A Master of Arts, or MA, is a postgraduate degree that students who have completed their bachelor’s degree can pursue. There are a variety of specializations available in the Master of Arts program. The duration of the program is 2 years.
MA Admission requires a graduation from a recognized university with a 50% minimum aggregate or equivalent CGPA.
In order to pursue an MA degree course, one can choose from a variety of specializations, some of which are more popular than others. Various universities in India, on the other hand, require that you complete a bachelor’s degree in the specialization that you wish to study during your MA degree program.
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Master of Arts: An Overview
The Master of Arts (M.A.) degree program includes the following major highlights:
| Name of the Course | Master of Arts (M.A.) |
| Duration of the Course | 2 years |
| Criteria for Eligibility | Bachelor’s degree in any discipline.Minimum percentage: 45% to 55% |
| Process of Admission | Entrance exam |
| Average Annual Fees | Rs 50,000 per Annum |
| Employment Opportunities | Teacher, Labour Management Specialist, Social Worker, Educational Counsellor, Psychologist, Public Relation Manager etc. |
Master of Arts (M.A.) Eligibility
- A bachelor’s degree in any discipline is required as a minimum qualification (preferably in an arts subject).
- Minimum Requirements: 45 percent to 50 percent, depending on the college.
- Few colleges have an age limit as a criterion for admission.
Master of Arts Admission Procedure:
- For M.A. programs, most colleges in the country administer an entrance exam. In order to be considered for admission to the respective M.A specialization, interested candidates must take the exam and pass it.
- Some colleges conduct additional rounds of selection, such as a Group Discussion and a Personal Interview, with the goal of screening candidates for final admissions.
Master of Arts- Important Entrance Exams
- Azim Premji University M.A. Entrance Exam
- Delhi University M.A Entrance Exam.
- JNU M.A. Entrance Exam.
- TISSNET
- Christ University M.A Entrance Exam.
M.A. Specializations:
M.A. History
MA History is a blend of past and present interpretations of various incidents. In the MA in History syllabus, there are subjects like: World History, Indian Government and Politics, Literature, Economic History, Contemporary Issues in International Relations, Three eras (ancient, medieval, modern) of Indian history, etc.
M.A. History Syllabus
| Principles of History | Environmental Crisis and World Religions |
| Contemporary World | Major currents in Historical Thought |
| Contemporary World (Part-II : 1945-2003) | Research Methodology and Historical Investigation |
| Indian National Movement (1905-1947) | Indian Nationalism (Socio-religious and other protest movements) up to 1905 |
| Ecology & Environment in History | Optional Papers |
M.A. Economics
MA in Economics enables students to gain a thorough understanding of the financial sector, allowing them to develop their ideologies in order to face any challenges that may arise in the industry or business. They learn how a financial system in an economy operates and develops from the ground up. While pursuing an MA in Economics, students are taught the three basic procedures for maintaining wealth (production, distribution, and consumption).
M.A. Economics Syllabus
| Microeconomic Theory | Introductory Econometrics | International Finance |
| Quantitative Methods | Public Economics | Development Economics |
M.A. Political Science
Among all of the MA subjects, Political Science is a major specialization. The MA in Political Science is one of the most popular courses, and it covers topics such as political behavior and system analysis, political practice and theory, and so on. This subject’s postgraduate study covers public affairs, government procedure and policies, public administration, and modern and historical political systems, in addition to the national and international political systems.
M.A. Political Science Syllabus
| Themes in World Politics | Indian Strategic Thoughts |
| Debates in Political Theory | Ethics and Politics |
M.A. English
MA in English entails a thorough understanding of British literature. The program also covers linguistics, literary criticism, and post-independence Indian writing in English, among other topics. The course includes some contemporary fiction, research methodology, language, and literature. For an MA in English, there are a wide range of elective subjects to choose from. Some of them include literature from the twentieth century in the United States, Australia, and Canada, among others.
M.A. English Syllabus
| British Literature | African Literature | Literary Theory |
| American Literature | Indian Writing in English Literature | CommonWealth Literature |
M.A. Sociology
Sociology as a postgraduate or MA program develops an understanding of social issues that play a significant role in shaping modern society. It includes topics like urban sociology, social inequality, and more. The subject necessitates a course of study that focuses on criminal justice, immigration research, and medical sociology.
M.A. Sociology Syllabus
| Sociological theories | Methods of Sociological Research | Sociology of Organisations |
| Sociology of Media | Population and Society | Agrarian Structure |
M.A. Psychology
MA Psychology, is an in-demand Postgraduate level Master degree course in the field of Psychology. The duration of the course is 2-years. Students learn about the various divisions of psychology, such as Clinical Psychology, Industrial Psychology, Social Psychology,Health Psychology, Psychometry, Neuropsychology, Study of Emotions and Paradigms, and so on, over the course of two years.
M.A. Psychology Syllabus
| Advanced Biological Psychology | Stress Management in organizations |
| Psychology of Personality | Methods of Cognitive Neuropsychology |
| Health Psychology | Drug and Behaviour |
| Rehabilitation Psychology | Advanced Statistics |
| Psychopharmacology | Genetics, Environment and Behaviour |
| Psychobiology of Emotion and Health | Advanced Cognitive Psychology |
| Organizational Communication | Applied Psychological Assessment |
| Cognitive Aging | Therapeutic Techniques |
| Positive Psychology | Forensic Psychology |
| Applied Psychological Assessment | Military Psychology |
| Organizational Communication | Environmental Psychology |
| Motivation and Emotion | Human Resource Management |
| Advanced Research Methodology and Design | Motivation and Emotion Advanced Biological Psychology |
| Psychology of Late Adulthood | Psychodiagnostics |
| Neuroergonomics | Cross-Cultural Psychology |
| Organizational Development and Change | Cognitive Neuropsychology of Attention and Memory |
| Advanced Social Psychology | Counselling Psychology |
| Organizational Behaviour | Animal Models of Human Behavior |
| Neuropsychology | Advanced Social Psychology |
| Human Factors | Community Psychology |
| Minor Elective: Basic Psychological Processes | Advanced Research Methodology and Design |
| Child and Adolescent Psychopathology | Applied Social Psychology |
| Advanced Cognitive Psychology | Psychology of Adolescence |
Some other Areas of Specialization:
| MA in Bengali | MA in Urdu | MA in Literature |
| MA in Fine Arts | MA in Public Relations | MA in Hindi |
| MA in Film Studies | MA in Philosophy | MA in Psychology |
| MA in Persian | MA in Malayalam | MA in Geology |
| MA in Social Work | MA in Sanskrit | MA in Japanese |
| MA in Gujarati | MA in Tamil | MA in Telugu |
| MA in Spanish | MA in Punjabi | MA in Linguistics |
| MA in Anthropology | MA in Ancient History | MA in Fashion Design |
| MA in Painting | MA in Disaster Management | MA in Music |
| MA in Mathematics | MA in Marathi | MA in Gender Studies |
| MA in Kannada | MA in Development Studies | MA in French |
Master of Arts: Top Institutes
In India, many well-known colleges offer M.A. programs in a variety of specializations. Almost all of India’s top five metropolises have prestigious colleges that offer a variety of MA programs. Some of these cities’ well-known colleges are listed below.
In Delhi
| Institute Name | Average Annual Fees |
|---|---|
| Lady Sriram College for Women | 30,041 |
| Miranda House College | 14,530 |
| Hindu College | 18,010 |
| Hansraj College | 17,269 |
In Mumbai
| Institute Name | Average Annual Fees (INR) |
|---|---|
| Mithibai College of Arts | 25,000 |
| Kishinchand Chellaram College | 62,920 |
| Mumbai University | 34,405 |
| PTVA’s Sathaye College | 9, 875 |
| Tata Institute of Social Science | 66,500 |
In Kolkata
| Name of the Institute | Average Annual Fees (INR) |
|---|---|
| Calcutta University | 2,314 |
| Jadavpur University | 4,940 |
| Presidency University | 4,800 |
| Rabindra Bharati University | 18,050 |
| Adamas University | 1,32000 |
| Kalyani University | 6,270 |
In Bangalore
| Name of the Institute | Average Annual Fees (INR) |
|---|---|
| Christ University | 20,000 |
| Kristu Jayanti College | 70,000 |
| Jain University | 50,000 |
| Jyoti Nivas College | 40,000 |
In Pune
| Name of the Institute | Average Annual Fees (INR) |
|---|---|
| Fergusson College | 9,680 |
| St. Mira’s College for Girls | 14,800 |
| Symbiosis College of Arts and Commerce | 36,511 |
| Abeda Inamdar Senior College | 28,290 |
Master of Arts: Suitable Candidates
- Candidates should pursue an M.A. degree if they have a Bachelor’s degree in art or any special course with a minimum of 50% (45% for reserved category).
- Candidates interested in pursuing a PhD can enroll in an M.A. program.
Master of Arts: Top Foreign Institutes
Between 2016 and 2021, nearly 22 lakh Indian students went abroad for further education. MA degrees are offered by a number of prestigious universities and colleges around the world. For your convenience, we’ve compiled a list of some of the top countries that offer MA specializations.
| Place | Top Institutes |
|---|---|
| USA | Stanford University, University of Texas, Harvard University, Columbia University |
| UK | Canterbury Christ Church University, Coventry University, University of East London, Treasure University, |
| Canada | University of Toronto, University of British Columbia, McGill University, University of Alberta |
| Australia | University of Melbourne, University of Queensland, University of Sydney, RMIT University, |
In USA
Several prestigious colleges in the United States offer MA Specializations as well as a unique course structure. A total of 1.1 million students enroll in various colleges across the United States each year. The following are the requirements for pursuing an MA at a university in the United States:
- 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 Institutes demand relevant work experience
The following are some of the best MA colleges in the United States:
| Name of the Institutes | Average Annual Fees (INR) |
|---|---|
| Harvard University | 38,05,340 |
| Stanford University | 50,69,400 |
| University of Texas | 19,05120 |
| Columbia University | 42,82,600 |
In Uk
When it comes to studying abroad, the United Kingdom is the second best option. Many reputable MA colleges and universities, such as Oxford, LSE, and others, offer 1 – 2 year MA degrees.The following are the requirements for studying MA in the United Kingdom:
- 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
The following are some of the best MA colleges in the United Kingdom:
| Name of the Institutes | Average Annual Fees (INR) |
|---|---|
| Canterbury Christ Church University | 16,80,770 |
| Oxford University | 23,10,000 |
| Coventry University | 11,04,950 |
| University of London | 7,37,100 |
In Canada
Canada is regarded as one of the most student-friendly countries, thanks to its high-quality education methods delivered at a low cost. International students can also take advantage of a variety of scholarships.
The following are the requirements for students wishing to pursue an MA in Canada.
- A minimum of 70% or a first-class degree in BA or a related course is required.
- A valid IELTS or TOEFL score of 7 or 100, depending on the situation. Depending on the college cut-offs, scores may differ.
- Relevant work experience is required by some colleges and universities.
- When it comes to getting into Canadian colleges, research skills and experience are extremely important.
The following are some of the best colleges in Canada for MA programs:
| Name of the Institute | Average Annual Fees (INR) |
|---|---|
| University of Toronto | 23,27,920 |
| University of Alberta | 9,80,000 |
| University of British Columbia | 4,95,040 |
Master of Arts: Preparation Plan
- Students should be well-versed in the Master of Arts subject they have chosen. To make the learning process easier, they can divide the syllabus into separate modules.
- For entrance exam preparation, literary theory and criticism on core subjects are equally important.
- Students should practice answering factual questions.
- For a better understanding, they can review previous papers and sample papers from the respective entrance exam.
Master of Arts: Distance Education
MA, which is a popular and in-demand course, is also available as a distance education course. Distance MA is highly recommended for professionals who cannot spare time but are interested in continuing their education.
The eligibility criteria for pursuing MA in Distance method are as follows:
- Students must have completed a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field from a recognized university.
- To be considered eligible for enrollment in an MA program via distance education, they must have minimum passing grades in all subjects.
Below is a list of some of the best colleges that offer a master’s degree in distance education.
| Name of the Institute | Place | Average Annual Fees (INR) |
|---|---|---|
| IGNOU | New Delhi | 12,600 |
| Mahatma Gandhi University | New Delhi | 2,475 |
| University of Mumbai | Mumbai | 6015 |
| Saraswati Distance Education | Mumbai | 27,000 |
| Rabindra Bharati University | Kolkata | 6,800 |
| Netaji Subhas Open University | Kolkata | 7,600 |
Master of Arts: Top Job Profiles
| Profile of Job | Description of Job |
|---|---|
| Content Writer | A content writer’s primary responsibility is to write articles while conducting proper SEO research and keeping up to date on the subject on which he or she is writing. |
| Journalist | A journalist’s main job is to cover breaking news and events in society and present them to the public. Based on his or her line of specialty, a journalist’s profile can be divided into two categories: editor and anchor. |
| Social Worker | Someone who works for the betterment of society and the underprivileged sections of society. Social workers are divided into groups such as those who work for women’s empowerment, those who work for the environment, and those who work for the underprivileged. |
| Teacher | A teacher’s primary responsibility is to impart knowledge to their students in their field of study. |
| Consultant | A consultant is employed by a firm or corporate agency and is primarily responsible for scheduling and interacting with clients. |
Master of Arts: Benefits and Scope
- Students can improve their subject-specific knowledge with a Master of Arts degree. It gives them a thorough understanding of the discipline they’ve chosen.
- They also have the opportunity to attend guest lectures and seminars given by professionals from the academic and business worlds.
- Postgraduate courses have a more extensive curriculum and are more self-contained than undergraduate courses. Students must devote more time and effort to learning the entire process while also developing new skills. The master’s degree develops investigative, logical, and critical thinking skills.
- Students can get a good job with a UG degree, but a Master’s degree is a real game changer for further advancement in the industry field.
- A master’s degree will provide students with a solid academic foundation that will be extremely beneficial to their future careers. It also provides excellent job opportunities for students.
- An MA serves as a stepping stone toward a doctorate. Because one of the main eligibility criteria for studying doctoral programs is that students have a master’s degree, students who have completed a master’s degree can pursue a doctorate.
- Students can master any subject they want, including economics, history, archeology, education, philosophy, political science, public relations, psychology, sociology, philosophy, and journalism, among others.
- Pursuing a master’s degree is akin to opening a door and discovering a world of possibilities in the field in which a student wishes to work. Students with a master’s degree have more and better job opportunities.
FAQs
The course will last for two years.
Applying slightly earlier in the admissions cycle – at least 6 months before the course begins – is always a good idea. Graduate students should apply for this course if they want to continue their education.
An MA is a post graduate degree program in social sciences, art, and humanities, as well as business, consulting, and management. Research, discussion, essay writing, and practical exercises are all common in MA programs.
The following are some career options after graduating with a master’s degree:
Lawyer Manager
Data Scientist (PG Certification)
Digital Marketer
Journalist
Insurance Executive
For M.A. programs, most universities and institutes administer an entrance exam. Candidates must pass the university/entrance institute’s exam in order to advance to the next round, which is determined by their marks/ranks.
Applicants are only eligible to pursue a PhD program if they have earned a master’s degree in a related course, field, or stream to the one in which they wish to pursue a PhD. Some colleges also require candidates to have completed an M.Phil before enrolling in a PhD program.
A master’s degree will boost your current earnings. A master’s degree in fine arts, for example, has less demand in the labor market and will, on average, only earn you more money in median wages than a bachelor’s degree.
According to the research, art majors are well prepared for today’s dynamic job market, where job and career hopping is the norm. In fact, one of the major advantages of majoring in the arts is the ability to be creative when it comes to designing a career.