MA or Master of Arts is a 2 year PG degree that individuals can pursue after completing their bachelor's degree. Various colleges and universities in India and overseas offer the degree in a variety of specialisations. The humanities and social sciences such as Sociology, Political Science, History, Economics, English, etc are the fields that usually fall under the Master of Arts course.
Candidates with a UG degree can enrol in an MA programme. Admission to this course mostly takes place through a merit-based process. However, some colleges like DSE, JNU, IGIDR and Jadavpur University employ entrance-based examinations for an MA programme.
SRCC, LSR, St Stephens, Christ University, Jamia Millia Islamia, Jadavpur University, Hindu College, Hansraj College, and others are among the best MA colleges in the country. The cost of the course varies between INR15,000 and 30,000 for government colleges. For private colleges, it is higher in the range of INR 1-3 lakhs.
Latest Update:
- TISSNET 2023 Results have been released on the official website. The deadline to secure the seat is May 30, 2023.
After completing the MA degree, graduates can expect to earn INR 4-7 lakhs per year. For other subjects as well, there are jobs in varied profiles with the top recruiting companies being Amazon, ITC Limited, Hindustan Times, Times of India, Myntra, TCS, etc.
MA Course details
Table of Content
MA Course: Course Highlights
| Course name | MA |
| Full form | Master of Arts |
| Duration | 2 years |
| Eligibility | 10+2+3 or 10+2+4 |
| Level | Postgraduate |
| Average tuition fee | INR 4000-80,000 per annum |
| Admission process | Merit-based, Entrance based |
| Top Recruiting Companies | Accenture, The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. VIBGYOR High, International Justice Mission, HSBC, Bain & Company, EY (Ernst & Young), ZS Associates, Wipro Technologies Ltd., Kotak Mahindra Bank, American Express Co., etc. |
| Job Profiles | High School Teacher, Primary School Teacher, Secondary School Teacher, HR Manager, Consultant, Content Writer, Copy Editor, Executive Assistant, School Counsellor, Data Analyst, Assistant Editor etc. |
| Average Salary | INR 4.4 lakh per annum |
About the Course
- MA course provides students to enhance their subject-specific knowledge and in-depth knowledge of the discipline they have selected.
- Some of the specialisations that they can choose are psychology, History, Music, Theology, Literature, French, Kannada, Sanskrit etc.
- Pursuing MA can help candidates to improve their chances for a good career prospect as well as gaining skills like problem-solving and decision making.
- It is also available in different subjects including various languages such as English, Hindi and other regional languages and foreign languages.
- In order to obtain an MA, one must pass four or five papers. Lectures, examinations, and seminars are all part of the Master Degree Program in Arts.
MA Course: Admission Process
For the MA programme, several institutions choose merit-based admissions, however, the majority of colleges administer entrance tests. Some elite colleges additionally perform a second round of screening for MA admissions, which includes WAT and PI.
For various universities, MA Admission 2022 application forms are typically distributed in the months of May and June.
In practically all of the top universities, entry to MA programmes is normally accomplished through an entrance exam. DUET, IPU CET, BHU PET, JNUEE, and others are the top MA entrance exams available. A small number of universities provide direct admission to this course based on graduation grades. Universities issue their master's course cut-offs for direct admissions, and those who meet the criteria can apply for the course.
MA Eligibility
It is important to be aware of the eligibility criteria before proceeding with your applications. The basic eligibility requirements for an MA course are given below:
- Students with a Bachelor of Arts degree from a recognized university usually apply for an MA course. However, having a BA is not a requirement for admission to MA programmes. Other undergraduate degrees are also acceptable, depending on the qualifications of the student and the requirements of the University.
- They must achieve a minimum of 50% in the relevant subjects.
MA Entrance Exams & Dates
| Entrance Exam | Registration Date | Exam Dates |
|---|---|---|
| TISSNET | January 2022 | February 2022 |
| PU CET | April 2022 | June 2022 |
| JNUEE | May 2022 | June 2022 |
| DUET | March 2022 | June 2022 |
MA Distance Education
MA, which is a popular and in-demand course, is also offered as a distance education course. Distance MA is highly suggested for professionals who cannot spare time but are interested in continuing their education.
The following are the requirements for pursuing an MA via distance learning:
- Students must have completed a bachelor's degree in a related field from a recognised university.
- To be deemed eligible for enrolment in an MA programme via distance education, they must have minimum passing grades in all subjects.
Top Colleges
Below is a list of some of the best colleges that offer a master's degree in distance education.
| Name of the College | Average Course Fees (INR) |
|---|---|
| IGNOU | 12,600 |
| Mahatma Gandhi University | 2,475 |
| University of Mumbai | 6015 |
| Saraswati Distance Education | 27,000 |
| Rabindra Bharati University | 6,800 |
| Netaji Subhas Open University | 7,600 |
MA Syllabus
| MA in English Syllabus | MA in Hindi Syllabus |
|---|---|
| British Literature | History of Hindi Literature- Ancient & Medieval |
| American Literature | Novel and Short Story |
| African Literature | Hindi Poetry and Proses |
| Indian Writings in Literature | Ancient Hindi Poetry |
| Literary Theory | Origin of Hindi Language |
| Commonwealth Literature | Hindi Drama |
| MA in History Syllabus | MA in Philosophy Syllabus |
| Ancient History and its Theory | Classical Philosophies |
| Practice of History | Indian Philosophy |
| Polity in Medieval India | Greek Philosophy |
| History of Marathas | Modern Western Philosophy |
| Indian Independence | Analytical Philosophy |
| Ma in Political Science Syllabus | MA in International Relations Syllabus |
| Administrative Theory | Introduction of International Relations |
| Politics in India | International Organization |
| Themes in World Politics | Conflict Resolution |
| Debates in Political Theory | US Foreign Policy |
| Ethics and Politics | Political Theory, Concepts, and Perspectives |
| International Security | Government and Politics of South Asia |
MA Colleges in India
| College Name | Average Course Fees (INR) |
|---|---|
| Lady Sriram College for Women | 30,041 |
| Miranda House College | 14,530 |
| Hindu College | 18,010 |
| Hansraj College | 17,269 |
| Mithibai College of Arts | 25,000 |
| Mumbai University | 34,405 |
| Tata Institute of Social Science | 66,500 |
| Calcutta University | 2,314 |
| Jadavpur University | 4,940 |
| Presidency University | 4,800 |
| Rabindra Bharati University | 18,050 |
| University of Madras | 3000 |
| Madras Christian College | 56,914 |
| Loyola College, Chennai | 50,000 |
| Presidency College (Autonomous) | 2000 |
| Christ University | 20,000 |
MA Course: Job Profiles
| Job Profile | Average Salary (INR) |
|---|---|
| Content Writer | 2.87 LPA |
| Journalist | 3.46 LPA |
| Human resource manager | 7.94 LPA |
| Social Worker | 3.88 LPA |
| Teacher | 5 LPA |
| Assistant professor | 4 LPA |
| Consultant | 5.5 LPA |
MA Course: FAQs
Ques. What is an MA Honours degree?
Ans. The majority of MA degrees in the arts, humanities, and social sciences are conferred (Hons). These programmes need an additional year of master's level study.
Ques. Can I do an MA after 12th?
Ans. No, this is not possible. As MA is a postgraduate degree, you must have an undergraduate degree to be eligible for it.
Ques. Can I pursue an MA in Psychology after completing a BA in History?
Ans. If the individual wants to pursue an MA in Psychology, they need have Psychology as a minor topic in their Bachelor of Arts (BA).
Ques. Can I do a PhD after an MA course?
Ans. Only those who have finished their master's degree in a similar course/field/stream to the one in which they wish to pursue a PhD are eligible to apply for a PhD programme. Some colleges additionally require candidates to have earned an MPhil before enrolling in a PhD programme.
Ques. What is an integrated MA course?
Ans. An integrated course is a curriculum that includes both a Master's and a Bachelor's degree. In most cases, the programme lasts five years.
Ques. Can I do B.A and MA together?
Ans. Yes, you can pursue both a B. Ed. and an MA in the same year, but one must be done in regular mode and the other in distance.
Ques. Is art a good career choice?
Ans: According to research, art students are well prepared for today's dynamic employment market, where job and career hopping has become the standard. One of the key advantages of majoring in the arts is the capacity to be creative when it comes to choosing a profession.
Ques. Is it possible for me to become a teacher after completing an MA in any subject?
Ans. No. In order to teach, the candidate must complete a bachelor's degree in education. A postgraduate education will only increase your expertise and value.
Ques. Is an MA degree worth it?
Ans. A Master of Arts degree can provide a variety of advantages, ranging from greater job prospects to improved problem-solving and decision-making abilities. A Master of Arts degree can also lead to postgraduate study in a PhD programme.
Ques. When should I apply for an MA?
Ans: Applying early in the admissions cycle – at least six months before the course begins – is always a smart idea. Graduate students should apply for this course if they want to continue their education.


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