IGNOU MA Entrepreneurship 2026: Fees, Eligibility, Duration, Syllabus and Admission
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The IGNOU MA Entrepreneurship is a two-year Master of Arts programme with a fee of Rs. 8,200/- per year for the July 2026 session. Any candidate with a Bachelor's degree from a recognised university can apply.
| Detail | MA Entrepreneurship |
|---|---|
| Programme code | MAER |
| School | School of Vocational Education and Training (SOVET) |
| Eligibility | Bachelor degree in any discipline or its equivalent from a recognized University/Institution. |
| Medium | English |
| Duration | 2 years minimum, 4 years maximum |
| Programme fee (July 2026) | Rs.8,200/- per year |
| Full-course programme fee | Rs. 16,400 (Rs. 8,200 x 2 years) |
| Total credits | 64 |
| Admission cycles | January & July |
IGNOU MA Entrepreneurship: what the programme covers
The IGNOU MA Entrepreneurship programme is for students who want to start their own business ventures. The Master of Arts (Entrepreneurship) (MAER) programme, offered by the School of Vocational Education and Training (SOVET), focuses on knowledge, skills, and competencies essential for successful entrepreneurs, including aspects of startup, innovation, and soft skills.
The programme has a total of 64 credits, spread across four semesters. Students complete 16 credits in each of the four semesters. After successfully completing the first year’s courses (32 credits), students have the option to exit with a Post Graduate Diploma in Entrepreneurship (PGDER). The first year includes courses like MER-001 Business Environment and MER-002 Fundamentals of Entrepreneurship in Semester I, and MER-008 Finance & Accounting and MERP-001 Project I in Semester II. The second year covers MER-009 Marketing Management and MER-011 Start Up, Incubation and Business Ethics in Semester III, and MER-013 IT and Entrepreneurship and MERP-002 Project II in Semester IV.
IGNOU MA Entrepreneurship eligibility: who can apply
IGNOU MA Entrepreneurship eligibility requires a Bachelor’s degree in any discipline or its equivalent. This degree must be from a recognised university or institution. The programme is offered in English medium.
The application process through the Samarth portal requires uploading scanned copies of previous academic certificates for verification. Without a recognised Bachelor’s degree, admission to the Master of Arts (Entrepreneurship) (MAER) programme is not possible.
Before you apply: IGNOU admission step by step; checking your IGNOU admission status and IGNOU last dates.
IGNOU MA Entrepreneurship fees 2026: programme fee and other charges
The IGNOU MA Entrepreneurship programme fee is Rs. 8,200 per year, as stated in the July 2026 prospectus. For the minimum two-year duration, the total programme fee is Rs. 16,400. This amount does not include additional charges such as registration, development, or examination fees.
A non-refundable registration fee of Rs. 300 is payable at admission, along with a university development fee of Rs. 400. These are along with the initially year’s programme fee. Learners can pay through net banking, debit/credit card, or UPI via the payment gateway on the ODL admission portal.
IGNOU offers a 15% discount on the programme fee for learners who choose the digital material option instead of printed self-learning material.
MA Entrepreneurship fees, July 2026 session
| Charge | Amount |
|---|---|
| Programme fee (July 2026) | Rs.8,200/- per year |
| Full-course programme fee | Rs. 16,400 (Rs. 8,200 x 2 years) |
| Registration fee (once, non-refundable) | Rs. 300 |
| University Development fee (once) | Rs. 400 |
| Term-end exam fee | Rs. 200 per theory course |
Paying IGNOU fees: IGNOU fee structure for every programme.
IGNOU student services
IGNOU MA Entrepreneurship duration and credits
The IGNOU MA Entrepreneurship programme has a minimum duration of 2 years and a maximum duration of 4 years. Learners must complete all requirements within this 4-year period to earn the degree. The programme totals 64 credits. Each of the four semesters, from I Year Semester-I to II Year Semester-IV, carries 16 credits.
IGNOU MA Entrepreneurship syllabus: semester-wise courses
Students pursuing the IGNOU MA Entrepreneurship programme complete 64 credits across four semesters. The programme focuses on knowledge, skills, and competencies for starting a business venture. It covers aspects of startups, innovation, and soft skills essential for entrepreneurs.
The first year of the programme consists of two semesters, each with 16 credits. In Semester I, students study four courses: MER-001 Business Environment, MER-002 Fundamentals of Entrepreneurship, MER-003 Business Ideation and Opportunity Identification, and MER-004 Business Development and Entrepreneurial Competencies. MER-001 includes blocks on Socio-Political, Legal, Financial Market Regulations, and Economic environments. MER-002 covers an overview of entrepreneurship, policies, and strategies.
Semester II also has 16 credits, including MERP-001 Project I, which carries 4 credits. Other courses are MER-005 IPR & Technology Commercialization, MER-006 Management of New and Small Enterprises, MER-007 Government Initiatives & MSME Development, and MER-008 Finance & Accounting. MER-005 includes blocks on Intellectual Property Right concepts and patent technology commercialisation. Students who complete these first two semesters (32 credits) can exit with a PG Diploma in Entrepreneurship (PGDER).
The second year continues with Semester III and Semester IV, each contributing 16 credits. Semester III includes MER-009 Marketing Management, MER-010 Organizational Management and Labour Relations, MER-011 Start Up, Incubation and Business Ethics, and MER-012 Business Research Methods & Applications. MER-011 covers an overview of start-ups, business incubation, and ethics.
Semester IV concludes the programme with MER-013 IT and Entrepreneurship, MER-014 Innovation and Strategic Management, MER-015 Social Entrepreneurship, and MERP-002 Project II. MERP-002 is a 4-credit project. The full list of courses and their credit weightage is provided in
MA Entrepreneurship structure at a glance
| Semester / group | Courses | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| 1st semester | 4 courses | 16 |
| 2nd semester | 5 courses | 16 |
| 3rd semester | 4 courses | 16 |
| 4th semester | 4 courses | 16 |
MA Entrepreneurship 1st semester
| Course code | Course title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| MER-001 | Business Environment | 4 |
| MER-002 | Fundamentals of Entrepreneurship | 4 |
| MER-003 | Business Ideation and Opportunity Identification | 4 |
| MER-004 | Business Development and Entrepreneurial Competencies | 4 |
MA Entrepreneurship 2nd semester
| Course code | Course title | Credits | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| MER-005 | IPR & Technology Commercialization | 2 | |
| MER-006 | Management of New and Small Enterprises | 4 | |
| MER-007 | Government Initiatives & MSME Development | 2 | |
| MER-008 | Finance & Accounting | 4 | |
| MERP-001 | Project I | 4 | Project |
MA Entrepreneurship 3rd semester
| Course code | Course title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| MER-009 | Marketing Management | 4 |
| MER-010 | Organizational Management and Labour Relations | 4 |
| MER-011 | Start Up, Incubation and Business Ethics | 4 |
| MER-012 | Business Research Methods & Applications | 4 |
MA Entrepreneurship 4th semester
| Course code | Course title | Credits | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| MER-013 | IT and Entrepreneurship | 4 | |
| MER-014 | Innovation and Strategic Management | 4 | |
| MER-015 | Social Entrepreneurship | 4 | |
| MERP-002 | Project II | 4 | Project |
Syllabus for other programmes: IGNOU syllabus, programme by programme.
IGNOU MA Entrepreneurship admission 2026: how to apply on the Samarth portal
The first step for IGNOU MA Entrepreneurship admission is to ensure all documents are ready. Applicants need a colour passport-size photograph with a white background, under 100 KB, in JPEG format. Proof of educational qualification, such as a Bachelor’s degree, must be a soft copy under 200 KB, in JPEG or PDF format. If applicable, a soft copy of the category certificate (SC/ST/OBC) is also required, under 200 KB. Applicants should also have their APAAR ID prepared before starting the application process for the July 2026 cycle.
Admission to the IGNOU MA Entrepreneurship programme is fully online through the Samarth portal. The portal address is the IGNOU Samarth admission portal. IGNOU offers two admission cycles per year: January and July. The current cycle open for applications on the ODL admission portal is July 2026.
The application process involves several steps:
- Visit the IGNOU ODL admission portal for the July 2026 cycle.
- Register as a new user on the Samarth portal.
- Fill in the application form with personal and academic details.
- Upload the required documents, ensuring they meet the specified size and format.
- Pay the fees online using net banking, debit/credit card, or UPI.
The programme fee for the IGNOU MA Entrepreneurship is Rs. 8,200 per year for the July 2026 session. Besides this, a non-refundable registration fee of Rs. 300 and a University Development fee of Rs. 400 are paid at the time of admission. No printed form needs to be sent to the Regional Centre.
IGNOU MA Entrepreneurship exams and assignments
Assignments are compulsory for the IGNOU MA Entrepreneurship programme. Assignments for the current session are available for download from the University website.
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 are held twice a year, in June and December, at examination centres across the country and abroad. The December 2026 TEE has two sessions daily: 10 AM to 1 PM and 2 PM to 5 PM. Learners may write the exam in Hindi, even if registered in English medium, except for language programmes.
The examination fee is Rs. 200 per theory course, as of the December 2026 TEE. For projects and practical exams, the fee is Rs. 300 for up to 4 credits and Rs. 500 for above 4 credits, applicable from the January 2023 admission cycle. Hall tickets are uploaded on the University website and are not sent by post.
A copy of the answer script can be requested for Rs. 100 per course (January 2026). Only term-end theory exams can be re-evaluated; projects, practicals, workshops, assignments, or seminars are not eligible. Bachelor’s and Master’s students who fall short of 2% marks for a 2nd or 1st division may improve their grade, with one opportunity only (January 2026). Early declaration of results costs Rs. 1000 per course for Indian students, only with proof of selection for a post or further studies (January 2026).
Exam and assignment guides: IGNOU assignment format; IGNOU TEE date sheet and IGNOU result and grade card.
Notices and Documents from IGNOU
Common IGNOU Questions
What is the total fee for the IGNOU MA Entrepreneurship programme?
The total programme fee for the minimum two-year duration of the IGNOU MA Entrepreneurship is Rs. 16,400. This amount is based on the Rs. 8,200 annual fee from the July 2026 prospectus, and does not include registration, development, or examination fees.
How many credits are in the first year of the MA Entrepreneurship programme?
The first year of the MA Entrepreneurship programme has a total of 32 credits. This is split evenly, with 16 credits in Semester I and another 16 credits in Semester II.
Which courses in the MA Entrepreneurship programme involve a project?
The MA Entrepreneurship programme includes two project courses. MERP-001 Project I is in Semester II, and MERP-002 Project II is in Semester IV. Both project courses carry 4 credits each.
Can I exit the MA Entrepreneurship programme early with a diploma?
Yes, you can exit the programme after successfully completing the first year's courses. This includes all courses from Semester I and Semester II, totalling 32 credits, and results in a PG Diploma in Entrepreneurship (PGDER).
What is the minimum duration to complete the IGNOU MA Entrepreneurship?
The minimum duration to complete the IGNOU MA Entrepreneurship programme is 2 years. Learners have a maximum of 4 years to complete all requirements for the degree.
What are the study blocks for MER-001 Business Environment?
The eGyanKosh study blocks for MER-001 Business Environment cover four areas. These are Socio-Political Environment, Legal Environment, Regulations of Financial Market, and Economic Environment.
What is the eligibility for admission to the IGNOU MA Entrepreneurship?
To be eligible for the IGNOU MA Entrepreneurship, applicants must hold a Bachelor's degree in any discipline. This degree must be from a recognized University or Institution, or its equivalent.
How many credits are in the second year of the MA Entrepreneurship programme?
The second year of the MA Entrepreneurship programme comprises 32 credits. Semester III has 16 credits, and Semester IV also has 16 credits, bringing the total for the year to 32.
What is the fee per year for the MA Entrepreneurship programme?
The programme fee for the IGNOU MA Entrepreneurship is Rs. 8,200 per year. This fee is based on the July 2026 prospectus and is paid annually, in addition to other charges like registration and examination fees.