.2

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Shivani Saxena

5.0

BA, Education

Reviewed on Jan 24, 2025(Enrolled 2017)

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Fees and Financial Aid:

I paid 5000 fees yearly. I went tutions also so I paid for my tution fees that was 500 per subject. Registration fees are separate from admission. And there were no honorarium charges. There were no scholarships.

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Deepmala Pandey

4.3

BA, Education

Reviewed on Dec 20, 2023(Enrolled 2023)

The best university to study

Student Snaps:

Fees and Financial Aid:

Fee structure is affordable compared to the other colleges or universities.and is beneficial for the students with financial crises.Alsothe students get scholarship opportunities and financial assistance

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Shivansh Shukla

4.5

BA, Education

Reviewed on Dec 20, 2023(Enrolled 2021)

Excellent University For ODL

Fees and Financial Aid:

The people can also apply for the scholarship programme in this course. Their is very low fees structure comparing to other colleges and universities so by which poor people can also do their education in cost friendly manner.

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Manmohan

2.8

BA, Education

Reviewed on Nov 4, 2022(Enrolled 2020)

KEC review

Fees and Financial Aid:

The fees hike policy and cost to study are is very reasonable here. All Sc and Obc etc. get scholarships to form our college. Very difficult to get a job on campus and if we got a job so the company does get not a sufficient salary.

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