Master Of Arts (MA)

What is M.A. (Master of Arts)?

Master of Arts or MA is a postgraduate degree which can be pursued by students who have completed their bachelors (also known as, undergraduate degree). There are various specializations. There are various colleges and universities like colleges affiliated to Delhi University, Narsee Monjee College, Loyola College, Chandigarh University that offer MA in various specializations. The basic eligibility criteria to pursue MA is that the candidates must have graduated from a recognized institution/university and must have secured a valid percentage of marks (which may differ for each university or institution).

What is the Full Form of M.A?

The full form of M.A is Masters of Art. Only those candidates who have completed their graduation, they will be eligible to pursue M.A in the subject of their choice.

Some universities or institutions may also conduct an entrance exam to check if the candidate is eligible to get admission to the certain programme or not. To know more about the programme, like ways to pursue MA, specializations in master of arts, eligibility criteria in different colleges offering MA, benefits of pursuing master of arts, MA fees in different colleges that offer master of arts, syllabus of MA and frequently asked questions related to Master of Arts, continue reading the article.

Types of Master of Arts

Master of arts is a postgraduate degree offered to students who have completed graduation in any specialization from a recognized university and must have scored a valid percentage of marks. There are various specializations under master of arts and students can choose one to make a career out of it. If a student is interested in choosing a career that is based on a foreign language, such as, Spanish, then he/she can opt for bachelor of arts in Spanish. After graduating, to strengthen the base of the career, the student can pursue a master of arts in Spanish from a renowned university.

Quick Facts

• MA Admission 2023 eligibility requires a Graduation with a minimum of 50% aggregate marks or equivalent CGPA from a recognized University.
• The average MA fees for the course ranges between INR 20,000 - 30,000.
• Some of the top colleges offering Master of Arts are Calcutta University, JNU, Jamia Millia Islamia, Delhi University, etc.
• Apart from regular mode, Master of Arts can be pursued through Distance from colleges like IGNOU, Annamalai University, Osmania University, etc.
• There are several MA entrance exams such as DUET, PU CET, JNUEE, etc.
• After completion of MA, students can pursue PhD in their respective fields of specializations.
• The average salary post the completion of Master of Arts range between INR 3.5 - 5 LPA.

Master of Arts Syllabus 

M.A syllabus is an academically oriented syllabus that includes theory and practical lessons, internships, research projects, and assignments. The syllabus and the course curriculum are different for every specialization. The core subjects that are taught in the first year of the curriculum.

See Also: MA Syllabus

There are different types of elective courses that students can choose in the second year. Some of the special disciplines for M.A course are - English, Bengali, History, Economics, Sociology, Political Science, Hindi, Philosophy, etc. Below mentioned tables will discuss separately the subjects and syllabus for various Master of Arts courses.

MA English Syllabus

Semester I

Semester II

Semester III

Semester IV

MA Political Science Syllabus

The table given below will familiarise you with the latest MA Political Science Syllabus taught in most of the best MA colleges in India. 

MA Economics Syllabus 

Check out the detailed MA Economics Syllabus tabulated below along with various optional subjects. 

MA History Syllabus 

Check out the following table to get familiar with the latest MA History Syllabus taught in various Indian Colleges. Note: The final semester Syllabus emphasises history related to a particular state.

MA Sociology Syllabus 

The latest MA Sociology Syllabus in a semester wise breakdown is given below in the table chart:

MA Hindi Syllabus

The following tables give you details about the prescribed MA Hindi Syllabus by various popular and reputed colleges and universities. 

Master of Arts: Specializations

M.A courses have a variety of specializations which give the opportunity of exploring in-depth knowledge about that subject. MA or Master of Arts is a huge field of study, thus the lines of specializations are also huge and are subject to radical changes depending on the course and its core structure.

MA English 

MA English is a 2-years PG course that deals with the study of concepts and topics of grammar and literature. MA English Syllabus covers various English poetry, fictions, Indian verses, English Dramas and Research methodology for English Language and Literature. The top MA English colleges in India include Loyola College Chennai, Fergusson College Pune and Presidency University Kolkata. The average MA English Fees can be between INR 40,000 - 50,000 annually. There are plenty of MA English Jobs like Journalist, Teacher, Editor, Script Writer etc. with average annual salary between INR 3.5 - 4 LPA.

See: MA English Admission Process

MA History 

MA History covers a wide range of topics of Indian as well as Foreign History in the field of arts & humanities. MA History Syllabus imparts knowledge about Ancient, Mediaeval and Modern History of India in terms of social status, culture, events, etc. The best MA History colleges in India are Miranda House College Delhi, Hindu College New Delhi, Loyola College, Chennai, etc. The average MA History fees can range between INR 10,000 - INR 40,000 in private while INR 500 - INR 2,000 in MA History government colleges. MA History Jobs include historian, archivist, archaeologist, etc. with average earnings around INR 3.71 - 7.97 LPA.

MA Political Science 

MA Political Science or Master of Arts in Political Science is a 2-years PG course which offers specialised knowledge in the field of Indian and International Politics. MA Political Science Syllabus covers subjects or topics related to Political Theory, Political Sociology, International Relations along with several texts of philosophers. The best MA Political Science colleges in India include Hindu College New Delhi, St. Xavier’s College Kolkata, Presidency College Chennai and many others. MA Political Science average fees range between INR 10,000 to 25,000. Graduates can find various MA Political Science jobs like Political Consultant, Activists, etc. with annual salary between INR 4-8 LPA.

MA Sociology

MA Sociology deals with the study of society and different related mechanisms for the development of Society. MA Sociology Syllabus covers topics such as Society, Religion, Political and Economic Sociology, Methodology of Sociological Research and Development. The Top MA Sociology colleges in India include Nizam College Hyderabad, Loyola College Chennai, Jesus and Mary College New Delhi and many others. The average fees for the course can be anywhere between INR 5,000 - 2,00,000. Apart from MA Sociology Jobs, students can also go for higher education and are eligible to pursue M.Phil or Ph.D. in Sociology.

MA Economics 

MA Economics is a 2-years PG course that imparts knowledge about several aspects of Economics, banking, Marketing and many other concepts related to Economics. MA Economics Syllabus covers a broad range of topics such as econometry, macroeconomics, microeconomics, international and financial economics and many more. MA Economics Fees into the top MA Economics colleges in India like Loyola College Chennai, Miranda House New Delhi, Christ University Bangalore, etc. can range between INR 10,000 - 50,000. Research Analyst, Data Analyst and Economist are some high profile and reputable MA Economics Jobs with average annual salary between INR 3 - 7 LPA.

Some of the Popular Specilizations in MA Include:

MA Colleges in India

Many popular colleges in India offer M.A in various Specializations. Almost all the top five metropolitan cities of India have famous colleges that teach various MA courses. Some of the famous colleges of these cities are mentioned below,

MA Colleges in Delhi 

Check out some of the best MA colleges in Delhi along with their average annual fees structure:

MA Colleges in Mumbai 

There are around 52 recognized arts colleges in Mumbai offering MA courses. Tabulated below are some of the best MA Colleges in Mumbai with fees structure:

MA Colleges in Kolkata 

Kolkata, also known as "City of Joy" is a home to some of the most premier and prestigious institutions in India. Some of the top MA Colleges in Kolkata along with fees Structure are given below:

MA Colleges in Bangalore 

Check out list of a top 10 MA Colleges in Bangalore along with their average annual fees Structure:

MA Colleges in Pune 

There are around 112 Arts colleges in Pune out of which around 54 colleges in Pune offer MA courses with various MA Specializations. Check out the table below for the best MA Colleges in Pune along with their average annual fees structure:

MA Distance Education

MA being popular and highly sought after course is available in the form of Distance Education course as well. For professionals who cannot spare time but are also interested to study further, Distance in MA is highly recommended for them.

The eligibility criteria for pursuing MA in Distance method are as follows,

• Students should have cleared their graduation in a relevant stream for a recognized University.
• They should have the minimum passing marks in all subjects to be considered fit for enrolling in MA in Distance Education mode

Some of the top colleges offering MA in Distance Education are tabulated below,

IGNOU MA Economics Syllabus

Check out the table below to know the subject or topics taught in IGNOU MA Economics Syllabus:

IGNOU MA English Syllabus

The following table below provides you an insight about the IGNOU MA English Syllabus. Note: For second year one can choose any 3 optional subjects.

IGNOU MA Psychology Syllabus

Below we have tabulated the latest IGNOU MA Psychology Syllabus in semester wise breakdown. Also Note: In the Final year of MA Psychology at IGNOU, candidates are required to choose any one Group among the 3.

MA Colleges in Abroad

Nearly 22 lakh students visited abroad from India for further studies between the year 2016 - 2021. There are several prestigious universities and colleges abroad that offer degrees in MA subjects. Some of the top countries that offer MA specializations are tabulated below for your reference

MA Colleges in USA

USA is home to several prestigious colleges that offer MA Specializations along with a unique course structure. Every year a total of 1.1 million students get enrolled in various colleges across the USA. The eligibility criteria for pursuing MA in universities in USA are,

• Bachelor of Arts or BA with a minimum GPA of 3 out of 4
• A TOEFL or IELTS score of 80 or 6.5 respectively
• Certain colleges demand relevant work experience

Some of the top MA Colleges in USA are,

MA Colleges in UK 

The United Kingdom is the second-best choice when it comes to studying abroad. There are many reputed MA colleges and Universities that offer 1 - 2 years MA degrees such as Oxford, LSE, etc.

The eligibility criteria for studying MA In United Kingdom are,

• Bachelor of Arts or BA degree from a recognized University
• Students who have secured 1st position or top positions are eligible to apply at top MA Universities in UK
• A minimum of 80 in TOEFL or 6.5 in IELTS entrance examination

Some of the top MA colleges in UK are,

MA Colleges in Canada 

Canada is considered as one of the topmost student-friendly countries, along with its high-quality education methods that too in a very short amount of fees. There are also available various scholarships that international students can avail.

The eligibility criteria for students who want to pursue MA from Canada are enlisted below,

• Minimum 70% or a first-class degree in BA or a similar relevant course
• A valid IELTS or TOEFL score of 7 or 100 respectively. Scores could vary depending on the college cut-offs
• Certain Colleges / Universities demand relevant work experience
• Research Skills and Experience count a lot when one seeks to get admitted to Colleges in Canada

Some of the top colleges in Canada for MA courses are,

What after MA 

After completing MA students can opt for further studies such as M.Phil or PhD in their relevant subjects. The eligibility criteria for M.Phil and PhD are different however students have to sit for an entrance exam for both the degrees, as there are no merit-based selection criteria when it comes to pursuing an M.Phil or PhD.

Apart from further studies, students can also choose to join corporates and other organizations to kick start their professional careers. Or, they can prepare for various government jobs and exams.

Course after M.A 

Students can choose to pursue M.Phil or PhD post completing MA in relevant subjects or can also choose to pursue Diploma degrees in various professional courses. The below-mentioned table will discuss the various courses one can choose after completing MA.

M.Phil Courses

• Phil or Master of Philosophy is a postgraduate academic research degree course that tends to research the nature of ideas and circumstances in a specific field of study. The eligibility criteria for pursuing M.Phil are,
• Students should score a minimum of 55% aggregate marks in the relevant subject for their MA degree course from a recognized university.
• Should sit for entrance examination and clear the minimum cut off as selected by the University

Some of the top and frequently attempted M.Phil courses are,

Some of the top M.Phil Colleges are tabulated below,

PhD Courses

PhD also known as Doctor of Philosophy is a 5-year course that deals with an in-depth and intrinsic study of research for any relevant subject. The eligibility criteria for pursuing PhD is,

• Students should have scored a minimum of 60% aggregate marks in Post Graduation in a relevant subject from a recognized university
• Should clear the cut off marks during entrance exams as decided by the presiding university

Some of the tops frequently attempted PhD subjects are,

Some of the top PhD colleges in India are as follows,

M.A Jobs

Post completing MA, students are offered a wide set of job profiles, starting from teachers to part-time professors, managerial positions to owning a start-up. The below-mentioned table will discuss the various job profiles a candidate can be offered post completing an MA degree in relevant subjects.

Top Recruiters

Some of the top recruiters who hire fresh candidates post completing MA degree are tabulated below.

Top Job Profiles 

MA Salary in India 

Keeping the various job profiles that are offered to an MA graduate, these range of salaries along with their designated positions are tabulated below for your reference,

Admission Process

For admission to graduate programs, most colleges have their own entrance exams, while others admit students on merit:

• Candidates for admission to the master’s program have to take and pass an entrance examination. Most universities and colleges require an entrance exam for bachelor’s degree programs.
• Some universities offer direct admission to master’s courses based on the results of the entrance exams. However, many colleges use additional rounds of screening, such as group discussions and face-to-face interviews, to identify the best candidates for admission.
• Applicants must pass a university/college exam to advance to the next round based on their grades/marks.

Eligibility Criteria

Before Applying For An Master Of Arts one Should Be Aware Of The Eligibility Criteria As Prescribed By The Colleges And Universities. Below Mentioned Are The Details For Eligibility To A MA Course,

• Candidates Should Have Completed Their Bachelor Of Arts With A Minimum Of 3 Years Duration Or Its Equivalent Degree From A Recognized University.
• They Have To Score At Least 50% In The Relevant Subjects.

MA Entrance Exams 

As discussed several entrance exams are conducted for students to enroll for Master of Arts. Scores of DUET, CUCET, TISSNET, AUAT, IPU CET, JNUEE, etc are amongst the various entrance exams, based on which the admission to MA courses is determined.

MA Entrance Exams Dates 

MA Entrance Exams Preparation Tips

• Students Should Be Well Versed In The Subject They Have Chosen For their Master Of Arts. They Can Divide The Syllabus Into Separate Modules To Make The Learning Process Easy.
• Literary Theory And Criticism On Respective Subjects Are Equally Important For Entrance Exam Preparation.
• Students Have To Practice How To Deal With Factual Questions.
• They Can Revise Previous Papers And Sample Papers Of The Respective Entrance Exam For Better Understanding.

Why study Master of Arts?

• Master of arts degree helps students to enhance their subject-specific knowledge. It provides an in-depth knowledge of the discipline they have selected.
• They also get an opportunity to attend Guest lectures and seminars by professionals in the academic circle or the business environment.
• Postgraduate courses have a larger curriculum and are more autonomous than UG courses. Students are required to put more effort into learning the entire process by developing new skills. The Masters’ degree instills the powers of inquiry, logical reasoning and critical analysis.
• Students can get a good position with their UG degree but for further advancement in the industry field, a Master's degree is a real turning point.

Who Should Pursue Master of Arts?

• Candidates who have a Bachelor's degree in art course or any special course with 50% marks(45% for reserved category), should pursue M.A degree.
• Candidates who want to pursue a Ph.D degree can opt for an M.A course.
• Students must be serious about their careers.
• The specialisation chosen will help to choose the career as students want.