M.A or Master of Arts, is a postgraduate degree in Arts and Humanities obtained after finishing a bachelor’s degree in a selected discipline. The M.A degree takes two years to accomplish and can be done full-time, part-time, by correspondence, or through a remote learning program. The Master of Arts program is generally merit-based and provides admittance to a range of specializations.
However, several colleges, like TISS, JNU, Calcutta University, and Jadavpur University, utilize entrance tests for M.A admission. Merriam-Webster defines M.A. as “the holder of a master’s degree that normally indicates that the recipient has passed an integrated course of study in one or more of the humanities and occasionally has completed a thesis including research or a creative endeavor and that typically needs two years of work beyond a bachelor’s degree and that typically requires two years of work beyond a bachelor’s degree.”
The Master of Arts degree provides a broad career scope in practically every private and public sector of numerous reputable companies, with job responsibilities in theatre, media, entertainment, corporate, writing, advertising, education, politics, and so on. Among the top M.A colleges and institutions are LSR, Miranda House, Hindu College, Hansraj College, Fergusson College, and Christ University. M.A course fees at leading M.A colleges range between INR 15,000 and INR 30,000 every semester.
Students who get an M.A degree will have a strong intellectual foundation that will serve them well in their future jobs. It also provides students with excellent work possibilities and acts as a stepping stone to earning a Ph.D.
Course Highlights
| Specifies | Events |
| Course | Postgraduate |
| Duration | 2 years |
| Eligibility | Bachelor degree (preferably arts) |
| Marks | 55% |
| Admission Process | Entrance exams |
| Exam Type | Semester system |
| Age | No age limit |
Specialisation
M.A programs are accessible in a wide range of fields. Aside from the courses listed here, several universities also offer M.A degrees in fields such as design, hospitality, and mass communication. Some of the most common specializations in M.A are listed below:
M.A Specialisations
| Master of Arts Political Science | Master of Arts History |
| Master of Arts Language (English, Hindi, Sanskrit, Urdu, French, German, Spanish, Chinese/ Mandarin, Greek, Japanese, and Latin) | Master of Arts Economics |
| Master of Arts Psychology | Master of Arts Communication Studies |
| Master of Arts Sociology | Master of Arts Religious Studies |
| Master of Arts Philosophy | Master of Arts Archaeology |
| Master of Arts Teaching Education | Master of Arts International Relations |
| Master of Arts Geography | Master of Arts Literature |
| Master of Arts Library & Information Science | Master of Arts Linguistics |
| Master of Arts Development Studies | Master of Arts Mathematics |
| Master of Arts Education | Master of Arts Music |
| Master of Arts Journalism | Master of Arts Public Administration |
| Master of Arts Punjabi | Master of Arts Social Work |
| Master of Arts Rural Development | Master of Arts Tamil |
| Master of Arts Anthropology | Master of Arts Econometrics |
| Master of Arts Politics |
Eligibility Criteria
In order to be admitted to a Master of Arts program in India, applicants must have completed a graduate degree course comparable to any degree relevant to art. It is a good program for people who have a Bachelor of Arts degree from a reputable university.
However, a Master of Arts is not a requirement for admission to a Master of Arts. Graduate students having a minimum of 50% aggregate grades from any recognized board, institution, or college can apply for any field. In addition to the fundamental qualifying conditions, students seeking a Master of Arts [M.A] must have passed the normal entrance test with high marks from any reputable institute. The candidates will thereafter be interviewed in person. Aspirants can gain admission to the appropriate institution or college after successfully completing these criteria. There is no set age limit or requirement for Master of Arts admission since students of any age can apply and enroll in the program.
M.A course eligibility standards vary depending on the course and college/university. A Master of Arts degree is a specialist study that provides students with an in-depth understanding of the discipline/domain of their choice. As a result, several universities/colleges have their own exams to choose students. However, there are several typical M.A entry criteria that are listed below:
- Candidate must have a bachelor’s degree (ideally in the arts) from a university/college recognized by the University Grants Commission (UGC) of India.
- Candidates must have a minimum of 55% overall in their graduating degree.
- Candidates in their final year must have completed all semester examinations prior to enrolling in the MA program.
M.A Admission Procedure
In India, admission to the Master of Arts program can be obtained either directly through the college or online. The course admission process is strictly based on the scores for graduate degree courses corresponding to that B. A or any related courses, as well as the scores obtained in the entrance exams and the marks obtained in 10+2 classes with English, political science, social studies, psychology, sociology, mass media, and so on. As a result, applicants must meet the Master of Arts eligibility criterion for the course, which is a mix of grades earned in their graduate degree program and entrance tests.
Most universities have their own entrance tests for Master of Arts admission, while others accept candidates based on merit. Some elite colleges also have a second round of screening for admission to M.A programs, which includes WAT and PI.
The following are the numerous ways for obtaining admission to the Master of Arts [M.A] program:
- Candidates who want to enroll in an M.A program must take and pass an admission test. Most colleges and institutions need an admission test for M.A programs.
- Some institutions may offer straight M.A admission based on the results of an entrance test. Many institutions, however, employ extra stages of screening, such as group discussions and personal interviews, to choose the best applicants for admission.
- To progress to the following level, candidates must pass the university/admission institute exam, which is decided by their marks/ranks.
How to Apply for a Master’s Degree in Arts
Those interested in obtaining a Master of Arts degree can apply for the program online or in person. The applicants are chosen for the program based on their bachelor’s degree program grades and the results of any appropriate admission tests in the arts, psychology, sociology, and so on.
Aspirants can apply for the Master of Arts (M.A) program by obtaining an admission form from the university or institution’s website. After submitting their application papers to the college or university, candidates will be asked to take an entrance exam by college officials. Following this, there will be a personal interview, a group discussion.
M.A Selection Process
The selection method for the course is based on the entrance test score related to arts or any other subject, as well as the marks obtained in 10th/12th grade, as well as the graduate degree marks obtained to that of the Master of Arts concerned. Following a written test, personal interview, counseling, and group discussion, aspirants are assigned seats based on several Master of Arts [M.A] criteria met by aspirants offered by college/university officials.
Popular Master of Arts Admission Exams
Many schools and institutions admit students via online admission tests. So, if you want to pursue M.A in any specialty, these are the prominent M.A admission exams you must take.
| TISSNET | PU CET | TUEE | AUCET | JNUEE |
| IPU CET | CUET | MGU CAT | ITM NEST | CPGET (OUCET) |
Fees Structure
For M.A programs, different colleges have varied costs. For government colleges, the cost of the course ranges between INR 15,000 and 30,000. It is more expensive for private colleges, averaging between INR 1 and 3 lakhs.
Graduates with an M.A degree can expect to make between 4 and 7 lakhs INR annually. There are positions available in a variety of profiles for other subjects as well, with the top hiring organizations including Amazon, ITC Limited, Hindustan Times, Times of India, Myntra, TCS, etc.
Top colleges in India for pursuing M.A
The costs for a Master of Arts [M.A] program range from INR 5,000 to 3 LPA. The course cost may vary based on the college/facilities university’s amenities, as well as the degree of education delivered.
| College Name | Fees Per Annum |
| Lady Shri Ram College of Women – New Delhi | INR 18,000 Per Annum |
| St. Xavier’s College – Mumbai | INR 92,000 Per Annum |
| Christ University – Bangalore | INR 20,000 Per Annum |
| Mithibai College of Arts – Mumbai | INR 25,000 Per Annum |
| Indian Institute of Art and Design – New Delhi | INR 4 Lakhs Per Annum |
Subjects & Syllabus
M.A, or Master of Arts, is a two-year master’s degree program in the discipline of arts. The M.A program provides a number of specializations in languages, humanities, and liberal arts areas. Because of its aims, the M.A course is the most sought-after and highly appreciated course. Anyone with a Bachelor’s degree is eligible for this course. M.A Entrance Exams such as BHU PET, JNU EE, PU CET, and others are commonly used for admission.
M.A Syllabus and M.A topics fluctuate by specialty and vary from course to course. However, most M.A course curriculums involve classroom training, lectures, group discussions, field visits, and required dissertation submissions.
M.A subjects covered in a course differ depending on the student’s specialization/stream. Aside from that, minor differences in the M.A syllabus can be seen from one college to the next. The M.A disciplines that candidates would need to study as part of an M.A course syllabus are listed below:
M.A Archaeology Syllabus
| Foundations of Social Anthropology | Social Ecology |
| Archaeological Anthropology | Anthropology of Peasant Societies |
| Practical – Physical Anthropology | Project, Fieldwork, Dissertation and Viva-Voce |
| Applied Anthropology | Anthropology of Folklore |
| Methodology of Anthropological Research | Minorities, Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes |
| Ethnology and Comparative Ethnography | Anthropology of Urban and Complex Societies |
| Physical Anthropology | Political Anthropology |
| Practical – Archaeological Anthropology | Theories of Culture and Social Structure |
| Indians Overseas | Human Biology |
| Qualitative Methods and Research | Economic Anthtopology |
M.A English Syllabus
| Introduction to Linguistics | Poetry III (Hopkins to Ted Hughes) |
| Poetry I (Chaucer to Blake) | Literary Criticism & Theory 1 |
| Drama I (Marlowe to Wilde excluding Shakespeare) | Drama III (Twentieth Century Drama) |
| Linguistics and English Language Teaching | Indian Literature in English I/American Literature-II |
| Prose | Fiction II |
| Poetry II (Wordsworth to Arnold) | Literary Criticism & Theory II |
| Fiction I (Defoe to Hardy) | Indian Literature in Translation/Women Writing |
| Drama II (Shakespeare) | Indian Literature in English II/American Literature II |
M.A Linguistics Syllabus
| Phl. Underpinnings of Modern Linguistics | Field Linguistics |
| Phonetics and Phonology I | Language Universals and Language Typology |
| Morphology | Semantics |
| Cognitive Linguistics | Sociolinguistics |
| Syntax I | Computational Linguistics |
| Phonology II | Historical Linguistics |
| Syntax II | Elective Courses I, II |
M.A French Syllabus
| Introduction to Francophone Literature | Interpretative theory of translation |
| French Novel & French Poetry (20th Century) | Use of French |
| MA dissertation | Viva-voce |
| History of French Literature (Origin to XIXth Century) | Introduction to Linguistics |
| Introduction (Literary Analysis of Fiction and Poetry) | Linguistic Approach to Translation |
| History of Art in France | Introduction to Translation Studies |
| History of France | French Drama (20th Century) |
| Origin of Literature in French | Evolution of French Poetry and Novel |
| Didactic of French as a foreign language | Canadian Literature |
| Comparative Literature | Study of Literary Schools or Movements |
M.A Social Work Syllabus
| History and Philosophy of Social Work | Statistics and Computer Application |
| Psychosocial Dynamics of Human Behavior | Dynamics of Socio-Political Institutions and Organisations |
| Methods of Working with People: Micro-Approaches | Social Policy and Planning |
| Management of NGOs and Disaster Relief Services | Labour Legislation and Social work Practice |
| Social Welfare Administration | Demography and Population Studies |
| Methods of working with People: Macro Approaches | Counselling and Social Work Practice |
| Research Methodology | Communication and Social work Practice |
| Man & Society | Labour Problems and Labour Welfare |
| Human Growth and Development | Social Ecology and Management of Environment |
| Approaches and fields of Social Work | Dynamics of Social Development |
M.A German Syllabus
| Introduction to modern German linguistics – II | Major Elective Course |
| Introduction to Modern German Linguistics– I | Poetry of classical periods |
| India in German Literature – II (Realism & Naturalism) | The development of Drama( Hebel to Brecht -II) |
| An introduction (study of literature – II) | Training of oral interpretation skill |
| An introduction to the Study of Literature– I | The development of Drama (Lessing to Hebel – I) |
M.A Anthropology Syllabus
| Introduction to Social Anthropology | Theories of Social Structure |
| Qualitative Research Methods | Theories of Culture |
| Physical Anthropology | Applied Anthropology and Tribal Welfare |
| Quantitative Research Methods | Anthropology of Complex Societies |
| Archaeological Anthropology | Indian Society |
M.A Chinese/Mandarin Syllabus
| Advanced Chinese | Intensive Readings in Chinese Literature I |
| Literature of People’s Republic of China | Intensive Readings in Chinese Literature II |
| Advanced Chinese II | Modern Literary Trends and Criticism |
| Readings in Business and Scientific Documents (Chinese II) | Modern Chinese Literature in Translation |
| Readings in Literary Chinese I | Readings in Sino-Indian Interaction |
| Advanced Chinese IV | Modern Chinese Language, Literature and Culture |
| Readings in Political and Economic Documents (Chinese I) | Twentieth-Century China |
| Advanced Chinese III | Women in Chinese Literature |
| Readings in Literary Chinese II | Interpretation and Methods of Teaching |
| Readings in Comparative Literature | Advanced Study in Chinese Grammar |
| Political and Cultural History Pre-modern China | Intensive Readings in Chinese Literature III |
M.A English and Comparative Literature Syllabus
| Poetry I | Comparative Literature |
| Drama I | Literary Theory I |
| Literary Criticism I | New Literatures in English |
| Twentieth-Century Literature in English | Linguistics |
| Fiction I | English Language Teaching |
| Creative Writing (Interdisciplinary) | American Literature II |
| English for Specific Purposes | Philosophy and Literature |
| Poetry of the Nineteenth Century | Literary Theory II |
| Indian Literature in English | Indian Novel in English Translation |
| Literary Criticism | Writers of the Diaspora |
| Poetry (Nineteenth Century Science and Literature) |
M.A Economics Syllabus
| Microeconomic Analysis | Economics of Growth |
| Monetary Economics | Public Economics |
| International Finance | Economics of Agriculture |
| Quantitative Methods | Selected Problems of the Indian Economy |
| Elementary Statistics | Issues in the Indian Economy |
| Macroeconomic Analysis | Indian Public Finance |
| International Trade | Economics of Industry |
| Theory of Pricing and Distribution | Growth Models in Economics |
| Optional Paper-I | Optional Paper-II |
M.A Philosophy Syllabus
| Classical Indian Philosophy – I | Indian Heritage and Axiology |
| Indian Culture and Ethics | Contemporary Western Philosophy – I |
| Logic and Scientific Method | Moral Philosophy |
| Classical Indian Philosophy – II | Contemporary Indian Philosophy – II |
| Social and Political Philosophy – I | Contemporary Indian Philosophy – I |
| Social and Political Philosophy – II | Applied Ethics |
| Greek and Medieval Philosophy | Epistemology |
| Modern European Philosophy | Contemporary Western Philosophy – II |
M.A Econometrics Syllabus
| Basic Mathematical Methods | Human Resource Development |
| Statistics for Econometrics | Macro Economics – II |
| Micro Economics – I | Money and Finance |
| Women and Economy | Advanced Econometrics |
| Macro Economics – I | Panel Data: Theory and Application |
| Information Technology | Growth Economics |
| Soft Skill | Contemporary Indian Economic Issues |
| Basic Econometric Methods | Applied Econometrics |
| Mathematical Economics | Financial Econometrics |
| Micro Economics – II | Public Economics |
M.A History Syllabus
| Social Anthropology | Theories of Group Interaction |
| Social Statistics | Continuity and Change In India |
| Methodology of Social Sciences | Theories of Group Interaction |
| Classical Social Thinkers | Modern Sociological Theories |
| Sociology of Environment | Advanced Sociological Theories |
| Group Processes and Dynamics | Sociological Reviews and Viva-Voce |
| Tribal Economy and Society | Sociology of India |
M.A Political Science Syllabus
| Modern Indian Political Thought | Comparative Political Analysis |
| Departmental Elective 3 | Teaching and Research Aptitude-II |
| International Relations-Theory and Practice | Western Political Thought |
| Research Methods in Political Science | Dissertation-II |
| Indian Politics-Major Issues and Debates | Seminar on Field Project |
| Major Ideas and Issues in Public Administration | State Politics in India |
| Contemporary Political Theory | Dissertation-I |
Contemporary Political Issues | Departmental Elective 3 |
| Soft Skills | Teaching and Research Aptitude-I |
| Politics of Developing Countries | Departmental Elective 2 |
M.A Politics Syllabus
| Political Theory | Elective – I |
| Public Administration | Elective – III |
| Comparative Politics, Indian Constitution | Interdisciplinary/Cross-Disciplinary Course |
| International Relations | Elective – IV |
| Political Theory II | Elective – V |
| Indian Government and Politics | Elective – II |
M.A International Relations Syllabus
| Contemporary Political Theory | Theory and Practice of Diplomacy |
| Modern Political Thought | Energy Politics in International Relations |
| Theory of International Relations – I | Indian Foreign Policy: Post-Cold War Era |
| Comparative Political Analysis | Electives |
| Indian Political System | International Political Economy |
| Gender in Global Politics | National and Global Security in Contemporary World |
| Theory of International Relations-II | Research Methodology |
| Geopolitics in International Relations | Research Dissertation – II |
| Thinkers in International Relations | Research Dissertation – I |
M.A Public Administration Syllabus
| Concepts and Ideas of Public Administration | Comparative Local Government: Nature and Significance |
| Indian Administration: State and District Administration | Financial Administration in India: Processes |
| Administrative Theories and Thinkers: Classical Era | Comparative Administration |
| Public Personnel Administration: Concepts and Issues | Theory and Practice of Management |
| Public Personnel Administration: Theory and Practice | Public Policy |
| Evolution and Framework of Indian Administration | Financial Administration in India: Concepts and Structure |
| Administrative Theories and Thinkers: Modern Era | Development Administration |
| Citizen and Administration: Concepts and Issues | Fundamentals of Computers/International Public Administration – I |
| Principles and Practices of Public Administration | Comparative Local Government: Process and Issues |
M.A Hindi Syllabus
| History of Hindi Literature- Ancient & Medieval | Novel and Short Story |
| Hindi Poetry and Proses | Ancient Hindi Poetry |
| Origin of Hindi Language | Hindi Drama |
M.A Sociology Syllabus
| Sociological Theories | Sociology of India |
| Methods of Sociological Research | Populations and Society |
| Gender and Society | Agrarian Structure |
| Sociology of Organizations | Sociology of Media |
M.A Gender Studies Syllabus
| Introduction to Gender Studies | Feminist Movement |
| Feminist Theories | Gender and Economy |
| Gender, Environment, and Livelihood | Gender Analysis |
| Gender, Polity and Governance | Gender Mainstreaming |
M.A Education Syllabus
| Educational Psychology | Guidance & Counselling |
| Educational Administration & Management | Educational Measurement & Evaluation |
| Educational Technology | Life-Long Education |
M.A Fine Arts Syllabus
| History of Fine Arts in India | History of Indian Painting |
| Drawing & Painting | History of Indian Architecture |
Subject for the Master of Arts
All Master of Arts disciplines are taught in several specialty courses, which assist students in understanding the knowledge and pursuing a higher Ph.D. degree for future work opportunities. The Master of Arts subjects taught in the course curriculum of The Master of Arts, such as literature, history, fine arts, psychology, sociology, economy, politics, ethics, novels, and so on, are necessary for postgraduates to expand their knowledge in theoretical and research aspects, which will benefit them to get a better scope in jobs in India and abroad on the basis of their skills.
Furthermore, other courses are connected to the arts and humanities curriculum, such as language, history, education, writing, theory, philosophy, and so on.
| Core Subjects | Elective Subjects |
| Communications | English |
| Media | Bengali |
| Geography | History |
| Linguistics | Political science |
| Management | Hindi |
| Languages | Sociology |
| Politics | Philosophy |
| literature | Economics |
| Education |
The Master of Arts Reference Books
The best books for Master of Arts students assist them to grasp the many disciplines and topics included in the course program. Master of Arts [M.A] reference books assist undergraduates in broadening their knowledge and understanding of a variety of topics addressed in their coursework. Some of the top Master of Arts books include
| Books | Authors |
| Ordinary and Partial Differential Equations | M D Raisinghania |
| Essentials Of Educational Psychology | S.K. Mangal |
| History of English Literature | Edward Alber |
| Adhunik Bharat Ka Itihas | Bipan Chandra |
| Integral Equations And Boundary Value Problems | Dr. M. D. Raisinghania |
Placement
Master of Arts salaries in India range from INR 2 and 50 LPA in the public and commercial sectors of many reputable companies. The M.A salary in India may rise as a result of the student’s abilities, techniques, and job experience. Master of Arts postgraduates earn roughly INR 20,000 – 10L per month. Some of the top and highest paying jobs for Master of Arts graduates in India following the degree are as follows :
| Designation | Salary/Month |
| Economist | INR 50,000 PM |
| Content Writer | INR 40,000 PM |
| Administrative Officer | INR 66,000 PM |
| Historian | INR 70,000 PM |
| Professor | INR 45,000 PM |
Course Scope
There are several options for pursuing an M.A in any field. Students who have earned an M.A, for example, will have a distinct viewpoint or an original point of view on a certain subject.
- Students who get a master’s degree in the arts will have a strong academic foundation that will serve them well in their future jobs. It also gives fantastic work prospects for pupils.
- The M.A is a stepping stone to doctorate studies. Students with a master’s degree may seek a doctorate because master’s degrees are a significant prerequisite for entrance to doctoral programs.
- Politics, public relations, economics, history, archaeology, education, philosophy, psychology, and sociology are among the subjects in which students might become specialists.
- When a student seeks a master of arts degree, they are opening the door to a world of options in the industry in which they wish to work. A master’s degree allows students to explore more rewarding job options.
FAQs Related to M.A
Q. What can you do with an M.A in Political Science?
Ans. After earning your M.A in Political Science, you can pursue a career in Social Media, Mass Media, Reporting, Writing, Public Relations, Campaigning, Politics, and other fields.
Q. Can you pick an M.A History specialization?
Ans. Yes, candidates interested in pursuing an M.A in History can select from three specializations: Ancient History, Medieval History, and Modern History.
Q. Can you become a teacher after completing an M.A in any subject?
Ans. No, to become a teacher, the individual must first complete their B.Ed. A postgraduate degree can only increase your worth and knowledge.
Q. Do universities offer postgraduate Linguistics courses?
Ans. Yes, M.A in Linguistics programs are available at a number of universities. It will also last two years.
Q. What are the admission requirements for M.A in Archaeology?
Ans. The candidate must have a B.A in Archaeology/History/Anthropology/Philosophy or a related field from a recognized university and a minimum of 55% aggregate marks.
Q. Which is preferable: M.A History or M.A Sociology?
Ans. M.A Sociology opens up more job opportunities in international organizations, embassies, public relations businesses, research, public health and welfare organizations, politics, media, and so forth.