Content Curator | Updated on - Mar 31, 2026

The Master of Arts in Translation Studies (MATS) is a 2-year postgraduate programme offered by the Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) through the Open and Distance Learning (ODL) mode under the School of Translation Studies and Training (SOTST). The programme carries 80 credits (12 courses of 4 credits each, 2 courses of 8 credits each, and a major project of 16 credits), with a minimum duration of 2 years and a maximum of 5 years. It is available in both English and Hindi mediums. The total programme fee is Rs. 14,000 (Rs. 7,000 per year). MATS is designed to familiarise learners with the theory and practices of translation, integrating teaching, learning, and research in the vast areas of translation practices. It is popular among language professionals, translators, academics, and those seeking careers in media, publishing, and government translation services.

Admission for the January 2026 session is currently ongoing. The last date to apply is 31 March 2026. Students can apply online at ignouadmission.samarth.edu.in. Re-registration for existing students is also open till 31 March 2026 (with a late fee of Rs. 200).

Distance Mode Study Centres

IGNOU MATS is offered exclusively through Open Distance Learning (ODL) mode. Students are assigned to a Study Centre (Learner Support Centre) for counselling sessions, assignment submission, and examinations. MATS has a relatively limited number of study centres compared to other IGNOU programmes. The currently available study centres are located in the following regional areas:

Bhopal (Barkatullah University Bhopal, IGNOU Regional Centre Bhopal)
Itanagar (IGNOU Regional Centre Itanagar)
Srinagar (IGNOU Regional Centre Srinagar)
Dehradun (IGNOU Regional Centre Dehradun)
Noida (Hashmi Girls Degree College)
Trivandrum (Mar Ivanios College Trivandrum)
Koraput (Council of Analytical Tribal Studies)
Darbhanga (IGNOU Regional Centre Darbhanga)
Patna (IGNOU Regional Centre Patna)
Angul (IGNOU Regional Centre Angul)

Students should visit the official IGNOU admission portal or their nearest Regional Centre to confirm the availability of MATS at a specific study centre, as the number of centres is limited.

Key Points

MATS is offered under the School of Translation Studies and Training (SOTST), a dedicated school for translation studies at IGNOU.
The programme includes a mandatory major project work (MTT-022) worth 16 credits in the second year, providing practical translation experience.
The programme covers diverse areas including Translation Theory, Translation History, Translation and Linguistics, Translation and Indian Languages, Translation and Literature, Translation and Mass Communication, Lexicography, Intercultural Studies, and Politics of Translation.
Adequate knowledge of both Hindi and English is required for admission, as the programme focuses on Hindi-English translation.
The maximum duration to complete the programme is 5 years, offering flexibility for working professionals.
MATS is one of the few dedicated postgraduate programmes in Translation Studies available through distance learning in India.

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Highlights
Fees
Admission
Scholarships
FAQs

IGNOU MATS Fees

The MATS programme at IGNOU is one of the most affordable postgraduate programmes in Translation Studies in India. The total programme fee is Rs. 14,000, payable at Rs. 7,000 per year. In addition to the tuition fee, students are required to pay a one-time Registration Fee of Rs. 300 and a Development Fee of Rs. 200 per year. The total cost of the programme including all charges comes to Rs. 14,700. There is no hostel facility associated with this ODL programme.

Fee Structure

Fee Component	Year 1	Year 2	Total
Tuition Fee	Rs. 7,000	Rs. 7,000	Rs. 14,000
Registration Fee (one-time)	Rs. 300	-	Rs. 300
Development Fee	Rs. 200	Rs. 200	Rs. 400
Total Fees	Rs. 7,500	Rs. 7,200	Rs. 14,700

Exam fees are not included in the above fee structure and will be charged separately as decided by the University at the time of examination form submission.
Fees can be paid via Credit Card, Debit Card, or Internet Banking.
There is no hostel facility for ODL students.
Fee once paid is non-refundable except in cases where the student withdraws within the stipulated refund period as per IGNOU policy.
SC/ST students availing financial support are required to pay the University fee as applicable and may seek reimbursement through the scholarship portal.

IGNOU MATS Admission 2026

IGNOU follows a bi-annual admission cycle for MATS - January session and July session. The January 2026 session admission is currently open with the last date extended to 31 March 2026. Admission is merit-based with no entrance examination. Students can apply online through the official IGNOU admission portal. Selection is based on eligibility criteria only.

IGNOU MATS Admission Dates

Event	Date
January 2026 Session Admission Opens	January 2026
Last Date for Fresh Admission (January 2026)	31 March 2026
Re-Registration Last Date (January 2026)	31 March 2026 (with late fee of Rs. 200)
Assignment Submission Last Date (June 2026 TEE)	31 March 2026
Exam Form Submission - June 2026 TEE (without late fee)	10 March 2026 to 10 April 2026
Exam Form Submission - June 2026 TEE (with late fee of Rs. 1,100)	11 April 2026 to 24 April 2026
June 2026 Term-End Examination (TEE) Begins	1 June 2026
June 2026 TEE Ends (Tentative)	15 July 2026
July 2026 Session Admission Opens (Tentative)	July 2026

Examination Dates

Examination	Mode	Tentative Dates
IGNOU June 2026 Term-End Examination (TEE)	Pen & Paper / CBT	1 June 2026 to 15 July 2026
IGNOU December 2026 Term-End Examination (TEE)	Pen & Paper / CBT	December 2026 (dates to be announced)

The dates mentioned above are tentative and subject to change.

Eligibility Criteria

Candidates must hold a Graduate degree in any discipline from a recognized University.
Candidates must have adequate knowledge of both Hindi and English languages.
There is no age bar for enrollment in the MATS programme.

Admission Process

Visit the official IGNOU admission portal at ignouadmission.samarth.edu.in.
Create a DEB ID (mandatory before starting the application process).
Register as a new user by providing username, password, email, and mobile number.
Log in and fill in the application form with personal, academic, and contact details.
Upload scanned copies of required documents (educational certificates, photo, signature, ID proof, category certificate if applicable).
Pay the programme fee online via Credit Card, Debit Card, or Internet Banking.
Submit the form and save the payment confirmation for future reference.
Candidates can also apply offline by visiting the nearest IGNOU Regional Centre.

IGNOU MATS Scholarships 2026

IGNOU MATS students can avail a range of scholarships through the National Scholarship Portal (NSP) and IGNOU's own scholarship schemes. These scholarships are primarily targeted at students from SC, ST, OBC, minority, PwD, and economically weaker sections. The scholarship application process is largely offline, and students are advised to apply through their respective State Directorate of Social Welfare or IGNOU Regional Centre.

Available Scholarships

Scholarship Name	Eligibility	Benefit
Post Matric Scholarship for SC Students	SC category, family income below Rs. 2.5 lakh per annum	Tuition fee reimbursement + maintenance allowance
Post Matric Scholarship for ST Students	ST category, family income below Rs. 2.5 lakh per annum	Tuition fee reimbursement + maintenance allowance
Post Matric Scholarship for OBC Students	OBC category, family income below Rs. 1.5 lakh per annum	Tuition fee reimbursement
Post Matric Scholarship for Minorities	Muslim, Christian, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, Parsi communities, income below Rs. 2 lakh per annum	Tuition fee + maintenance allowance
IGNOU Special Scholarship	Women, differently-abled, transgender students	Partial fee waiver
IGNOU Merit Scholarship	High academic scorers in previous examinations	Merit-based financial assistance
National Fellowship for PwD Students	Students with disabilities enrolled in PG programmes	Financial aid and fee waiver

All NSP scholarships can be applied for at scholarships.gov.in after receiving admission confirmation from IGNOU.
The scholarship application process is offline; forms are available at the State Directorate of Social Welfare or IGNOU Regional Centres.
Students must not be receiving any other scholarship simultaneously.
Annual family income should not exceed Rs. 3,00,000 for most IGNOU scholarship schemes.
Scholarship notification for 2026-27 was released in December 2026; students should check the official IGNOU website and NSP portal for updated deadlines.

IGNOU MATS FAQs

Ques. What language pair does IGNOU MATS focus on?

Ans. IGNOU MATS primarily focuses on Hindi-English translation. The programme is designed for students who have adequate knowledge of both Hindi and English. The courses cover translation between these two languages in various domains including literature, mass communication, technical fields, and intercultural contexts. Students with proficiency in other Indian languages may also find the programme useful, but the core focus is Hindi-English.

Ques. Is the MATS project work (MTT-022) difficult to complete?

Ans. The major project work (MTT-022) in MATS is worth 16 credits and is a significant component of the second year. Students are required to undertake a practical translation project, which could involve translating a literary text, technical document, or other material. IGNOU provides guidelines and a project supervisor. While it requires dedicated effort, students with good language skills and interest in translation generally find it manageable and rewarding.

Ques. What job opportunities are available after IGNOU MATS?

Ans. MATS graduates can work as professional translators, interpreters, language editors, content writers, subtitlers, and localization specialists. Government organizations like the Ministry of External Affairs, Parliament, and public sector undertakings regularly recruit translators. Media houses, publishing companies, NGOs, and international organizations also hire translation professionals. Academic careers as lecturers in translation studies are also possible after qualifying NET/SET.

Ques. Are there very few study centres for MATS compared to other IGNOU programmes?

Ans. Yes, MATS has a relatively limited number of study centres compared to other IGNOU programmes. Currently, study centres are available in Bhopal, Itanagar, Srinagar, Dehradun, Noida, Trivandrum, Koraput, Darbhanga, Patna, and Angul. Students from other regions may need to travel to the nearest available centre for counselling sessions and examinations. It is advisable to check the latest list of study centres on the official IGNOU website before applying.

Ques. Can I pursue MATS if I am not from a Hindi-speaking background?

Ans. The programme requires adequate knowledge of both Hindi and English. Students from non-Hindi-speaking backgrounds can apply if they have sufficient proficiency in Hindi. The programme is particularly beneficial for those who work in bilingual environments or wish to develop professional translation skills between Hindi and English. Students from South India or other regions with limited Hindi exposure may find the programme challenging.

Ques. Is IGNOU MATS recognized for government translation jobs?

Ans. Yes, the IGNOU MATS degree is recognized by the UGC and is valid for government translation jobs. Many central government departments, including the Official Language Department, Parliament Secretariat, and public sector undertakings, accept IGNOU degrees for translator and junior translator positions. The degree is also valid for appearing in Staff Selection Commission (SSC) Junior Translator examinations and similar competitive exams.