IGNOU MA Urban Studies / PGDUPDL Project (MEDSP-045): Guidelines, Synopsis Format, Guide Eligibility and Submission

MEDSP-045 is the project work course used in IGNOU’s urban studies and urban planning programmes (MAUS and PGDUPDL) of the School of Extension and Development Studies (SOEDS). The guideline summarised here is the PGDUPDL project handbook, which describes the project as 8 credits taken in place of a theory course. The work runs in two parts: a project proposal that SOEDS must approve, and then a project report based on that approved proposal.

The MEDSP-045 journey at a glance

Every urban studies project moves through these steps. The green tag shows where HelpBooks supports you.

1. 1
   Choose a topicNarrow, linked to urban planning or development, and possible to study in your city.HelpBooks: 5–6 topic options for you
2. 2
   Find an eligible supervisorCheck the eligibility conditions given below.HelpBooks: eligibility check
3. 3
   Prepare proposal + proforma + supervisor bio-dataProforma signed by you and your supervisor, one signed copy of the proposal, and the supervisor’s signed bio-data.HelpBooks: proposal drafted with you
4. 4
   Send to the Coordinator (PGDUPDL), SOEDSOnly one copy, envelope marked “MEDSP-045”. Keep a copy for yourself.HelpBooks: final check before posting
5. 5
   Approval (within about six weeks)The handbook says you are informed by email and post within six weeks of receipt. You get a P.P. number.HelpBooks: revision support

6. 6
   Collect data and write the reportAbout 40–50 typed pages, not more than about 10,000 words excluding appendices.HelpBooks: full report support
7. 7
   Bind with approved proposal and certificateOriginality certificate (Annexure III) signed by you and your supervisor, questionnaire, supervisor bio-data and the remuneration bill (Annexure IV).HelpBooks: annexure checklist
8. 8
   Send to the Registrar (Students Evaluation Division)IGNOU, Maidan Garhi, New Delhi-110068, by Registered or Speed post, envelope marked “PROJECT REPORT-PGDUPDL”.HelpBooks: address and envelope check
9. 9
   Evaluation and resultReports received 1 Dec–31 May go with June results; 1 Jun–30 Nov with December. You get a P.R. number on submission.HelpBooks: support till marks

MEDSP-045 at a glance

Figures are based on the MEDSP-045 project handbook. IGNOU revises its guidelines from time to time, so check the latest handbook on ignou.ac.in before you begin.

Who can be your MEDSP-045 supervisor?

The supervisor’s complete, signed bio-data (date of birth, office and residence addresses, phone numbers, qualifications with year of passing, and work experience with designation) must go with your proposal. Without it the proposal will not be entertained. If SOEDS does not accept your supervisor, or if you change supervisor later, you must submit a new proposal.

Choosing an MEDSP-045 project topic

A good MEDSP-045 topic is narrow, tied to an urban issue, and possible for you to study with the time and contacts you have. Some areas that work well:

• Urban services: solid waste collection, water supply or public transport in a city or ward
• Housing and slums: living conditions and housing schemes for the urban poor
• Urban governance: working of a municipal body or ward committee
• Informal sector: street vendors and urban livelihoods
• Planning and environment: green space, flooding or land use change in a town

If you are working, a topic linked to your own organisation or city makes data collection far easier. This is also the first thing our mentors look at when they suggest topics to an urban studies learner.

MEDSP-045 proposal format

The proposal should cover these parts:

• Title
• Introduction
• Objectives
• Problem statement
• Research methodology: locale, sampling, instruments and statistical tools
• Limitations
• References

If the proposal is not approved, you receive the evaluator’s suggestions for reformulation, and you resubmit with a revised proforma.

MEDSP-045 project report structure

After approval, the report is built on the same topic, objectives and locale that were approved. The handbook gives this order:

• Title page (title, your name, address, enrolment number, year)
• Originality certificate signed by you and your supervisor
• Acknowledgement and table of contents
• Introduction, with objectives and rationale
• Review of literature
• Methodology
• Results and discussion
• Conclusion
• Limitations and suggestions for further work
• References in APA style, in alphabetical order
• Appendices

The bound report is in English on A4 paper. Attach the approved proposal and proforma, the questionnaire or interview schedule used, the supervisor’s bio-data and the supervisor’s remuneration bill. The report is not returned to you.

Why MEDSP-045 proposals and reports come back

• Supervisor’s signed bio-data missing or incomplete
• Supervisor not accepted by SOEDS, or changed without a fresh proposal
• Proforma not signed by the student and the supervisor
• Topic too wide, or objectives that the methodology cannot answer
• Report that changes the topic or locale from the approved proposal
• Approved proposal, originality certificate or remuneration bill missing from the report
• Copied literature review or theory
• Report sent to the proposal address instead of the Registrar (Students Evaluation Division)

If your proposal is not approved: send a revised proposal with the revised proforma, a copy of the rejected proposal, the proforma carrying the evaluator’s comments, and your P.P. number. Our mentors can rework a returned proposal using the evaluator’s comments.

How HelpBooks mentors urban studies learners

Most learners who reach us have one of three problems: they cannot settle on a topic, their proposal has come back once, or they have approval but do not know how to turn field data into a 40–50 page report. Our mentors stay with you through the whole MEDSP-045 journey, from the first topic list to the day your marks appear:

• 5–6 workable topic options based on your job, organisation and city, to discuss with your supervisor
• Proposal drafted with you in the MEDSP-045 format, with the proforma and bio-data checked line by line before you post it
• Help with revisions if the evaluator returns your proposal
• After approval, support in building the full report on your approved proposal, with original writing, your own city data and a plagiarism check
• A final check of the annexures, certificate and envelope before you send it to IGNOU
• Support until your result is declared, including any changes the evaluator asks for

Starting MEDSP-045 or stuck midway? WhatsApp us on 8800002552 with your stage, and we will tell you the next step. You can also read our step-by-step IGNOU project guide.

Common questions

How long does proposal approval take?
The handbook says you are informed within six weeks of receipt. Keep a copy of everything you post and note your P.P. number.

Can I choose a supervisor from my workplace?
Yes, if the person meets one of the eligibility conditions in the handbook and signs the proforma and bio-data.

Is there a viva for MEDSP-045?
The handbook does not mention a viva. The report is marked out of 100 by an external examiner chosen by the Students Evaluation Division.

Where does the report go?
To the Registrar (Students Evaluation Division), IGNOU, Maidan Garhi, New Delhi-110068, not to the proposal coordinator.

Can HelpBooks help if I have already started?
Yes. Many learners come to us after a returned proposal or with approval in hand. Share what you have, and we pick up from that stage.

HelpBooks is an independent academic support service and is not affiliated with IGNOU. Rules on this page are summarised from the MEDSP-045 project handbook; always follow the latest official guideline and your supervisor’s instructions.