Annamalai University Centre for Distance and Online Education (CDOE) is the distance education wing of the university. Currently, Annamalai University CDOE offers 40+ Undergraduate, Postgraduate, Diploma and Certificate courses in Open and Distance Learning (ODL) mode. These courses are approved by UGC-DEB and valid for jobs & higher education in India. Annamalai university holds NAAC A+ accreditation and admission is open twice a year for July and January sessions. There is no entrance exam for most courses.
Quick Overview
| Detail | Information |
| University | Annamalai University |
| Established | 1929 |
| Department | Centre for Distance & Online Education (CDOE) |
| Formerly Known As | Directorate of Distance Education (DDE) |
| NAAC Grade | A+ |
| Approvals | UGC-DEB, AICTE |
| Courses Offered | 40+ (UG, PG, Diploma, Certificate) |
| Admission Sessions | July & January every year |
| Entrance Exam | Not required (merit-based) |
| Application Fee | INR 118 for most courses and INR 295 for MBA & M.Sc CS |
| Official Website | audde.in |
About Annamalai University CDOE
Located in Annamalainagar, Chidambaram, Tamil Nadu, Annamalai University was established in 1929 under the Annamalai University Act, 1928. It is one of the largest residential universities in South Asia. The university was started with just 7 departments, and today it operates 49 departments under 10 faculties covering Arts, Science, Engineering, Medicine, Agriculture, Fine Arts, and more.
The university offers its distance & online learning courses through its distance education wing known as the Centre for Distance and Online Education (CDOE).
The CDOE was established in 1979, and it was formerly known as the Centre for Correspondence and Continuing Education. Annamalai University CDOE is one of the pioneer distance education institutions in India. It was the first university in India to offer postgraduate courses in Applied Psychology, Botany, Physics, Zoology, and Chemistry through distance mode.
The CDOE is approved by UGC-DEB (Distance Education Bureau) for all ODL courses.
Why Choose Annamalai University CDOE?
- NAAC A+ Accredited: Annamalai University is NAAC A+ accredited which signify excellent educational quality, academic standards.
- UGC-DEB Approved: all distance degrees offered by Annamalai University CDOE are legally valid and recognized nationwide.
- 40+ coursesto choose from across UG, PG, Diploma, and Certificate levels
- No entrance exam: There is no entrance exam required for admission.
- Pioneer institution: It is the first university in India to offer courses in Applied Psychology, Botany, Physics, Zoology, and Chemistry through distance mode.
- Affordable fees: This is Annamalai University’s biggest advantage. The fee is very affordable and for postgraduate courses it starts from as low as INR 4,500 per year. The distance MBA program cost just INR 31,500.
- Two annual admission windows: Admissions are taken twice in a year in the months of July and January sessions.
- Physical study materials: You get physical books to study which are sent by post to your home.
Distance Education Courses Offered by Annamalai University CDOE
Annamalai University CDOE offers 40+ courses in distance mode which includes 1 Undergraduate course (BFA), 22 Postgraduate courses, and several Diploma and Certificate courses.
Undergraduate Courses (UG)
| Course Code | Course Name | Duration & Medium | Total Fees |
| S201 | B.F.A. Music (Vocal) | 4 Years, English & Tamil | INR 28,000 |
| S202 | B.F.A. Music (Veena) | 4 Years, English & Tamil | INR 28,000 |
| S203 | B.F.A. Music (Violin) | 4 Years, English & Tamil | INR 28,000 |
| S204 | B.F.A. Music (Mridangam) | 4 Years, English & Tamil | INR 28,000 |
| S205 | B.F.A. Dance (Bharathanatyam) | 4 Years, English & Tamil | INR 28,000 |
Postgraduate Courses (PG)
| Course Code | Course Name | Duration & Medium | Total Fees |
| S012 | M.A. Tamil | 2 Years, Tamil | INR 8,500 |
| S013 | M.A. English | 2 Years, English | INR 8,500 |
| S014 | M.A. History | 2 Years, English & Tamil | INR 8,500 |
| S015 | M.A. Economics | 2 Years, English & Tamil | INR 8,500 |
| S017 | M.A. Sociology | 2 Years, English & Tamil | INR 8,500 |
| S159 | M.A. Political Science | 2 Years, English & Tamil | INR 8,500 |
| S154 | M.Sc. Applied Psychology | 2 Years, English | N/A (Not in 25-26 Prospectus) |
| S018 | M.Sc. Mathematics | 2 Years, English | INR 9,000 |
| S019 | M.Sc. Physics | 2 Years, English | INR 30,000 |
| S020 | M.Sc. Chemistry | 2 Years, English | INR 35,000 |
| S021 | M.Sc. Zoology | 2 Years, English | INR 34,000 |
| S022 | M.Sc. Botany | 2 Years, English | INR 34,000 |
| S155 | M.Sc. Computer Science | 2 Years, English | INR 28,000 |
| S792 | M.Sc. Microbiology | 2 Years, English | N/A (Not in 25-26 Prospectus) |
| S490 | M.Sc. Yoga | 2 Years, English | INR 24,000 |
| S119 | M.Com. Co-operative Management | 2 Years, English & Tamil | INR 8,500 |
| S470 | Master of Social Work (MSW) | 2 Years, English | INR 18,000 |
| S206 | M.F.A. Music (Vocal) | 2 Years, English & Tamil | INR 21,500 |
| S207 | M.F.A. Music (Veena) | 2 Years, English & Tamil | INR 21,500 |
| S208 | M.F.A. Music (Violin) | 2 Years, English & Tamil | INR 21,500 |
| S209 | M.F.A. Dance (Bharathanatyam) | 2 Years, English & Tamil | INR 21,500 |
MBA Courses
Annamalai University CDOE offers 6 MBA specializations under programme code S346. The total fee of Annamalai University Distance MBA is INR 31,500 for 2 years. There is no entrance exam required.
| Course Code | Course Name | Duration & Medium | Total Fees |
| S346 | MBA General | 2 Years, English & Tamil | INR 31,500 |
| S346 | MBA Human Resource Management | 2 Years, English | INR 31,500 |
| S346 | MBA Marketing Management | 2 Years, English | INR 31,500 |
| S346 | MBA Financial Management | 2 Years, English | INR 31,500 |
| S346 | MBA Production Management | 2 Years, English | INR 31,500 |
| S346 | MBA Systems | 2 Years, English | INR 31,500 |
For the complete fee structure, syllabus, and admission process for the distance MBA course, read our detailed guide: Annamalai University Distance MBA Fees, Courses & Admission.
Note: Cash and Demand Drafts are strictly not accepted. All fee payments, including late fees, must be made online via the university portal.
Eligibility Criteria
The eligibility for Annamalai University CDOE courses depends on the type of course:
- UG Programmes (BFA): A Passed in 10+2 from a recognized board.
- PG Programmes: A Bachelor’s degree (10+2+3 / 11+1+3 / 11+2+2 pattern) from a UGC-recognized university.
- 10+2+2 pattern is NOT eligible for PG courses.
- Candidates with a UG/PG degree from Open University System (OUS) must submit the UGC-DEB approval letter of that institution
- Degrees from institutions not recognized by UGC are not eligible.
- There is no entrance exam required. All admissions are done on merit-basis.
Admission Process
Students can apply for admission through the official Annamalai University CDOE website I,e audde.in, alternatively they can also visit a Learner Support Centres for spot admission. There is no entrance exam required.
Admission Sessions
There are two admission sessions each year i.e July & January.
| Session | Academic Period | Application Period |
| July Session | July – December | Opens April/May |
| January Session | January – June | Opens November/December |
How to Apply (Online)
- Visit the official website audde.in and purchase the application form with prospectus online by paying INR 118 for most courses and INR 295 for MBA and M.Sc. CS.
- You must check the eligibility for your chosen course very carefully.
- All students are required to generate an ABC ID (Academic Bank of Credits) via DigiLocker. This is mandatory.
- All students should also generate a DEB ID from the UGC-DEB portal. This is also mandatory for all ODL admissions.
- After that fill in the online application form, select your course and choose medium.
- You have to upload self-attested scanned copies of all required documents.
- Now submit your application form.
- After document verification you will be asked to pay the course fee online to confirm your admission.
- After your admission is confirmed, you will receive your Identity Card and Semester 1 Study Materials by post.
Spot Admission at Learner Support Centres
Students can also visit a Learner Support Centre for spot admission. You must carry original documents for verification purpose. Original document will be returned immediately after verification.
Learner Support Centres (LSC)
Annamalai University CDOE currently has 8 Learner Support Centres. All of them are located in Tamil Nadu.
| Centre Code | Location | Institution |
| 01 | Annamalainagar | Annamalai University, Chidambaram – 608002 |
| 417 | Cuddalore | St. Joseph’s Institution Campus, Manjakuppam – 607001 |
| 76 | Kallakurichi | Dr. R.K.S. Shanmugam College of Arts & Science – 606213 |
| 91 | Mayiladuthurai | ARC Viswanathan College, Sitharkadu – 609003 |
| 320 | Panruti | Sangamam Arts & Science College for Women – 607103 |
| 56 | Tindivanam | St. Ann’s College of Arts & Science – 604001 |
| 314 | Thirukoilur | Thirukovilur College of Arts & Science – 605766 |
| 29 | Villupuram | PG Extension College, Salamedu – 605401 |
Documents Required
| # | Document |
| 1 | Degree / Provisional Certificate |
| 2 | Mark sheets of 10th, 12th, and Graduation |
| 3 | Transfer Certificate (TC) |
| 4 | Community Certificate (SC/ST/OBC/BC/MBC/BCM) |
| 5 | Aadhaar Card |
| 6 | 3 recent passport-size photographs |
| 7 | ABC ID (Academic Bank of Credits) |
| 8 | DEB ID (UGC Distance Education Bureau) |
| 9 | UGC-DEB approval letter of UG institution (if UG was done through distance/online mode) |
Examination Pattern
The end-semester examinations are conducted offline in pen-and-paper mode at designated physical examination centers. For July session, exams are held in December, while for January session, exams are held in May. Below are more details about exams.
| Component | UG | PG |
| Internal Assessment | 25 marks | 25 marks |
| End Semester Exam | 75 marks | 75 marks |
| Minimum Pass (End Exam) | 40% | 50% |
| Minimum Pass (Combined) | 40 marks out of 100 | 50 marks out of 100 |
| Minimum Credits to Pass | 96 credits | 64 credits |
- Results are graded on a 10-point scale with CGPA awarded at end of final semester.
- Students who fail a course can reappear in subsequent odd/even semesters.
Programme Completion Rules
- UG programmes:All Undergraduate courses must be completed within N+3 years (e.g. a 3-year degree must be completed in maximum 6 years).
- PG programmes:All Postgraduate courses must be completed within N+3 years (e.g. A 2-year MBA can be completed in maximum 5 years).
- If a student failed to complete in maximum duration, his/her registration automatically cancelledand re-admission is required.
- All course fees must be paid in full before the last date to appear in examination.
Contact Details
| Detail | Information |
| Address | The Director, Centre for Distance & Online Education, Annamalai University, Annamalainagar – 608 002, Tamil Nadu |
| General Enquiry Phone | 8807010881 / 8807013211 |
| Examination Phone | 04144-238027 |
| auddegrievance@gmail.com | |
| Website | audde.in |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Annamalai University CDOE?
Annamalai University CDOE (Centre for Distance and Online Education) is the distance education wing of Annamalai University. It was established in 1979 and was formerly known as the Directorate of Distance Education (DDE). Currently, Annamalai University CDOE offers more than 40 UG, PG, Diploma and Certificate courses in distance mode. All courses are approved by UGC-DEB.
Is Annamalai University distance education valid?
Yes, all courses offered by Annamalai University CDOE are approved by UGC-DEB and AICTE (for management courses). The university also holds NAAC A+ accreditation. All degrees are valid for government/private jobs, and higher education across India.
What is the difference between DDE and CDOE in Annamalai University?
There is no difference between DDE and CDOE, they both are the same institution. The Directorate of Distance Education (DDE) has been officially renamed to Centre for Distance and Online Education (CDOE).
How many courses does Annamalai University CDOE offer?
Annamalai University CDOE offers more than 40 courses including 5 BFA specializations at undergraduate level, 22 postgraduate courses, and several Diploma and Certificate courses.
When does Annamalai University CDOE admission open?
Annamalai University CDOE admissions are open twice a year in July session, and January session. Students can apply online or by visiting learners support centers.
Is there an entrance exam for Annamalai distance education?
No, there is no entrance exam is required for admission. All admissions are done on merit basis.