Entry Level Qualification
Graduate
Degree Course Entrance Exam
No Entrance Exam
Course Details
The MA degree lasts two years and can be completed full-time, part-time, in correspondence, or via a distance learning programme.
Course Highlights
Following are the major highlights of the Master of Arts (MA) degree programme:
Particulars | Details |
Degree | Masters |
Full Form | Master of Arts |
Course Duration | Master of Arts (MA) is 2 Years |
Age | No age limit |
Eligibility Criteria | Bachelor's degree in any discipline Minimum percentage: 45% to 55% |
Subjects Required | BA from a recognised university or any other degree with the minimum required aggregate marks |
Average Fees Incurred | INR 4000 - 80,000 per annum |
Similar Options of Study | MPhil |
Average Salary Offered | INR 4.4 LPA |
Employment Roles | Content Writer, High School Teacher, Secondary School Teacher, Primary School Teacher, HR Manager, Copy Editor, Editor, Executive Assistant, School Counsellor, Data Analyst, Assistant Editor, etc. |
Placement Opportunities | Accenture, VIBGYOR High, International Justice Mission, HSBC, Crisil, EY (Ernst & Young), Wipro Technologies Ltd., Kotak Mahindra Bank, American Express Co. (AMEX), The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc., etc. |
About Course
MA or Master of Arts is a postgraduate degree in Arts and Humanities field pursued after completing bachelor's in a chosen subject. The MA degree lasts two years and can be completed full-time, part-time, in correspondence, or via a distance learning programme. The Master of Arts programme offers admission for a variety of specialisations and is primarily merit-based. However, entrance exams are also used for MA admission at some colleges, including TISS, JNU, Calcutta University, and Jadavpur University.
Top MA colleges and universities include LSR, Miranda House, Hindu College, and Hansraj College, Fergusson College, Christ University, among others. The MA course fee for top MA colleges ranges from INR 15,000 – INR 30,000 per semester. Students with an MA degree will have a solid academic foundation that will be extremely beneficial to their future careers. It also offers students good job opportunities and serves as a springboard to pursuing a doctorate.
Why Choose Course And Required Skills
Although any candidate can pursue a Master of Arts degree, there are certain skillsets that all candidates planning to pursue a Master of Arts degree should possess. Candidates must be dedicated and focused on the subject in which they wish to pursue their master's degree. A postgraduate degree requires more determination and grit than an undergraduate degree. This is largely due to the extensive research required for the course.
As a result, the following are some essential skills that MA candidates should possess:
1. Good communication skills
2. Problem-solving skills and Analytical thinking
3. Time management skills
4. Focus
5. Curiosity
6. Organizational and Interpersonal skills
Eligibility
MA course eligibility criteria is different for different courses and colleges/universities. Master of Arts is a specialized course that gives students an in-depth knowledge of the discipline/domain they have picked. Therefore, some universities/colleges also conduct their own examination to select students.
But there are some common criteria for MA admission that are mentioned below:
1. Candidate must hold a bachelor’s degree (preferably arts) of a minimum 3 or 4-year duration from a university/college that is recognized by the University Grants Commission (UGC) India.
2. Candidates must score a minimum of 55% aggregate marks in their graduation degree.
3. Candidates currently in their final year must have cleared all the semester's exams while taking admission in the MA course.
Entrance Exams Details
Many colleges/universities accept students through online entrance exams. So, if you wish to pursue MA in any specialization these are the popular MA entrance tests you must give.
TISSNET | PU CET | TUEE | AUCET | JNUEE |
IPU CET | CUET | MGU CAT | ITM NEST | CPGET (OUCET) |
Degree Course Syllabus
Given below is MA syllabus of some popular specializations like MA English, MA Economics, MA History, MA Political Science, MA Psychology, MA Sociology, and MA Rural Development.
Syllabus |
MA Syllabus for English Introduction to Linguistics Linguistics and English Language Poetry I (Chaucer to Blake) Poetry II (Wordsworth to Arnold) Fiction I (Defoe to Hardy) Poetry III (Hopkins to Ted Hughes) Fiction II Indian Literature in English I/American Literature-I Literary Criticism & Theory I Indian Literature in English II/American Literature II Literary Criticism & Theory II Indian Literature in Drama I (Marlowe to Wilde excluding Shakespeare) Translation/New Literatures in English/Women Writing | MA Syllabus for History Principles of History Environmental Crisis and World Religions Contemporary World Major currents in Historical Thought Contemporary World (Part-II: 1945-2003) Research Methodology and Historical Investigation Indian National Movement (1905-1947) Indian Nationalism (Socio-religious and other protest movements) up to 1905 Ecology & Environment in History |
MA Syllabus for Psychology Advanced Biological Psychology Stress Management in organizations Psychology of Personality Methods of Cognitive Neuropsychology Health Psychology Drug and Behaviour Rehabilitation Psychology Advanced Statistics Psychopharmacology Genetics, Environment and Behaviour Psychobiology of Emotion and Health Advanced Cognitive Psychology | MA Rural Development Syllabus Rural Development - Indian Context Rural Health Care Entrepreneurship and Rural Development Land Reforms and Rural Development Voluntary Action in Rural Development Research Methods in Rural Development Rural Development - Planning and Management Rural Development Programmes Communication and Extension in Rural Development Rural Social Development
|
MA Syllabus for Economics Microeconomic Analysis Economics of Growth Monetary Economics Public Economics Elementary Statistics Issues in the Indian Economy International Trade Economics of Industry Theory of Pricing and Distribution Growth Models in Economics Macroeconomic Analysis Indian Public Finance | MA Syllabus for Political Science Modern Indian Political Thought Comparative Political Analysis International Relations-Theory and Practice Western Political Thought Indian Politics-Major Issues and Debates Contemporary Political Theory Dissertation-I Soft Skills Teaching and Research Aptitude-I Politics of Developing Countries Contemporary Political Issues Major Ideas and Issues in Public Administration |
MA Syllabus for Sociology Social Anthropology Theories of Group Interaction Methodology of Social Sciences Theories of Group Interaction Group Processes and Dynamics Sociological Reviews and Viva-Voce Classical Social Thinkers Modern Sociological Theories Sociology of Environment Advanced Sociological Theories Tribal Economy and Society |
Top Colleges
Top MA college in India, is the University of Delhi (DU) to pursue a Master of Arts degree. There are a number of good colleges affiliated to Delhi University from where a student can pursue an MA course. However, Kolkata, Maharashtra, Ahmedabad, and Chennai also boast some of the top Masters of Arts colleges in India.
Some of these popular and highly ranked MA colleges are mentioned below:
MA Colleges in Delhi | MA Colleges in Mumbai |
Lady Shri Ram College for Women Miranda House Hindu College Hansraj College Jesus and Mary College Sri Venkateswara College Shri Ram College of Commerce Indraprastha College for Women IIT Delhi - Indian Institute of Technology Jawaharlal Nehru University | There are plenty of arts colleges in Mumbai offering MA courses in various specializations. Given below are some of the best MA Colleges in Mumbai: St. Xavier's College, Mumbai K J Somaiya College of Arts & Commerce Kishinchand Chellaram College Ramniranjan Jhunjhunwala College IIT Bombay - Indian Institute of Technology Mumbai University Shreemati Nathibai Damodar Thackersey Women's University Bombay Teachers' Training College - [BTTC] Tata Institute of Social Sciences Thakur College of Engineering and Technology |
MA Colleges in Kolkata | MA Colleges in Bangalore |
Also known as the "City of Joy", Kolkata is home to some of the most popular and prestigious higher education institutions in India. Some of the top MA Colleges in Kolkata are mentioned below: Presidency University St. Xavier's College Lady Brabourne College Jadavpur University Maulana Azad College Acharya Prafulla Chandra College Ramakrishna Mission Residential College University of Calcutta Amity University University of Engineering and Management | Bangalore has plenty of colleges where students can pursue a wide range of courses. Check out the given list of top MA Colleges in Bangalore: Christ University Kristu Jayanti College Maharani Lakshmi Ammanni College for Women Jain University Mount Carmel College Garden City University National Law School of India University Acharya Institute of Graduate Studies CMR University
|
MA Colleges in Pune |
Fergusson College Modern College of Arts Science and Commerce Symbiosis College of Arts and Commerce Dr. D.Y. Patil Arts, Science and Commerce College Pimpri Gramonnati Mandal's Arts, Commerce & Science College - [ACSC] Narayangaon Poona College of Arts, Science and Commerce Symbiosis Institute of Media and Communication Savitribai Phule Pune University Bharati Vidyapeeth Deemed University Symbiosis International University |
There are thousands of universities and colleges around the world where students can pursue their studies.
Some top Arts and Humanities Colleges in the world along with the college name and country name are mentioned below:
QS World Rankings for Arts and Humanities | College Name | Country |
1 | University of Oxford | United Kingdom |
2 | Harvard University | United States |
3 | University of Cambridge | United Kingdom |
4 | University of California, Berkeley | United States |
5 | Stanford University | United States |
6 | Yale University | United States |
7 | New York University | United States |
8 | University of California, LA | United States |
9 | Princeton University | United States |
10 | Columbia University | United States |
Course Fees
MA Course fees as per the areas of specialization are mentioned below:
Colleges | MA Courses | MA Fees |
Lady Shree Ram College | MA Economics (Hons.) | INR 17,976 |
MA English (Hons.) |
MA Hindi (Hons.) |
MA History (Hons.) |
MA Mathematics (Hons.) |
MA Statistics (Hons.) |
MA Philosophy (Hons.) |
MA Psychology (Hons.) |
MA Pol. Science (Hons.) |
MA Sanskrit (Hons.) |
St. Stephen’s College | MA in Economics | INR 38,470 |
MA English |
MA History |
MA Philosophy |
MA Sanskrit |
MA Mathematics |
MA Operational Research |
Miranda House | MA Bengali | INR 14,530 |
MA Sanskrit |
MA English |
MA Hindi |
MA History |
MA Philosophy |
MA Music | INR 13,330 |
MA in Economics | INR 17,030 |
Hindu College | MA English | INR 12,307 |
MA Hindi |
MA History |
MA Mathematics |
MA in Political Science |
MA Sanskrit |
Hansraj College | MA in Economics | INR 12,307 |
MA English |
MA Hindi |
MA History |
MA Mathematics |
MA Sanskrit |
Ramjas College | MA Bengali | INR 9,380 |
MA in Economics |
MA English |
MA Hindi |
MA History |
MA Music |
MA Philosophy |
MA Sanskrit |
MA Operational Research |
MA in Political Science |
Jesus and Mary College | MA English | INR 12,823 |
MA Hindi |
Kamla Nehru College for Women | MA English | INR 7999 |
MA Hindi |
MA History |
MA in Political Science |
MA Philosophy |
MA Sanskrit |
Sri Venkateswara College | MA English | INR 11,976 |
MA Sanskrit |
MA History |
MA Mathematics |
MA Statistics |
Top Recruiters And Salary
Some of the top recruiters who hire fresh graduates with an MA degree are listed below:
ITC Limited | Amazon. in | Capgemini |
TCS | BMW | ICICI Bank |
Myntra | Hindustan Times | Times of India |


Looking at the various job profiles that are offered to an MA graduate, the range of salaries along with their designated positions are mentioned below for your reference.
Job Profile | Average Salary |
Content Writer | INR 2.87 LPA |
Journalist | INR 3.46 LPA |
Social Worker | INR 3.88 LPA |
Teacher | INR 5 LPA |
Consultant | INR 5.5 LPA |
Course Scope And Career Options
Following the completion of their MA courses, students are presented with a diverse range of job opportunities, ranging from teaching to part-time professorships, from management to starting their own business.
The following are the various MA job profiles that candidates may be offered after earning an MA degree in relevant subjects:
Teacher/Professor | If a student like teaching and has a good grasp of a subject then this profile can be one of the best options after MA. As a teacher/professor one must prepare lectures to teach students as per the course curriculum. A teacher must incorporate various teaching methods and also note that the classroom environment is suited for learning. A teacher plays a huge role in mentoring pupils on a frequent basis to help them grow into responsible adults and prepare them for the life ahead. |
Lawyer | Lawyer is a good career option for someone who has done an MA degree in Law or related fields. Students who have an eye for detail and oration skills can become a good lawyer if they follow the career path diligently. It is a lucrative field with a good average starting salary in India and with some years of experience, candidates can earn a huge amount. There are multiple specializations in the field of law as well so you can choose as per your preferences and knowledge. |
Administrative Officer | The profile of an Administrative Officer is good for a student who has gained a degree in MA. The job of an Administrative Officer is to act as a bridge between the company employees and provide any administrative support needed by them. He is also entrusted to manage the queries of employees. There is an Administrative Department in each company where an administrative officer is employed to manage office stocks, prepare reports on expenses and office budget, and also arrange the records of the company. |
Social Worker | Many students get into this field after pursuing a Master's degree in social work or rural development. After getting an MA degree from a recognized college one can apply for jobs in various fields. Job opportunities are always high in the medical field so students with specialization in the medical field can work in hospitals, nursing homes, and rehabilitation centers. MA in Social Work students can find a good opportunity in other areas such as substance abuse where social workers are high in demand. MA graduates can work in substance abuse areas like rehabilitation centres and non-profit organizations which are quite prominent these days. |
Counsellor | In such a job profile, one needs to speak to individuals who are facing personal or professional difficulties and help them overcome their problems and thereafter make appropriate changes in their life. |
Journalist | Students who have done MA in Journalism or MA in English can find good opportunities in media houses. In such a job profile an individual is expected to work in different fields such as Politics, Sports, Crime, Entertainment, etc. Within journalism, students can be news writers who are supposed to put the facts at hand into words and the anchor can present them to the world. Being a columnist can be a great career for those who have a specialized area of interest or contribute their views on a particular news segment. |
Admission Process
1. Candidates who wish to enroll in an MA course must appear and qualify an entrance exam. For MA programmes, most universities and institutes administer an entrance exam
2. However, many colleges also use additional rounds of selection which include group discussions and personal interviews, to choose the right candidates for admission
3. Candidates must pass the university/admission institute's exam in order to advance to the next round, which will be determined by their marks/ranks.