School of Open Learning

Distance Higher Educationsol.du.ac.in

School of Open Learning (SOL) is the open and distance learning arm of the University of Delhi, offering 18 undergraduate, 10 postgraduate, 25+ skill, and 8 foreign language programs to working professionals and non-traditional learners in India.

Company typePrivate
Founded1962
HeadquartersDelhi, India
Headcount5,001–10,000
GTM typeB2C
OfferingServices

What School of Open Learning does

School of Open Learning (SOL) is the open and distance learning constituent department of the University of Delhi, operating from 5 Cavalry Lines, University of Delhi, Delhi, India. SOL offers a portfolio of 18 undergraduate programs (including B.A., B.Com, B.Sc Hons in Computer Science, BMS, BBA), 10 postgraduate programs (MBA, MBA Executive Healthcare Administration, M.A. subjects, M.Com, and library/information science programs), 25+ job-ready skill certificate courses spanning technology, trades, and creative fields, and certificate/diploma courses in 8 foreign languages. The institution has historically operated under the names Department of Distance and Continuing Education (DDCE) and Campus of Open Learning (COL), and currently delivers courses in NEP-2020 compliant mode.

The underlying technology stack comprises dedicated online admission portals for each program stream (UG, PG, skill, foreign language), an MCQ-based online internal assessment system for semester examinations, the MEDHASETU student dashboard for Academic Year 2025+ cohorts, the COL-GRAM grievance redressal portal, and the COL Radio digital broadcasting platform. Distribution is direct-to-consumer: students apply online, study via self-learning material (SLM), and are examined at physical centers across Delhi NCR or online. Support is delivered through a helpdesk operating Monday–Friday, 9:30 AM–5:30 PM, plus phone-based enquiry lines.

SOL's business model is tuition-driven subscription-style revenue from student enrollment fees across degree, postgraduate, skill, and language programs, with no publicly disclosed fee schedule (prospectus-referenced). Marketing is digital-first through the official website, YouTube (COL Radio), X/Twitter (University of Delhi and DUSOL Official handles), and Instagram. As a government state entity within the University of Delhi — a public university established in 1922 — SOL is not investor-backed, does not raise venture funding, and has no M&A history. Its competitive position rests on the University of Delhi brand, statutory degree-granting authority, and subsidized public-university pricing rather than private-sector differentiation.

School of Open Learning firmographics

Firmographics

Name: School of Open Learning
Legal name: School of Open Learning, University of Delhi
Website: https://sol.du.ac.in
Company type: Private
Founded year: 1962
Operating status: Operating
Headcount range: 5,001–10,000 employees
Short description: School of Open Learning (SOL) is the open and distance learning arm of the University of Delhi, offering 18 undergraduate, 10 postgraduate, 25+ skill, and 8 foreign language programs to working professionals and non-traditional learners in India.
Ownership category
akta.pro rank

School of Open Learning industry classification

Industry

Product category: Distance Higher Education
NAICS: Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113)
SIC: Services-Educational Services (8200)
akta.pro primary industry: Online/Hybrid Lifelong Learning Platforms & Open Enrollment Programs (EDAAAEAL)

Keywords

Distance education
Higher education
Undergraduate programs
Postgraduate programs
Vocational training

Where School of Open Learning is headquartered

Location

Headquarters

HQ city: Delhi
HQ country: India
HQ region: Asia

Offices3 records

Markets served

School of Open Learning business model

Business model

GTM type: B2C
Offering type: Services
Cost components: Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

Tuition and Course Fees: Revenue generated from student enrollment fees for undergraduate programs (B.A., B.Com, B.Sc), postgraduate programs (M.A., M.Com, MBA), professional courses (BLISc, MLISc, PGDADLM), skill certificate courses, and foreign language certificate/diploma programs. Fees vary by program type and duration.

Pricing tiers

Model	Billing	Price
Subscription	Annual	Undergraduate Programs - Fee structure per prospectus
Subscription	Annual	Postgraduate Programs (M.A., M.Com) - Fee structure per prospectus
Subscription	Annual	MBA Programs - Fee structure per prospectus
Unit Pricing	One time/ perpetual license	Skill Certificate Courses - Per course fee
Unit Pricing	One time/ perpetual license	Foreign Language Certificate/Diploma Courses - Per language

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

School of Open Learning product offering

Product offering

Core offering

School of Open Learning (SOL) is a constituent department of the University of Delhi that delivers undergraduate and postgraduate degrees, professional diplomas (MBA, Library Science), vocational skill certificates, and foreign language certificate/diploma programs through open and distance learning modes. Students enroll directly via dedicated online admission portals and complete programs through self-paced study, online MCQ-based assessments, and examinations held at physical centers across Delhi NCR.

Product overview

School of Open Learning (SOL), part of the University of Delhi, operates as an open and distance learning institution offering a comprehensive portfolio of educational products across multiple categories: 18 undergraduate programs (including B.Sc Computer Science, B.Com, B.A. programs with various specializations), 10 postgraduate programs (MBA, M.A. degrees, Library Science programs, and the new MBA Executive Healthcare Administration), and extensive Job Ready Skill Courses covering technical, creative, and vocational training. The institution also offers Certificate/Diploma Foreign Language Courses in 8 languages. Student-facing digital services include the MEDHASETU Student Dashboard, COL-GRAM Grievance Portal, and COL Radio. The new B.Sc Computer Science (2026-27) and MBA Executive Healthcare Administration represent recent program additions to the portfolio.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

Undergraduate Degree Programs A suite of 18 undergraduate programs including B.A. (Hons.) in English, Political Science, and Economics; B.Com (Hons.) and B.Com; B.Sc (Hons) Computer Science; Bachelor of Management Studies; Bachelor of Business Administration (FIA); and B.A. (Programme) with specializations in Computer Applications, Economics, Education, English, Hindi, History, Mathematics, Political Science, Sanskrit, and Urdu. Designed for recent 12th-grade pass-outs, working professionals, and non-traditional learners across Delhi NCR seeking a University of Delhi bachelor's degree via open and distance learning.
Postgraduate Degree Programs A portfolio of 10 postgraduate programs including MBA, MBA (Executive) Healthcare Administration, M.A. in Hindi, Sanskrit, History, and Political Science, M.Com., Bachelor of Library and Information Science (BLISc), Master of Library and Information Science (MLISc), and Post Graduate Diploma in Automated and Digital Library Management (PGDADLM). Targeted at graduates and working professionals seeking advanced qualifications and specialized professional credentials.
B.Sc (Hons) - Computer Science Honours bachelor's degree in Computer Science offered as a new undergraduate program addition for Academic Session 2026-2027. Targets students seeking a University of Delhi credential in computer science through distance learning.
MBA (Executive) Healthcare Administration Executive MBA program specializing in Healthcare Administration newly launched for Academic Session 2026-2027. Targeted at working healthcare professionals and administrators seeking a Delhi University MBA credential with a healthcare specialization via distance mode.
Job Ready Skill Certificate Courses 25+ short-duration vocational and job-ready skill certificate courses spanning technology (Python Programming, Computer Networking, Basic Computer Application, Robotics), creative fields (Graphic Design and DTP, Photography and Video Editing, Animation and Motion Graphics), business (Digital and Social Media Marketing, Advanced Accounting and Financial Management, Basics of Accounting and GST), and trades (Motor Driving, Beauty and Hair Lab, Bakery and Confectionery, AC and Refrigerator Repairing, RO Repairing, Nail Art Training, Medical Transcription). Available in online and offline modes for job seekers and career changers.
Certificate/Diploma Foreign Language Courses (CIFL) Certificate and diploma courses in 8 foreign languages including Chinese, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, and Spanish. Targets learners seeking language proficiency for career opportunities in translation, international business, tourism, and hospitality, as well as personal enrichment.

Companies that use School of Open Learning

Customer profile

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

School of Open Learning technology and API

Technology

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API: No
API docs
API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

School of Open Learning partnerships and signals

Strategic signal

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

School of Open Learning competitors and assessment

Company assessment

Direct peers

NMIMS Global Access School for Continuing Education: Distance learning arm of NMIMS offering management and commerce degrees via ODL; a direct private-ODL competitor targeting the same working-professional cohort as SOL.
Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU): India's largest open and distance learning institution, offering UG/PG degrees, diplomas and certificates across the country — the closest analogue to SOL's ODL model with broader geographic reach.
Symbiosis Centre for Distance Learning (SCDL): A leading Indian ODL provider offering UG/PG, diploma and certificate programs via distance mode, directly competing with SOL for working-professional enrollment in management and commerce streams.
Manipal Academy of Higher Education – Distance Education: Distance education arm of MAHE offering UG/PG programs to working professionals across India — comparable private-ODL peer competing for the same working-student base.
University of Mumbai – Institute of Distance and Open Learning (IDOL): Distance learning wing of University of Mumbai delivering UG/PG programs to working students, mirroring SOL's public-university ODL positioning within Maharashtra.

Regional players

Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Open University (BRAOU): Telangana state open university offering distance UG/PG and certificate programs — comparable state-ODL peer operating primarily outside Delhi.
Karnataka State Open University (KSOU): State open university serving Karnataka with UG/PG ODL programs — regional peer with similar public-university ODL model, but not directly competing in Delhi.
Chhattisgarh Swami Vivekanand Technical University – Distance Education: Regional state technical university offering distance diploma/degree programs — adjacent ODL peer operating outside Delhi with comparable public-university structure.

Emerging players

upGrad: India's leading private online higher-education and upskilling platform offering degrees, diplomas and certificates in partnership with universities — competes with SOL on tech-enabled flexible learning and skill certificate demand.

Broad incumbents

SWAYAM (Government of India MOOC platform): National government MOOC platform offering free online courses across UG/PG levels — competes indirectly with SOL's open enrollment and skill course verticals through subsidized offerings.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

School of Open Learning financial estimates

Financial estimate

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

School of Open Learning leadership team

Management profile

Number of profiles

School of Open Learning funding detail

Funding detail

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

School of Open Learning M&A and investment

M&A and investment

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about School of Open Learning

What does School of Open Learning do?

Is School of Open Learning a public or private company?

School of Open Learning is a private company. It is classified as state government owned and is currently operating.

When was School of Open Learning founded?

School of Open Learning was founded in 1962. It employs 5,001 to 10,000 people.

Where is School of Open Learning based?

School of Open Learning is headquartered in Delhi, India, in the Asia region.

How does School of Open Learning make money?

One revenue line is on record: tuition and Course Fees.

Who are School of Open Learning's main competitors?

Direct peers on record are NMIMS Global Access School for Continuing Education, Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU), Symbiosis Centre for Distance Learning (SCDL), Manipal Academy of Higher Education – Distance Education and University of Mumbai – Institute of Distance and Open Learning (IDOL). Regional players are Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Open University (BRAOU), Karnataka State Open University (KSOU) and Chhattisgarh Swami Vivekanand Technical University – Distance Education. upGrad is listed as an emerging player. SWAYAM (Government of India MOOC platform) is listed as a broad incumbent.

Does School of Open Learning have an API?

No public API is recorded for School of Open Learning.

What industry is School of Open Learning in?

School of Open Learning's product category is Distance Higher Education. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAAAEAL, Online/Hybrid Lifelong Learning Platforms & Open Enrollment Programs. Its NAICS code is 6113 and its SIC code is 8200.