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 -

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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.

Links relevant to an Online M.A. -

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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
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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

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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 - 18.5 K
8.4 LPA

#3 NIRF

22 Courses
55.95 K - 92.01 K
9.24 - 9.5 LPA

#1 NIRF

68 Courses
500 - 57.54 K
7 LPA

#2 NIRF

25 Courses
33.81 K - 50.45 K
5.4 LPA

#5 NIRF

22.2 K - 7.32 L
5.5 - 6.22 LPA

#8 NIRF

10 Courses
432 - 540
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

2.1 L

Humanities & Social Sciences Applications open. Apply Now

52 Courses
1 K - 80 K
3.1
5.8 K - 16.6 L
2 Courses
90 K

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.

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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:
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Narsee Monjee College of Commerce & Economics– / –– / –94.67
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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 6 days 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.

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Bhavya Jain

Contributor-Level 8

Answered 6 days 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.

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Khushi Arora

Contributor-Level 10

Answered a week 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

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Khushi Arora

Contributor-Level 10

Answered a week 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

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Khushi Arora

Contributor-Level 10

Answered a week 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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Khushi Arora

Contributor-Level 10

Answered a week 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 week 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

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Khushi Arora

Contributor-Level 10

Answered a week 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

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Khushi Arora

Contributor-Level 10

Answered a week 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.

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Khushi Arora

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 2 weeks ago

Coventry University has been ranked #41 for its M.A Courses. The University offers about 23 M.A Courses for a duration of 12 months to 2 years. The tuition fee of M.A courses for international students are from INR 21.38 L – 25.11 L.

Admission requirements –

·       UG Degree from well-known Universit

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Khushi Arora

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 3 weeks ago

Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz MA in Human Geography course is 4 semesters long course. The language of instruction of this course is English. For admission to this course, a Bachelor's degree in a relevant field is required. IELTS socre of 5.5 / TOEFL iBT score of 79. 

 

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Bhumika Kaur

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 3 weeks ago

The duration of Falmouth University MA in Illustration Authorial Practice is 1 year. The tuition fee of this course is GBP 19,950 per year (Around INR 26 L). For admission to this course, students must have Level 6 Qualification equivalent Bachelor's degree. A portfolio and study proposal of 300-500

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Gunjan Thapa

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 3 weeks ago

No, an undergraduate degree in Psychology is not a compulsory requirement.Colleges in India and abroad accept applicants even if they haven't graduated with Psychology as a major. People from any stream: BTech, BSc, BA, Law can apply. Every college has a different eligibility criteria. Students shou

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Bhavya Jain

Contributor-Level 8

Answered 3 weeks ago

MA Psychology is like the foundational knowledge taught to students. MA Applied Psychology takes those theories and brings them into practice. 

MA Psychology students are taught core theories, research methods and the Science behind human behaviour. MA Applied Psychology students are taught the best

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Bhavya Jain

Contributor-Level 8

Answered 3 weeks ago

Research work and practical learning are part of the M.A. (Mathematics) curriculum at LPU. The course includes mathematical modelling, problem solving, software based applications, seminars, presentations and project work that help students apply concepts beyond classroom learning. Students also get

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Sampreet Kaur

Beginner-Level 1

Answered 3 weeks ago

Placement opportunities after completing M.A. (Mathematics) from LPU are available in both education and industry. Graduates can explore roles such as teacher, lecturer after meeting required eligibility, data analyst, research assistant, content developer, banking professional and quantitative supp

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Sampreet Kaur

Beginner-Level 1

Answered 3 weeks ago

The M.A. (Journalism and Communication) programme includes practical learning along with classroom study. Students usually get hands on experience in news reporting, digital content creation, broadcast journalism, video production, newsroom activities, and media writing. The curriculum also includes

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Sampreet Kaur

Beginner-Level 1

Answered 3 weeks ago

Placement opportunities after completing M.A. in Journalism and Mass Communication from LPU are good for students who build strong practical skills during the course. The programme includes media projects, newsroom practice, digital content creation and industry interaction, which help in developing

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Sampreet Kaur

Beginner-Level 1

Answered 4 weeks ago

M.A. (Journalism and Mass Communication) graduates can find opportunities in news channels, newspapers, digital media platforms, PR agencies, advertising firms, radio, content companies and corporate communication teams. Common roles include reporter, content writer, news producer, copywriter, socia

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Sampreet Kaur

Beginner-Level 1

Answered 4 weeks ago

Students can prepare for UGC NET CSIR NET and similar competitive exams while pursuing MA Mathematics at LPU because the course builds a strong base in core subjects such as Algebra Analysis Topology and Differential Equations which are important for these exams. Regular academic guidance library re

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Sampreet Kaur

Beginner-Level 1

Answered 4 weeks ago

The scope of an M.A. in Journalism and Mass Communication depends on the skills gained during the course. At LPU, the curriculum focuses on practical learning through media projects, digital journalism, content writing, broadcasting and communication skills. This helps students prepare for careers i

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Sampreet Kaur

Beginner-Level 1

Answered 4 weeks ago

The M.A. (Journalism and Mass Communication) programme at LPU covers subjects that build both media knowledge and practical skills. The curriculum usually includes news reporting, editing, digital journalism, advertising, public relations, media ethics, communication theories, radio and television p

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Sampreet Kaur

Beginner-Level 1

Answered 4 weeks ago

 M.A. Journalism and Mass Communication programme at LPU includes practical learning along with classroom study. The curriculum offers opportunities to work on live media projects, use newsroom style facilities, and gain industry exposure through internships. This helps in improving reporting, writi

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S

Sampreet Kaur

Beginner-Level 1

Answered 4 weeks ago

Students in the M.A. (Journalism and Mass Communication) programme at LPU get exposure to digital journalism, content creation, podcasting, and video production as part of practical learning. The curriculum combines classroom concepts with hands on assignments, media labs, and project work. This app

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S

Sampreet Kaur

Beginner-Level 1

Answered a month ago

M.A. Mathematics at LPU can be a good choice for students who want strong subject knowledge with practical learning. The course covers advanced mathematics, logical thinking, research methods and problem solving. It also helps in preparing for careers in teaching, research, data analysis and competi

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S

Sampreet Kaur

Beginner-Level 1

Answered a month ago

The M.A. (Mathematics) programme at LPU covers both core and applied areas of mathematics. Students usually study Real Analysis, Abstract Algebra, Complex Analysis, Differential Equations, Topology, Linear Algebra, Numerical Methods, Probability, Statistics and Mathematical Modelling. The curriculum

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Sampreet Kaur

Beginner-Level 1

Answered a month ago

M.A. (Mathematics) graduates from LPU get opportunities in schools, colleges, coaching institutes, research projects, banks, insurance companies, analytics firms and IT related roles where strong mathematical skills are valued. Many students also prepare for government exams or continue with higher

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Sampreet Kaur

Beginner-Level 1

Answered a month ago

Yes. The M.A. Mathematics curriculum at LPU includes topics from applied mathematics along with statistics and computational techniques. The course is designed to strengthen mathematical concepts and also develop analytical and problem solving skills through practical applications. Students also get

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Sampreet Kaur

Beginner-Level 1

Answered a month ago

Yes, M.A. and M.Sc. in Home Science both the degrees are available in distance or online mode in selected institutions like IGNOU and Subharti University.

A

Akanksha Yadav

Contributor-Level 10

Answered a month ago

Deakin University offers 12 M.A courses for a duration of 1-2 years to its international students. Cost of studying MA Courses at Deakin Uni include- tuition fee, insurance, transportation and hostel fee.

Fee Component

Amount

Tuition

INR 21.04 L - 31.36 L

Hostel

INR 9.02 L - 10.77 L

Insurance

INR 46.36 K

Transportation

INR 1.57 L

Others

INR 24.39 K

Total fee

INR 32.34 L - 44.4 L

K

Khushi Arora

Contributor-Level 10

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