BA Psychology Subjects & Syllabus 2026: Download Semester-wise PDF, Important Books

Pallavi Priyadarshini PandaContent Writer
BA Psychology is a 3-year duration graduation course which includes general attributes such as Disciplinary knowledge, communication skills, critical thinking, problem solving, analytical reasoning, research skills, team work, reflective thinking, etc.
BA Psychology course requires students to have passed Class 12 with at least 50% marks in any stream from a recognized board of India. Most common BA Psychology entrance exams are CUET UG, SAT India, JMI Entrance, etc.
BA Psychology subjects include 14 core courses, 8 elective courses, and 4 skill & ability enhancement courses, which is covered in 6 semesters in 3 years. Students can read below for semester-wise distribution of BA Psychology course syllabus. Students can also prepare for UPSC government competitive exams after completing BA Psychology course.
How many semesters are there in BA Psychology?
There are 6 semesters in total which is covered in 3-year duration in BA Psychology course which may differ for different colleges in India. Each semester is further divided into core courses, discipline specific electives, general electives, career enhancements and ability enhancements courses. BA Psychology course is distributed in approximately 139 credits from each course in many colleges of India.
The following table shows a general outline of the BA Psychology syllabus provided in most government and private colleges of India.
|
BA Psychology Subjects Particulars |
BA Psychology Subjects Details |
|---|---|
|
Core Courses |
14 (6 credits each) |
|
Discipline Specific Electives |
4 (6 credits each) |
|
Generic Electives |
4 (6 credits each) |
|
Skill Enhancement Courses (AECC) |
2 (4 credits each) |
|
Ability Enhancement Compulsory Courses |
2 (4 credits each) |
Note - The information above is taken from official sites and may vary.
BA Psychology: Core Subjects List
There are a total of 14 core subjects under BA Psychology course which is mandatory for all students. The core subject list and numbers might vary from one college to another. Students can check the following table for a general overview on the BA Psychology core subjects that is provided in most government and private colleges of India.
|
BA Psychology Semesters |
Core Subjects Topics |
|---|---|
|
BA Psychology Semester 1 |
· Introduction to Psychology · Statistical Methods for Psychological Research-I |
|
BA Psychology Semester 2 |
· Biopsychology · Psychology of Individual Differences |
|
BA Psychology Semester 3 |
· Development of Psychological Thought · Psychological Research · Social Psychology |
|
BA Psychology Semester 4 |
· Understanding Psychological Disorders · Statistical Methods for Psychological Research-II · Applied Social Psychology |
|
BA Psychology Semester 5 |
· Understanding and Dealing with Psychological Disorders · Developmental Psychology |
|
BA Psychology Semester 6 |
· Organizational Behavior · Counseling Psychology |
Note - The information above is taken from official sites and may vary.
BA Psychology: Elective Subjects List
There are 8 general elective and discipline elective courses under BA Psychology from which students need to select only four. The elective subject list might differ for different colleges in India. Students can check some of most common elective subjects provided in colleges of India from the table below.
|
BA Psychology Subjects Types of Electives |
BA Psychology Elective Subjects |
|---|---|
|
General Elective |
· General Elective I · General Elective II · General Elective III · General Elective IV |
|
Discipline Specific Elective (Pick any four) |
· Positive Psychology · Human Resource Management · Health Psychology · Community Psychology · Cultural and Indigenous Psychology · Project/Dissertation · Psychological Perspectives in Education · Psychology of Disability · Psychology of Peace · Forensic Psychology · Introduction to Indian Psychological Thought · Environmental Psychology · Cognitive Psychology |
|
Skill Enhancement Courses (Pick any two) |
· Emotional Intelligence · Stress Management · Effective Decision Making · Educational Psychology · Human Resource Practices · Personal Growth and Development · Psychological Skills in Organizations · Psychology of Relationships · Learning how to Learn · Research Publication and Presentation · Skills of Communication |
|
Ability Enhancement Compulsory Courses |
· Environmental Science · English Communication |
Note - The information above is taken from official sites and may vary.
BA Psychology: Elective Subjects in Top Colleges
Different colleges may offer different elective subjects for BA Psychology courses. There are two types of elective courses such as general elective and discipline specific elective. The following table shows general elective subjects for BA Psychology course in some of the best colleges in India.
|
BA Psychology Best Colleges |
General Elective Subjects |
|---|---|
|
Lady Shri Ram College for Women |
· General Psychology · Youth, Gender and Identity · Psychology for Health and Well-being · Psychology at Work · Psychology and Media · Inter-group Relations · Youth Psychology |
|
Mithibai College of Arts |
· Personal, Professional, and Ethical Aspects of Counseling · Building a Counseling Relationship · Working in a Counseling Relationship · Closing Counseling Relationships |
|
Indraprastha College for Women |
· Youth and Mental Health · Negotiating Intimate Relationships · Foundations of Psychology · Basics of Social Psychology · Foundations of Enquiry in Psychology |
|
Gargi College |
· Understanding Self · Culture and self · Culture and Identity · Self in a Digital World |
|
St. Xavier’s College Mumbai |
· The Fundamentals of Counseling · Building the Counseling Relationship · In-depth Exploration · Commitment to Action and Determination |
Note - The information above is taken from official sites and may vary.
BA Psychology: Popular Books and Authors
Students can take help of some of the most popular books for BA Psychology which will enhance their course elarning along with the classes. Here is a list of some of the best books to study for BA Pschology course along with their authors.
|
BA Psychology Popular Books |
Author Name |
|---|---|
|
Psychology: The Science of Mind and Behaviour |
Passer, M. W. & Smith, R. E. |
|
Statistical Reasoning in the Behavioral Sciences |
King, B. M. & Minium, E.W. |
|
Biopsychology |
Pinel, J. P. J. & Barnes, S. |
|
Theories of Personality |
Hall, Lindzey & Campbell |
|
Social Psychology |
Baron, R. A. & Branscombe, N. R. |
|
Child Development |
Berk, L. E. |
Note - The information above is taken from official sites and may vary.
Distance BA Psychology Syllabus
Here is a list of some of the best distance BA Psychology colleges in India that offer undergraduate Psychology course in distance learning mode for students convenience and at home learning. Distance BA Psychology course curriculum is same as regular BA Psychology course.
| Distance BA Psychology Colleges | Total Tuition Fees (annually) |
|---|---|
| IGNOU | INR 11,400 - INR 12,000 |
| University of Delhi | INR 1,500 |
| University of Mumbai | INR 17,460 |
| VMOU Kota | INR 15,300 |
| Nalanda Open University | INR 7,200 |
Note - The information above is taken from official sites and may vary.
BA Psychology Subjects in Best Colleges
Here are some top colleges that offer BA in Psychology and BA Psyhchology (Hons.) courses for 3-year duration.
|
Best BA Psychology Colleges in India |
BA Psychology Syllabus |
|---|---|
|
Lady Shri Ram College for Women |
|
|
Mithibai College of Arts |
|
|
Indraprastha College for Women |
|
|
Gargi College |
|
|
St. Xavier’s College Mumbai |
|
|
Amity University Noida |
|
|
Daulat Ram College |
Note - The information above is taken from official sites and may vary.
- Popular BA Psychology Colleges in India
- Popular Private BA Psychology Colleges in India
- Popular BA Psychology Specializations
- Most Popular Courses
Popular BA Psychology Colleges in India
Popular Private BA Psychology Colleges in India
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Popular BA Psychology Specializations
Popular Specializations
- English
128 Colleges
- Hindi
56 Colleges
- Applied Psychology
18 Colleges
- Mathematics
17 Colleges
- Public Administration
17 Colleges
- Home Science
16 Colleges
- Computer Science
7 Colleges
- Clinical Psychology
6 Colleges
- Statistics
6 Colleges
- Criminology
5 Colleges
Most Popular Courses
Popular Courses
- B.A. (Hons.) in PsychologyLady Shri Ram College for Women, University of Delhi
- B.A. (Hons.) in PsychologyDaulat Ram College, University of Delhi
- B.A. (Hons.) in Applied PsychologyGargi College, University of Delhi
- Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)Gargi College, University of Delhi
- B.A. (Journalism, Psychology, English)Kristu Jayanti University
- B.A. (Hons.) in Applied PsychologyRamanujan College, University of Delhi
- B.A. in PsychologyFergusson College
- B.A. (Hons.) in PsychologyKamala Nehru College, University of Delhi
- B.A. in Psychology and SociologyKamala Nehru College, University of Delhi
- B.A. (Hons.) in PsychologyShaheed Rajguru College of Applied Sciences for Women (Delhi University)
News & Updates
Student Forum
Answered 2 days ago
When it comes to Psychology applications after 12th grade at Chandigarh University, it's easy, fulfilling and aimed at giving you what you seek – understanding the human mind. To get admission in BA (Hons./Hons. With Research) in Psychology, one needs to be a 10+2 in any stream with 55% minimum aggr
s
Contributor-Level 6
Answered 3 days ago
At GIBS Business School, students get a lot of guidance to choose the right career path. The college focuses on helping you understand your strengths and interests, and gives support to prepare for the corporate world.
- Career counseling sessions to explore options
- Personality development and soft skil
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Contributor-Level 8
Answered a week ago
UNIL Switzerland MSc in Psychology course duration is 4 semesters. The language instruction of this course is French. Indian students should have a Bachelor's degree in Psychology. After studying this course, students can go for the job roles in the sectors like-
- Prevention and Public Health
- Counselli
C
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a week ago
B.A Psychology Course is an undergraduate degree programme that is designed to educate students about Human Psychology and behaviour. The course basically emphasizes communication, critical thinking, and interpersonal skills. Students who want to build a career in the field of counseling, human reso
A
Contributor-Level 7
Answered a week ago
Due to the high demand for social sciences, seats for the BA in Psychology are quite competitive. GD Goenka University maintains a limited intake to ensure that every student gets personal attention from the faculty. If you have a strong interest in the subject and a decent school record, you have a
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Contributor-Level 9
Answered 2 weeks ago
Aspirants must pass Class 12 or equivalent from a recognised board to apply for BSc Psychology at CSI Christian Muller Women's College. Candidates must have documents proving their eligibility for verification at the time of admission.
N
Guide-Level 15
Answered 2 weeks ago
Yes, the competitive programs at the University of British Columbia have earlier admission deadlines for Indian students.
The courses like MA in Psychology, LLM and Master of Urban Design admission deadlines fall earlier, generally between the months like November and January.
There are general UBC a
M
Contributor-Level 9
Answered 3 weeks ago
Yes, and that's honestly one of the better parts. There are internships, research projects, and hands-on training built into the course. The department really focuses on applying what you learn in real-world settings like mental health, NGOs, etc.
M
Contributor-Level 9
Answered 3 weeks ago
Yes, Vijetha Academy under the Osmania University offers MSc in Psychology course for students. This course is available at the postgraduate level for the students. At the PG level, the course is given for a duration of 2 years.
M
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a month ago
Calcutta University through the Vivekananda College for Women offers BSc in Psychology course to students. The total seat intake is 109. This course is quite good as the university offers placement support to these course students.
J
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a month ago
Campus life at GIBS Bengaluru is more than just studying—being here really shapes you as a person. The environment encourages you to step out of your comfort zone, interact with different kinds of people, and build confidence.
There are clubs, events, and workshops where you can take part in debates,
P
Contributor-Level 8
Answered a month ago
For a professional with an MBA in HR, who wants to shift to the field of Psychology, pursuing a BA or BSc in Psychology in Delhi/NCR can be a good option. Below are some of the top psychology colleges in Delhi NCR, along with their tuition fees.
| Psychology Colleges | Tuition Fee |
|---|---|
| Lady Shri Ram College for Women | INR 71,820 |
| Daulat Ram College | INR 40,460 - INR 1.04 lakh |
| Gargi College | INR 82,830 - INR 88,830 |
| Ramanujan College | INR 55,260 |
| Kamala Nehru College | INR 1,080 |
Source: Official websites of the colleges and may vary
T
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a month ago
Clinical Psychology is all about diagnosing and treating mental health disorders and emotional issues. It happens through therapy in a clinical setting.
But Applied Psychology is broader. It uses psychological principles to solve real-world problems in may areas like business, schools and also health
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Contributor-Level 10
Answered a month ago
Clinical Psychology is about diagnosing and treating serious and chronic mental illnesses (e.g., schizophrenia, bipolar) often in hospitals, using deep, long-term therapy.
But Counseling Psychology helps with everyday life stressors, adjustment issues or even personal growth (e.g., grief, relationshi
J
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a month ago
Indian Institute of Psychology and Research offers admission to BSc programme based on merit of the candidates. The scores of the aspirants in Class 12 is considered for admission. No entrance exam scores are required.
Thus, candidates who have received their Class 12 board exam result can apply dir
S
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a month ago
There are no mandatory entrance exams listed in the eligibility criteria for Indian Institute of Psychology and Research BA course. The Indian Institute of Psychology and Research course admissions are merit-based, taking into account the Class 12 board exam results of a candidate.
Thus, candidates w
S
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a month ago
The total course fees for BA courses offered by Indian Institute of Psychology and Research ranges between INR 1.7 Lacs - INR 2.1 Lacs in 2026. The fees for four year BA (hons) course is INR 5.2 lakh.
First year fees for all BA courses must be paid as admission fees during the admission process to co
S
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a month ago
The only main difference between them is their "area of study". This changes the career paths and job options for the postgrads.
An MA in Psychology studies the human mind, behavior, and patterns. The MA in Philosophy, on the other hand, studies the 'why' of existence, values, reason, mind, language,
R
Contributor-Level 9
Answered a month ago
Well, you don't really need any skills before starting a Psychology course. Though some capabilities can help you learn and succeed faster in the field.
- Active listening and understanding
- Empathy and emotional stability
- Patience
- Research skills
- Problem-solving behaviour
Know more about -
I
Contributor-Level 9
Answered a month ago
Of course, it is. People nowadays are getting more aware of their mental wellness. Companies around the world are realising the importance of the mental health of their employees.
This has grown the demand for psychologists and mental health professionals in the market. From healthcare to corporate,
M
Contributor-Level 9
Answered a month ago
That is one insightful question. Speaking of similarities first - Simply put, both focus on the internal functionality of one's mind. These don't work on the idea of external factors' effect on one's mind. That's about it. Differences would be in their approach. Cognitive is how the brain processes
D
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a month ago
The BA in Economics at GITAM Hyderabad focuses on micro/macroeconomics and quantitative techniques. Psychology emphasises clinical, organisational, and research methods. English focuses on literary studies, communication, and cultural studies. Each programme combines project work to help develop cri
R
Contributor-Level 9
Answered a month ago
Some of the most popular cities in the USA where international students can choose MS in Psychology are given as follows :
- California
- Pennsylvania
- Florida
- Georgia
- Illinois
- New York
- Texas
- Alabama
K
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a month ago
The subject rankings of Salford University in the Complete University Guide rankings 2026 -
- Aeronautical and Aerospace Engineering: #22
- Communication and Media Studies: #25
- Nursing: #28
- Architecture: #33
N
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a month ago
The psychology programme incorporates theoretical foundations such as cognitive psychology, developmental psychology, and abnormal psychology, while simultaneously introducing applied domains like counseling techniques and behavioral assessment. The curriculum focuses on components such as experime
M
Contributor-Level 9
Answered a month ago
To be honest, a BA in Psychology is a UG degree course that'll give you a base-level knowledge of the subject. After a BA in Psychology, you can get a job, but it won't be high-paying.
Psychology is a vast field where you'll find many areas, like Clinical, Applied, Biopsychology, cognitive psycholog
N
Contributor-Level 9
Answered a month ago
Yes, you can. The eligibility conditions for an MSc Psychology course are to obtain a UG degree in Psychology (BA or BSc) with at least 50% marks from a recognised university.
Opting for an MSc Psychology after graduation is a good option because the MA will give you the choice opt for any of the sp
A
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a month ago
Those who are curious about exploring human minds and behaviour. If you have a keen interest in understanding behaviours, emotions, and social dynamics.
I believe you also need to have great communication skills, empathy, and analytical skills, apart from all this.
Know more about -
A
Contributor-Level 9
Answered a month ago
Of course, it is. If you're interested in studying human behaviour and making a career in it, a BA Psychology course can be a good start.
You can either go for higher studies like PG Diploma or MA after the BA Psychology or opt for a job.
R
Contributor-Level 9
Answered a month ago
It depends. You should choose the one based on your career goals. BSc Psychology is a technical degree that'll give you more lab-based scientific knowledge. The BA Psychology is a more theory-based degree focused on social aspects and humanities.
Another thing to consider is that you can't pursue a B
S
Contributor-Level 9
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How can I apply for Psychology admission at Chandigarh University after completing 12th?