Very often a student finds himself losing a full year once admissions are closed. Not many are aware that correspondence and distance learning courses often have admissions going on for months after the traditional academic year has begun. For those who have not completed their 10th Standard, National Institute of Open Schooling gives admissions twice a year, and one can not only choose subjects of their choice, but also appear for a few subjects at a time.

Those who have completed 18 years of age are eligible to enroll directly into a degree course without 10+2 qualification, subject to their passing a test under the Open University system.  Courses are now available from recognised universities in Arts, Computer Applications, Science, Commerce, Business Administration, etc.  And those who dropped out after successfully completing one or two years of their degree in the same subject, can get lateral entry into the subsequent year.

Similar facilities are available to those who are graduates, and wish to pursue higher studies.  Innumerable post graduate courses are available in all streams, which can be tackled even by those who have full time jobs.  For example, Indira Gandhi National Open University allows you to take up PG Diploma courses in specific areas of Management, and then the credits can be added up for pursuing a full-fledged MBA.

What one needs to ensure is that one is going through a properly recognised and useful course.  If you are taking up a correspondence course to enhance your knowledge and awareness of the field, then even a private course serves the purpose. But if you wish to have proper university qualifications that will enable you to study further or seek public sector employment, then you should ensure that you are studying in a recognised course.

Indira Gandhi National Open University's Distance Education Council gives recognition and permission to various universities to run correspondence courses. The list of approved universities can be obtained from www.dec.ac.in