MA, or Master of Arts, is a postgraduate degree offered to students who complete their studies in the humanities and social sciences over the course duration of two years. Candidates must have completed their bachelor's degree in any discipline in order to pursue an MA in any subject. The MA degree is extremely valuable because it focuses on a specific subject in great detail while also providing a research perspective. MA degrees are course-specific, and students can pursue them both online and offline. MA courses last two years and are divided into four semesters. The MA syllabus and subjects offer both a practical understanding of more advanced educational research methodologies as well as a fundamental understanding of theory in the teaching process.
Master of Arts admission is based on merit and entrance examinations. They must strive to achieve the highest possible overall performance for a chance to be included on the merit lists of all of the top colleges. Many prestigious colleges, such as JNU, TISS, Calcutta University, Jadavpur University, and others, grant admission based on entrance exams administered by separate bodies. Candidates from all over the country aspire to study MA or Master of Arts at top MA colleges such as LSR New Delhi, Miranda House, Hindu College, Hansraj College, Ramjas College, and others. MA Admission 2024 to top colleges at Delhi University and many other state and central universities is available through the Common University Entrance Test (CUET PG).
MA course fees differ from one college to the next. In comparison to private colleges, the fee structures of government colleges are very low. MA fees range from INR15,000 - INR 30,000 per year. The top colleges of Delhi University, such as Miranda House and Hindu College, are also known to offer competitive pay packages to MA candidates. After completing their MA programme, MA students can expect to earn between INR 3 - INR 5 lakhs per year. MA Salary varies according to the course pursued by the candidates. Interested applicants can also pursue an MA from prestigious institutions such as IIT, where courses such as MA in Development Studies and English Studies, MA in Society and Culture, MA in Development Studies, and so on are available. TISS, located in Mumbai, is another popular institution for MA students interested in a variety of subjects. IGNOU, India's pioneer institute for distance education, offers a variety of MA courses to students. The average fee for MA in distance ranges from INR 9K - 22K.
Note: The IGNOU TEE June 2024 exams was held offline from June 7 to July 13, 2024. The IGNOU TEE exams are given to students in their final or intermediate year/semester of their UG, PG, Diploma, and Certificate programmes at Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU).
Lastly, the master's degree builds the development of analytical, logical, and critical thinking abilities. With an undergraduate degree, students can find good employment, but a master's degree can significantly advance their professional careers. Many MA graduates choose MA Jobs and careers in education, social work, counselling, journalism, administration, and other fields. The average MA Salary ranges from INR 3 to 6 LPA.
Following are the major highlights of the Master of Arts (MA) degree programme:
| 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% (depending upon the institute) |
| Subjects Required | Any (BA in any subject from a recognised university or any other degree with the minimum required aggregate marks) |
| Average Fees Incurred | INR 10,000 - 80,000 per annum |
| Similar Options of Study | MPhil |
| Average Salary Offered | INR 3 - INR 6 LPA |
| Employment Roles | Content Writer, High School Teacher, Secondary School Teacher, Primary School Teacher, HR Manager, Copy Editor, Editor, Executive Assistant, School Counselor, 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. |
Here are some Master of Arts Course Updates:
Master of Arts courses cover a wider range of topics and are more self-contained than undergraduate courses. Students who are learning new skills are required to work harder to master the material. Students who enrol in the MA programme can improve their investigative, logical, and critical thinking abilities. Those with a bachelor's degree can find good jobs, but a master's degree changes the game for those looking to advance in their careers.
Students who have earned a Master of Arts degree (MA) in the subject are more knowledgeable about it. They gain a thorough understanding of their chosen field as a result. Additionally, they have access to seminars and guest lectures delivered by academic and professional experts.
The applicants who have completed their graduation in any discipline are eligible to pursue MA program. Applicants with a Bachelor's degree in Art or any other stream along with fulfilling the other requirements of the course are eligible to apply for MA course. Those candidates who aspire to pursue PhD in future will have to enroll in an MA programme. Students can select the course of their choice to gain in depth knowledge about the course where they want to make their career. MA courses can also be pursued by that candidate who wants to do teaching in future. The candidates with a research approach must do an MA program. The number of colleges offering MA programmes has increased over a period of time looking at the demand of the course.
There are plenty of specializations in which a student can pursue his/her MA degree. Some of these popular specializations of Master of Arts courses are given below:
| MA Language (English, French, German, Hindi, Spanish, Chinese/ Mandarin, Greek, Japanese and Latin) | MA Political Science |
| MA Economics | MA History |
| MA Psychology | MA Communication Studies |
| MA Philosophy | MA Archaeology |
| MA Sociology | MA Religious Studies |
| MA Geography | MA Library & Information Science |
| MA Literature | MA Teaching Education |
| MA Linguistics | MA International Relations |
Master of Arts eligibility criteria is different for different courses and colleges/universities. MA is a specialized course that gives students an in-depth knowledge of the discipline/domain they have picked. Therefore, some colleges also conduct their own examination to select students. But there are some common criteria for MA admission that are mentioned below:
MA syllabus of each domain is quite unique and designed in such a way that MA course students get in-depth knowledge of the specific subject. Master of Arts course has numerous specializations and each subject specialization has its own 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.
An MA in English syllabus focuses on the broad study of English literature and language and is a two-year postgraduate degree. Students who enrol in the MA English programme have the chance to pursue cutting-edge literary studies as well as promising career opportunities. This postgraduate programme offers a broad understanding of business based on the primary disciplines of the curriculum. The most recent developments in business and marketing strategies are covered in a postgraduate business education.
| MA English | |
| Introduction to Linguistics | Poetry III (Hopkins to Ted Hughes) |
| Poetry I (Chaucer to Blake) | Drama III (Twentieth Century Drama) |
| Drama I (Marlowe to Wilde excluding Shakespeare) | Literary Criticism & Theory 1 |
| Poetry II (Wordsworth to Arnold) | Literary Criticism & Theory II |
| Linguistics and English Language Teaching | Fiction II |
| Drama II (Shakespeare) | Indian Literature in English II/American Literature II |
| Prose | Indian Literature in English I/American Literature-II |
| Fiction I (Defoe to Hardy) | Indian Literature in Translation/New Literatures in English/Women Writing |
The MA in Economics syllabus is divided into two years and four semesters. In addition to a core and elective subject in the field of economics, the syllabus includes basic and elective subjects in the concepts that surround it. The semester-by-semester MA Economics curriculum places significant emphasis on a wide range of topics, including banking, financial management, international economics, macroeconomics, monetary economics, quantitative theory, demand and supply, and so forth. The MA Economics syllabus's objective is to prepare students for careers in teaching, banking, financial management, consulting, trading, and stockbroking, among other professions.
| MA Economics | |
| Microeconomic Analysis | Economics of Growth |
| Monetary Economics | Public Economics |
| Macroeconomic Analysis | Indian Public Finance |
| International Trade | Economics of Industry |
| Theory of Pricing and Distribution | Growth Models in Economics |
| Elementary Statistics | Issues in the Indian Economy |
| International Finance | Economics of Agriculture |
| Quantitative Methods | Selected Problems of the Indian Economy |
| Optional Paper-I | Optional Paper-II |
There are four semesters in the MA in Political Science syllabus. Along with a wide range of electives like Themes in Citizenship, The Modern State in Comparative Perspective, Critical Traditions in Political Theory, etc., political theory, critical analysis, philosophy, and ethics are all covered in this course. Core and elective courses are both offered in the MA Political Science programme. Depending on the university or college, these could vary a little. This helps with the process of finding employment because the MA Political Science job scope expands to a broad range of industries offering work in both the private and public sectors.
| MA Political Science | |
| Modern Indian Political Thought | Comparative Political Analysis |
| Major Ideas and Issues in Public Administration | State Politics in India |
| Indian Politics-Major Issues and Debates | Seminar on Field Project |
| Soft Skills | Teaching and Research Aptitude-I |
| Politics of Developing Countries | Departmental Elective 2 |
| Contemporary Political Issues | Departmental Elective 3 |
| Contemporary Political Theory | Dissertation-I |
| International Relations-Theory and Practice | Western Political Thought |
| Research Methods in Political Science | Dissertation-II |
| Departmental Elective 3 | Teaching and Research Aptitude-II |
For Master of Arts admission 2024, most colleges have their own entrance exams, while others accept students based on merit. Some top universities also hold a second round of admissions for MA programs, including WAT and PI.
Admission to MA is granted in two ways: merit-based or through an entrance examination. The application process for MA varies depending on the admission procedure. However, applicants can apply to their preferred MA colleges online. Students must fill out the required information in an online application form on the official website of their respective universities to apply for MA courses online.
Candidates can apply for MA courses by following the steps outlined below:
Step 1: Check into the MA admission form requirements and deadlines listed by various colleges and universities if you want an admission to a MA programme.
Step 2: Register for the entrance exams required for MA admissions at the colleges and universities you want to attend
Step 3: Once confirmed, save the application process for future use. Also, for admission and other important notifications, keep an eye on the exam or the university's official website
Step 4: After appearing and passing the MA entrance examination, candidates must fill out an application form for their desired university with personal information such as academic details, entrance examination results, and so on
Step 5: Candidates who successfully meet the university's eligibility requirements are shortlisted for the counselling round (if any) to finalise the admissions process
Step 6: After clearing the counselling session, candidates must pay the university's entrance fee in order to be confirm their admission to the MA course
Candidates can apply for MA courses by following the steps outlined below:
Step 1: Fill out the online MA admission application form
Step 2: Pay the registration fee and any additional fees if admission is granted based on merit
Step 3: The shortlisted applicants will receive invitations to the subsequent phases of the hiring process, such as individual interviews or counselling
Step 4: Candidates must submit all the required documents and fee in order to confirm their admission to MA course
The Master of Arts selection process is based on the results of an entrance exam in the arts or any other subject, marks secured in class 12 and class 10, and graduate degree marks obtained. The college or university assigns seats to applicants based on a number of Master of Arts (MA) requirements that applicants must meet as well as those recommended by college or university officials after a written exam, in-person interview, counselling session, and group discussion.
Many colleges/universities accept students through online entrance exams. So, if you wish to pursue MA in any specialization these are the popular Master of Arts entrance exams you must give.
| TISSNET | PU CET | TUEE | AUCET | JNUEE (CUET PG) |
| IPU CET | CUET PG | MGU CAT | CPGET (OUCET) | - |
The candidates who aspire to take MA admission in different colleges must focus on their studies to qualify for the different entrance examination. The best colleges and best courses are offered to those candidates who qualify the entrance examination with flying marks. Some of the common MA Entrance examination preparation tips are mentioned below:
An MA degree can be obtained in a variety of ways. Before enrolling in an MA programme in the field of their choice, candidates must meet the eligibility requirements. Full-time students can enrol in a regular degree programme, while those with limited funds or time can pursue an MA via correspondence or distance education. Multiple colleges offer MA programmes in a variety of formats, which students can research on the official website of the college.
Different ways by which a student can pursue a master of arts degree are mentioned below:
| Regular/ Full-Time MA Course | MA Correspondence Course | Part-time MA Course |
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The University of Delhi (DU) is the best MA college in India for pursuing a Master of Arts degree. A student can pursue an MA degree at a number of good colleges affiliated with Delhi University. However, some of India's top Masters of Arts colleges are located in Kolkata, Maharashtra, Ahmedabad, and Chennai. Some of these well-known and highly regarded MA schools are listed below.
| MA Colleges in Delhi | MA Colleges in Mumbai |
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There are numerous good colleges where you can study MA subjects of your choice. Students can check out some of the best MA colleges in Delhi mentioned below:
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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:
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| MA Colleges in Kolkata | MA Colleges in Bangalore |
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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:
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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
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| MA Colleges in Pune | |
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There are around 112 Arts colleges in Pune out of which around 54 colleges in Pune offer MA courses with various MA subjects and MA Specializations. Check out the table below for the best MA Colleges in Pune:
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There are around 112 Arts colleges in Pune out of which around 54 colleges in Pune offer MA courses with various MA subjects and MA Specializations. Check out the table below for the best MA Colleges in Pune:
The popular and in-demand MA programme is also available via distance learning. MA Distance learning is strongly advised for working professionals who want to further their education but lack the time.
The following are the requirements for pursuing an MA via distance learning:
Below is a list of some of the top universities offering an MA in distance education:
| Name of the College | Location | Average Course Fees (INR) |
| IGNOU | New Delhi | INR 12,600 |
| Mahatma Gandhi University | New Delhi | INR 2,475 |
| University of Mumbai | Mumbai | INR 6015 |
| Saraswati Distance Education | Mumbai | INR 27,000 |
| Rabindra Bharati University | Kolkata | INR 6,800 |
| Netaji Subhas Open University | Kolkata | INR 7,600 |
The fee structure for MA courses varies by college. The fee structure varies based on the college's facilities, infrastructure, and ranking. Depending on the type of the college, the average fee structure ranges from INR 10,000 to INR 80,000 per year. Candidates can look at the average fee structure of various colleges in the table below:
| College/University | MA Course Fees |
| Christ University, Bangalore |
INR 75,000 (per annum) (Karnataka students) INR 85,000 (per annum) (other Indian states) |
| Miranda House, New Delhi |
MA Economics Course Fee- INR 38,060 MA Music Course Fee - INR 30,660 MA Course Fee (in other disciplines) - INR 14530 |
| St. Xavier’s College, Mumbai |
MA (AICHA) - I - INR 35,000 MA (AICHA) - II - INR 8,206 MA (PUBLIC POLICY) - I - INR 74,845 MA (PUBLIC POLICY) - II - INR 74,857 |
| Presidency College, Chennai | INR 865 |
| Ramjas College, New Delhi | INR 30,268 |
| Fergusson College, Pune |
MA English I - INR 10,680 MA English II - INR 6,085 MA Marathi I - INR 10,680 MA Marathi II - INR 6,085 MA Economics I - INR 10,680 MA Economics II - INR 6,085 |
Master of Arts (MA) course fees for top Delhi University colleges are listed below according to specialisation:
The fee structure of regular MA courses is different in different DU colleges. The MA fees structure based on different specializations of some top Delhi University colleges are mentioned below in the table:
| 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.) | ||
| 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 |
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:
The biggest difference between an MA and MSc degree are the subjects and how they are taught. Although prerequisites might differ by program, MA degrees normally relate to subjects in the arts, humanities, psychology, sociology, and social sciences domain, while MSc degrees typically relate to subjects in tech, natural sciences, medicine, administration, and mathematics domain.
To earn an MSc degree, a substantial amount of field or laboratory work is involved. Students have to write and defend a thesis. In any field, an MSc program focuses more on the technical and hands-on aspects of practice, while an MA syllabus focuses on theoretical understanding. MA usually includes seminar-style classes and advanced level reading and writing within a discipline, and may or may not require a formal thesis.
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