Updated on Jul 25, 2022 03:34 IST
Akansha Bisht

Akansha BishtSenior Executive

Master or Arts or MA course is a master level course or a postgraduate course of 2 years duration. There are an ample number of specialisations offered in MA from humanities, languages and many more. MA course is considered one of the most popular and also most pursued courses by candidates after their bachelor's degree. The MA course offers theoretical knowledge in subjects like psychology, social studies, management, politics etc. Both theoretical and practical aspects are taught to students in MA course.

Types of MA Courses

MA is a diverse two-year Arts course consisting of as many as four semesters of six months duration. The subjects of MA courses are divided into various semesters and different subjects are focused in each semester. The course consists of many elective courses, core and research projects. Here in the article, we will discuss in detail the MA subjects, syllabus, specialisations to get an understanding about MA courses.

Popular MA Courses  

Candidates get to study MA courses in different modes. Most of the MA courses are full-time or regular courses. Some of the MA courses are taught in part-time mode. Diploma or certificate courses are also available in MA. Here we will discuss different types and modes of MA courses

MA Degree Courses

MA is a diverse course as it comprises around four to eight compulsory core subjects in each specialisation. Along with it, candidates are required to choose from many of the elective courses.  

MA Specialisations 

Some of the popular specialisations offered in MA are listed below in the table: 

MA Specialisations 

MA in Hindi

MA in English 

MA in History 

MA in Philosophy 

MA in Political Science 

MA in International Relations 

MA in Sociology 

MA in Education 

MA in Fine Arts 

MA in Gender Studies 

Also Read: MA Colleges in India 

Distance MA Courses

Distance MA course or MA Distance education is also available in a number of universities and colleges. MA in distance mode can be pursued in 2 years. MA Distance Education is offered by some of the popular colleges in India like IGNOU, Karnataka State Open University etc. Candidates can pursue MA Distance Education as it provides a number of benefits. Candidates can pursue the course along with their job as well. They can pursue the course by staying in different locations. In order to apply for MA Distance education, candidates are required to have completed their Bachelor’s degree from any discipline. There is no age limit to pursue MA course through distance mode.

Also Read: Distance MA Colleges in India

Online MA Courses

MA course can be pursued in full-time or correspondence via online mode. There are multiple benefits for pursuing MA in online mode as candidates can get the best of both worlds. They can pursue the course from any part of the country without being physically present in college or university. In order to pursue Online MA course, candidates are required to have passed Bachelor's degree in Arts or an equivalent degree from a recognised university with a minimum of 50% in the relevant disciplines.

Also Read: Online MA Courses

MA Subjects

MA courses are taught under different specialisations. The subjects are divided into core and elective. Check the table below to know about MA core and elective subjects:  

Core Subjects 

Elective Subjects 

Education 

Hindi 

Literature 

History 

Politics 

Sociology 

Media 

Philosophy 

Management 

Bengali 

Languages 

English 

Linguistics 

Political science 

Communications 

Economics 

Geography 

- 

MA Job Roles and Average Salary

Given below in the table are the list of job options available for candidates with MA degree. The average salary of the below given job roles are as per Pay Scale and Salary Explorer. 

Job Roles Average Salary (in INR)
Journalist 3.46 LPA
Photographer 3.87 LPA
Content Writer 2.87 LPA
Translator 4.02 LPA
Radio Jockey 3 LPA
Writer  4.21 LPA
Video Jockey 3 LPA
Social Worker 2.90 LPA
Sales Associate 2.52 LPA

Read More: Career After MA

FAQs on MA Courses

Q. Which are some popular MA subjects?

A. Some of the popular MA programs are mentioned below: Masters of Arts Theology Masters of Arts Area studies Masters of Arts Media Masters of Arts Political Science Masters of Arts Communication Masters of Arts International Relations Masters of Arts Cultural Studies Masters of Arts Teaching etc.

Q. What is the duration of the MA course?

A. MA or Master of Arts is a 2 years duration postgraduate degree course.

Q. Which MA course is best for a job?

A. There are a number of MA courses which are considered suitable from employment perspectives. MA in Psychology, MA in Veterinary Sciences, MA in Performing Arts, MA in Education and Teaching, MA in Health and Social Care etc are some such popular MA courses.

Q. What is the eligibility criteria for MA?

A. In order to get admission in MA, candidates are required to have a Bachelor degree in arts with a minimum passing marks of 50% from a recognised university by the UGC (University Grants Commission) of India.

Q. Is BA compulsory for MA?

A. Yes, candidates must have a bachelor degree to get admission to a Master of Arts (MA) course.

Q. What can we do after MA?

A. After pursuing MA, candidates can opt for higher studies like PhD or MPhil, or pursue MBA or PGDM or PG Diploma courses. The scope of MA courses is wide.

Q. Which are the best courses after MA?

A. After MA, candidates can pursue courses like MPhil, PhD, PGDM, MBA, Hotel Management, PG Diploma, Mass Media, Travel & Tourism, Event Management etc.

Q. Can I get a job after MA?

A. Yes, there are a number of career opportunities after MA. After completing a MA degree, candidates can work as a Program Coordinator, Research Scientist, Administrative Manager, Secondary School Teacher, Program Manager, Mathematics Teacher, Learning and Development Consultant etc.

Q. What are the specialisations offered in MA?

A. Popular specialisations offered in MA are MA in Hindi, MA in English, MA in History, MA in Philosophy, MA in Political Science, MA in International Relations, MA in Sociology, MA in Education and MA in Fine Arts.

Q. How many MA courses are there in India?

A. There are as many as 94 courses in Master of Arts (MA). Candidates can pursue these courses after graduation. 

Q. Can I do MA after 12th?

A. No, candidates are not eligible for MA after 12th class. MA is a post graduation degree which can be pursued only after graduation. 
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

#75 The Week

60 K
26 K - 60 K
5.0
80 K - 3.4 L
4 - 4.8 LPA
4 Courses
40 K
12 Courses
40 K - 5.6 L
3.4

M.A. Applications open. Apply Now

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 a month 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 a month 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 a month 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 a month 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 a month 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 a month 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 a month 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