Which one is better, IGNOU or SOL?

Both the Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) and School of Open Learning (SOL), DU are institutes that offer a flexible mode of study for the students through distance education. The institutes are also recognized by UGC and as such the degrees are accepted in various places.

IGNOU boasts of around 3 million students enrolled in the institute from India as well as outside the country while SOL has around 5 lakh, active students, presently.

Courses:

IGNOU - There are more than 200 courses offered by 21 different schools. The major programs are B.Ed., BCA, MCA, BBA, M.Ed., MBA, Ph.D., etc.

SOL - There are 13 departments in the institute. The programs they offer are B.A., B.Com., B.Com. (Hons.), B.A.(English) and B.A. (Political Science) etc

Admission:

IGNOU -

• MBA, B.Ed., M.Ed., BBA, and Ph.D. admission require the aspirant to clear the entrance examination of the university.

• Admission for the other programs depends on the merit of the previous qualifying examination.

SOL -

• In the case of UG programs, the admission is based on the merit of the previous qualifying examination.

• But admission into MA programs requires the aspirant to sit for the Entrance Examination and must have the concerned subject in their graduation degree.

Faculty:

IGNOU - There are more than 800 faculty members along with more than 33,000 academic counselors.

SOL - The faculty is very approachable and helpful. The quality of teaching is well maintained and the syllabus is mostly the same as that of Delhi University.

Infrastructure:

IGNOU -

• There is a Central Library at the Headquarters. There are over 67 regional centers and 2,667 learner support centers at present.

• Books and other study materials are easily accessible either by post or online platforms.

SOL - The headquarters is set in the North Campus of DU. Laboratories, Classrooms, and Library is provided by the institute and is also maintained well. Study material is easily accessible to the students.

Placement:

IGNOU - The Campus Placement Cell (CPC) acts as the intermediary between the students and the interested recruiters as well as create soft skill modules for the students.

SOL - The top recruiters that have approached the institute are ISA Global, Dalmia Group, NIIT Ltd, and HDB Financial Services.

IGNOU and SOL are both remarkable institutes that provide quality education. Being open learning institutions, the fee structure is economic and balanced enough for a working professional to engage in the courses with abundant flexibility of time and resources.

As such, the choice ultimately lies with the student depending on their particular preference.