What is Online MA: Full Form, Course Duration, Admission 2026, Colleges, Syllabus, Salary & Scope

Akansha BishtSenior Executive
An Online MA or Online Master of Arts is a 2-year PG degree course available in a variety of specializations. Online MA courses give students the best of both worlds- the comfort and flexibility with the equivalent that is acquired through an on-campus, conventional Degree.
Hundreds of colleges in India and abroad provide an MA Online in different specializations. The average course fee in India ranges from INR 5,000 to INR 4.5 Lakh. Though some recruiters require you to have a regular MA degree, plenty of companies in different fields hire Online MA postgrads.
These fields include Education, Research, Media, Public Relations, NGOs, etc. If interested, you can continue reading the article for more details on Online M.A. courses.
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Online MA Course Details: Highlights
An Online MA is indeed flexible and affordable. You can refer to the following table, highlighting key points of Online MA courses.
| Particulars | Course Details |
|---|---|
| Online MA Course Duration | 2 Years (But Flexible) |
| Online MA Course Eligibility Criteria | A BA or any other relevant degree. |
| Online MA Course Admission Criteria | Primarily Merit-based |
| Online MA Course Entrance Exams | CUET-PG |
| Top Online MA Colleges | Aligarh Muslim University, Amity Online, Chandigarh University, Parul University, Gujarat University, Dr MGR Chennai, etc. |
| Online MA Course Fees | INR 5,000 - INR 4.5 Lakh |
| Online MA Jobs | Journalist, Photographer, Writer, Professor, Social Worker, Public Relations Specialist, Translator, Interpreter, Historian, etc. |
| Top Online MA Recruiters | Jagran New Media, India Today Group, UnAcademy, Wipro, Infosys, BBC India, The Hindu, etc. |
| Average Online MA Salary | INR 3.9 LPA |
Note - The information is taken from external sites and may vary.
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You'll find more than 80 MA colleges abroad offering Online MA courses. Some of the top options are here. Take a look
| Online MA Colleges Abroad | Course Fees |
|---|---|
| The of Oxford | INR 33 Lakh |
| The University of British Columbia | INR 15 - 16 Lakh |
| The University of Melbourne | INR 17 Lakh |
| Felician University | INR 5 Lakh |
| The University of Edinburgh | INR 13 - 15 Lakh |
Note - The information is taken from the official site of the college.
Know more about -
- Online MA Eligibility Criteria & Admission Process 2026
- Online MA Course Syllabus
- Best Online MA Colleges in India
- Popular Private Online M.A. Colleges in India
- Online MA Salary: Job Profiles, Career Scope & Top Recruiters
- Online MA Course FAQs
- Most Popular Courses
- Course Cutoffs
- Popular Online M.A. Specializations
- Top Ranked Colleges by Location
Online MA Eligibility Criteria & Admission Process 2026
The eligibility requirements for an Online MA course are pretty similar to a regular degree. Here are some basic conditions you can fulfill for a seamless admission procedure.
| Particulars | Eligibility Criteria |
|---|---|
| Educational Qualification | |
| Entrance Exams |
|
| Age Limit |
|
Note - The information is taken from external sites and may vary.
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Online MA Admission Process 2026
The admission process for an Online MA course in India is similar to the regular MA admission but is generally simpler and less time-consuming. Here are some steps you can follow to complete it.
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Eligibility Criteria | Check the eligibility criteria for your desired college and ensure its fulfillment. |
| Registration & Application | Register on the college's official website. With the login credentials, fill out the application form, upload documents, and pay the application fee. |
| Verification | Wait for the college/university to verify your application/documents. You'll then receive a confirmation email. |
| Fee Payment | Lastly, complete the admission formalities by paying the course fees. |
| Access Learning Management System (LMS) | Now, you'll receive the login credentials to access the online classes and study materials. |
Some documents that you must keep handy during the Online MA application process are
- A UG degree from a recognised university
- A Photo ID Proof like Adhaar, Passport, DL, PAN Card
- Passport-sized photographs (at least two)
- Caste Certificate (if any)
Since it's an online process, you must have online attested copies of these docs.
Yes, you can find admission for online MA with any entrance exam in many UGC-recognised institutions in India. IGNOU, CU-Online, and similar do not require you to take any national- or university-level test. But you will require to have a valid bachelor's degree in any subject from a recognised university.
Online MA Course Syllabus
The Online MA course syllabus and subjects are similar to regular MA courses. The only difference between the subjects and curriculum is because of the specializations. For your reference, here are some top Online MA specializations with their syllabi.
Online MA in English Syllabus
You can refer to the following table offering the MA English course syllabus idea in an online mode.
| Online MA English Subjects Semester I | |
|---|---|
| Drama – I | Poetry – I |
| Fiction – I | Literary, Theory, and Criticism – I |
| Online MA English Subjects Semester II | |
| Drama – II | Poetry – II |
| Fiction – II | Literary, Theory, and Criticism – II |
| Online MA English Subjects Semester III | |
| American Literature | Indian English Literature |
| Literature and Environment (Elective) | Introduction to Cinema Studies (Elective) |
| Commonwealth Literature (Elective) | - |
| Online MA English Subjects Semester IV | |
| Gender Studies in Literature | Dissertation |
| Postcolonial Literature (Elective) | Evolution of Theatre (Elective) |
| World Literature (Elective) | - |
Note - The information is taken from external sites and may vary.
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Online MA in Political Science Syllabus
The MA Political Science course syllabus in an online mode is given below. Take a look
| Online MA Political Science Subjects Semester I | |
|---|---|
| Comparative Politics | Public Administration |
| Western Political Thought | Indian Knowledge System |
| Foundation of Indian Culture (IDC) | - |
| Online MA Political Science Subjects Semester II | |
| Political Theory | Indian Political Thought |
| International Relations | Federalism in India |
| Political Sociology | Ancient Indian Political Institutions |
| Cultural Heritage of Bharat (IDC) | - |
| Online MA Political Science Subjects Semester III | |
| India and South Asia | India and Regional Dynamics in the Indo-Pacific |
| India and Central Asia | Research Methodology in Social Sciences |
| Indian Foreign Policy | Review of Literature in Research: A Basic Guide |
| The Basics of Writing a Research Proposal | - |
| Online MA Political Science Subjects Semester IV | |
| International Organizations | Issues and Challenges of Indian Democracy |
| Dissertation | Indian Administrative System |
Note - The information is taken from external sites and may vary.
Online MA students generally get their study material from the Learning Management System (LMS) portal. They usually have login credentials for their specific university, where they get the study material, including e-books, live sessions, recorded lectures, syllabus PDF, etc.
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Of course, you can. These modern online classrooms are designed in a way they give you the freedom to get academic support from your mentors.
They have multiple channels for student-faculty interactions, sometimes even more flexible than in-campus learning.
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Best Online MA Colleges in India
More than 60 Humanities & Social Sciences colleges in India provide Online MA courses. These courses are offered in various specializations; hence, the curriculum, subjects, course fee, placement stats, etc., can differ. You can refer to this section for more details on some of the top Online MA colleges in India.
| Best Online MA Colleges | Course Fees |
|---|---|
| Directorate of Correspondence Courses and Distance Education, Bangalore University | INR 11,460 |
| Sathyabama Institute of Science and Technology | INR 18,000 |
| SASTRA (Deemed to be University) | INR 18,000 - 60,000 |
| School of Distance Education, University of Kerala | INR 20,610 |
| Parul University | INR 50,000 |
| Parul University Online | INR 60,000 |
| Chandigarh University (CU) | INR 75,000 |
| Shoolini University | INR 80,000 |
| Dr. M.G.R. Educational and Research Institute | INR 1 Lakh - 1.32 Lakh |
| Amity University Online | INR 1.3 Lakh - 2.5 Lakh |
Note - The information is taken from the official site of the college.
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Of course. Some top Online MA colleges in India with a fee range under INR 50,000 are here. Take a look
| Online MA colleges in India | Course Fees |
|---|---|
| School University | INR 50,000 |
| School of Distance Education, University of Kerala | INR 20,610 |
| Sathyabama Institute of Science and Technology | INR 18,000 |
| Bangalore University | INR 11,460 |
| Sri University | INR 24,000 |
Note - The information is taken from the official site of the college.
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Some of the top government colleges for an Online MA course are here. Take a look
| Top Government Colleges | Course Fees |
|---|---|
| Periyar University | INR 40,000 - 60,000 |
| Kuvempu University | INR 81,510 - 83,510 |
| Aligarh Muslim University | INR 21,000 - 31,000 |
| Kurukshetra University Online | INR 40,000 |
| Barkatullah University | INR 10,100 |
Note - The information is taken from the official site of the college.
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Online MA Courses
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Online MA Salary: Job Profiles, Career Scope & Top Recruiters
Though many recruiters in India and abroad prefer a regular degree as a job criterion, you can still get plenty of career options in many fields.
Online MA Salary and Job Profiles
| Job Profiles | Job Description | MA Salary |
|---|---|---|
|
Teachers |
A teacher must also mentor pupils daily for them to not only study their curriculum but also grow into responsible adults. | INR 3 LPA |
|
Administrative Officers |
An administrative officer manages office stocks, prepares reports on expenses as well as the office budget, and also organizes the records of the company. |
INR 5.5 LPA |
|
Social Workers |
In this particular job profile, one needs to identify and thereafter help people cope with the problems at hand. |
INR 2.9 LPA |
|
Journalists |
A Journalist is expected to research, write, and present the events/ news in an honest, unbiased, and ethical manner. |
INR 4.2 LPA |
|
Counsellors |
In this job profile, one needs to speak to individuals who are facing personal or professional difficulties and help them overcome their problems, and thereafter make appropriate changes in their lives. |
INR 3.8 LPA |
|
Content writers |
A content writer creates well-crafted written material for offline and online platforms. |
INR 3.8 LPA |
I believe the preference for regular degrees has narrowed in recent years. Now recruiters mainly focus on a candidate's skills and expertise. To be honest, there are certain industries and roles where regular degrees are still preferred. For example, Law courses are not recognised by the Bar Council of India. Medicine or specific engineering fields do not prefer online or distance courses.
On the other hand, IT, Media, Digital Marketing, etc., fields consider them equal.
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There are many. It's you who'll choose where you want to go via your chosen specialization. You can join
- Higher Education & Research
- Corporate Sector
- Mass Communication & Media
- Journalism
- Or even prepare for the Government Competitive exams
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Online MA Course FAQs
You can refer to this section for some frequently asked questions on Online MA courses in India.
There are many. First, online courses are flexible and affordable. You can literally attend your class from the sofa in your living room.
There's no restriction on attending a class at a specific time. You can access your study materials at any time of the day and even use them as your go-to notes.
In many colleges, they even provide faculty interaction flexibility, which means you can talk to your professors at any time of the day and clear your queries.
Online MA courses are generally cheaper than the regular ones.
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Most Popular Courses
Course Cutoffs
Popular Online M.A. Specializations
Popular Specializations
- English
37 Colleges
- Public Policy
6 Colleges
- International Relations
3 Colleges
- Public Administration
3 Colleges
- Hindi
3 Colleges
- Clinical Psychology
2 Colleges
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News & Updates
Student Forum
Answered 5 days ago
Yes, students can get admission in Sri. Gavisiddeswara Arts, Science and Commerce College with 65% in BA. The minimum percentage required for admission is 50%. Hence, a student with 65% is eligible for application.
A
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 5 days ago
Yes, Sri. Gavisiddeswara Arts, Science and Commerce College does offer MA programme. It is offered in full-time mode for a duration of two years. Students can apply online or offline. Admissions are based on UG marks.
P
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 5 days ago
For the MA applicants, New York University looks for exceptional academic strength, proven research capabilities and professional experience.
Given below are the factors NYU looks for beyond minimum -
- A personalised SOP that explains why NYU
- Proof of research, publications or internships
- Strong letter
L
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a week ago
The fee structure for MA in Clinical Psychology is INR 3 lacs to INR 4 lacs.
A
Beginner-Level 1
Answered 2 weeks ago
Candidates can do PhD after completing their master's degree from Nagpur University or any other university. In most of the universities or institute, the minimum aggregate is 55%-60%. Aspirants also need to pass a university-conducted entrance test or provide score in any of the accepted exams for
N
Guide-Level 15
Answered 2 weeks ago
Most of the master's programs offered at ETH Zurich are taught generally in English and some require knowledge of German or mix. Applicants need to provide language proficiency proof which is usually C1 level for English and C1/B2 for German.
For Indian students, the GRE is also required for the ETH
R
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 2 weeks ago
The fee for the MA course at Hemwati Nandan Bahuguna Garhwal University - Pauri Campus is INR 2.4 K - INR 1.9 L. This fee keeps on changing and depends on the maket trends and standards.
N
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 2 weeks ago
MA in Fashion Design course at SVAC University is a 18-month long course. The tuition fee for this course is INR 22 lakh. For admission to this couse, a Bachelor's degree is required. Careers after studing this course are-
- Brand Founder
- Creative Director
- Fashion Designer
- Style Content Director
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Contributor-Level 10
Answered 2 weeks ago
The last admission date for the MA programme at NIMCJ is not declared by the institute yet. The admissions are currently open for the 2026 academic year. Students wanting to pursue MA in journalism and mass communication should visit the website of the college and fill out the application form.
A
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 2 weeks ago
The NIMCJ Ahmedabad is a good college for MA in journalism and mass communication. The institute has been ranked in various positions for journalism and mass communication. The institute mainly focuses on this course only. Students get great placement opportunities after completing MA from NIMCJ
A
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 2 weeks ago
Pursuing MA from NIMCJ is generally considered a decent choice. The NIMCJ is an affiliated college of Gujarat University, and it is especially dedicated to journalism and mass communication. The college has a 100% placement rate.
A
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 2 weeks ago
If you want to get admission to the NIMCJ Ahmedabad MA programme, you have to go through the entire admission process. Students need to meet the eligibility in the first place and then apply for the course. After that, students have to qualify for the GCAS exam. Students get notified after selection
A
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 2 weeks ago
| University | Mode | Duration | Fees (Approx) | Eligibility |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Open University (BRAOU), Hyderabad | Distance | 2 years | ₹10,300 total | Any UG degree with Telugu as subject or BAOL Telugu |
| Acharya Nagarjuna University (ANU), Centre for Distance Education | Online/Distance | 2 years | ₹15,280 total (₹7,640/semester) | Any UG degree; Telugu subject preferred |
| Sri Venkateswara University, Tirupati (DDE) | Distance | 2 years | ₹7,000 total | UG degree with Telugu background |
| Andhra University, Visakhapatnam (School of Distance Education) | Distance | 2 years | ₹13,300 total | UG degree with Telugu subject |
S
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 3 weeks ago
The MA in journalism and mass communication at NIMCJ Ahmedabad costs INR 2.4 L for two years. This amount is made of components like tuition, hostel, and mess fees. Students are required to pay this fee after completing the selection process. The given fee is as per the official website/ sanctioning
A
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 3 weeks ago
The MA at NIMCJ Ahmedabad is offered in journalism and mass communication. The master of arts in journalism in mass media includes specialisations such as digital media, electronic media, advertising, etc.
A
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 3 weeks ago
Yes, the NIMCJ Ahmedabad offers MA programme in journalism and mass media. The programme is offered in full-time mode with two years of duration. Students graduated from any recognised college are eligible for the MJMC programme. Students have to clear the GCAS exam to get admission to NIMCJ Ahmedab
A
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 4 weeks ago
candidates wishing to take admission in MA programme at University of Aberdeen, Mumbai should have passed Class 12 with Indian boards (CBSE/ISC/State boards). They should have scored minimum 75% overall in Class 12, with at least 80% in English, and a minimum of 75% in Mathematics achieved in Class
R
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a month ago
MIT School of Education and Research offers MA in Education for two-years at the PG level. This course is equivalent to M.Ed. The only difference is that MA in Education can be done after any bachelor's degree. Aspirants need to pass B.Ed to apply for M.Ed.
N
Guide-Level 15
Answered a month ago
There are 15 seats available in MA Education at MIT School of Education and Research. The seats are offered to candidates in MA based on their qualifying exam scores. There is no entrance test mentioned on the school's website.
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Guide-Level 15
Answered a month ago
No, for taking admission in MA Psychology at St. Xavier's College, Mumbai, candidates should pursued a three-year Bachelor degree with Psychology subjects. This is the compulsory eligiblity criteria that needs to be fulfiled.
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Contributor-Level 10
Answered a month ago
| Institute Category | Potential IITs | Admission Chance |
| Newer IITs | IIT Jammu, IIT Bhilai, IIT Dharwad | High |
| Mid-Tier IITs | IIT Patna, IIT Mandi, IIT Palakkad | Moderate (Likely in later rounds) |
| Old IITs | IIT Bombay, IIT Madras, IIT Kanpur | Low for core M.Tech |
S
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a month ago
MIT School of Humanities MA admissions are given to eligible students only. The requirements are as below:
- UG degree with a minimum of 50% aggregate + SOP + PI
A
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a month ago
Yes, MIT School of Humanities does offer MA programme. It is offered in full-time mode for a duration of two years. Interested and eligible students can apply online for the programme.
V
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a month ago
MIT School of Indian Civil Services, MIT-ADT University MA fees is INR 3.66 lakh. MIT School of Indian Civil Services, MIT-ADT University fee structure includes many componnets. The total fees may differ at the time of payment due to the variables of the fee structure.
G
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a month ago
Candidates who complete the MA course of MIT School of Humanities will be able to build a career in several fields such as the following:
- Professorship
- Teaching
- Public Speaking
- Translator Services
- Public Relations
- Journalism
- Editorial and Content Developers
- Critics
- Literature Researchers
S
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a month ago
Yes, MIT School of Humanities does offer a MA course which is offered in one specialisation which is MA in English course.
MA at MIT School of Humanities is a two year course which covers four semesters. Admissions to MA course are decided based on merit in last qualifying exam score.
S
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a month ago
The hostel fees at MIT School of Humanities remains the same for all categories at INR 4.29 Lacs for the MA course. However, EW category students are only charged INR 89,100 as tuition fees for two year MA course. This makes the total fees for EWS category MA students INR 5.18 Lacs in 2026.
S
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a month ago
Candidates who wish to compare MIT School of Humanities MA courses first need to collect data regarding MA course fees, placements statitstics, rankings, infrastructure, faculty and more.
This data will be required from both MIT School of Humanities and the institutes which are picked for comparison
S
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a month ago
MIT School of Humanities reserved 3 seats in total from the intake of 10 of MA courses for special category candidates. Within these seats, 1 seat is reserved for EWS category and the remaining 2 seats for other categories.
EWS candidates must note that the reserved seats are only offered to student
S
Contributor-Level 10
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Of course, it is. An Online MA degree is valid in both India and abroad. You need to pursue it from a UGC-approved university.
If you get your online MA degree from an accredited university, you're equally employable in both government and private sectors.
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Online MA Courses