Bachelor of Vocational Studies [B.Voc.] (Tourism Management)

The Bachelor of Arts (Vocational Studies) in Tourism Management, offered by Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) under the programme code BAFVTM, is a 3-year undergraduate degree delivered in Open Distance Learning (ODL) mode. Developed by the School of Tourism and Hospitality Services Management (SOTHSM), the programme is designed to create a dedicated and skilled workforce for the Travel and Tourism sector. It is particularly suited for people already working in the tourism sector, self-employed individuals, and adults who wish to upgrade their educational qualifications and knowledge in tourism. The programme fee is Rs. 5,300 per year (plus Registration and Development fees), and the medium of instruction is English and Hindi. IGNOU conducts Term-End Examinations (TEE) twice a year (June and December), and the programme has no seat cap, making it accessible to a wide range of learners across India.

Admissions for the January 2026 session are currently ongoing. The last date to submit the application form is 30th March 2026. Students can apply online at ignouadmission.samarth.edu.in.

Since this course is offered in Distance Mode only, it is available at select IGNOU Study Centres across India. Key centres where BAFVTM is offered include:

• Hyderabad: Aurora Degree College
• Shimla: Government Degree College; Government P.G. College; Govt. Degree College (Solan)
• Jaipur: IGNOU Regional Centre Jaipur; International School of Informatics and Management (ISIM)
• Chennai: DDGD Vaishnava College; Voorhees College; Pondicherry University Community College
• Madurai: Bishop Heber College; H.K. Rowther Howdia College; Thiyagarajar College
• Jorhat: C.K.B. Commerce College; D.K.D. College; Darrang College (Tezpur); Dibrugarh University; Lakhimpur Commerce College; Nowgoan College; Sibsagar Girls College; Women's College, Tinsukia
• Nagpur: Guru Nanak Bhawan; Pratibha Niketan Mahavidyalaya; Sant Gadge Baba Amravati University
• Mumbai: K.J. Somaiya College of Arts and Commerce
• Chandigarh: DDE, Punjab University; Goswami Ganesh Dutta Sanatan Dharma College
• Delhi (South): Jesus and Mary College
• Panaji: Dhempe College of Arts and Science; Shri Damodar College of Commerce and Economics
• Ahmedabad: L.D. Arts College; M.S. University; MTB Arts College
• Dehradun: D.A.V. PG College; MB PG College, Haldwani
• Bhopal: IGNOU Regional Centre Bhopal
• Bhubaneswar: IGNOU Regional Centre Bhubaneswar
• Kolkata: IGNOU Regional Centre Kolkata
• Delhi (ITO): IGNOU Regional Centre Delhi-2
• Noida: IGNOU Regional Centre Noida
• Varanasi: DDU University, Gorakhpur
• Patna: IGNOU Regional Centre Patna
• Pune: Abeda Inamdar Senior College; Vivekanand Arts and SDS Commerce College
• Shillong: North Eastern Hill University
• Gangtok: IGNOU Regional Centre Gangtok
• Srinagar: Government Degree College Anantnag; Government Degree College Sopore; Government Degree College Pulwama; Govt. Amar Singh College; and others

Note: The above is a representative list. Students should verify availability of BAFVTM at their preferred study centre on the official IGNOU admission portal before applying.

Key Points

• The BAFVTM programme is specifically designed to create skilled professionals for the Travel and Tourism sector.
• It is ideal for working professionals in the tourism industry who wish to upgrade their qualifications while continuing to work.
• The programme covers tourism management, travel operations, hospitality, tour guiding, and related subjects.
• Medium of instruction is both English and Hindi.
• No age limit for admission; working professionals and adults can enroll.
• IGNOU is the only open university in India accredited with the highest A++ Grade by NAAC.
• Degrees awarded by IGNOU are recognized by all member institutions of the Association of Indian Universities (AIU).
• The programme provides university-level education in niche areas that fulfil the demands of employment and economy.

IGNOU B.Voc. Tourism Management Fees

The BAFVTM programme at IGNOU has an annual fee of Rs. 5,300, making the total programme fee Rs. 15,900 for the 3-year duration. In addition, a one-time non-refundable Registration Fee of Rs. 300 and a Development Fee (as applicable) are charged. There are no hostel facilities associated with this distance learning programme.

Fee Components

• The Registration Fee of Rs. 300 is non-refundable under all circumstances.
• Fee paid will be refunded prior to confirmation of admission.
• After confirmation of admission, 15% of the programme fee (subject to a ceiling of Rs. 2,000) will be deducted if cancellation is requested.
• No refund is admissible after 60 days of the closing date of admissions.
• Fee can be paid via Credit Card (Master/Visa), Debit Card (Master/Visa/RuPay), or Net Banking.
• Re-registration fee is payable for the 2nd and 3rd year separately.

IGNOU B.Voc. Tourism Management Admission 2026

Admissions to the BAFVTM programme at IGNOU are conducted twice a year - January session (November to February/March) and July session (May to August). The January 2026 session is currently open, with the last date for application submission being 30th March 2026. The programme does not require any entrance examination; admission is based on the eligibility criterion of 10+2 or equivalent. Students must apply online through the official IGNOU admission portal.

IGNOU BAFVTM Admission Dates

IGNOU Term-End Examination Dates

Note: BAFVTM is a distance learning programme with no mandatory entrance exam. TEE is the university's own internal examination conducted twice a year.

The dates mentioned above are tentative and subject to change.

Eligibility Criteria

• Candidates must have passed Class 12 (10+2) or its equivalent from a recognized board.
• There is no minimum percentage requirement for admission.
• There is no upper age limit for admission to BAFVTM.

Admission Process

• Visit the official IGNOU admission portal: ignouadmission.samarth.edu.in
• Click on "New Registration" and create a login with a valid email ID and mobile number.
• Select the BAFVTM programme and fill in the application form.
• Upload scanned copies of photograph, signature, Class 12 marksheet/certificate, and category certificate (if applicable).
• Pay the programme fee and registration fee online via Credit/Debit Card or Net Banking.
• Submit the application and save/print the confirmation for future reference.
• Study materials will be dispatched to the registered address (or available as soft copy if opted).
• Students must submit assignments as per the programme schedule and appear for Term-End Examinations at the designated study centre.

IGNOU B.Voc. Tourism Management Scholarships 2026

IGNOU students enrolled in the BAFVTM programme can avail several scholarships offered by the Government of India and state governments. These scholarships are primarily targeted at SC/ST, OBC, Minority, and Economically Weaker Section (EWS) students. Students are advised to apply for scholarships on the National Scholarship Portal (scholarships.gov.in) after confirmation of admission.

Available Scholarships

• Students must apply for scholarships on the National Scholarship Portal (scholarships.gov.in) after admission confirmation.
• Scholarship amounts and eligibility criteria may change annually; always verify from official sources.
• IGNOU periodically issues notifications for SC/ST fee support; check the official IGNOU website and regional centre announcements.
• Application deadlines for most NSP scholarships are typically between October and December each year.

IGNOU B.Voc. Tourism Management Placement 2026

IGNOU does not have a formal campus placement programme for the BAFVTM course, as it is a distance learning programme. However, graduates of B.Voc. (Tourism Management) from IGNOU have strong career prospects in the rapidly growing travel and tourism sector in India. The degree is recognized by all AIU member institutions and government bodies, enabling graduates to pursue government jobs, higher education, and private sector roles.

Graduates can explore careers as Tour Managers, Travel Consultants, Tourism Officers, Hotel Managers, Event Coordinators, Airline Ground Staff, and Tourism Entrepreneurs. The tourism sector in India is one of the fastest-growing industries, and BAFVTM graduates are well-positioned to take advantage of this growth.

Career Profiles and Salaries

• Salary figures are indicative and vary based on employer, location, and experience.

IGNOU B.Voc. Tourism Management FAQs

Ques. Is the IGNOU B.Voc. (Tourism Management) / BAFVTM degree recognized for government tourism jobs?

Ans. Yes, the BAFVTM degree from IGNOU is fully recognized by the Association of Indian Universities (AIU) and is accepted for government jobs in the tourism sector, including positions with the Ministry of Tourism, state tourism boards, and other government bodies. IGNOU is a central university established by an Act of Parliament and is NAAC A++ accredited.

Ques. Can I pursue BAFVTM while working in the tourism industry?

Ans. Absolutely. The BAFVTM programme is specifically designed for people already working in the tourism sector who wish to upgrade their qualifications. The distance learning mode allows you to study at your own pace without disrupting your work schedule.

Ques. What subjects are covered in the BAFVTM programme?

Ans. The BAFVTM programme covers a wide range of subjects including Introduction to Tourism, Travel Agency and Tour Operations, Tourism Marketing, Accommodation Operations, Tourist Destinations of India, Ecology and Tourism, Heritage Tourism, and Tourism Planning and Development, among others.

Ques. What is the difference between BAFVTM and BTTM (Bachelor of Tourism and Travel Management) at IGNOU?

Ans. Both BAFVTM and BTTM are tourism-related undergraduate programmes at IGNOU. BAFVTM is a vocational studies programme focused on practical skills for the tourism industry, while BTTM (BFTTM) is a more comprehensive programme covering tourism and travel management in greater depth. Both are 3-year ODL programmes, but BTTM has a slightly higher fee structure.

Ques. What happens if I miss the January 2026 admission deadline?

Ans. If you miss the January 2026 deadline (30th March 2026), you can apply for the July 2026 session, which typically opens in May 2026. The programme structure and fees remain the same for both sessions.

Ques. After completing BAFVTM from IGNOU, can I pursue M.A. Tourism or MBA in Tourism from a regular university?

Ans. Yes, the BAFVTM degree from IGNOU is recognized by universities across India. Graduates can apply for M.A. in Tourism, MBA in Tourism and Hospitality, or other postgraduate programmes at regular universities, subject to meeting the eligibility criteria of the respective institution.