Top 10 BA Subjects & Specialisations: Top Colleges, Eligibility & Syllabus
High school students have the choice to pick from a number of subjects like English, Hindi, History, Journalism, and Psychology for their Bachelor of Arts degree. Here are the top 10 BA subjects and specialisations that they can pick from.
Top 10 BA Subjects & Specialisations
According to the All India Survey for Higher Education (AISHE), more than 1 crore students choose a Bachelor of Arts degree as their undergraduate programme. These numbers are evidence of the popularity of this course among students. A BA degree is offered by numerous universities in each state of the country. Compared to other degree courses, students have more options to pick a discipline or subject. They can choose English, Hindi, History, Geography and a number of other subjects. On this page, we will take a look at the top 10 BA subjects and specialisations. In addition to that, we will also take a brief look at the top colleges to pursue a BA degree.
BA Eligibility Criteria
Before getting into the top subjects and colleges for BA, let's take a look at the minimum eligibility criteria to get in. It must be noted that the eligibility criteria mentioned below is common across many institutes and disciplines. However, it may vary for some.
- Candidates should have completed their 10+2 from a recognised board of education.
- Some colleges also specify that aspirants should have secured a minimum of 50% aggregate marks at the 10+2 level.
- Some colleges also offer a 5% mark relaxation in this criterion for reserved category candidates.
BA aspirants can pursue a variety of higher education courses in various disciplines like law, management, arts, journalism and public communication, humanities, etc. Admissions are granted based on entrance exam results and/ or merit depending on the institute. Many colleges also accept CUET scores but students have to apply for specific institutes on the institutes' website only.
BA Subjects & Syllabus
BA syllabus differs for various BA courses as per the specialisations. Notably, the BA syllabus is the same in most of the colleges across the nation. However, candidates can find minor differences in some colleges.
Check out the syllabus of different BA programmes below:
| Subjects |
Syllabus |
|---|---|
| English Literature 4(i) |
|
| Twentieth Century Indian Writing(i) |
|
| Concurrent – Qualifying Language |
|
| English Literature 4(ii) |
|
| Twentieth-Century Indian Writing(ii) |
|
| English Literature 1(i) |
|
| Concurrent – Credit Language |
|
| English Literature 1(ii) |
|
| English Literature 2(i) |
|
| Nineteenth-Century European Realism(i)/ Classical Literature (i)/ Forms of Popular Fiction (i) |
|
| Concurrent – Interdisciplinary |
|
| English Literature 2(ii) |
|
| English Literature 3(i) |
|
| Nineteenth-Century European Realism(ii)/ Classical Literature (ii)/ Forms of Popular Fiction (ii) |
|
| Concurrent – Discipline-Centered I |
|
| English Literature 3(ii) |
|
| English Literature 5(i) |
|
| Contemporary Literature(i) |
|
| Anglo-American Writing from 1930(i)/ Literary Theory (i)/ Women’s Writing of the Nineteenth and Twentieth Centuries (i)/ Modern European Drama (i) |
|
| English Literature 5(ii) |
|
| Contemporary Literature(ii) |
|
| Anglo-American Writing from 1930(ii)/ Literary Theory (ii)/ Women’s Writing of the Nineteenth and Twentieth Centuries (ii)/ Modern European Drama (ii) |
|
| Concurrent – Discipline Centered II |
|
| History of India-I |
|
| Social Formations and Cultural Patterns of the Ancient World |
|
| History of India-II |
|
| Social Formations and Cultural Patterns of the Medieval World |
|
| History of India-III (c. 750-1206) |
|
| Rise of Modern West-I |
|
| History of India IV (c.1206-1550) |
|
| Rise of Modern West -11 |
|
| History of India-V (c. 1550-1605) |
|
| History of India-VI (c. 1750-1857 |
|
| History of Modern Europe- I (c. 1780-1939) |
|
| History of India-VII (c. 1605-1750) |
|
| History of India-VIII (c. 1857-1950) |
|
| History of Modern Europe- II (1780-1939) |
|
| History Of Southeast Asia-The 19TH Century |
|
| History Of Southeast Asia-The 20TH Century |
|
| History of Modern East Asia-I(c.1840-1919) |
|
| History of Modern East Asia-1I (c. 1868-1945) |
|
| Generic Elective (Interdisciplinary Any Four) · Environmental Issues In India · Research Methodology in History · Making of Contemporary India · Delhi: Ancient · Delhi: Medieval · Delhi: Modern · Issues in the Contemporary World · Any Two: Understanding Heritage/ Art Appreciation: An Introduction to Indian Art/ Archives and Museums/ Understanding Popular Culture |
|
| Discipline-Specific Elective (Any Four) · History Of United States Of America -1(C. 1776 -1945) · History Of United States Of America -I1(C. 1776 - 1945) · History Of The USSR-I (c. 1917- 1964) · History Of The USSR-II (c. 1917- 1964) · History Of Africa (c. 1500 - 1960s) |
|
| Making of Modern Kerala |
|
| Informatics |
|
| Basics of Indian Numismatics |
|
| Introduction to Political Science |
|
| Understanding the Past |
|
| Early Societies in India |
|
| Development of Numismatics in India |
|
| Governmental Machinery and Processes |
|
| Growth of Indian Archaeology |
|
| Introduction to Archives and Records |
|
| Environmental History |
|
| Archaeological Sites and Monuments in India |
|
| Archival Conservation and Reprography |
|
| Methodology and Perspectives of Social Science |
|
| History of Art and Architecture in India |
|
| Basics of Archaeology |
|
| Introduction to Sociology |
|
| Cultural Transition in Pre-Modern Kerala |
|
| Methods of Archaeology |
|
| History of Folklore |
|
| Development of Sociological Theory |
|
| Intermediate Macroeconomics-I |
|
| Statistical Methods for Economics |
|
| Skill Enhancement Course - I |
|
| Generic Elective - III |
|
| Intermediate Microeconomics-II |
|
| Introductory Econometrics |
|
| Skill Enhancement Course - II |
|
| Generic Elective - IV |
|
| Indian Economy - I |
|
| Development Economics - I |
|
| Discipline-Specific Elective - I |
|
| Discipline-Specific Elective - II |
|
| Indian Economy - II |
|
| Development Economics - II |
|
| Discipline-Specific Elective - III |
|
| Discipline-Specific Elective - IV |
|
| Introductory Microeconomics |
|
| Mathematical Methods for Economics-I |
|
| Ability Enhancement Compulsory Course - I |
|
| Generic Elective - I |
|
| Introductory Macroeconomics |
|
| Mathematical Methods for Economics-II |
|
| Ability Enhancement Compulsory Course - II |
|
| Generic Elective - II |
|
| Intermediate Microeconomics-I |
|
| Geomorphology |
|
| Climatology |
|
| Cartographic Techniques |
|
| Geography of Population |
|
| Concurrent – Qualifying Language |
|
| Analytical Physical Geography |
|
| Oceanography |
|
| Thematic Cartography (Practical) |
|
| Geography of Settlements |
|
| Concurrent – Credit Language |
|
| Economic Geography |
|
| Environmental Geography |
|
| Remote Sensing (Practical) |
|
| Geography of Settlements |
|
| Environmental Geography |
|
| Concurrent – Interdisciplinary |
|
| Geography of Natural Resources |
|
| Spatial Dimensions of Development |
|
| Statistical Methods in Geography |
|
| Geography of India |
|
| Concurrent – Discipline-Centered I |
|
| Evolution of Geographical Thought |
|
| Social Geography |
|
| Field Techniques |
|
| Agricultural Geography* (Optional) |
|
| Political Geography* (Optional) |
|
| Disaster Management |
|
| Regional Planning: Case Studies |
|
| Geographical Information System |
|
| Geography of Tourism* (Optional) |
|
| Contemporary Environmental Issues* (Optional) |
|
| Rural Development* (Optional) |
|
| Language - MIL/ English Environmental Science |
|
| Understanding Political Theory |
|
| Constitutional Government and Democracy in India |
|
| Generic Elective - I |
|
| Environmental Science Language - MIL/ English |
|
| Political Theory-Concepts and Debates |
|
| Political Process in India |
|
| Generic Elective - II |
|
| Introduction to Comparative Government & Politics |
|
| Perspectives on Public Administration |
|
| Perspectives on International Relations |
|
| Generic Elective - III |
|
| Ability Enhancement Course - I |
|
| Pol. Process & Inst. in Comparative Perspective |
|
| Public Policy and Administration in India |
|
| Global Politics |
|
| Generic Elective - IV |
|
| Ability Enhancement Course - II |
|
| Classical Political Philosophy |
|
| Modern Indian Political Thought - I |
|
| Discipline Specific Elective - I |
|
| Discipline Specific Elective - II |
|
| Modern Political Philosophy |
|
| Indian Political Thought - II |
|
| Discipline Specific Elective - III |
|
| Discipline Specific Elective - IV |
|
|
|
Indian Philosophy |
| Logic |
|
| Greek Philosophy |
|
| Ethics |
|
| Western Philosophy: Descartes to Kant |
|
| Social & Political Philosophy: Indian and Western |
|
| Text of Indian Philosophy |
|
| Text of Western Philosophy |
|
| Truth Functional Logic |
|
| Analytic Philosophy |
|
| Continental Philosophy |
|
| Philosophy of Religion (Indian & Western) |
|
| Discipline Specific Elective-4 (DSE) Subject Centric (Any Four) · Philosophy of mind · Philosophy of science · Philosophy of logic · Knowledge and skepticism · Aesthetics · Indian theories of consciousness · Philosophy of law · Indian materialism |
|
| Introduction to Sociology |
|
| Sociology of India |
|
| Sociological Theories |
|
| Methods of Sociological Enquiry |
|
| Religion and Society |
|
| Marriage, Family and Kinship |
|
| Social Stratification |
|
| Gender and Sexuality |
|
| Polity and Society in India |
|
| Economy and Society |
|
| Techniques of Social Research |
|
| Gender Sensitisation |
|
| Society through the Visual |
|
| Introduction to Psychology |
|
| Statistical Methods for Psychological Research |
|
| Environmental Science |
|
| General Psychology |
|
| Biopsychology |
|
| Psychology of Individual Differences |
|
| English Communication |
|
| Youth, Gender and Identity |
|
| Development of Psychological |
|
| Psychological Research |
|
| Social Psychology |
|
| Emotional Intelligence |
|
| Psychology for Health and Well-being |
|
| Understanding Psychological Disorders |
|
| Statistical Methods for Psychological Research-II |
|
| Applied Social Psychology |
|
| Stress Management |
|
| Psychology at Work |
|
| Dealing with Psychological Disorders |
|
| Developmental Psychology |
|
| Positive Psychology |
|
| Human Resource Management |
|
| Organizational Behavior |
|
| Counselling Psychology |
|
| Health Psychology |
|
| BA Journalism and Mass Communication
|
Principles of Communication |
| Global Media |
|
| Introduction to Print Media |
|
| Fundamentals of Journalism |
|
| Communication: Theories, Models and Skills |
|
| Introduction to Computers |
|
| Mass Communication: Concepts and Processes |
|
| Reporting Techniques and Skills |
|
| Editing and Principles of Layout and Design |
|
| Press Laws and Media Ethics |
|
| Editing Practicals |
|
| Column Writing |
|
| Media Management and Ethics |
|
| New Media Technologies |
|
| Public Relations |
|
| Development Communication |
|
| Basics of Light, Camera and Sound |
|
| Television Production |
|
| Radio Production |
|
| Photo Journalism - I |
|
| Event Management |
|
| Indian Constitution, Economy and Politics |
|
| Cyber Journalism |
|
| World Media Scenario |
|
| Photography and Web Content Development Practicals |
|
| Photo Journalism - II |
|
| Industrial Training |
|
| Projects |
BA Specialisations
Bachelor of Arts offers specialisations in different disciplines such as Psychology, History, Journalism, Advertising, PR, Philosophy, Social Work, Sociology, and Geography. Candidates can check the popular Bachelor of Arts specialisations listed below:
| Specialisations in BA |
|
|---|---|
| Language (English, French, German, Hindi, Spanish, Chinese/ Mandarin, Greek, Japanese and Latin) |
|
Learn More Here -
Top Colleges for Bachelor of Arts in India
Since BA is such a popular course, the demand for it is fulfilled by some of the best universities and colleges in the country. The list of the best colleges for BA is provided in the table below.
| Top 10 Colleges for BA in India |
|---|
| Hindu College: Ranked at the top by NIRF in the Colleges category |
| Hansraj College: A more affordable option with fees as low as INR 540 |
| Andhra Loyola College: Has the highest placement package of INR 8 lakh |
| Lady Shri Ram College for Women: A top arts college in India |
| Miranda House: A top arts college in India |
| Loyola College: A top arts college in India |
| Christ - Delhi NCR Campus: A top arts college in India |
| MCC - Madras Christian College: A top arts college in India |
| UPES: A top arts college in India |
Read More:
Aayushi is a BAJMC graduate and an ardent consumer of content with a keen passion for film, TV and books. She specialises in Mass Communication and Humanities related exams, entrances and courses.