Updated on Sep 15, 2022 12:38 IST
Diya Nihalani

Diya NihalaniContent Author

Online MA or Online Master of Arts, is a two-year postgraduate degree available in a variety of specialisations. Online MA programme prepares students for many opportunities in both the corporate and academic sectors. The dissertation component of this programme help students to translate their knowledge into real-world experience. In addition, various seminars based on the topics taught in the online MA also provide an opportunity for the students to improve their soft skills. Various colleges and universities in India and overseas offer degree in a variety of specialisations. The degree can be pursued as a full-time, part-time or correspondence in an online mode. The advantages of studying Online MA give a student the best of both worlds- the comfort and flexibility with the equivalence that is acquired through an on-campus, conventional Degree.

Online MA Eligibility Criteria

  • Complete a Bachelor's degree in Arts of at least three years duration or an equivalent degree from a recognised university to be eligible for an MA programme with a minimum of 50% in the relevant disciplines.

Required Skills For Online MA 

Those interested in pursuing an Online Master of Arts degree must be committed and focused on their chosen field. Because a master's degree requires significant research, it requires more resolve and fortitude than a bachelor's degree. The following are some of the fundamental abilities that candidates should possess in order to pursue an Online MA programme:

  • Good communication skills

  • Multi-tasking skills

  • Problem-solving skills

  • Management and organising skills

  • Analytical and critical thinking

  • Goal-oriented

  • Ability to work under pressure

  • Interpersonal skills

Also Read:

Institutes/Academies offering online MA courses

Given below are some of the universities offering Online MA programmes:

University/ College/ Institute

Programme

Fees (in INR)

Alagappa University

MA Journalism and Mass Communication

80,300

MA English

80,300

Aligarh Muslim University

MA English

10,500

MA Economics

10,500

MA Hindi

10,500

MA History

10,500

MA Political Science

10,500

MA Urdu

10,500

Amity University

MA Journalism and Mass Communication

2,03,000

Bharathidasan University

MA English

70,000 to 90,000

MA History

MA Political Science

MA Economics

MA Public Administration

IGNOU

MA in Translation Studies

4,800 per year

MA Hindi

6,000 per year

MA in Gandhi and Peace Studies

4,500 per year

Acharya Nagarjuna University

MA English

6730 per year

MA Journalism and Mass Communication

6730 per year

Note: The duration of the programmes are usually 2-years, but the colleges offer flexibility to complete the course within 4-years as well.

Online MA Course Syllabus

The MA syllabus is a theoretical and practical curriculum that includes internships, research projects, and coursework. Every speciality has a different syllabus and course content. Core subjects are covered in the first year of the programme. In their second year, students can choose from a variety of elective courses. English, Bengali, History, Economics, Sociology, Political Science, Hindi, Philosophy, and other particular fields are included in the MA programme. The themes and curricula for distinct MA courses will be discussed separately in the tables below.

MA English Syllabus

MA in English entails a thorough understanding of British literature. The programme also covers linguistics, literary criticism, and post-independence Indian writing in English, among other topics. The course includes some modern fiction, research methods, language, and literature. For an MA in English, there is a wide range of elective subjects to choose from.

Eligibility: Bachelor's degree in English or any related discipline with 50% marks are applicable

  • British Literature

  • African Literature

  • American Literature

  • Indian Writing in English Literature

  • Literary Theory and more

MA Political Science

Among all of the MA disciplines, Political Science is a major concentration. MA in Political Science is one of the most popular courses, and it covers topics such as political behaviour and system analysis, political practise and theory, and so on. This subject's postgraduate study deals with public affairs, among other things, in addition to national and worldwide political systems.

Eligibility: A BA degree in Political Science or a related discipline with a minimum of 50% marks is required.

  • Themes in World Politics

  • Indian Strategic Thoughts

  • Western Political Thought

  • Debates in Political Theory

  • Ethics and Politics and more

MA Economics Syllabus

MA in Economics enables students to gain a thorough understanding of the financial sector, allowing them to develop their ideology in order to face any issues that may arise in the industry or business. They learn how a financial system in an economy operates and evolves from the ground up. While studying for an MA in Eco, students are taught the three essential mechanisms for maintaining wealth (creation, distribution, and consumption).

Eligibility: A bachelor's degree in Economics or a related subject of study with a minimum of 50% marks is required.

  • Microeconomics Theory

  • Introductory Econometrics

  • International Finance

  • Development Economics and more

MA History Syllabus

MA History is a mash-up of past and present views of events. World history, Indian government and politics, literature, economic history, contemporary issues in international relations, three eras (ancient, medieval, and modern) history of India, and so on are among the subjects covered in the MA in History curriculum.

Eligibility: Students who have passed Bachelor's degree in History with 50% marks from a recognized university are eligible for this Specialization.

  • Ancient History and theory

  • Contemporary World

  • Polity in Medieval India

  • Indian Independence

  • History of women in India

MA Philosophy

MA Philosophy, or Master of Arts in Philosophy, is a two-year postgraduate programme that covers both classical and modern philosophical schools. The study of reality, existence, and the underlying nature of knowledge is the focus of this programme.

A comprehensive and in-depth study of Philosophy as a discipline at an advanced level is included in the course. It entails the investigation of a critical and systematic approach to general problems, as well as its dependence on a reasoned argument. Existence, knowledge, truth, beauty, law, justice, validity, mind, and language are some of the most common issues.

Eligibility: BA in Philosophy or any other related subject from a recognized university.

  • Indian Heritage Heritage and Axiology

  • Epistemology

  • Greek and Medieval Philosophy

  • Indian Culture and Ethics

  • Logic and Scientific Method

Other MA specialisations are: MA History, MA Political Science, MA Sociology, MA in Bengali, MA in Urdu, MA in Literature, MA in Public Relations and more.

MA Job Profiles

Students are provided with a wide range of work opportunities after completing their MA, ranging from teachers to part-time professors, managerial jobs to running a start-up. Dome of the top job roles are listed below:

  • Teacher

  • Administrative Officer

  • Social Worker

  • Journalist

  • Consultant

  • Content Writer

Scope and Benefits of Online MA Courses

  • Students with an MA degree can improve their subject-specific knowledge. It provides an advantage in terms of establishing their place in the sphere of work.

  • Professors will surround students and encourage them to attain their goals. Aside from that, they will have the option to attend lectures delivered by guest lecturers who have demonstrated their worth in the academic or corporate world.

  • Postgraduate courses are larger and more self-contained than undergraduate courses. As a result, students must devote more time to mastering the complete procedure.

Read More:

FAQs related to Online MA Courses

Q. What is the scope of MA?

A. After completion of MA, students can pursue PhD in their respective subjects. Other than that one can also apply for a job.

Q. What distinguishes a one-year online master's degree from a two-year master's degree?

A. In a nutshell, 1-year online Masters differ from ordinary online Masters in the following ways:
  • It is less expensive because you only have to pay for one year of education.
  • If you take out a loan, your student debt will be lower.
  • Curriculum with a specific focus
  • A combined study option is less likely to be available (so not mixing online with on-campus studies)
  • An option to pursue another Master’s degree after completing the first one-year

Q. What is an ideal duration of an MA programme?

A.  A traditional or a typical MA course is of 2 years.

Q. Is it possible for a 10+2 graduate to apply for an MA course?

A.  No. It is not possible for a 12  graduate to apply for a Master in Arts programme.

Q. Which option is preferable? Is it better to have an MA in history or an MA in sociology?

A.  MA Sociology opens up more opportunities for employment in international organisations, embassies, public relations firms, research, public health and welfare organisations, politics, and the media, among other places.

Q. Is there any eligibility criteria to register for an Online MA programme?

A.  Yes. Each MA programme has eligibility criteria that a student must satisfy before applying. A general criterion for every programme is to have a Bachelor’s degree in the course specialisation a student is applying for.

Q. Is it possible to pursue a PhD after completion of an MA?

A.  Yes. Only those who have finished their master's degree in a similar course/stream to the one in which they wish to pursue a PhD are eligible to apply for a PhD programme. Some colleges additionally require candidates to have earned an MPhil before enrolling in a PhD programme.

Q. What are the benefits of pursuing an MA Online course?

A. One of the topmost benefits one can think of is that a student has the flexibility to complete the course as per their comfort. As most of the course curriculum is pre-recorded, a student has the freedom to review it again, whenever they wish to.

Q. What's the difference between an MA and an MSc?

A. A graduate level of study in the humanities or social sciences is a master's degree. The Master of Science degree, on the other hand, is normally designated for scientific and mathematical programmes.

Q. Is it worthwhile to pursue a Master of Arts degree?

A. Yes, a master's degree will boost your existing earnings and status.

Q. Which are the top MA specialisations students opt for?

A.  The students usually go for MA in English, MA in Economics, MA in Physiology, or MA in Journalism and Mass Communication .
Table of content
  • Popular Online M.A. Colleges in India
  • Popular Private Online M.A. Colleges in India
  • Most Popular Courses
  • Course Cutoffs
  • Popular Online M.A. Specializations
  • Top Ranked Colleges by Location

Popular Online M.A. Colleges in India

Following are the most popular Online M.A. Colleges in India. Learn more about these Online M.A. colleges (Courses, Reviews, Answers & more) by downloading the Brochure.
35 Courses
432 - 18.5 K
8.4 LPA

#3 NIRF

22 Courses
55.95 K - 86.01 K
9.24 - 9.5 LPA

#1 NIRF

13 Courses
20 K - 1.84 L
6.23 - 6.89 LPA

#89 NIRF

19 Courses
1.63 K - 83.52 K
9.2 - 10.2 LPA

#17 NIRF

1.07 L - 16 L
3.4

#81 India Today

Humanities & Social Sciences Applications open. Apply Now

56.16 K - 62.91 K
3 - 3.5 LPA

#16 NIRF

Popular Private Online M.A. Colleges in India

1.58 L - 5.1 L

Humanities & Social Sciences Applications open. Apply Now

60 K - 2.5 L
3.2
25 K - 2.25 L
3.6

#79 India Today

1 L - 4.5 L
4.0
20 K - 6.4 L
4 - 8.2 LPA
4 L - 5 L

Course Cutoffs

The cutoffs of popular Online M.A. colleges is given below:
Master of Law (LL.M.) : Shivaji University 2022 Last Round Closing Percentage (General-All India)Accordion Icon V3
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College20212022
Shivaji University89.4– / –
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B.A. in Psychology and English : Mumbai University Admission 2025 Last Round Closing Percentage (General-All India)Accordion Icon V3
Master of Physical Education (M.P.Ed.) : CUET-PG 2025 Last Round Closing Score (General-All India)Accordion Icon V3
College202320242025
Banaras Hindu University– / –– / –410
View all cutoffsRight Arrow Icon

Popular Online M.A. Specializations

Following are the most popular Online M.A. 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 Online M.A. based on rankings published by The Week, Business Today and National Institutional Ranking Framework (MHRD).

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Student Forum

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

Answered a week ago

Admission to LPU’s M.A. in Political Science is merit-based, requiring a minimum of 50% in your bachelor’s degree (with relaxations for selected categories). LPU does not publish any specific cutoff score for this programme. Instead, applications are assessed directly on graduation marks rather than

...Read more

V

Vridhi

Contributor-Level 9

Answered 3 weeks ago

Yes you can you have a great opportunity in this field 

S

Sayyad

Beginner-Level 1

Answered 3 weeks 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 a month 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 a month 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 a month 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 a month 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 a month 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 a month 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 a month 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 a month 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

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