IGNOU MSc Zoology 2026: Fees, Eligibility, Duration, Syllabus and Admission
Part of IGNOU Courses & Fees: Explore the IGNOU Courses List for July 2026 Admission and Fees
The IGNOU MSc Zoology is a two-year Master of Science programme with a fee of Rs. 20,000 per year for the July 2026 session. Candidates who have passed a B.Sc. (Hons.)/B.Sc. (Major) in Zoology or a B.Sc. (General/CBCS) with Zoology as a subject are eligible to apply.
| Detail | MSc Zoology |
|---|---|
| Programme code | MSCZOO |
| School | School of Sciences (SOS) |
| Eligibility | • The candidate should have passed the B.Sc. (Hons.)/B.Sc. (Major) in Zoology OR • B.Sc. (General/CBCS) with Zoology as one of the subjects |
| Medium | English |
| Duration | 2 years minimum, 4 years maximum |
| Programme fee (July 2026) | Rs. 20,000/- per year |
| Full-course programme fee | Rs. 40,000 (Rs. 20,000 x 2 years) |
| Total credits | 80 |
| Admission cycles | January & July |
IGNOU MSc Zoology: what the programme covers
The IGNOU Master of Science (Zoology) programme, coded MSCZOO, provides postgraduate education in Zoology with a specialisation in Entomology. This programme totals 80 credits. It helps in-service professionals upgrade their degrees for career mobility and prepares aspirants for various employment options in agriculture, health, education, and the environment.
The programme is structured across two years, with 20 credits in each of the four semesters. The first year includes core courses such as MZO 001 Molecular Cell Biology and MZO 002 Genetics and Animal Biotechnology, each worth 4 credits. Electives like MZOE 001 Parasitology are also offered. The second year features core courses such as MZO 006 Biostatistics and Bioinformatics and MZO 009 Research Methodology, both 4 credits. Students undertake project work, MZOP 001 Dissertation, on a prescribed topic, which gives exposure to research and collaboration. The reservation policy of the Government of India applies to admissions.
IGNOU MSc Zoology eligibility: who can apply
To apply for the IGNOU MSc Zoology programme, candidates must meet specific academic qualifications. Eligibility requires a B.Sc. (Hons.) or B.Sc. (Major) in Zoology. Alternatively, a B.Sc. (General/CBCS) degree is acceptable if Zoology was one of the subjects studied. The programme is offered in English medium.
Ensure your undergraduate degree aligns with one of these criteria before applying via the Samarth portal.
Before you apply: IGNOU admission step by step; checking your IGNOU admission status and IGNOU last dates.
IGNOU MSc Zoology fees 2026: programme fee and other charges
The IGNOU MSc Zoology programme fee is Rs. 20,000 per year for the July 2026 session. For the full minimum duration of two years, the total programme fee is Rs. 40,000. This amount excludes the registration, development, and examination fees.
A non-refundable registration fee of Rs. 300 is paid at admission, along with the programme fee. A University Development fee of Rs. 400 is also paid at admission. Learners who opt for soft copies of study material instead of printed material receive a 15% discount on the programme fee.
The application process is fully online through the ODL admission portal, the IGNOU Samarth admission portal, for the July 2026 session. Payment modes include net banking, debit/credit card, or UPI. Applicants need to keep their APAAR ID ready before applying.
MSc Zoology fees, July 2026 session
| Charge | Amount |
|---|---|
| Programme fee (July 2026) | Rs. 20,000/- per year |
| Full-course programme fee | Rs. 40,000 (Rs. 20,000 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 MSc Zoology duration and credits
The IGNOU MSc Zoology 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 from their date of admission. The programme totals 80 credits.
The credit distribution across the semesters is uniform. Each of the four semesters, spanning two years, carries 20 credits. This structure means a consistent workload throughout the programme.
- I Year (First Semester): 20 credits
- I Year (Second Semester): 20 credits
- II Year (Third Semester): 20 credits
- II Year (Fourth Semester): 20 credits
IGNOU allows for flexibility in certain situations.
IGNOU MSc Zoology syllabus: semester-wise courses
The IGNOU MSc Zoology programme, with a total of 80 credits, offers a specialisation in Entomology. Students complete core and elective courses across four semesters, with each semester carrying 20 credits. The programme includes project work, MZOP 001 Dissertation, which provides exposure to research and collaboration. This dissertation is worth 4 credits.
In the first year, students study core courses such as MZO 001 Molecular Cell Biology and MZO 002 Genetics and Animal Biotechnology. MZO 001 covers topics like Eukaryotic Cytoskeleton and Cell Transport. MZO 002 includes blocks on Gene Interaction and Mapping, and Animal Biotechnology. Students also complete MZOL 001 Lab Course I in the first semester and MZOL 002 Lab Course II in the second semester, each worth 4 credits.
The second year includes core courses like MZO 006 Biostatistics and Bioinformatics and MZO 007 Principles of Ecology. MZO 006 covers Descriptive Statistics and Data Search and Prediction Tools for Protein. MZO 007 includes blocks on Ecosystem and its Functioning, and Biodiversity and Its Conservation. Students also undertake MZOL 003 Lab Course III and MZOL 004 Lab Course IV, each worth 4 credits.
The programme structure includes elective courses. In the first semester, MZOE 001 Parasitology is an elective option. For the second semester, students can choose between MZOE 002 Animal Behaviour and Animal Welfare Ethics or MZOE 003 Aquaculture. The final semester offers three elective options: MZOE 004 Insect Taxonomy and Morphology, MZOE 005 Insect Physiology and Toxicology, and MZOE 006 Applied Entomology. MZOE 006, for example, covers Agricultural Entomology and Management of Insect Pests and Vectors.
MSc Zoology structure at a glance
| Semester / group | Courses | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| 1st semester | 5 courses | 20 |
| 2nd semester | 5 courses | 20 |
| 3rd semester | 5 courses | 20 |
| 4th semester | 5 courses | 20 |
MSc Zoology 1st semester
| Course code | Course title | Credits | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| MZO 001 | Molecular Cell Biology (Core) | 4 | Theory |
| MZO 002 | Genetics and Animal Biotechnology (Core) | 4 | Theory |
| MZO 003 | Comparative Animal Physiology and Biochemistry (Core) | 4 | Theory |
| MZOE 001 | Parasitology (Elective) | 4 | Theory |
| MZOL 001 | Lab Course I | 4 | Lab |
MSc Zoology 2nd semester
| Course code | Course title | Credits | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| MZO 004 | Systematics, Biodiversity and Evolution (Core) | 4 | Theory |
| MZO 005 | Genomics and Proteomics (Core) | 4 | Theory |
| MZOE 002 | Animal Behaviour and Animal Welfare Ethics (Elective) | 4 | Theory |
| MZOE 003 | Aquaculture (Elective) | 4 | Theory |
| MZOL 002 | Lab Course II | 4 | Lab |
MSc Zoology 3rd semester
| Course code | Course title | Credits | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| MZO 006 | Biostatistics and Bioinformatics (Core) | 4 | Theory |
| MZO 007 | Principles of Ecology (Core) | 4 | Theory |
| MZO 008 | Immunology (Core) | 4 | Theory |
| MZO 009 | Research Methodology (Core) | 4 | Theory |
| MZOL 003 | Lab Course III | 4 | Lab |
MSc Zoology 4th semester
| Course code | Course title | Credits | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| MZOE 004 | Insect Taxonomy and Morphology (Elective) | 4 | Theory |
| MZOE 005 | Insect Physiology and Toxicology (Elective) | 4 | Theory |
| MZOE 006 | Applied Entomology (Elective) | 4 | Theory |
| MZOL 004 | Lab Course IV | 4 | Lab |
| MZOP 001 | Dissertation | 4 | Project |
Syllabus for other programmes: IGNOU syllabus, programme by programme.
IGNOU MSc Zoology admission 2026: how to apply on the Samarth portal
IGNOU MSc Zoology admission for the July 2026 cycle is open on the Samarth portal. The university offers two admission cycles annually: January and July. Applicants for the IGNOU MSc Zoology programme must apply online through the IGNOU Samarth admission portal.
To apply for IGNOU MSc Zoology admission 2026, candidates must meet specific eligibility criteria. A candidate should have passed a B.Sc. (Hons.)/B.Sc. (Major) in Zoology, or a B.Sc. (General/CBCS) with Zoology as one of the subjects. The programme fee for IGNOU MSc Zoology is Rs. 20,000/- per year, as stated in the July 2026 prospectus. Along with the programme fee, a non-refundable registration fee of Rs. 300 and a University Development fee of Rs. 400 are paid at admission.
The application process is fully online; no printed form needs to be sent to the Regional Centre. Applicants must keep their APAAR ID ready before applying. Payments are accepted via net banking, debit/credit card, or UPI through the payment gateway. Required documents include a colour passport-size photograph with a white background, under 100 KB JPEG, and a soft copy of the relevant educational qualification, under 200 KB, in JPEG/PDF format. If applicable, a soft copy of the category certificate (SC/ST/OBC) under 200 KB is also required.
IGNOU MSc Zoology exams and assignments
Assignments are compulsory for the IGNOU MSc Zoology programme. Students must submit their assignment responses before taking the Term-End Examination (July 2026). Tutor Marked Assignments (TMAs) go to the Coordinator of the learner’s Learner Support Centre (July 2026). Assignments for the current session are available for download from the university website (July 2026). If an assignment is failed, it must be re-submitted; once passed, it cannot be re-submitted to improve the grade.
Term-end examinations (TEE) for IGNOU MSc Zoology are held twice a year, in June and December (July 2026). These examinations take place at centres across the country and abroad (July 2026). There are two daily exam sessions: 10 AM to 1 PM and 2 PM to 5 PM (December 2026 TEE). Learners may write the exam in Hindi, even if registered in English medium, except for language programmes (December 2026 TEE). The examination fee is Rs. 200 per theory course (December 2026 TEE). For project and practical exams, the fee is Rs. 300 for up to 4 credits, and Rs. 500 for above 4 credits (from January 2023 admission cycle) (July 2026). Hall tickets are uploaded on the University website and are not sent by post (July 2026).
Only term-end theory exams can be re-evaluated; projects, practicals, workshops, assignments, or seminars are not eligible. A copy of an answer script costs Rs. 100 per course (January 2026). Bachelor’s and Master’s students who are within 2% marks of a 2nd or 1st division may improve their grade, with one opportunity only (January 2026). Early declaration of results is available for Rs. 1000 per course for Indian students, provided there is 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 MSc Zoology programme?
The total programme fee for the minimum two-year duration of IGNOU MSc Zoology is Rs. 40,000, based on the July 2026 prospectus. This amount does not include the registration, development, or examination fees.
What is the annual fee for IGNOU MSc Zoology?
The annual programme fee for IGNOU MSc Zoology is Rs. 20,000 per year, as stated in the July 2026 prospectus.
What are the eligibility criteria for IGNOU MSc Zoology?
To be eligible for IGNOU MSc Zoology, candidates must have passed a B.Sc. (Hons.)/B.Sc. (Major) in Zoology. Alternatively, a B.Sc. (General/CBCS) with Zoology as one of the subjects is also accepted.
How many credits are in the IGNOU MSc Zoology programme?
The IGNOU MSc Zoology programme has a total of 80 credits.
Which courses in the IGNOU MSc Zoology programme involve lab work?
The IGNOU MSc Zoology programme includes four dedicated lab courses: MZOL 001 (First Semester), MZOL 002 (Second Semester), MZOL 003 (Third Semester), and MZOL 004 (Fourth Semester). Each lab course is worth 4 credits.
Does the IGNOU MSc Zoology programme include a project or dissertation?
Yes, the IGNOU MSc Zoology programme requires a project. Learners must complete a Dissertation, MZOP 001, which is a 4-credit project course in the Fourth Semester.
Is there a specialisation offered within the IGNOU MSc Zoology programme?
Yes, the IGNOU MSc Zoology programme offers a specialisation in Entomology. This allows learners to focus their studies within a specific area of Zoology.
What is the minimum and maximum duration to complete the IGNOU MSc Zoology?
The minimum duration to complete the IGNOU MSc Zoology programme is 2 years. Learners have a maximum of 4 years to complete all programme requirements.
When can I apply for admission to the IGNOU MSc Zoology programme?
Admissions for the IGNOU MSc Zoology programme are conducted twice a year, during the January and July admission cycles. The current admission cycle is July 2026.
Are there any courses in the IGNOU MSc Zoology programme that are particularly demanding?
The programme includes four lab courses (MZOL 001, MZOL 002, MZOL 003, MZOL 004) and a 4-credit Dissertation (MZOP 001). These practical and project components typically require significant time and effort from learners.