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

Updated on Feb 11, 2026 12:37 IST
Akansha Bisht

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.

Links useful for an Online M.A -

MA vs MBA: Which Is Better for Humanities Students?

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.

Links relevant to an Online M.A. -

All about Delhi University Online Courses 2026

Online Education in India: Trends & Future Prospects, Growth Opportunities

 

Q:   Is an online MA a valid degree in India?
A:

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

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Q:   Which are the best college options abroad for an Online MA?
A:

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 AbroadCourse Fees
The of OxfordINR 33 Lakh
The University of British ColumbiaINR 15 - 16 Lakh
The University of MelbourneINR 17 Lakh
Felician UniversityINR 5 Lakh
The University of EdinburghINR 13 - 15 Lakh

Note - The information is taken from the official site of the college.

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Online MA Courses

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Table of contents
  • 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
View More

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
  • A bachelor's degree (BA / BSc / BCom / BVOc).
  • Any relevant discipline based on your MA specialization.
  • From a recognized university.
Entrance Exams
  • The admission is majorly based on the merit system; some colleges may ask for the CUET PG score.
Age Limit
  • No prescribed 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.

 

Q:   Which documents should I prepare for an Online MA application process?
A:

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.

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Q:   Can I get admission in online MA without an entrance exam?
A:

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.   

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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.

Useful topics on the Online MA Syllabus -

IGNOU MA English Syllabus

State Universities vs Deemed Universities: Which One Should You Choose?

IGNOU MA Political Science Syllabus

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.

 

Q:   How do online MA degree students get study materials?
A:

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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MA Courses

Q:   Can I clear my doubts with the professors in an Online MA course?
A:

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. 

Know more about -

Online MA Courses

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.

More on Online MA Colleges -

Top MA Colleges in India 2026 - Admissions, Courses, Fees, Placements, Cut Off

 

35 Courses
₹432 - 20 K
₹8.4 LPA

#3 NIRF

22 Courses
₹59.15 K - 92.01 K
₹9.24 - 9.5 LPA

#1 NIRF

68 Courses
₹500 - 57.54 K
₹7 LPA

#2 NIRF

25 Courses
₹37.53 K - 56.93 K
₹5.4 LPA

#4 NIRF

₹22.2 K - 7.32 L
₹5.5 - 6.22 LPA

#8 NIRF

10 Courses
₹432 - 720
₹4.62 - 7.9 LPA

#7 NIRF

Q:   Can you suggest some affordable Online MA colleges in India?
A:

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 IndiaCourse Fees
School UniversityINR 50,000
School of Distance Education, University of KeralaINR 20,610
Sathyabama Institute of Science and TechnologyINR 18,000
Bangalore UniversityINR 11,460
Sri UniversityINR 24,000

Note - The information is taken from the official site of the college.

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Online MA Courses

Q:   Which are the top government colleges for an Online MA course?
A:

Some of the top government colleges for an Online MA course are here. Take a look

Top Government CollegesCourse Fees
Periyar UniversityINR 40,000 - 60,000
Kuvempu UniversityINR 81,510 - 83,510
Aligarh Muslim UniversityINR 21,000 - 31,000
Kurukshetra University OnlineINR 40,000
Barkatullah UniversityINR 10,100

Note - The information is taken from the official site of the college.

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Online MA Courses

Popular Private Online M.A. Colleges in India

4 Courses
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₹9 L
─
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₹1.2 L - 4.65 L
4.0

#95 Outlook

₹1.6 L
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₹1.4 L - 15.92 L
4.1

#53 Outlook

Humanities & Social Sciences Applications open. Apply Now

₹49 K - 1.11 L
3.7

#81 India Today

23 Courses
₹70 K - 14 L
3.0
─

Humanities & Social Sciences Applications open. Apply Now

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

Some common job options after completing your Online MA course are here. Take a look
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
Note - The salary is taken from Ambitionbox.com.

Learn More About Online MA Salary -

Career After MA

Salary of a Content Writer in India: Per Annum Average Salary for Writers

Government Teacher Salary in India

Top Online MA Recruiters

Some of the top companies hiring Online MA postgrads for different job roles are here.

Online MA Recruiters

The Times of India

Amazon

Hindustan Times

Jagran New Media

Wipro

BBC

Infosys

NDTV Convergence

Taj Group

HDFC Bank

Note - The information is taken from external sites and may vary.

 

Q:   Do recruiters prefer a regular degree over an online degree?
A:

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.

Know more about -

Online MA Courses

Q:   Which are the top employment fields for Online MA postgraduates?
A:

There are many. It's you who'll choose where you want to go via your chosen specialization. You can join

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Online Master of Arts Courses

Online MA Course FAQs

You can refer to this section for some frequently asked questions on Online MA courses in India.

Q:   What are the pros of pursuing an Online MA course?
A:

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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Full-Time MA Courses

Course Cutoffs

The cutoffs of popular Online M.A. colleges is given below:
Bachelor of Management Studies : Mumbai University Admission 2026 Last Round Closing Percentage (General-All India)Accordion Icon V3
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Narsee Monjee College of Commerce & Economics– / –– / –94.67
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Delhi School of Economics (DSE), University of Delhi– / –206263
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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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Answered 5 days ago

The M.A. in Journalism and Mass Communication at Lovely Professional University (LPU) covers diverse core subjects including digital journalism, broadcast media, advertising, public relations, media ethics, corporate communication, and advanced video production. The curriculum blends contemporary th

...Read more

A

Aston Martin

Contributor-Level 7

Answered 5 days ago

The M.A. in Journalism and Mass Communication at Lovely Professional University (LPU) offers expansive career scope across digital media, broadcasting, public relations, and content creation. Supported by world-class infrastructure and robust corporate placements, it equips postgraduates with practi

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A

Aston Martin

Contributor-Level 7

Answered 5 days ago

Completing an M.A. in Journalism and Mass Communication from Lovely Professional University (LPU) unlocks extensive career pathways across digital media, broadcast journalism, corporate communications, and public relations.

LPU's dedicated Division of Career Services bridges academia and industry thr

...Read more

A

Aston Martin

Contributor-Level 7

Answered a week ago

The Northumbria University offers a total of 30 specializations for M.A Courses for the International students for a time span of 1-2 years. The tuition fee for M.A Courses is between INR 21 L – 47 L.

Popular specializations among international students are as follows:

Publishing

Social Work

Creative Wr

...Read more

K

Khushi Arora

Contributor-Level 10

Answered a week ago

The Northumbria University offers 30 courses in M.A for a period of 1-2 years. The tuition fee for M.A Courses at the University is INR 21 L – 47 L. Northumbria University has been placed at #328 in the world and #50 in UK. There are no particular rankings for M.A Courses but the University as a who

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K

Khushi Arora

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 2 weeks ago

The University of Chester offers 21 M.A Courses for 1-2 years to finish them within. The International students can apply via AIMS International Portal for postgraduate courses. There is no application charges applicable for any PG Courses for the University, it is only charges for UG Courses. The a

...Read more

K

Khushi Arora

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 2 weeks ago

The University of Chester offers 21 M.A courses in many fields for international students to opt from. The duration of these courses is for 1 – 2 years with a tuition fee of INR 12 L – 20 L. The most popular M.A course among students are-

  • Language, Cultures and Translation
  • Social Work
  • MSc Policing, Law

...Read more

K

Khushi Arora

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 2 weeks ago

MA in History means Master of Arts in History. It is a postgraduate degree that focuses on the study of past events, societies, cultures, political developments and major changes across different periods. The course usually involves subjects such as ancient, medieval and modern history, historiograp

...Read more

S

Sampreet Kaur

Beginner-Level 1

Answered 2 weeks ago

There is no single best country for an MA in English Literature because it depends on the area of literature and career plans. The UK, USA, Canada and Australia are popular choices for strong literature studies and wider academic exposure. In India, LPU is also worth considering because its MA Engli

...Read more

S

Sampreet Kaur

Beginner-Level 1

Answered 3 weeks ago

The University of St Andrews offers a 1-year MA programme where Creative & Professional Writing is one of the most popular specialisation courses for students from India. The tuition cost for the programme varies from INR 23.88 L to INR 39.94 L,  based on the individual programme selected by student

...Read more

K

Khushi Arora

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 3 weeks ago

Yes, DAV College, Chandigarh offers MA programme at PG level  for a duration of 2 years. The mode of study is full time. Students who are Class 12 or equivalent pass from a recognised board can apply for admission. 

a

aaradhy rastogi

Contributor-Level 8

Answered 4 weeks ago

While evaluating international tuition structures, overseas currency exchange considerations, and overall educational investment for the MA in Business Management at Bath Spa University provides a helpful baseline for your financial planning, Lovely Professional University (LPU) serves as an excelle

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A

Aston Martin

Contributor-Level 7

Answered 4 weeks ago

The total tuition fees for MA is INR 14,000-INR 27,000 at IGNOU. The fees is the highest for MA in Education. For most of language programmes, the fees is at lower end. 

N

Nishtha Shukla

Guide-Level 15

Answered 4 weeks ago

Yes, candidates do not require passing any entrance exam for admission in MA at IGNOU. Aspirants are selected based on their scores in the qualifying exam. Selected candidates have to pay course fees to confirm their seat. 

N

Nishtha Shukla

Guide-Level 15

Answered a month ago

MA Sociology courses are available in various modes of education. This creates an ease and accebility among students. The following table some of the most popular modes of education for MA Sociology:

Mode of MA Sociology Courses 

Description 

Full-time/Regular Course

This is where students attend their classes regularly on campus. It's a good fit for those who prefer direct interactions with teachers and peers. 

Distance/Correspondence Degree

In this mode, students can study at their own pace using materials provided by the university. It's suitable for those who need flexibility, as they can manage their studies alongside other commitments, for example, IGNOU

Online Course

Some universities offer fully online courses where they can attend virtual classes, access study material, and complete assignments; exams are taken online only.

Part-time Course

This mode allows one to study according to one's convenience it is designed for working professionals; this mode offers classes according to their flexibility, allowing students to balance work and study.

 

B

Bhavya Jain

Contributor-Level 9

Answered a month ago

No, CUET is not required to get admission in MA from IIHS (Institution Deemed to be) University. Admission is offered based on university-level entrance exam. It is followed by essay evaluation and personal interview.

R

Raj Priya

Contributor-Level 10

Answered a month ago

The total tuition fee of MA from IIHS (Institution Deemed to be) University is INR 9 lakhs. Including other fee components, the total fee is INR 15.91 lakhs. Note: this number is taken from the official website of the university. It can change.

R

Raj Priya

Contributor-Level 10

Answered a month ago

No, IIHS (Institution Deemed to be) University does not offer direct admission. Applicants have to undergo selection rounds that includes: entrance exam, essay evaluation and personal interview.

R

Raj Priya

Contributor-Level 10

Answered a month ago

No, CUET is not required for admission in MA programme of IIHS (Institution Deemed to be) University. Applicants are given admission based on their performance in entrance exam, essay and personal interview.

R

Raj Priya

Contributor-Level 10

Answered a month ago

The MA in Computational Linguistics at the English and Foreign Languages University (EFLU) Hyderabad is a specialized 2-year program and it serves as a strong stepping stone for academic research or a PhD.

The median post-graduate salary package at EFLU is around INR 4.5 LPA to INR 5.16 LPA. So, acco

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A

Akanksha Yadav

Contributor-Level 10

Answered a month ago

Many colleges require a BA Hindi degree or Hindi as one of the core subjects in the UG degree or diploma.There are also colleges that accept admission without having a mandatory hindi requirement.

B

Bhavya Jain

Contributor-Level 9

Answered a month ago

The main intake for Master of Arts courses are the Fall Intake (September). Majority of the courses are available in the Fall Semester. The deadlines for the courses are very course-specific and differ for every specification at McGill University.

K

Khushi Arora

Contributor-Level 10

Answered a month ago

The University of Leeds provide a large variety of M.A Courses over 80 of them for the Indian students for a duration of 1 year. The eligibility requirements are as follows:

·       UG Degree (55%-65%)

·       English Language Requirements (IELTS: 6.5, TOEFL: 88)

·       SOP

·       LOR

·       CV

K

Khushi Arora

Contributor-Level 10

Answered a month ago

Winter Semester is the main intakes for most of the M.A Courses at University of Hamburg. The University offers a wide range of 76 M.A Courses for International students. Deadlines are given below:

Winter Sem – 31 Mar 2027

Summer Sem – 15 Jan 2027

K

Khushi Arora

Contributor-Level 10

Answered a month ago

The University of California Berkeley Campus offers 12 M.A courses for international students for a period of 1 -3 years. The tuition fee of M.A Courses are between INR 25 L – 47 L. The students are required to have at least 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale to get into the University for M.A Courses. The othe

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K

Khushi Arora

Contributor-Level 10

Answered a month ago

Yes. LPU offers Mathematics programmes, and hostel accommodation is available on campus for students, including girls and boys. Admission and hostel availability depend on the specific Mathematics programme and current intake.

A

Ananya Sharma

Beginner-Level 5

Answered a month ago

There are mainly 2 intakes for M.A Courses at La Trobe University – Semester 1 and Semester 2. Sem 1 is the primary intake, it starts in early March.

·       Sem 1 (early March) – Jan 15

·       Sem 2 (July start) – Mid May

K

Khushi Arora

Contributor-Level 10

Answered a month ago

The University of Queensland offers 26 M.A courses for international students. It is most likely opted by Indian students. The UQ provides two intakes for M.A courses – Semester 1 and Semester 2

·       Sem 1 (Feb Intake) – Nov 30, 2026

·       Sem 2 (Jul Intake) – May 31, 2027

K

Khushi Arora

Contributor-Level 10

Answered a month ago

The University of New South Wales offers 9 M.A Courses for a duration of 18 months to 2 years. The admissions for M.A Course are on the rolling and multiple round bases. The interested students can apply vis UNSW Application Portal.

·       Term 3 (September Intake) – Late Aug, 2026.

K

Khushi Arora

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 2 months ago

Coventry University has been ranked #41 for M.A Courses. University offers about 23 M.A Courses for duration of 12 months - 2 years. Tuition fee of M.A courses for Indian students are from INR 21 L - INR 25 L.

Admission requirements –

·       UG Degree from well-known University or its equivalent

·    

...Read more

K

Khushi Arora

Contributor-Level 10

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