Although Deemed University and Open University are statuses that points out the standard of the various colleges and institutes, the powers of both are entirely different. Deemed University is a rank of self-sufficiency, which is granted to the best performing institutes and colleges that come under different Universities within India. The University Grants Commission grants the powers to the Deemed University. However, Open Universities are distance learning and research Universities where aspirants can pursue various graduate, postgraduate and research programs. The Distance Education Council of India regulates all the Open Universities within India.

Deemed University

Various Universities are given Deemed University status to recognize them for the excellence in education. An aspirant can either pursue regular classes or distance education classes within a Deemed University. However, they have to attend all the classes regularly. Otherwise, they won’t be allowed to attend the final examinations. The institutes that come under the Deemed Universities have the entire power to set the course work and the syllabi of the various courses offered within the institute. In addition, they may have their own guidelines for providing admissions, fees and instructions to aspirants. Indian Institute of Information Technology, National Institute of Technology and SYMBIOSIS International Education Centre, Pune are some of the renowned Deemed Universities in India.

Open University

There are a lot of Open Universities within India and abroad. Working professionals mostly prefer studying in an Open University. It may help them continuing their studies without losing their jobs. An aspirant studying in an Open University need not strictly have to attend the classes. Most of the Open Universities conduct a maximum of 12 – 20 days classes in a year. Indira Gandhi National Open University is one among the well-reputed Open Universities in India.

Key differentiators between Deemed University and Open University

• Certain age limit is there for doing various regular programs in a Deemed University whereas aspirants of any age can pursue the various courses within an Open University.
• UGC controls Deemed Universities in India whereas DEC regulates Open Universities within India.

Deemed Universities have so many affiliated colleges under its control whereas the Open Universities does not have any affiliated colleges under its control. Most of the deemed Universities endows with regular classes whereas the Open Universities provides only distance education programmes including research degrees.