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IGNOU BA English Syllabus 2026: Semester-wise Subjects, Credits and Study Blocks

Updated 14 October 2026 Fact-checked by Palak Grover, B.Com student, IGNOU Syllabus 5 min read

The first semester begins with a 6-credit Generic Elective course, ONR 003 Water Harvesting, Conservation and Utilization.

IGNOU BA English syllabus structure: 10 of 148 credits listed so far

The IGNOU BA English programme requires 148 credits for completion, distributed across six semesters. Each semester has a study load, with the first and second semesters carrying 22 credits each. The third and fourth semesters increase to 28 credits each, while the fifth and sixth semesters reduce to 24 credits each.

The programme includes 14 core courses, each worth six credits, totalling 84 credits. Discipline Specific Elective Courses (DSEs) are offered in the fifth and sixth semesters, with four DSEs each worth six credits, adding 24 credits. Two Ability Enhancement Compulsory Courses (AECCs), each worth four credits, contribute eight credits to the total. Skill Enhancement Courses (SECs) are offered in the third and fourth semesters; two SECs, each worth four credits, also contribute eight credits. Generic Electives (GEs) are available in the first four semesters, with four GEs each worth six credits, making up 24 credits. The July 2026 prospectus lists courses for the 1st and 4th semesters, covering 10 of the 148 credits. The courses for the remaining 138 credits are not yet published.

BA English structure at a glance

Semester / group Courses Credits
1st semester 1 courses 6
4th semester 1 courses 4

IGNOU's July 2026 prospectus lists the courses for the 1st and 4th semesters (10 credits). The courses for the remaining 138 of the programme's 148 credits are not listed in it yet.

Syllabus for other programmes: IGNOU syllabus, programme by programme.

IGNOU BA English 1st semester subjects: Water Harvesting

IGNOU BA English 1st semester: courses and credits

Course code Course title Credits Type
ONR 003 Water Harvesting, Conservation and Utilization 6 Generic Elective

ONR 003 Water Harvesting, Conservation and Utilization: study blocks

  • Block 1: Water Harvesting Techniques
  • Block 2: Water Storage, Conservation and Utilization

IGNOU BA English 4th semester subjects: Managing Stress

The IGNOU BA English (Honours) programme includes BPCS 186 Managing Stress as a Skill Enhancement Course in the 4th semester. The eGyanKosh study material for BPCS 186 is divided into two blocks: Block 1 covers the Introduction to Stress, and Block 2 addresses Stress Management techniques.

This 4-credit course contributes to the programme’s total of 148 credits.

IGNOU BA English 4th semester: courses and credits

Course code Course title Credits Type
BPCS 186 Managing Stress 4 Skill Enhancement Course

BPCS 186 Managing Stress: study blocks

  • Block 1: Introduction to Stress
  • Block 2: Stress Management

IGNOU BA English assessment: assignments, term-end exams and pass marks

Assignments are compulsory for all learners. A learner must submit assignment responses before sitting for the Term-End Examination for that course.

Assignments for the current session are available for download from the IGNOU website. Learners submit their Tutor Marked Assignments (TMAs) to the Coordinator of their Learner Support Centre. If an assignment is failed, it must be re-submitted. Once an assignment is passed, it cannot be re-submitted to improve the grade.

Term-End Examinations take place twice a year, in June and December. These examinations are held at centres across India and abroad. There are two daily exam sessions: 10 AM to 1 PM and 2 PM to 5 PM. The examination fee for a theory course is Rs. 200 (December 2026 TEE). For projects and practicals, the fee is Rs. 300 for courses up to 4 credits and Rs. 500 for courses above 4 credits (from January 2023 admission cycle).

Learners can write their Term-End Examinations in Hindi, even if they registered in English medium, except for language programmes. Hall tickets are uploaded on the University website and are not sent by post. The University provides numerical marks and a division (I, II, or Pass) for bachelor’s degrees upon request. Re-evaluation is only possible for term-end theory exams, not for projects, practicals, workshops, assignments, or seminars.

Exam and assignment guides: IGNOU assignment format; IGNOU TEE date sheet and IGNOU result and grade card.

IGNOU BA English study material: printed blocks and eGyanKosh

IGNOU provides printed self-instructional study material for the Bachelor of Arts English (Honours) (BAEGH) programme. Learners also access digital study material for over 3923 courses across 384 programmes on eGyanKosh. For BPCS 186, study blocks are Block 1: Introduction to Stress and Block 2: Stress Management.

Counselling sessions are held according to the schedule set by the Learner Support Centre. Technology-enabled support is available through Gyan Darshan, Gyan Vani, Swayam Prabha, and web-based resources. Learners who opt for soft copy study material receive a 15% discount on the programme fee of Rs. 5,500 per year for the July 2026 session.

Study support: IGNOU study material status; IGNOU previous year question papers and IGNOU regional and study centres.

Notices and Documents from IGNOU

Common IGNOU Questions

What is the total fee for the IGNOU BA English programme?

The total programme fee for the minimum duration of three years is Rs. 16,500, based on the July 2026 prospectus. This amount does not include the registration, university development, or examination fees.

How many credits do I need to complete each year for the IGNOU BA English programme?

The total credits for the programme are 148. The study load is 22 credits each in the first and second semesters, 28 credits each in the third and fourth semesters, and 24 credits each in the fifth and sixth semesters.

Which semesters have the heaviest credit load in the IGNOU BA English programme?

The third and fourth semesters have the heaviest credit load, with 28 credits each. The first and second semesters have 22 credits each, while the fifth and sixth semesters have 24 credits each.

Does the IGNOU BA English programme include any practicals or projects?

The programme description does not mention any practicals or projects. It focuses on core, discipline-centric electives, ability/skill enhancement, and generic courses, with reading and writing skills developed through assignments.

How many core courses are there in the IGNOU BA English syllabus?

The programme includes 14 core courses, each carrying six credits. These core courses account for 84 credits out of the total 148 credits for the programme.

Where can I find the study blocks for the courses in the IGNOU BA English programme?

The study blocks for courses like ONR 003 Water Harvesting, Conservation and Utilization are available on eGyanKosh. For example, ONR 003 has Block 1: Water Harvesting Techniques and Block 2: Water Storage, Conservation and Utilization.

Are there any courses in the IGNOU BA English programme that are shared with other disciplines?

Yes, Generic Electives (GEs) are inter-disciplinary courses. These are offered in the first four semesters, with one course in each semester, and contribute 24 credits to the programme.

What is the difference between the old and new syllabus for IGNOU BA English?

The July 2026 prospectus lists courses for the 1st and 4th semesters, totaling 10 credits. The courses for the remaining 138 credits of the 148-credit programme are not yet published, so a full comparison is not possible.

How many courses do I need to study in each semester for the IGNOU BA English programme?

You need to study four courses in each semester, except for the third and fourth semesters, where the number of courses increases to five. This includes a mix of Core, Discipline Specific Elective, Ability Enhancement Compulsory, Skill Enhancement, and Generic Elective courses.

Can I get a discount on the programme fee if I choose digital study material?

Yes, learners who opt for soft copies of the study material instead of printed books receive a 15% discount on the programme fee. The self-learning material is also available on eGyanKosh.