IGNOU M.A Urban Studies: Fees 2026, Course Duration, Dates, Eligibility

Maidan Garhi, New DelhiOpen UniversityEstd 1985NAAC Grade A++
Collegedunia Team's profile photo

Collegedunia Team

Content Curator | Updated on - Mar 31, 2026

The Master of Arts in Urban Studies (MAUS) at Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) is a 2-year postgraduate programme offered through Open Distance Learning (ODL) mode, under the School of Extension and Development Studies (SOEDS). The programme addresses the growing need for trained urban development professionals in India, where rapid urbanisation has created complex challenges in planning, governance, ecology, housing, and smart city development. With India's urban population projected to reach 558.8 million by 2031, the programme is highly relevant for working professionals in urban local bodies, government departments, NGOs, and development organisations. The total programme fee is Rs. 16,000 (Rs. 8,000 per year), and no entrance examination is required. The programme is popular among elected representatives of urban local bodies, urban planners, and development professionals seeking a formal postgraduate qualification.

Admission for the January 2026 session is currently ongoing, with the last date for fresh admission extended to 30th March 2026. The July 2026 session is expected to open in May 2026, with registration typically closing by August 2026. Students who have completed the PG Diploma in Urban Planning and Development (PGDUPDL) from IGNOU can take lateral entry directly into Year II of MAUS.

The MAUS programme is offered exclusively in Distance/ODL mode. Students can enrol through IGNOU Regional Centres and their associated Study Centres (LSCs) across India. Key centres include:

Regional CentreKey Study Centres
HyderabadIGNOU RC Hyderabad (0100), Lal Bahadur College (105)
BangaloreIGNOU RC Bangalore (1300), BES College of Arts and Science (1301), St. Aloysius College Mangalore (1302), DVS College Shimoga (1306)
Delhi 1IGNOU RC Delhi1 (0700), Dayal Singh College (7175)
Delhi 3 (Naraina)IGNOU RC Delhi3 (38039), Govt. PG College (38027)
NoidaIGNOU RC Noida (3900), Government P.G. College (2739)
MumbaiIGNOU RC Mumbai (4900)
ChennaiIGNOU RC Chennai (2500), DDGD Vaishnava College (2501), Guru Nanak College (2578), Voorhees College (2593)
KolkataIGNOU RC Kolkata (2800), Muralidhar Girls' College (28140)
PuneIGNOU RC Pune (1600), KTHM College (1608)
JaipurIGNOU RC Jaipur (2300), ISIM Jaipur (23153)
LucknowIGNOU RC Lucknow (2700), Brahmanand College Kanpur (27197), National PG College Lucknow (27195)
BhubaneshwarIGNOU RC Bhubaneshwar (2100), B.J.B. Autonomous College (2111)
PatnaIGNOU RC Patna (0500)
ChandigarhIGNOU RC Chandigarh (0600), SGGS College Chandigarh (06007)
GuwahatiIGNOU RC Guwahati (0400)
TrivandrumIGNOU RC Trivandrum (4000)
DehradunIGNOU RC Dehradun (3100), MB PG College Haldwani (2711)
RanchiIGNOU RC Ranchi (3200), Marwari College Ranchi (3635), Karim City College Jamshedpur (32024)
NagpurIGNOU RC Nagpur (3600), Guru Nanak Bhawan Nagpur (1607)
AhmedabadIGNOU RC Ahmedabad (0900), L.D. Arts College (901)
VaranasiIGNOU RC Varanasi (4800), Kamachha Campus BHU (27109)
VijayawadaIGNOU RC Vijayawada (3300), KBN College Vijayawada (0103), TJPS College Guntur (0104)
BhopalIGNOU RC Bhopal (1500), Govt. SMS PG College Shivpuri (15247)

Students should visit the official IGNOU admission portal (ignouadmission.samarth.edu.in) to check the complete and updated list of active study centres for MAUS before applying.

Key Points

  • The programme covers urban development, urban planning, urban ecology, smart cities, sustainable development, decentralisation, and local governance.
  • Students who have completed PGDUPDL (PG Diploma in Urban Planning and Development) from IGNOU can take lateral entry directly into Year II of MAUS.
  • An optional Project Work (MEDS-045, 8 credits) is available in Year I for students who wish to undertake field-based research.
  • The programme is offered in English medium only.
  • Study material is provided by IGNOU; students can opt for either printed or soft copy (e-SLM).
  • Term-End Examinations (TEE) are conducted twice a year - in June and December.
  • The programme is managed by the School of Extension and Development Studies (SOEDS), IGNOU.
  • No entrance examination is required; admission is open to graduates from any discipline.
40 Views Last Year

IGNOU MAUS Fees

The MAUS programme at IGNOU is highly affordable, with a total programme fee of Rs. 16,000 payable over two years at Rs. 8,000 per year. In addition to the programme fee, students are required to pay a one-time non-refundable Registration Fee and a Development Fee at the time of admission. The examination fee is charged separately at the time of filling the Term-End Examination form.

Fee Structure

Fee ComponentYear 1Year 2Total
Tuition Fee (Programme Fee)Rs. 8,000Rs. 8,000Rs. 16,000
Registration Fee (one-time)Rs. 300-Rs. 300
Development FeeAs applicable-As applicable
Examination Fee (per subject, approx.)Rs. 200Rs. 200Rs. 400 per year
Total Fees (excl. exam fee)Rs. 8,300Rs. 8,000Rs. 16,300
  • The Registration Fee of Rs. 300 is non-refundable.
  • Fee paid will be refunded prior to confirmation of admission.
  • After confirmation of admission, 15% of the programme fee (subject to a ceiling of Rs. 2,000) will be deducted if cancellation is requested.
  • No refund is admissible after 60 days from the closing date of admissions.
  • Examination fee of Rs. 200 per subject is payable separately at the time of submitting the exam form.
  • There is no hostel facility at IGNOU for distance learners.
  • Fee can be paid online via Credit Card (Master/Visa), Debit Card (Master/Visa/RuPay), or Net Banking.

IGNOU MAUS Admission 2026

Admissions to MAUS at IGNOU are conducted twice a year - in January and July sessions. The January 2026 session is currently open, with the last date for fresh admission extended to 30th March 2026. No entrance examination is required; admission is purely based on eligibility. The July 2026 session is expected to open in May 2026, with registration typically closing by August 2026.

IGNOU MAUS Admission Dates

EventJanuary 2026 SessionJuly 2026 Session (Tentative)
Admission Portal OpensDecember 16, 2025May 2026
Last Date for Fresh AdmissionMarch 30, 2026August 2026
Last Date for Re-registrationMarch 30, 2026September 2026
Distribution of Study MaterialJanuary - March 2026July - September 2026
Contact Programmes / CounsellingFebruary - November 2026August 2026 onwards
Assignment Submission (Year 1)March - September 2026October 2026 - March 2027
Term-End Examination (TEE)June 2026 / December 2026December 2026 / June 2027
Exam Form Submission (June TEE)March 10 - April 10, 2026-
June 2026 TEE CommencementJune 1, 2026-
June 2026 TEE Last DateJuly 15, 2026-
Result DeclarationAugust 2026 (for June TEE)February 2027 (for Dec TEE)

Examination Dates

ExaminationRelevanceDates
IGNOU Term-End Examination (TEE) - June 2026Mandatory internal university exam for all enrolled studentsJune 1 - July 15, 2026
IGNOU TEE Exam Form SubmissionRequired to appear in TEEMarch 10 - April 10, 2026
IGNOU TEE - December 2026Second TEE cycleDecember 2026 (tentative)

The dates mentioned above are tentative and subject to change.

Eligibility Criteria

  • Candidates must hold a Bachelor's degree in any discipline from a recognised university.
  • Students who have completed PGDUPDL from IGNOU are eligible for lateral entry into Year II of MAUS.
  • The programme is open to Indian nationals as well as international students.

Admission Process

  • Visit the official IGNOU admission portal: ignouadmission.samarth.edu.in
  • Click on 'New Registration' and create a login with a valid email ID and mobile number.
  • Select the MAUS programme and fill in the online application form.
  • Upload scanned copies of required documents: photograph, signature, graduation certificate, 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 application and save/print the confirmation for future reference.
  • Admission confirmation is sent via email/SMS after verification of documents.

IGNOU MAUS Scholarships 2026

IGNOU students enrolled in MAUS can avail a range of government-sponsored scholarships and fee concessions, particularly for students from reserved categories (SC/ST/OBC), economically weaker sections, persons with disabilities, and minority communities. SC/ST students are eligible for a 50% fee concession directly from IGNOU, while other categories can apply through the National Scholarship Portal.

Scholarship Schemes

ScholarshipEligibilityBenefitHow to Apply
IGNOU Fee Concession for SC/ST StudentsSC/ST students enrolled at IGNOU50% fee concession on programme feeApply at Regional Centre with caste certificate
Fee Exemption for Jail InmatesJail inmates enrolled at IGNOUFull fee exemption (including registration fee)Through Regional Centre
Merit Cum Means Scholarship for MinoritiesMinority students; family income below Rs. 2.5 lakh/year; min. 50% in previous examRs. 20,000/year + maintenance allowanceApply online at scholarships.gov.in
Scholarship for Top Class Education (SC Students)SC students; family income below Rs. 8 lakh/yearFull tuition fee (up to Rs. 2 lakh/year) + books + maintenance allowanceApply at Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment portal
Scholarship for Students with DisabilitiesStudents with 40%+ disability; family income below Rs. 6 lakh/yearTuition fee up to Rs. 2 lakh/year + Rs. 5,000 for books + Rs. 45,000 one-time for laptopApply at scholarships.gov.in
National Scholarship Portal (NSP) SchemesSC/ST/OBC/Minority/EWS studentsVaries by scheme and statescholarships.gov.in
State Government ScholarshipsVaries by stateVaries by stateRespective state scholarship portals
  • Students can avail only one scholarship at a time.
  • Scholarship applications on NSP should be submitted after confirmation of IGNOU admission.
  • Application deadlines for NSP scholarships are typically between August and October each year.

IGNOU MAUS FAQs

Ques. Is MAUS from IGNOU useful for government employees working in urban local bodies?

Ans. Yes, MAUS is specifically designed for working professionals including elected representatives and employees of urban local bodies (ULBs), municipal corporations, and government urban development departments. The ODL mode makes it convenient for government employees to pursue it without taking leave.

Ques. What is the difference between MAUS and PGDUPDL at IGNOU?

Ans. PGDUPDL (PG Diploma in Urban Planning and Development) is a one-year diploma programme, while MAUS is a two-year Master's degree. Students who complete PGDUPDL can take lateral entry directly into Year II of MAUS, effectively converting their diploma into a full Master's degree.

Ques. Does MAUS cover smart city concepts and sustainable urban development?

Ans. Yes, MAUS includes dedicated courses on Sustainable Development and Smart City (MEDS-048) and Ecology, Environment and Urban Development (MEDS-047) in Year II, covering smart city missions, urban sustainability frameworks, and green infrastructure.

Ques. What career opportunities are available after completing MAUS from IGNOU?

Ans. Graduates of MAUS can pursue careers as Urban Planners, Urban Development Officers, Municipal Administration Professionals, Urban Policy Analysts, Project Managers in urban development NGOs, Smart City Mission Consultants, and Researchers in urban studies.

Ques. Is there a project work component in MAUS?

Ans. Yes, MAUS includes an optional Project Work (MEDS-045, 8 credits) in Year I. Students undertake field-based research on an urban development topic under the guidance of an IGNOU faculty member, evaluated through a written report and viva voce.

Ques. Can I pursue MAUS if my undergraduate degree is in engineering or science?

Ans. Yes, MAUS is open to graduates from any discipline - arts, science, commerce, engineering, or any other field. This makes it an ideal programme for civil engineers, architects, and environmental scientists who wish to build expertise in urban planning and development.

Important Updates

Course Finder

Search from 20K+ Courses and 35+ Streams

Clear

IGNOU Latest News

Discover More Colleges

Hindu College cover image
BA
Hindu College
Roop Nagar, New Delhi
4.2(390)
₹28670First year Fees
St Stephen's College cover image
BA
St Stephen's College
New Delhi
4.3(72)
₹29437First year Fees
LSR Delhi cover image
BA
LSR Delhi
Lajpat Nagar, New Delhi
4.3(194)
₹22840First year Fees
Miranda House cover image
BA
Miranda House
New Delhi
4.2(277)
₹16060First year Fees
Kirori Mal College cover image
BA
Kirori Mal College
Roop Nagar, New Delhi
4.2(655)
₹15815First year Fees
Jesus and Mary College cover image
BA
Jesus and Mary College
Chanakyapuri, New Delhi
4(162)
₹27180First year Fees

Comments


No Comments To Show
Top Courses
B.Com
Course Duration:  3 Years
₹15100  Total Fees
Part Time
Ph.D. Psychology
Course Duration:  3 Years
₹34650  Total Fees
Part Time
MCA
Course Duration:  2 Years
₹52700  Total Fees
Part Time
Faculties
Prof. Shailendra Kumar Yadav
Professor, Department of Agriculture
Prof. Vibha Joshi
Professor, Department of Education
Dr. Deepanwita Srivastava
Associate Professor, Department of Foreign Languages
Student Also Visited
GGSIPU
3.8(7484 Reviews)
MBBS - Bachelor of Medicine & Bachelor of Surgery
53000 First year Fees
GGSIPU
B. Borooah College Guwahati
3.8(66 Reviews)
BA - Bachelor of Arts
7180 First year Fees
B. Borooah College Guwahati
Jamia Millia Islamia University
4.1(572 Reviews)
MA - Master of Arts
10175 First year Fees
Jamia Millia Islamia University
MDU
3.6(2409 Reviews)
MA - Master of Arts
4962 First year Fees
MDU
Sharda University
4(772 Reviews)
B.Sc - Bachelor of Science
122000 First year Fees
Sharda University
Ambedkar University Delhi
4(57 Reviews)
MA - Master of Arts
80000 First year Fees
Ambedkar University Delhi
Galgotias University Greater Noida
3.8(1682 Reviews)
BE/B.Tech - Bachelor of Technology
177000 First year Fees
Galgotias University Greater Noida
Kerala University
3.8(1527 Reviews)
MA - Master of Arts
3480 First year Fees
Kerala University
Jamia Hamdard University Delhi
4.2(390 Reviews)
B.Sc - Bachelor of Science
139000 First year Fees
Jamia Hamdard University Delhi
Amity University Noida
4(3058 Reviews)
B.Sc - Bachelor of Science
138000 First year Fees
Amity University Noida
International Media Institute of India Noida
BBA/BMS - Bachelor of Business Administration
13000 First year Fees
International Media Institute of India Noida
Delhi University
3.9(18771 Reviews)
MA - Master of Arts
8176 First year Fees
Delhi University
DU SOL
3.2(623 Reviews)
BA - Bachelor of Arts
10620 First year Fees
DU SOL
Nalanda Open University
3.6(20 Reviews)
MA - Master of Arts
7200 First year Fees
Nalanda Open University
Manav Bharti University Solan
3.5(6 Reviews)
BA - Bachelor of Arts
25000 First year Fees
Manav Bharti University Solan
BHU
3.9(1266 Reviews)
BA - Bachelor of Arts
2300 First year Fees
BHU