BA English Literature: Course Fees, Admission 2026, Syllabus, Top Colleges, Career Scope

Updated on Feb 3, 2026 12:01 IST
Akansha Bisht

Akansha BishtSenior Executive

A BA English Literature is a 3-year-long UG academic degree that explores and studies the literature written and translated into English. This course is focused on clarifying different literary works, including poetry, novels, and plays. In the BA in English Literature course, you'll get the core literature, language skills, and interdisciplinary knowledge.

Students from any stream with at least 60% marks from a recognized board can apply for this course. Around 3,000 English colleges in India offer this course. The average course fee ranges between INR 1,000 and INR 43 Lakh.

After this degree, you can pursue a career in various fields like education, journalism, media, advertising, and more. Some common job profiles include Content Writer, English Teacher, Journalist, SEO Manager, Customer Care Executive, etc. You can continue reading the article for more BA course details on English Literature.

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BA English Literature Course Details: Highlights

A BA Literature English course helps you gain skills like communication, critical reading & analysis, and cultural understanding. You can refer to the following table, highlighting key points of the BA English Literature course.

Particulars
Course Details
BA English Literature Course Level
Undergraduate
BA English Literature Course Duration
3 Years
BA English Literature Eligibility Criteria
Class 12 with at least 60% aggregate score.
BA English Literature Entrance Exams
CUET, JMIEE, IPU CET, etc.
Top BA English Literature Colleges in India
Delhi University, St. Xavier's College, Loyola College, Ramakrishna Mission Vidyamandira, Kristu Jayanti University, Stella Maris College, etc. 
BA English Literature Course Fees
INR 1,000 - INR 43 Lakh
BA English Literature Jobs
Content Writer, English Teacher, Journalist, SEO Manager, Customer Care Executive, etc.
Top BA English Literature Recruiters
Flipkart, Amazon, India Today, NDTV, etc.
Average BA English Literature Salary in India
INR 3 LPA – INR 8 LPA 

Note - The information is taken from external sites and may vary.

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Q:   What is B.A English Literature course all about?
A:

English Literature is the collection of Literary works in the English language that display phenomenal literary skills. These works are known for their creative use of words, depictions of plot in different cultural contexts and intelligent incorporation of literary devices. The poems, prose and plays are written in such a way that they resonate with many people spread across the globe. A piece of literary work is also open to different and contradictory interpretations.

It as a specialisation in BA is a course that teaches students about various renowned literary works. The textbooks of this course have various poems, dramas, etc. covered as lessons. In the BA English Literature semester examination candidates are expected to answer questions based on their understanding of the prescribed texts.

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Q:   What is Literature all about?
A:

Writings based on a specific field are literature. They are considered to be of very high quality and artistic. It is often perceived as a creative form of expression.

The field of Literature can also be extended to oral legends such as chants, riddles, myths, proverbs and songs. It can be classified based on genre, geographical location and writing style. 

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BA English Literature

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Table of contents
  • BA English Literature Eligibility Criteria and Admission Process 2026
  • Top BA English Literature Entrance Exams 2026
  • BA English Literature Course Syllabus
  • Best BA English Literature Colleges in India
  • Popular Private BA English Literature Colleges in India
  • BA English Literature Salary: Career Scope, Job Profiles & Top Recruiters
  • BA English Literature Course FAQs
  • Popular BA English Literature Specializations
  • Most Popular Courses
  • Course Cutoffs
View More

BA English Literature Eligibility Criteria and Admission Process 2026

Eligibility requirements for BA in English Literature course in India are mandatory to fulfill. Here are the basic details that every candidate has to fulfill.

Eligibility Criteria
Details
Academic Qualifications
  • Class 12 from any stream (Science, Commerce, or Humanities) with English as a mandatory subject.
  • At least 60% aggregate score from a recognized board.
Entrance Exams
  • CUET, IPU CET, JMI Entrance Exam, etc.
Age Limit 
  • A minimum age of 17 or 18 years at the time of admission.
  • No upper age limit.

Note - The information is taken from external sites and may vary.

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BA English Literature Admission Process 2026

The BA English Literature admission process can differ from college to college. The table below gives a general step-by-step guide to complete the BA Literature in English admission in India, which you can refer to.

Steps Details
Eligibility Criteria
  • Check the eligibility criteria.
  • Fulfill the eligibility requirements.
Registration & Application Process
  • Register on the official website of the college/exam.
  • Fill out the application form and pay the application fee.
Entrance Exams & Verification
  • Appear for the exam.
  • Wait for the college to verify the application.
Await Results & Confirmation Email
  • Wait for the result and apply for the college based on the rank/score.
  • Receive a confirmation email if shortlisted.
Counselling Session
  • Attend the counselling session to confirm the seat in the program.
Note - The information is taken from external sites and may vary.
Q:   Can I pursue B.A English Literature after completing Class 12th in science stream?
A:

Yes, a candidate who has completed Class 12 from Science stream (or any other stream) from a recognised board is eligible to apply for BA English Literature.
The candidates who have completed Class 12 from Science and Commerce stream must know that the study of English Literature is different from the study of technical or numerical subjects. Therefore, you may have to develop your literary and analytical skills.
Some colleges may allow only those candidates who have studied English as a main subject in Class 12. 

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Q:   Am I eligible for MA English Course after BA Program?
A:

You can pursue MA English if you have completed a 3 year general BA. As long as you pass from a recognised university with at least a 45% score. Students must study English in their 12th grade as it is very important to have foundational reading and writing skills in English to pursue the MA English course.

Hope it helps! 

 

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Top BA English Literature Entrance Exams 2026

You can get admission to a BA English Literature through many national-level, state-level, or university-level entrance exams. Here is a list and details of popular Humanities entrance exams through which you can secure admission to the BA English Literature course.

Entrance Exams
Exam Dates
Exam Schedule
CUET 2026
May 11 - 31, 2026 (Tentative)
IPU CET 2026
April 25, 2026 - May 17, 2026
JMI Entrance Exam 2026
April 2026 (Tentative)

Note - The information is taken from the official site of the exam.

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Important Exam Dates

DatesUpcoming Exam Dates
22 Aug ' 26

SAT India Exam (August) Attempt

12 Sep ' 26

SAT India Exam (September) Attempt

03 Oct ' 26

SAT India Exam (October) Attempt

07 Nov ' 26

SAT India Exam (November) Attempt

05 Dec ' 26

SAT India Exam (December) Attempt

06 Mar ' 27

SAT India Exam (March 2027) Attempt

01 May ' 27

SAT India Exam (May 2027) Attempt

DatesPast Exam Dates
01 Dec ' 25 - 14 Jan ' 26

IGNOU TEE Dec 2025 exam

01 Mar ' 24 - 02 May ' 24

Online Applications

22 Jul ' 26 - 23 Jul ' 26

IPU BTech 2026 Counselling Registration - Round 3

Q:   What is CUET UG exam?
A:

Common University Entrance Test/ CUET UG is an entrance exam. It is conducted for admission to UG programs offered by various central, state, private and deemed universities. Candidates willing to take admission to undergraduation programme in streams like Science, Humanities, Commerce, Law and Management must appear for CUET UG exam when conducted.

This entrance examination assesses candidates at various levels: Language, domain knowledge and general aptitude. CUET UG is conducted annually in computer based mode. CUET UG scores are accepted by more than 300 universities across India. 

Q:   What is CUET UG English syllabus?
A:

The CUET UG English syllabus includes topics given below

  • Reading Comprehension
    •  Factual
    • Narrative
    • Literary
  • Verbal Ability
  • Rearranging the parts
  • Choosing the correct word
  • Synonyms and Antonyms
  • Vocabulary

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English Course Admission

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BA English Literature Course Syllabus

The BA English Literature is a duration of 3 years, divided into 6 semesters. Listed below is the syllabus pattern followed by colleges that offer this particular course. 

BA English Literature Subjects Semester I

Communicative English Language Paper I
History of English Literature: The Pre-Chaucerian to the Augustan English Poetry: The Elizabethan to the Augustan
English Prose: The Elizabethan to the Victorian Introduction to Computing
Cultural Education I -

BA English Literature Subjects Semester II

Professional Communication Language Paper II
History of English Literature English Poetry
English Prose: The Late-Victorian to the Modern Indian Writing in English: Fiction
Cultural Education II -

BA English Literature Subjects Semester III

Communicative English (Advanced) History of English Literature: Victorian to the Present
American Literature Biography
English Fiction: Victorian Life Skills I

BA English Literature Subjects Semester IV

History of English Language and Phonetics Indian Writing in English: Poetry
Shakespeare: Comedies Environmental Studies
Open Elective I Life Skills II

BA English Literature Subjects Semester V

Elements of Literary Criticism English Poetry: Modern
English Drama: Elizabethan to Victorian Spiritual Literature
Open Elective II Life Skills III

BA English Literature Subjects Semester VI

Literary Criticism: Introduction European Fiction
English Fiction: Modern English Drama: Modern
Shakespeare: Tragedies Autobiography

Note - The information is taken from external sites and may vary.

Q:   What is Indian Writing in English?
A:

Indian Writing in English are notable works by authors of Indian origin. It began during the colonial period of India. It has a unique style of writing. These writings though written in English have Indian influence, especially influence of regional and colloquial lqnguages. 

Mulk Raj Anand is known as the father of Indian English Literature. 'The Serpent and The Rope ' by Raja Rao, 'Gitanjali' by Rabindranath Tagore and 'The Guide' by R.K Narayan are some famous literary works of Indian Writing in English Genre. 

Hope it helps!

Q:   Do we also learn about English grammar in the BA English syllabus?
A:

Though the main focus is on the literature part, the BA in English syllabus does include Grammar in its curriculum. You'll find the grammar component in the BA English program at a relatively advanced level. It's also important to improve your writing and communication skills. 

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Best BA English Literature Colleges in India

You'll find around 3,000 BA in English colleges in India. These colleges include both government and private bodies. You can refer to this section for some top college options, among which are those offering a full-time BA English Literature course.

Top BA English Literature Government Colleges

Given below are some of the top BA English Literature Government Colleges along with their fees.

Best Government Colleges Course Fees
Government Arts College, Salem INR 1,890
Chikkanna Government Arts College INR 2,020
Government Victoria College INR 3,150
Government Arts and Science College, Meenchanda INR 3,150
Sree Neelakanta Government Sanskrit College INR 3,150
Pookoya Thangal Memorial Government College INR 3,150
Rani Anna Government College For Women INR 3,640
Government Brennen College INR 5,770
Pachhunga University College INR 9,000
S.S. Jain Subodh PG College INR 65,850

Note - The information is taken from the official site of the college.

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Best DU Colleges for BA English Literature

The following table gives some top DU college options offering a BA English Literature course.

Best DU Colleges Course Fees
Hansraj College INR 540
Atma Ram Sanatan Dharma College INR 540
Deshbandhu College INR 2,340
Miranda House INR 19,010 - 19,090
Kirori Mal College INR 47,450
Ramjas College INR 62,130
Sri Venkateswara College INR 65,560
Lady Shri Ram College for Women INR 68,520
Hindu College INR 86,010
Daulat Ram College INR 95,250

Note - The information is taken from the official site of the college.

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Top BA English Literature Private Colleges

Given below are some of the most popular BA English Literature Private Colleges along with their fees.

Best Private Colleges Course Fees
The American College INR 2,140 - INR 1.12 Lakh
Vimala College INR 19,080
St. Xavier's College Kolkata INR 22,200 - INR 2.9 Lakh
Sacred Heart College - SHC INR 29,520
Stella Maris College INR 75,000 - 1.22 Lakh
Loyola College INR 87,180
Ramakrishna Mission Vidyamandira INR 1.09 Lakh
Ethiraj College for Women (Ethiraj) INR 1.3 Lakh
Kristu Jayanti University INR 2.1 Lakh - 2.4 Lakh
St. Joseph's College of Commerce INR 3.43 Lakh

Note - The information is taken from the official site of the college.

 

1 Course
540
8.4 LPA

#5 India Today

2 Courses
86.01 K
9.5 LPA

#1 India Today

3 Courses
19.01 K - 19.09 K
7 LPA

#2 Outlook

3 Courses
47.45 K
5.4 LPA

#4 India Today

22.2 K - 3.06 L
5.5 LPA

#9 The Week

1 Course
540
4.62 LPA

#6 India Today

Q:   What are the various colleges that offer B.A English Literature with low fee?
A:

There are around 3000 BA English Literature colleges in India. The fee structure for the course is usually affordable. Some of the top BA English Literature colleges in India that offer the course with low fees is given here

BA English Literature Colleges

BA English Literature Fees (in INR)

St. Xavier's College KolkataINR 22,200 - 23,000
Sacred Heart College - SHCINR 29,520
Pachhunga University CollegeINR 9,000
St. Berchmans CollegeINR 7,900
The American CollegeINR 2,140

Note - The information is taken from the official site of the college.

Know more about -

BA English Colleges in India

Q:   What are distance college options for the BA English?
A:

BA English Literature course can be pursued in distance learning mode as well. Given below are some of the top BA English Literature Distance colleges along with their fees:

BA English Literature Distance Colleges

BA English Literature Distance College Fees

NSOU SOL

INR 2,000

Institute of Distance Education, University of Madras

INR 16,710

IGNOU - Indira Gandhi National Open University

INR 14,400 - 15,900

NSOU - Netaji Subhas Open University

INR 9,900

Institute of Distance and Open Learning, University of Mumbai

INR 17,460

School of Distance Education, Bharathiar University

INR 3,900

Note - The information is taken from the official site of the college.

Popular Private BA English Literature Colleges in India

5.04 L - 6.72 L
3.4

#46 Outlook

English Applications open. Apply Now

6.97 L

English Applications open. Apply Now

72 K

#183 India Today

1.08 L
4.7
1.68 L - 2.24 L

#188 India Today

BA English Literature Salary: Career Scope, Job Profiles & Top Recruiters

A BA English Literature course can offer many job options in the media, corporate, and government sectors. You can also work as a freelancer or start your own venture. Check this section below. 

BA English Literature Salary and Jobs in India

Here are some top job profiles that you can go for after a BA English Literature course.

Job Profiles Job Description Average Salary

Copywriters

Writes persuasive and creative copy for advertising, marketing campaigns, or other promotional materials.

INR 5.8 LPA 

Journalists

Researches, gathers, writes, and edits news stories for print, broadcast, or digital media.

INR 4.6 LPA

Editors

Reviews, edits, and proofreads written content for accuracy, clarity, and style.

INR 5.6 LPA

Teachers

They are involved in teaching students about a specific subject. They devise lesson plans and deliver classes. They may also be responsible for mentoring and supervising the students.

INR 2.8 LPA

Writers

Writers focus on written content for platforms like newspapers, journals, social media, and blogs. They may also work as screenwriters, novelists, poets, lyricists, and playwrights.

INR 3.9 LPA

Note - The salary is taken from Ambitionbox.com.

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Top BA English Literature Recruiters

English Literature graduates are needed in many companies for various job roles, especially those that require communication. Given below are some of the companies that hire candidates who have completed a BA in English Literature.

Top BA English Literature Recruiters
Amazon
Flipkart
Accenture
Bain & Co.
India today
NDTV
Deloitte
Tata Consultancy Services
The Hindu
HT Media

Note - The information is taken from external sites and may vary.

Q:   What are the career options after doing BA in English?
A:

Here are few career paths you can take after doing BA Honours in English:- Professional Writing. With this degree in hand, you can take up writing, professionally. MBA. Mass Communication. Social Media Marketing. Civil Services. Public Relations. Law. Event management. 

Know more about -

English Career

Q:   How much salary can I earn having a BA in English degree in India?
A:

I assume you're a fresher in the industry. Your degree does not decide how much money you'll earn. It's the skills and potential an employer seeks in a candidate.

Though graduates in India generally get a fresher's package of around INR 3 - 5 LPA in any industry, if you have extraordinary skills, talent, or industry-relevant experience, you can get your desired package as well.

Know more about -

English Career

BA English Literature Course FAQs

You can refer to this section for some Frequently Asked Questions related to the BA English Literature course in India.

Q:   What is it like to study English Literature?
A:

English Literature is course in which students get the opportunity to read the writings of renowned writers in their course curriculum. Though the individual experience of each student of English Literature course may vary, given below are some facets of English Literature that many students have experienced while pursuing the course:

  • The course is a time travelling machine: It takes a student to different eras, countries and cultures while offering a wider perspective.
  • It covers a wide range of themes covering all walks of life.
  • Students can relate with themselves and their life scenarios even with fictional writings.
  • The world-class literary writings improve one’s creativity and story-telling skills.
  • When the student reads about writings set up in different cultural contexts it increases one’s emotional capabilities such as tolerance and acceptance
  • It challenges one’s cognitive biases by exposing to unfamiliar theories of Literature.
Q:   Can I pursue a BA English course Online in India?
A:

Online courses offered by various universities across India have been listed below for the reference of students

BA English Literature Online Course Colleges

BA English Literature Online Course Fees

Amity5 style="height: 21px;" width="50%">INR 14,400 - 15,900
Amity5 of Distance Education, University of MadrasINR 16,710
School of Open Learning, University of DelhiINR 2,000
Amity University OnlineINR 99,000
Amity5 Subhas Open UniversityINR 9,900

Note - The information is taken from the official site of the college.

Know more about -

Amity4 English Colleges in India

Popular BA English Literature Specializations

Following are the most popular BA English Literature Specializations . You can explore the top Colleges offering these Specializations by clicking the links below.

Popular Specializations

Course Cutoffs

The cutoffs of popular BA English Literature colleges is given below:
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Answered 17 hours ago

Yes, Indian students can get an English test waiver at the Uni of Bath provided they:

  • Studied at a level equivalent to a UK PG, UG, or PhD degree for at least 12 months at an Indian college/university
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Akash Gaur

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Answered 2 weeks ago

Yes, candidate can consider MA English from Loreto College as it provides the course at decent fees. The fee structure comprise of admission fees (INR 5000), Migration fees (INR 200), tuition fees (INR 9000), and semester fees (INR 20,000). It is completely girls' college. Hence, its intention is to

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Riya Gupta

Contributor-Level 9

Answered 2 weeks ago

Candidate must cancel their admission within a month from the date of form filling. As per the official website, the refund of tuition fee may be allowed. Although the entire process is subject to the discretion of the college. Incomplete forms or forms without relevant information are also subject

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Riya Gupta

Contributor-Level 9

Answered 4 weeks ago

English Language tests are a part of entry requirement to get into University of Manchester's LLM Courses. Other than the Pearson Test of English, there are other English Tests that have been approved by University of Manchester like IELTS and TOEFL.

•                    IELTS - 7

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Khushi Arora

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 4 weeks ago

English Language tests are a part of entry requirement to get into University of Manchester's LLM Courses. Other than the Pearson Test of English, there are other English Tests that have been approved by University of Manchester like IELTS and TOEFL.

•                    IELTS - 7

•                   

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Khushi Arora

Contributor-Level 10

Answered a month ago

English Proficiency tests are one of the most important entry requirements for getting into Dublin Business School due to language barriers. There are many English Proficiency tests that are approved by the University. These are-
•    IELTS - 6
•    PTE - 52-57
•    Duolingo - 105
•    TOEFL - 76

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Khushi Arora

Contributor-Level 10

Answered a month ago

Yes, as the 4th ranked university of India, according to NIRF 2025, the university is one of the top choices for any course including BA (H) English.

Further verified student reviews from Shiksha.com have praised the university's English Department and faculty team highlighting the strong qualificati

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Chikat Marchang

Contributor-Level 8

Answered a month ago

There are many English Proficiency tests that are accepted by Long Island University such as – IELTS (6.0), TOEFL (79), DET (105). For some courses students are also required to submit the standard test scores such as GRE/GMAT to fulfill the entry requirement of the University.

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Khushi Arora

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 2 months ago

No, BA in English course has been discontinued by Swami Vivekananda University Barrackpore for academic year 2026. Candidates can now only apply for either BA in Education or BA in Journalism and Mass Communication this year.

S

Saurabh Khanduri

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 2 months ago

IGNOU BA (Hons) English course fee is INR 15,900. It is the total fees for three-year UG course. The given fee is as per the official website or sanctioning body. It is still subject to revision and hence, is indicative.

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Ranjeeta Karan

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 2 months ago

For CMAT English preparation, candidates can refer to High School English Grammar by Wren and Martin and Word Power Made Easy by Norman Lewis. These two will help in building grammar and vocabulary.

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Manisha Singh

Contributor-Level 7

Answered 2 months ago

For CMAT English preparation, candidates can refer to High School English Grammar by Wren and Martin and Word Power Made Easy by Norman Lewis. These two will help in building grammar and vocabulary.

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Pallavi Gupta

Contributor-Level 7