Degree Course Type 

Masters

Entry Level Qualification 

Graduate

Degree Course Duration 

2 Year

Course Fields 

Arts

Degree Course Entrance Exam 

CUET UG, CUET PG

Average Course Fee 

40000 - 50000 Per Year

Average Salary Offered 

300000 - 800000 Per Year

Course Details 

MA English or Master of Arts in English is a postgraduate program in the field of Arts and Humanities. MA English is a 2 year program. Any candidate who has interest in English literature can pursue MA English course.

Course Highlights 

Below are important highlights related to MA English Course:

About Course 

MA English is one of the leading specializations in the Master of Arts programme. It is the choice of many graduates to pursue the course of MA English Literature. The programme is of the postgraduate level and is completed in a duration of two years. MA English is an amalgamation of ancient and modern English Literature which mainly comprises four primary areas of focus, Poetry, Prose, Drama, and Linguistics. At the master's level, the study of English Literature is not limited only to the works of English writers but it incorporates the pieces of creation of writers from all over the world. 

As the field of literature is enormous, students have to select electives and opt for the area in which they wish to specialize. The students get to learn and understand the historical, political, and cultural contexts of English and linguistics on an advanced level. MA English explores the entire timeline of the development of literature over the years. It also involves all the movements and revolutions that happened at a particular time.

After completing the course of MA English Literature, students can opt to go in various fields as per their interests. They can pursue higher studies or start working as well. MA English is a two-year-long course that is usually covered in four semesters. As many students apply for this course every year, admission to MA English Literature entails tough competition in almost all universities.

Why Choose Course And Required Skills 

Master of Arts has been one of the most pursued courses in India. It has been considered as one of the oldest courses being studied in India. There are a variety of Master of Arts courses that a candidate can do such as MA Economics, MA Hindi, MA Geography, MA History, MA Political Science, etc. One of the most pursued course among all these Master of Arts courses is MA English.

Below mentioned are some of the reasons as why a candidate must pursue MA English course:

1. Candidates who pursue MA English will get in-depth knowledge of subjects related to literature and other subjects. 

2. Candidates will get new skills and learn new abilities related to English subjects.

3. After pursuing MA English candidates can get jobs in MNCs that prefer candidates with good English skills. 

4. Candidates can also pursue higher studies after completing MA English such as MPhil English or PhD English.

5. Candidates who pursue MA English will get good research skills.

6. While doing MA English course, candidates will get to expand their professional circle. It will help in increasing professional skills and increasing practical knowledge about the world.

MA English course is a two year program in which students learn about English literature in detail. Candidates who wish to pursue MA English course must be dedicated and hard working because MA English course requires deep research and analytical skills. Following are some of the required skills that must be there in every candidate who wish to pursue MA English course or even go for higher studies after completing MA English course:

1. Good communication skills

2. Management skills

3. Goal-oriented

4. Intellectually curious

5. Organizational skills

6. Problem-solving skills

7. Analytical thinking

8. Ability to work under pressure

9. Inquisitive

10. Interpersonal skills

Eligibility  

MA English is a specialized course which deals with English language and English literature. Any candidate who has interest in learning about English literature can apply for MA English course. The eligibility criteria for MA English course is almost the same for all the colleges and universities in India.

MA eligibility criteria has been discussed in detail in the below section:

1. It is not mandatory to have an undergraduate degree in English in order to pursue MA English course. 

2. Any candidate with a minimum aggregate score of 50% in their undergraduate degree can apply for MA English course. 

3. It is compulsory that the candidate must have completed an undergraduate degree from any recognized university or college. Then only the candidate can apply for admission in MA English course.

4. Candidates can also pursue MA English course through distance education also. The eligibility criteria for distance education is the same as the regular course.

5. In some universities an entrance exam is also conducted in order to provide admission to MA english course. Candidates must qualify the entrance exam in order to secure admission in MA English colleges and universities.

6. Reputed universities that conduct entrance examinations for admission in MA English courses are Jawaharlal Nehru University, Banaras Hindu University, Jamia Milia University, etc. 

Entrance Exams Details 

1. Jawaharlal Nehru University Entrance Examination (JNUEE).

2. Delhi University Entrance Test (DUET).

3. Banaras Hindu University Postgraduate Entrance Test (BHU PET).

4. University of Hyderabad Entrance Examination (UoH Entrance Exam).

5. English and Foreign Language University Entrance Examination (EFLU Entrance Exam).

Degree Course Syllabus 

MA English syllabus for first year which is followed by various colleges and universities in India is as follows:

1. Modern English Usage and Grammar

2. Chaucer to Elizabethans

3. Metaphysical to Milton

4. Augustans and Neoclassical Writers

5. Pre- Romantics and Romantics

6. Phonetics and Spoken English

7. Literary Criticism

8. Victorian Literature

Top Colleges 

There are variety of colleges situated in Delhi which offer MA English course. In some of these MA English colleges, admission is offered on the basis of entrance exams. These MA English colleges are top among many other colleges in India. Hence, obtaining MA english admission in these colleges is a bit difficult. Candidates must study well and prepare accordingly for MA English colleges entrance tests.

Some of the top MA English colleges are as follows:

1. Miranda House

2. Lady Shri Ram College for Women

3. St Stephen’s College

4. Hindu College

5. Gargi College

6. Atma Ram Sanatan Dharma College 

Top MA English Colleges in Bangalore

Candidates can apply for admission in MA English colleges in Bangalore also. There are man y reputed MA English colleges in Bangalore which offer admission on the basis of merit list or conduct an entrance test for providing MA English course admission. Given below are some of the top MA English colleges in Bangalore:

1. Christ University

2. Kristu Jayanti College

3. Jain University

4. Jyoti Nivas College

5. Garden City University

Top MA English Colleges in Mumbai

Mumbai is a place where one can find one of the best MA English colleges in India. Candidates can apply for MA English admission in given colleges in Mumbai:

1. St. Xavier’s College

2. KJ Somaiya College of Arts, Commerce and Science

3. Mithibai College of Arts

4. Ramnarain Ruia Autonomous College

5. Jai Hind College

Top MA English Colleges in Kolkata

Kolkata is considered as a hub for education and knowledge in India. One can find many scholars and intellectuals of Bengali origin from Kolkata. Candidates can apply for MA English admission in given top MA English colleges in Kolkata:

1. Jadavpur University

2. St. Xavier’s University

3. Lady Brabourne College

4. St Xavier’s College

5. Presidency University

Top MA English Colleges in Pune

Candidates can find various top MA English colleges in Pune. Given below is the list of various MA english colleges in Pune:

1. Fergusson College

2. St Mira’s College for Girls

3. Symbiosis College of Arts and Commerce

4. Abeda Inamdar Senior College

5. Dr DY Patil Arts, Science and Commerce College​​​​​​​

Some of the top MA English colleges abroad:

1. Harvard University

2. Stanford University

3. Massachusetts University

4. University of California

5. Columbia University

6. University of Cambridge

7. Oxford University

8. University College London

9. Imperial College London

10. University of Edinburgh

11. University of Toronto

12. University of British Columbia

13. McGill University

14. University of Montreal

15. University of Alberta

Course Fees 

The average MA English Course fee varies from INR 10,000 to INR 50,000. This average fee structure is applicable for government colleges and universities. MA English course fee structure for different private colleges is different. Private colleges fees may vary from INR 50,000 to INR 5,00,000. The colleges that offer MA English course in distance education have their MA English course fee structure very different from the regular course offering colleges and universities. MA English course fee for distance education can vary from INR 6,000 to INR 20,000 per year. Candidates must check the prospectus in order to get an exact idea about the fee structure for that particular college or university.

Top Recruiters And Salary 

Here are some of the topmost job roles that are offered to students after an MA English:

1. Content Writer

2. Copywriter

3. Teacher

4. Translator

5. Proofreader

6. Stenographer

7. Editor

8. PR Specialist

9. Digital Media Specialist

10. Advertising Executive

11. Civil Servant

12. Content Developer

13. Blogger

Candidates who have done MA english course and have opted for a variety of jobs like Editor or Assistant Editor, Web Content Writer, Academic Writer, Teacher, Translator, SEO Analyst can earn upto INR 4.5 Lakhs to INR 7 Lakhs. Salary of the candidate also depends upon the amount of experience that the candidate has. 

Course Scope And Career Options 

After completing the programme of MA English Literature, students have several career options to choose from. If they wish to pursue higher education, they can enroll in a programme of MPhil or PhD. In order to get selected for these courses of the doctorate level, they will have to appear for the exam of UGC NET. Students can also start working right after finishing their postgraduate degree in English literature. Postgraduates with an MA English Literature are hired in the sectors of publishing, teaching, communication, public relations, journalism, advertising, etc. Here are some of the topmost job roles that are offered to students after an MA English.

1. Content Writer

2. Copywriter

3. Teacher

4. Translator

5. Proofreader

6. Stenographer

7. Editor

8. PR Specialist

9. Digital Media Specialist

10. Advertising Executive

11. Civil Servant

12. Content Developer

13. Blogger​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

Admission Process 

Brief knowledge about MA English process has been provided below:

1. Admission into the 2-years MA English programme is done both on the basis of merit and entrance exam scores. 

2. In the entrance exam process, the candidates can appear in any national-level, state-level or institute-level entrance examination and secure valid marks or a valid rank. 

3. Based on the rank or entrance exam score, a counseling process is conducted (institute-level or national-level) and thereafter final allocation of seats is done. 

4. Some institutes also offer direct admission into the MA English programme where the qualifying exam scores, i.e the graduation level scores are taken into consideration and a merit list is prepared. 

5. Based on the merit list which is released by the respective colleges and universities, the suitable candidates are offered MA English admissions.