KSOU: Courses, Admissions & Placements 2025

Karnataka State Open University (KSOU) is situated in Mysore, Karnataka, and was founded in 1996 as a state public university. Private KSOU aims to advance education through distance learning and provide academic services to students across the country.

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KSOU Key Highlights

Did you know: KSOU is the only university in Karnataka officially authorized to offer distance education across the state.

The University Grants Commission - Distance Education Bureau (UGC-DEB) has approved this University and offers a diverse range of undergraduate, postgraduate, diploma, and certificate courses in various disciplines, including arts, science, commerce, management, and education courses.

Key Highlights of KSOU

Parameters

Details

Admission Months

January (online mode)June

Top Programs

31 UG/PG/Doctoral + diplomas & certificates in key disciplines

Accepted Exams

Merit-based; KSOU entrance for MBA/MCA; B.Ed per NCTE norms

Duration of Course

UG: 3 yrs, PG: 2 yrs, Diplomas/certs: 6 mo–1 yr

Campus Area

36 Acres

Number of Schools and Departments

Schools: 5

Departments: 25+

KSOU Courses and Fees

Karnataka State Open University (KSOU) provides over 81 programs. The Open University aims to provide higher education across the nation.

Programs

Tuition Fees (total) in INR

B.A

21,560

B.com.

23,210

BCA

72,160

BBA

34,210

B.ed.

72,160

M.A

18,425

M.com.

22,385

KSOU Placements and Admissions

Karnataka State Open University, Mysuru, has commenced its Placement Cell from 29th June 2019. The cell has been operational with good quality since its beginning. All UG & PG applicants are eligible to join the recruitment process. Leading companies/employers from all regions of Karnataka are involved in the employment fairs.

Vision

  • Facilitate functions and activities that support the growing relationship of academia and the industry, and thereby create better opportunities for placement for all deserving learners

Mission

  • To provide better employment opportunities to its students as well as alumni at all levels, matching their personal and academic profiles.
  • To work on the premise that the right candidate meets the right recruiter at the right place.
  • To interface between the industry and the students.
  • To identify local providers to provide better placement opportunities to the students.

Top Recruiters

  • South India Paper Mills Ltd
  • Ferro Foundries Pvt. Ltd
  • Automotive Axles Ltd
  • Bharti Axa Life Insurance
  • Behr India Ltd Amcare Hospital
  • Hindustan Unilever Limited (HUL)
  • Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC)
  • HP Compaq
  • State Bank of India (SBI)
  • Union Bank of India

To know more in detail, visit the upGrad’s KSOU’s Placements’ page.

KSOU Scholarships 2025

Details

    Benefit: Fee Reimbursement

    Eligibility: Students belonging to the Scheduled Caste (SC) category with a family income of less than INR 2.5 lakh.

KSOU VS IGNOU VS NSOU

Here’s a comparison of the three Open Universities to know better about each.

Parameters

KSOU

IGNOU

NSOU

Tuition Fees (Approximate Annual)

- UG (BA, B.Com, B.Sc): ₹4,200 – ₹8,000

- PG (MA, M.Com, MSc): ₹8,000 – ₹20,000

- MBA: ₹15,000 – ₹18,500

- B.Ed: ₹15,000 – ₹20,500

- Diploma/Certificate: ₹2,500 – ₹10,000

- Online Programs: ₹10,000 – ₹40,000

333+ courses, varies per course

UG- ₹5K–17K

PG- ₹7.6K–1 L

Popular Courses

- BA, B.Com, B.Ed

- MA (English, Economics, Political Science)

- MBA, M.Com

- MCA, M.Sc Mathematics

333+ UG/PG/diploma/certificates

B.A. (Hons.), B.Sc., B.Ed.; MA, MBA, etc.

No. of Courses

81

333+

56

KSOU Campus, Hostel & Student Life

Karnataka State Open University provides amenities with state-of-the-art infrastructure to its students. The campus is 36 acres, with facilities like ATM, guest house, hostels, canteen, library, post office, sports facilities & gym, health care centre, Prasarnaga, KSOU Radio App, KSOU DRUSHYAVAHINI, etc.

There are 8 hostels, for women and men as well.

1. Women’s Hostel

University Provides a well equipped Women’s Hostel in the Campus with a capacity to accommodate 56 students at a time. Every room accommodates two students at a concessional rate of Rs. 50/- per head. Besides this, every student is required to deposit Rs. 250/- as Refundable Caution Deposit. Penalty shall be charged by the University if students were found residing in the Hostel without proper receipt. The room charges have to be paid at the counter for this purpose.

2. Men’s Hostel

There are seven Hostels with three rooms each. Nine students can accommodate themselves in one hostel. A tariff of Rs. 50/- per student per day has been determined. KSOU provides accommodation to some extent for the students. Hence, KSOU recommends that other students arrange their accommodation for themselves.

KSOU Notable Alumni

Here is the list of notable KSOU alumni along with their LinkedIn profiles and key achievements.

Alumni

Field of Work

Manish Lakhera

Senior Software Engineer at Accenture

Melquier Joseph

Specialist at Accenture

Prashanth Kumar

Senior Project Manager at HCLTech

Sharad Sarode

Assistant Manager at Tata Consultancy Services

Prakhar Prakash

Service Manager at HCLTech

FAQs for KSOU

1What accreditations validate KSOU’s programs?

Karnataka State Open University (KSOU) is officially recognized by the University Grants Commission (UGC) under its Distance Education Bureau (DEB). This ensures that all academic programs offered by the university are legitimate and meet national quality standards. The recognition extends across all undergraduate, postgraduate, diploma, and certificate programs. KSOU's approval status is regularly updated to maintain compliance. Students can be assured that their degrees are valid for employment and further studies.

2How are KSOU exams organized and conducted?

KSOU conducts exams twice a year—typically during May–June and November–December. The evaluation pattern includes 20% internal assessments through assignments and 80% from the final written exams. Students are required to submit assignments before exam registration is confirmed. All examination updates, timetables, and admit cards are released on the university portal. The final results are usually declared within a few weeks of the term-end exams.

3Does KSOU provide practical or coaching support for skill-based courses?

Yes, KSOU supports practical and skill-based learning for relevant programs. This includes structured training sessions in areas like computer applications, web designing, and multimedia. The university collaborates with recognized institutions for skill-building and provides training hours for these modules. Students are required to attend scheduled sessions either on campus or at designated centers. This practical exposure enhances employability and real-world readiness.

4What library and learning resources does KSOU offer?

KSOU has a well-equipped central library with thousands of textbooks, reference materials, and research publications. Students also have access to e-journals, digital archives, and recorded lecture videos. The library supports distance learners through online search tools and book requests. Special facilities are available for differently-abled students, including audio content. The environment is academic-friendly, fostering independent learning and research.

5How does KSOU support distance learners online?

The university offers extensive online support through lecture videos, digital learning platforms, and virtual classes. Students can access recorded sessions, e-content, and study materials remotely. KSOU also operates a radio station and a visual studio for academic broadcasting. These resources ensure that distance learners remain connected and engaged. The system is designed to provide flexibility along with quality education.

6Are there study centers for practical courses or counseling sessions?

Yes, KSOU has established regional study centers in various districts of Karnataka. These centers conduct personal contact programs (PCPs), assignment help, and practical sessions. Courses like B.Sc. and BCA, which require lab work, are supported through these centers. Faculty visits are scheduled at intervals to ensure learners receive academic mentoring. The centers also act as local support hubs for administrative queries.

7Can students pursue more than one program simultaneously?

KSOU allows students to enroll in two academic programs simultaneously under specific conditions. Typically, one must be a full-degree course and the other a diploma or certificate. This approach enables learners to broaden their academic and professional skills. However, care is taken to ensure the two programs do not have overlapping class or exam schedules. Approval may be required from the university before dual registration.

8What is the structure for practical lab components?

Courses with practical requirements, such as B.Sc. and BCA, include scheduled lab sessions. These are usually held in-person at study centers or nodal institutes affiliated with KSOU. Students must attend a minimum number of sessions and submit practical records. Labs are equipped with necessary software and infrastructure to support hands-on learning. Final practical exams are conducted as part of internal assessment.

9Does KSOU offer support for competitive exam preparation?

Yes, KSOU runs a dedicated training center for competitive exam preparation. It offers coaching for exams like IAS, KAS, NET, and other state-level public service exams. The center mainly supports rural and underprivileged students, especially those from Kannada-medium backgrounds. Sessions are led by experienced faculty and include test series and study material. The initiative aims to bridge the gap between education and employment.

10How does KSOU ensure academic quality?

Academic quality is maintained by the university’s Centre for Internal Quality Assurance (CIQA). CIQA continuously monitors curriculum delivery, assessment practices, and learner feedback. The cell is responsible for updating teaching methods and maintaining transparency in exams. It also submits compliance reports to regulatory bodies. This ensures KSOU’s programs remain aligned with national education standards.

11What digital facilities are available for distance learners?

KSOU provides various digital tools such as a mobile app, e-content platforms, and online portals. Through these, students can check schedules, access course materials, and receive university notifications. The KSOU radio and video services supplement academic learning with expert talks and discussions. Students can also participate in live webinars and virtual workshops. These facilities make learning more accessible and interactive.

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Disclaimer

  1. The above statistics depend on various factors and individual results may vary. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.

  2. The student assumes full responsibility for all expenses associated with visas, travel, & related costs. upGrad does not .