What are the Eligibility, Fee, Duration, and Syllabus for IGNOU MSW?

IGNOU MSW eligibility requires applicants to possess a Bachelor’s degree or a higher degree in any discipline from a recognized university. No specific minimum percentage or prior background in social work is required for admission into the Master of Social Work (MSW) programme. Candidates apply online through the IGNOU Samarth portal during active admission windows.

IGNOU MSW course fee is Rs 18,500 per year for the Master of Social Work (MSW) Open Distance Learning programme. In addition to the annual tuition fee, students pay applicable registration fees and development fees at the time of admission. Fee payment is processed online through the IGNOU Samarth admission portal.

Applicants apply for IGNOU MSW admission 2026 online by creating an account on the IGNOU Samarth admission portal. Candidates fill in personal details, select the Master of Social Work (MSW) programme, upload self-attested educational documents, and pay the annual program fee of Rs 18,500 plus registration charges. Admission confirmations are communicated via registered email.

For the July 2024 session, the IGNOU MSW assignment submission last date was March 31, 2025, while for the January 2025 session, the last date was September 30, 2025. IGNOU has not published the assignment submission last dates for the July 2026 or January 2026 sessions on its site as of 12 October 2026. Students submit handwritten responses directly to their Study Centre.

Master of Social Work Counselling (MSWC) at IGNOU is a 2-year post-graduate degree consisting of 10 theory and fieldwork courses. First-year courses include MSW-001, MSW-002, MSW-005, MSW-008, and MSW-009, while second-year courses cover MSW-012 through MSW-016. Handwritten assignments for each course carry a 30 percent weightage toward final grade evaluation.

IGNOU offers the Master of Social Work (MSW) in both Open Distance Learning (ODL) mode and Online (MSWOL) mode through its Learning Management System. The ODL mode requires fieldwork supervision at assigned Learner Support Centres and offline assignment submissions. Programme registration for both formats is conducted via IGNOU official admission portals.

The IGNOU MSW programme has a minimum duration of 2 years and requires the successful completion of 72 total credits. The curriculum consists of compulsory theory courses, elective subjects, and practical fieldwork components including Block Placement and Internship. Students complete their coursework through self-learning materials provided in English or Hindi mediums under the School of Social Work. If students require academic clarification regarding credit distribution, they can contact the programme coordinator at mswinfo@ignou.ac.in.

IGNOU offers the Master of Social Work programme in both English and Hindi mediums of instruction. Students select their preferred medium during online registration on the IGNOU Samarth portal for the 2-year post-graduate degree. Self-learning materials and assignment question papers are available in both languages through the eGyanKosh portal and Study Centres. If study materials in the selected medium are delayed, learners can email vcostudents@ignou.ac.in or raise a ticket on igram.ignou.ac.in.

Students can download official Master of Social Work Counselling assignment question papers online from the IGNOU assignment portal at webservices.ignou.ac.in. The assignments cover first-year courses like MSW-001 and MSW-002 as well as second-year courses up to MSW-016. Completed handwritten assignments carry a 30 percent weightage toward the final course grade and must be submitted to the assigned Study Centre. If assignment files fail to download, learners can contact their Regional Centre or reach out to vcostudents@ignou.ac.in.

The IGNOU MSW syllabus includes practical components such as Social Work Practicum, Block Placement, Internship, and fieldwork supervision. Students undertake hands-on practical training guided by Field Work Supervisors at assigned Learner Support Centres across India. Practical evaluations assess contemporary methods, criminal justice, and international social work concepts alongside theory courses. If learners need assistance with field supervisor allocation, they should contact their local Study Centre Coordinator or Regional Centre.

The Master of Social Work programme is offered by the School of Social Work at IGNOU headquarters in Maidan Garhi, New Delhi. The programme is managed under Programme Coordinator Dr. Saumya, accessible via email at mswinfo@ignou.ac.in or phone at 011-29571696. Students receive academic guidance and practical support through a nationwide network of 69 Regional Centres and over 2,000 Learner Support Centres. For unaddressed admission or administrative issues, candidates can submit grievances online at igram.ignou.ac.in.

Applicants must upload self-attested scanned copies of graduation marksheets, degree certificates, a recent passport-size photograph, signature, and identity proof during registration. Candidates belonging to reserved categories must also upload valid category or PwBD certificates on the IGNOU Samarth admission portal. After filling personal details and uploading legible files, candidates pay the annual academic fee of Rs 18,500 online to submit their application. If registration issues occur, applicants can submit a ticket at igram.ignou.ac.in.

IGNOU provides free digital study material for the Master of Social Work programme through the eGyanKosh repository at egyankosh.ac.in. Enrolled students can search, view, and download self-learning print blocks and video materials in English or Hindi mediums. Learners can also access course content through the official IGNOU e-Content mobile application on Android devices. If study material access fails or course modules are missing, learners can email vcostudents@ignou.ac.in or submit a grievance at igram.ignou.ac.in.

IGNOU broadcasts audio-visual educational materials for students through Doordarshan, the Gyan Darshan television network, and Gyan Vani radio stations. Learners can also access thousands of digital self-learning print blocks and video lectures online at the eGyanKosh repository on egyankosh.ac.in. Mobile users can download learning materials through the IGNOU e-Content app on Android devices. If online learning content is unavailable, students should email vcostudents@ignou.ac.in for assistance.

IGNOU publishes the official Common Prospectus online for learners seeking admission into the Master of Social Work programme. Prospective students can review details regarding the 72-credit curriculum, eligibility rules, and the Rs 18,500 annual tuition fee before applying. Registration is processed online through the official IGNOU Samarth admission portal at ignouadmission.samarth.edu.in. If candidates encounter errors while accessing admission prospectuses, they can email vcostudents@ignou.ac.in or raise a grievance at igram.ignou.ac.in.

IGNOU requires all MSW assignment responses to be handwritten, duly signed, and submitted directly to the assigned Study Centre. Assignments are evaluated as open-book assessments and carry a 30 percent weightage toward the final course grade. Each answer must start on a new page, structured with an introduction, sub-titles, body paragraphs, and a conclusion in the student’s own words. If assignment files fail to download from webservices.ignou.ac.in, learners can email vcostudents@ignou.ac.in for support.