Updated on Apr 9, 2024 11:56 IST
Akansha Bisht

Akansha BishtSenior Executive

MA commonly known as Master of Arts is a 2-year postgraduate degree program. One can pursue an MA after completing their bachelor’s in the same discipline. The course has been increasingly gaining huge attention from candidates due to the wide range of career opportunities available to them in India and Abroad.

There are a plethora of specializations available in this field including some of the well-known fields like French, German, Economics, and Psychology. A deep understanding of the course and subjects can provide a bright and well-paying career to anyone who has an aversion towards the course and wishes to pursue it. But it is super beneficial to the ones for the civil service aspirants.
The candidates can apply to a variety of roles that are industry-relevant and pay you well. Some of them include Associate Researchers, Data analysts, Newspaper columnists, and lawyers with an average salary ranging from INR 3 LPA, extending to a maximum of INR 15 LPA depending on the specialization, or the skill one pertains.

After knowing the bright prospects of pursuing an MA, candidates might be curious to know its future, the scope, and obviously, the remuneration one could receive under different specializations. In this section, we will discuss more about the career prospects and salaries of MA graduates.

MA Course Eligibility Criteria

Before pursuing a master's, or even starting the preparation for the same one might be aware of the eligibility to pursue that course. So, here are a few factors that make one eligible for undertaking an MA:

Eligibility Criteria MA Course

Should have completed their Bachelor’s, preferably in Arts from a recognized UGC university. 

Should have secured an aggregate of 55% or more. 

Top MA Specializations

Though there are many specializations in the arts field, and can select it according to their interests and choices. Here is a list of a few more prominent specializations along with their average salaries.

S.no

Top Specializations

Average Salary (in INR)

1

MA English 

12,500-62,500 per month

2

MA Economics 

16.2 lakhs

3

MA Psychology 

3.7 lakhs

4

MA Political Science 

3 lakhs

5

MA History

5 lakhs 

6

MA Social Work

3.4 lakhs

7

MA International Relations

6.6 lakhs

8

MA Communication Studies

6 lakhs

9

MA Sociology

4.5 lakhs

10

MA Public Administration

2 - 8 lakhs

(Source: AmbitionBox)

Students also liked topics on:

MA in Hindi

MA in Sociology at Delhi School of Economics

IIT MA Colleges

Apart from providing quality education in the technical field with courses like Btech, M.tech, and M.Sc, IIT has expanded its horizons by providing postgraduate degree courses or MA courses in different fields. However, there are a few courses only which are offered in only some IITs. Yet, the major difference comes with the diversity of courses it provides.
Apart from the general Master in Arts courses which are pursued in the fields of Economics, Psychology, and History the courses at IITs are a little different. The courses offered at IITs include specializations in Development Studies, Philosophy, and English Studies.
Here is a stipulated list providing insights into the MA courses offered by different IITs.

Name of IIT

Program Name

IIT Madras

MA in English Studies
MA in Developmental Studies
MA in Economics

IIT Bombay

MA by Research
MA - PhD Philosophy (Dual degree) 

IIT Guwahati

MA in Developmental Studies
MA in Liberal Arts

IIT Gandhinagar

MA in Society and Culture

IIT Mandi

MA in Development Studies

IIT Delhi

MA in Society, Culture, Thought
MA in Public Policy

MA Jobs by Specialization

There are multiple specializations in MA, each having its own set of career trajectories having an individual path of growth. In the coming section, we will be discovering the top job profiles one can pursue after doing different specializations in MA along with their market salaries.

MA Economics Jobs 

MA Economics is a 2-year postgraduate degree program offering greater insights into the world of economics covering topics like banking, financial management, international economics, macroeconomics, theory of demand and supply, and many more topics that directly, or indirectly impact the economy.
It has 4 semesters, each semester having a duration of 6 months. This table shows the data of a few job profiles that are best-suited to an MA Economics graduate. 

Top MA Economics Job Profiles

Average Salary (in INR)

Research Analyst

4.8 lakhs

Data Analyst

6.3 lakhs 

High School Teacher

5.5 lakhs

Economist

16.2 lakhs

Director of Operations 

37 lakhs 

(Source: AmbitionBox)

MA History Jobs 

Through MA History, a candidate can have a good understanding of the Historical and Cultural aspects of India. It is a 2-year postgraduate degree program divided into 4 semesters, every semester lasting 6 months.

Here’s a list of a few top job profiles best suited for an MA History graduate.

Top MA History Job Profiles

Average Salary (in INR)

Historian

7 lakhs 

Assistant Professor

4.8 lakhs

Teacher

3.1 lakhs

Field Archaeologist 

2 lakhs

Research Assistant

3.8 lakhs

(Source: AmbitionBox)

Relevant links for MA History:
Jobs after MA History

MA English Jobs

MA English is a 2 year postgraduate degree program that gives students a comprehensive knowledge of various important concepts of English Literature including readings from different novels, stories, and poetries written by various authors.
The degree allows the candidate to expand their literary skills and further capitalize on them. Here is a list of a few top job profiles best suited for an MA English graduate.

Top MA English Job Profiles

Average Salary (in INR)

Editor/ Assistant Editor

3 lakhs 

Web Content Writer

3 lakhs

Teacher 

3.3 lakhs

Translator

2.2 lakhs

SEO Analyst

3 lakhs

(Source: AmbitionBox)

MA Psychology Jobs 

The field of Psychology offers a candidate the opportunity to learn different aspects related to the human mind and behavior including issues related to emotions, behavior, and their psychological effects on the brain.
One can choose from different fields while pursuing a Master's in Psychology. Some of the most prominent ones include health psychology, clinical psychology, and sports psychology. It further opens multiple doors for them to practice it by working in hospitals or opening their clinics.
Here is a list of a few top job profiles best suited for an MA Psychology graduate.

Top MA Psychology Job Profiles

Average Salary (in INR)

Clinical Psychologists

4.5 lakhs 

Therapists 

2.8 lakhs

Counseling Psychologists 

4.1 lakhs

Sports Psychologists

5.9 - 7.5 lakhs

Psychiatrist

10 lakhs

(Source: AmbitionBox)

MA Political Science Jobs

MA in Political Science is a 2-year postgraduate degree program taken by a lot of students who wish to continue their careers in politics at Indian and International levels. To pursue the same, one must have completed their graduation in political science with an aggregate of 55% or more.
It includes subjects like Political Theory, International Relations, Policy Making, and Public Laws. Here is a list of a few top job profiles best suited for MA Political Science graduates.

Top MA Political Science Jobs

Average Salary (in INR)

Politician

9.5 lakhs

Public Administration

5.3 lakhs

Political Content Writer

3.6 lakhs

Political Correspondent

4.5 lakhs

PR Executive

3 lakhs

(Source: AmbitionBox)

MA Jobs - Sector Wise

After doing a Master of Arts, a candidate has abundant opportunities in both government as well as private sectors. The scope and spectrum of opportunities further depend on the respective fields one has chosen. Here are some of the well-known, and top opportunities available to MA students in the private, and public sectors.

MA Jobs- Private Sector

MA graduates are respected everywhere and receive abundant opportunities at every organization, and the Private sector is one of them. Some of the top professions an MA graduate can pursue are given below:

Top Job Profiles

Job Details

Average Salary (in INR)

Educator

Involved in constructing meaningful educational experiences through planning, preparing, and delivering lessons.

5.7 lakhs

Economist

Economists majorly conduct surveys, collect data, analyze it, and make interpretations and forecasts about the same.
Example- Related to the topics of the economy such as fiscal policy.

16.2 lakhs

Content Writer 

Content writer researches and write engaging content for brands and businesses to provide meaningful information, and improve the brand image at the same time.

3.6 lakhs

Communication Manager 

Communication Managers promote the organization, its people, products, and services by creating impactful content and consistently delivering the same.

13.2 lakhs

Assistant Professor

Assistant Professors are involved in research and teaching. They assist full-time professors and also spend time conducting investigations and research.

4.8 lakhs

MA Jobs - Government Sector

MA provides a lot of opportunities to candidates in the government sector too. Here is a list of top career opportunities available to MA graduates in the government sector.

Top Job Profile

Job Details

Average Salary (in INR)

UPSC - IAS

IAS officers manage the overall administration of government, maintain the overall expenditure, and ensure law and order in the country.

1 - 2.5 lakhs per month

Railway jobs

RRB NTPC is one such job a person can receive by taking the entrance exam. In this role, one needs to supervise the work of the entire railway station

8.8 lakhs

SSC

SSC personnel recruit candidates for various posts in different departments and ministries under the Government of India.

6.2 lakhs

Research Associate

Research Associates plans, organizes, and conducts research for various market topics including the financial market.

4.6 lakhs

Social worker

Social workers are responsible for improving the lives of the people they are taking care of and helping them find solutions to their problems.

3.4 lakhs

(Source: AmbitionBox)

Courses after MA

A student can further enhance their educational background, and be more skilled at their respective jobs after MA by pursuing the following courses:

  • PhD
  • Mphil
  • PG Diploma

Quick links relevant to MA Careers:
PhD Careers
M.Phil Admissions

10 Best Countries for MA Graduates

MA provides candidates with tons of opportunities in India as well as Abroad. Though some countries are better than others when it comes to opportunities and salaries. In the coming section, we will discuss those few countries along with the salaries they provide.

  • USA 
  • UK 
  • Canada 
  • Australia
  • Singapore
  • Germany
  • Italy
  • France
  • Ireland
  • Spain

Top MA Recruiters
After doing an MA, candidates can get good jobs with handsome salaries in both the public sector as well as private sector. This table gives you a list of the top 10 MA recruiters.

Top MA Recruiters

Amazon

State Bank of India

Myntra

ICICI

Infosys

Government of India

Deloitte

Lady Shri Ram College 

Wipro

Accenture

Top MA Colleges- Placement-wise

The average salary after completing MA ranges from INR 3 LPA - 5 LPA. However, some factors may affect the placement opportunities and the compensation a candidate receives. These factors include location, candidate’s college, their skills, and expertise in the respective domains. 

This table provides the list of those colleges that provide candidates with the greatest opportunities and highest placement packages when it comes to MA graduates. 

Top MA Colleges

Average Salary (in INR)

Jawaharlal Nehru University, Delhi

9.5 lakhs

Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi

8 lakhs

Delhi University, Delhi

15.5 lakhs

Jamia Milia Islamia

8.66 lakhs

Amity University, Noida

5.5 lakhs

FAQs MA Careers

What are the jobs after MA?

There are abundant job opportunities available in both the government sector and private sector after pursuing an MA in any discipline. Some of the jobs include the job of an Economist, Psychologist, Historian, Research Associate, Translator, Social Worker, and Educator.

Which MA course is best?

 Though each MA course is designed in a way to give comprehensive knowledge about the subject, and also provide practical knowledge about the same. But the best ultimately depends on one’s area of interest and its scope and further career opportunities attached to it. These are some of the best MAs when it comes to career scope and salary: 

MA in Economics 
MA in Psychology 
MA in International Studies
MA in History 
MA in History Studies

Can I do PhD without an MA?

Without holding a master’s in the subsequent field one cannot enter into PhD, because an MA or master’s provides candidates with the skills and expertise needed to further take their education to another level and pursue Ph.D. Without having the right academic background, the chances of getting selected for a PhD are fairly low.

What is the salary after an MA in history?

The salary after an MA in history is really good, ranging from a pay scale of INR 2 LPA -  INR 5.5 LPA. Yet, there are different salaries for different roles and positions. For example- The average salary of a journalist after MA history is 5 - 7 lakhs. On the other hand, the salary after becoming a Researcher lies somewhere between INR 3 LPA - 4 LPA. 

 

Table of content
  • Popular M.A. (Master of Arts) Colleges in India
  • Popular Private M.A. (Master of Arts) Colleges in India
  • Popular M.A. (Master of Arts) Specializations
  • Most Popular Courses
  • Top Ranked Colleges by Location

Popular M.A. (Master of Arts) Colleges in India

Following are the most popular M.A. (Master of Arts) Colleges in India. Learn more about these M.A. (Master of Arts) colleges (Courses, Reviews, Answers & more) by downloading the Brochure.
4 Courses
432
8.4 LPA

#5 The Week

6 Courses
55.95 K
9.24 LPA

#3 The Week

3 Courses
72.5 K - 1.84 L
6.23 LPA

#8 The Week

1 Course
1.26 L - 7.75 L
3.6

#44 The Week

4.8
3.5 LPA

#7 The Week

Popular Private M.A. (Master of Arts) Colleges in India

60 K

#75 The Week

1.06 L

M.A. Applications open. Apply Now

80 K - 3.4 L
4 - 4.8 LPA
75 K - 3.2 L
4.7
4 Courses
2.2 L - 2.3 L
5.0

Popular M.A. (Master of Arts) Specializations

Following are the most popular M.A. (Master of Arts) Specializations . You can explore the top Colleges offering these Specializations by clicking the links below.

Popular Specializations

Top Ranked Colleges by Location

Following are the top ranked colleges for M.A. (Master of Arts) based on rankings published by The Week, Business Today and National Institutional Ranking Framework (MHRD).
qna

Student Forum

chatAnything you would want to ask experts?
Write here...

Answered a month ago

Yes you can you have a great opportunity in this field 

S

Sayyad

Beginner-Level 1

Answered a month ago

Yes, Chandigarh University offers Masters in Journalism and Mass Communication. 

This programme runs for two years and helps students understand different aspects of mass media. The curriculum usually covers print journalism, digital content, audio-visual production, media laws, and research methods.

...Read more

j

jatinder pal singh

Beginner-Level 2

Answered a month ago

The distribution of marks in AR, CY, DA, EY, GG, GE, MA, PH, ST, XH, and XL can be checked below -

  • General aptitude  - 15 marks
  • Subject marks - 85 marks
  • Total marks allotted - 100 marks
  • Exam mode - online
  • Time duration  - 3 hours

U

UPASANA PRADHAN

Contributor-Level 10

Answered a month ago

For admission to IGNOU college for MA (Master of Arts) courses, students must at least secure 50% marks in graduation in any discipline from a recognised university in India. You'll get various specializations of MA at IGNOU, from English, Hindi, Political Science, to Mass Communication, Drawing & P

...Read more

A

Akansha Bisht

Contributor-Level 10

Answered a month ago

Of course, after all, IGNOU is among the top-most distance universities in India offering flexible learning options through, which is perfect if you have other commitments like a job or family. You can literally study at your own pace and convenience, making it easier to balance with your daily life

...Read more

N

Nikita Chauhan

Contributor-Level 9

Answered a month ago

Of course, it is. It is mostly cost-effective, gives you higher education, increases job opportunities, and so on. It is not mandatory to pursue an MA right after a bachelor's course; you can gain some industry experience, and maybe then you'll realize if you really need to pursue an MA or not.

A

Atul Arora

Contributor-Level 9

Answered a month ago

The MA (Master of Arts) is the most common postgraduate degree course opted for by students in India, as it is easier to get admission to the course due to its availability in most of the best universities across the country. Some of them even offer admission on a merit basis, given the fact that ca

...Read more

R

Rashmi Srivastava

Contributor-Level 8

Answered a month ago

No, integrated programs are designed for students who have passed their Class 12. Once you have completed your bachelor's degree, you can directly apply for a master's degree. Integrated programs mean a combination of 2 degrees, for example, BA + MA, BBA + MBA, and BSc + MSc. So, the best option for

...Read more

R

Rashmi Thakur

Contributor-Level 9

Answered a month ago

Of course, you can. In fact, a master's degree is the first basic requirement for a PhD aspirant. No matter which subject you choose, a relevant master's degree from a UGC-approved university will be required to pursue a PhD
For instance, if you have completed your MA in Psychology, then you can pu

...Read more

S

Shikha Arora

Contributor-Level 9

Answered a month ago

Yes, you can. But mostly top MA colleges in India will require you to provide entrance exam scores. For example, if you want to get admission to a DU college for an MA course, you'll need to clear the CUET-PG exam. There are some private colleges that offer admission on the merit system though.

M

Mohit Datta

Contributor-Level 9

Answered a month ago

The exact MA course eligibility is to have a bachelor's degree in any relevant discipline. Though these disciplines also depend on the MA subject you choose. Apart from this, you will need to check the minimum marks required by your desired college. Because marks and entrance exam scores can vary de

...Read more

G

Gunjan Dhawan

Contributor-Level 9

Answered a month ago

The University of Mumbai lays down the eligibility requirements for DCJ entrance exam. According to the official website, a candidate is eligible to appear for the DCJ entrance exam if:

  • He/she has passed the Bachelors Degree in any specialisation form MU or any other recognised university by the Univ

...Read more

R

Rachit Katariya

Beginner-Level 5

Answered a month ago

Annamalai University DDE offers admission to MA programme based on merit. The qualifying exam scores of the aspirants are considered for admission. Candidates must have completed a UG degree to apply for MA. Once selected, aspirants can join the programme by paying the admission fee. 

N

Nishtha Shukla

Guide-Level 15

Answered a month ago

Annamalai University DDE offers MA for two-years at the PG level. Candidates after completing their graduation can apply for any of the below-mentioned MA specialisations:

  • Economics
  • English
  • History
  • Political Science
  • Sociology
  • Tamil

N

Nishtha Shukla

Guide-Level 15

Answered 2 months ago

There are around 6,000 MA colleges in India, and every college offers different specializations in the MA. Also, every college has a different college rating, placement record, faculty rating, etc., based on that, the course fee structure of these colleges is decided. Hence, the fee structure is vas

...Read more

A

Atul Arora

Contributor-Level 9

Answered 2 months ago

It depends on the specialisation you chose because there are a lot, and the curriculum for each specialisation is designed accordingly. For example, suppose you have opted for an MA in Political Science. In that case, you'll study subjects like Debates in Political Theory, Theories of International

...Read more

R

Rashmi Srivastava

Contributor-Level 8

Answered 2 months ago

Yes, listed below are the top government MA in Spanish colleges in India along with their tuition fees:

Public/Govt. Colleges

Tuition Fee

Jawaharlal Nehru University Admission

INR 432

IGNOU Admission

INR 21,400

Delhi University Admission

INR 480

Doon University Admission

INR 40,000

Disclaimer: This information is sourced from the official website and may vary.

T

Tasbiya Khan

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 2 months ago

Yes, joining the top MA Spanish colleges in India can be worthwhile for you. For that, you need to check its ROI listed below:

Top Colleges

Tuition Fee

Average Placement Package

Jawaharlal Nehru University MA Courses

INR 432

INR 9.5 LPA

Delhi University MA Courses

INR 480

INR 16 LPA

Doon University MA Courses

INR 40,000

INR 6.5 LPA

Disclaimer: This information is sourced from the official website and may vary.

T

Tasbiya Khan

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 2 months ago

Yes, listed below are the top MA in Spanish colleges in India along with their tuition fees:

Low-cost Colleges

Tuition Fee

Jawaharlal Nehru University

INR 432

IGNOU

INR 21,400

Delhi University

INR 480

Doon University

INR 40,000

Disclaimer: This information is sourced from the official website and may vary.

T

Tasbiya Khan

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 2 months ago

As per poularity basis, listed below are the top MA Spanish colleges in India along with their tuition fees:

Top Colleges

Tuition Fee

Jawaharlal Nehru University

INR 432

IGNOU

INR 21,400

Delhi University

INR 480

AMU

-

Doon University

INR 40,000

Disclaimer: This information is sourced from the official website and may vary.

T

Tasbiya Khan

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 2 months ago

About 7 top MA Spanish colleges in India and all of which are owned by government organisations. CUET PG is the most accepting entrance exam in the top Spanish colleges in India for MA course.

Some of the popular colleges include Jawaharlal Nehru University, IGNOU, Delhi University, UNIPUNE, Doon Uni

...Read more

T

Tasbiya Khan

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 2 months ago

For MA admissions in India, you'll need to have a bachelor's degree in a relevant discipline from a recognised university; that's the one prime condition. After this, there are percentage-related requirements, which can vary depending on the colleges. Also, there can be 5% relaxation for other categ

...Read more

S

Shikha Arora

Contributor-Level 9

Answered 2 months ago

An MA is a PG-level degree course that you cannot pursue after Class 12. You'll need to obtain a Bachelor level degree (BA, for instance) to be eligible for an MA program. Once you complete your graduation in a certain discipline, you'll get clarity on which MA specialisation you wish to choose, bec

...Read more

G

Gunjan Dhawan

Contributor-Level 9

Answered 2 months ago

See, MA is a base-level course and offers a bunch of specialised fields as its disciplines. It is impossible to get a fixed MA course salary range because the job profiles, industries, type of work, expertise, etc., depend on the specific specialised area you choose. There can be a world of differen

...Read more

M

Mohit Datta

Contributor-Level 9

Answered 2 months ago

No, MA in Education is not equal to BEd and MEd; BEd is an undergraduate teaching qualification, while MA in Education and MEd are postgraduate degrees with distinct focuses: MA in Education is more academic and theoretical, dealing with philosophies, theories, and research in education, whereas MEd

...Read more

A

Anshul Jindal

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 2 months ago

Yes, there are many private MA in Political Science in India. Some of them are mentioned below along with their tuition fees:

Private Colleges

Tuition Fee

St. Xavier's College, Mumbai Admission

INR 1.5 lakh

Amity University Online Admission

INR 1.3 lakh

St. Joseph's University Admission

INR 1.65 lakh

Amity University Noida Admission

INR 2.2 Lacs – INR 5.68 lakh

Parul University Admission

INR 1.5 lakh

DisclaimerThis information is sourced from the official website and may vary.

T

Tasbiya Khan

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 2 months ago

Yes, listed below are the top government MA Political Science colleges in India along with their tuition fees:

Public/Govt. Colleges

Tuition Fee

Hindu College Admission

INR 55,950

Jawaharlal Nehru University Admission

INR 432

IGNOU

INR 16,000

Ramjas College Admission

INR 29,510

Delhi University Admission

INR 480

DisclaimerThis information is sourced from the official website and may vary.

T

Tasbiya Khan

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 2 months ago

Yes, joining the best MA Political Science colleges in India can be worthwhile for you. For that, you need to check its ROI. Listed below are some colleges along with their tuition fees and average placement package:

Top Colleges

Tuition Fee

Average Salary

Hindu College MA Courses

INR 55,950

INR 9.24 LPA

St. Xavier's College, Mumbai MA Courses

INR 1.5 lakh

INR 6.23 LPA

Jawaharlal Nehru University MA Courses

INR 432

INR 9.5 LPA

Ramjas College MA Courses

INR 29,510

INR 5.45 LPA

Delhi University MA Courses

INR 480

INR 16 LPA

DisclaimerThis information is sourced from the official website and may vary.

T

Tasbiya Khan

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 2 months ago

Yes, it is estimated that joining the best MA Political Science colleges in India can be affordable as most colleges have tuition fees of less than INR 1 lakh. Listed below are the colleges along with their tuition fees:

Low-cost Colleges

Tuition Fee

Hindu College

INR 55,950

Jawaharlal Nehru University

INR 432

IGNOU

INR 16,000

Ramjas College

INR 29,510

Delhi University

INR 480

DisclaimerThis information is sourced from the official website and may vary.

T

Tasbiya Khan

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 2 months ago

As per popularity basis, listed below are the top MA Political Science colleges in India along with their tuition fees:

Top Colleges

Tuition Fee

Hindu College

INR 55,950

St. Xavier's College, Mumbai

INR 1.5 lakh

Jawaharlal Nehru University

INR 432

St. Joseph's University

INR 1.65 lakh

IGNOU

INR 16,000

DisclaimerThis information is sourced from the official website and may vary.

T

Tasbiya Khan

Contributor-Level 10

Find insights & recommendations on colleges and exams that you won't find anywhere else

On Shiksha, get access to

  • 65k Colleges
  • 1k Exams
  • 682k Reviews
  • 1800k Answers