What is Literature: Full Form, Course Duration, Admission 2025, Colleges, Salary & Scope

Updated on Sep 5, 2024 10:11 IST
Shruti Tiwari

Shruti TiwariContent writer

As English/Hindi literature is an interdisciplinary field and develops a variety of talents, studying it can be attractive and advantageous to a wide range of people. 

Literature Course Highlights

Candidates can check the table below to learn the key highlights of the English Literature course. Click to learn English Courses.

Particulars

Statistics

Course Name 

English/Hindi Literature

Level

Undergraduate, Postgraduate, Diploma, Doctorate 

Duration 

3 years (UG) and 2 years (PG)

Examination Type 

Semester-wise or yearly

Eligibility 

50% marks in 10+2 for UG and 50 % marks in graduation for PG  

Admission Process 

Entrance based 

Entrance Exams

SAT, CUET, PUB DET, JNUEE, JMI Entrance Exam etc.

Popular Colleges

Banaras Hindu University, Gargi College, Lady Shri Ram College for Women, Amity University, Delhi University,  etc.

Job Profiles

Teacher, Content Writer, Reader, Journalist, Blogger, and so on.

Top Recruiters 

Tata Communications Ltd, India Today Group, Genpact, UnitedHealth Group, Cognizant, American Express Co, etc. 

Information source: Multiple external sites, hence may vary

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Table of content
  • Literature Courses Eligibility Criteria
  • Literature Course Admission Process
  • Literature Entrance Exams 2025
  • Types of Literature Courses
  • Literature Course Syllabus
  • Top Colleges for Literature Courses
  • Popular Private Literature Colleges in India
  • Literature Career Scope: Job Profiles, Salary and Top Recruiters
  • Literature FAQs: 2024
  • Popular Literature UG Courses
  • Popular Literature PG Courses
  • Popular Literature Specializations
View More

Literature Courses Eligibility Criteria

English literature courses and their eligibility at various levels are as follows:

Course Level

 Eligibility Criteria

Undergraduate

Students who have passed 10+2 with 50 % marks from a recognised board.

Postgraduate

Graduation in a related field from a recognised university with a minimum of 45% marks in bachelor’s degree.

Post Graduate Diploma

Students who have completed graduation can pursue this one-year post-graduate diploma course.

Certificate Courses

The graduate students can also go for one-year certificate courses.

Doctorate

Candidates are usually required to have a master's degree in English Literature or a closely related field.

Information source: Multiple external sites, hence may vary

Q:   Is there any age limit to pursue Literature courses?
A:

No, there is no age limit to pursue Literature course. You can apply for these courses at any age. Some colleges can have a minimum age limit which most people would satisfy if they have completed schoolings at the right age. Neither colleges nor entrance exam conducting bodies have any age limit criteria. Some colleges, especially some private colleges may have maximum age limit. So, please check the eligibility criteria for before proceeding with the application process for the course.

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Literature Course Admission Process

The generic admission process is as follows

  1. Research about the eligibility criteria
  2. Choose the entrance exam accordingly.
  3. Fill out the application/ registration form.
  4. Attend counselling sessions if shortlisted.
  5. Pay the fees, verify the documents, and start with your classes.

Literature Entrance Exams 2025

The following is a list of entrance exams for Literature courses:

Literature Entrance Exams

Literature Entrance Exam Schedule

Common University Entrance Test (CUET)

CUET Schedule

Common University Entrance Exam- Postgraduate(CUET PG)

CUET PG Schedule

University Grants Commission National Eligibility Test(UGC NET)

UGC NET Schedule

Information source: Multiple external sites, hence may vary

Important Exam Dates

DatesPast Exam Dates
12 Jul ' 25

URAT PG 2025 Second Merit List

11 Jul ' 25 - 18 Jul ' 25

URAT PG 2025 Merit Based Application

08 Jul ' 25 - 11 Jul ' 25

URAT PG 2025 Document Verification & Fee Payment for Admission

Jun '26

CPGET 2026 Notification

TENTATIVE

Jun '26

CPGET 2026 Registration

TENTATIVE

Mar '26

CUET 2026 Application Process

TENTATIVE

May '26 - Jun '26

CUET 2026 Exam

TENTATIVE

Oct '25

SAT Registration Deadline for November Test

TENTATIVE

14 Jul ' 25 - 31 Oct ' 25

JMI Entrance Exam 2025 Counselling

31 Oct ' 25

Last Date for submitting Qualifying Exam result (...

Q:   What is CUET UG exam?
A:

Common University Entrance Test (CUET) UG is an entrance examination conducted for admission to undergraduation programs offered by various central, state, private and deemed universities. Candidates willing to take admission to undergraduation programme in streams like Science, Humanities, Commerce, Law and Management must appear for the CUET UG exam when conducted.

The entrance examination assesses candidates at various levels: Language, domain knowledge and general aptitude. CUET UG is conducted annually in computer based mode. CUET UG scores are accepted by more than 300 universities across India. 

Q:   How to prepare for CUET exam?
A:

Identify all the topics that you need to focus on. Make a strategic plan to cover those topics. Revise the topics that you find more difficult. Go through the mock tests. Go through the previous year's question, and find out the important topics. Try to understand the pattern of the paper.

Q:   What is the CUET exam duration for each subject?
A:

As per the CUET exam pattern, the subjects are divided into three sections as:

Section I- Languages 

Section II- Domain Subject

Section III- General Test

Candidates will get 60 minutes for each subject. Candidates will not be given extra time.

Q:   What are the required documents to fill CUET application form?
A:

To fill the CUET application form, candidates must ensure to keep the following documents/information ready in the prescribed size and format:

DocumentsRequired FormatRequired Size
Recent Photograph
  • Coloured or black and white with 80% face (without mask) visible including ears against a white background.
  • JPG/JPEG format (clearly legible)
Between 10 kb to 200 kb (clearly legible).
Scanned SignatureJPG/JPEG formatBetween 4 kb to 30 kb (clearly legible)
Category Certificate (SC/ST/OBC/EWS etc.)PDFBetween 50kb to 300 kb
Scanned copy of the PwBD certificatePDF

Between 50kb to 300 kb

 

Types of Literature Courses

The various types of Literature Courses in India are as follows:

Types of Literature Courses
Assamese Literature Persian Literature
Bengali Literature Pushto Literature
Gujarati Literature Arabic Literature
Kannada Literature Japanese Literature
Malayalam Literature Korean Literature
Marathi Literature Chinese Literature
Manipuri Literature French Literature
Odiya Literature German Literature
Sindhi Literature Russian Literature
Tamil Literature Spanish Literature
Telugu Literature Russian Literature
Turkish Literature Literature Portuguese Literature
Italian Literature Hebrew Literature
Q:   What is it like to study English Literature?
A:

English Literature is course in which students get the opportunity to read the writings of renowned writers in their course curriculum. Though the individual experience of each student of English Literature course may vary, given below are some facets of English Literature that many students have experienced while pursuing the course:

  • The course is a time travelling machine: It takes a student to different eras, countries and cultures while offering a wider perspective.
  • It covers a wide range of themes covering all walks of life.
  • Students can relate with themselves and their life scenarios even with fictional writings.
  • The world-class literary writings improve one’s creativity and story-telling skills.
  • When the student reads about writings set up in different cultural contexts it increases one’s emotional capabilities such as tolerance and acceptance
  • It challenges one’s cognitive biases by exposing to unfamiliar theories of Literature.
Q:   What is Korean Literature?
A:

Korean Literature is a collection of Literary works written in Korean language or in classical Chinese. The main themes covered in early Korean Literature were indivudual freedom and the difference of opinion between the younger and older generation. Sin Saimdang, Kim Bu-sik, Ko Un, Uhwudong and Na Hye-sok are some of the famous Korean writers. Yi Gwangsu is considered as the father of Korean Literature. Some of the major forms of Korean Literature are Hyangga, Goryeo songs, Sijo and Gasa.

Q:   What are the different types of courses in Literature?
A:

Students can study Literature courses at varied levels like undergraduate, postgraduate, Diploma and certification. You can also pursue online courses of Literature. They can see the below table to get more information about the courses.

Level of Course

Name of the Course

Course Duration

Undergraduate

BA in English Literature

BA (Hons) in English Literature

3 Years

 

Postgraduate

MA in English Literature  

MPhil in English Literature  

1-2 Years

Doctorate

PhD in English Literature  

3-5 Years

Certificate/Diploma

Certificate in Literary Studies

Diploma in Creative Writing  

6 months to 1 Year

Online Short Courses    

Introduction to World Literature

Poetry Writing Workshop  

Varies (from a few hours to several months)

Literature Course Syllabus

Check out the important subjects included in this course:

Semester-1
Introduction to Literature English Composition I Survey of World Literature I
Semester-2
Introduction to Poetry Introduction to Prose English Composition II
Semester-3
Medieval and Renaissance Literature Survey of World Literature II Drama and Performance
Semester-4 
American Literature Literary Theory and Criticism Creative Writing
Semester-5
Victorian and Romantic Literature Modern and Contemporary Literature Research Methods in Literature
Semester-6
Comparative Literature Postcolonial Literature Elective Course
Semester-7
Capstone Seminar in Literature Literature and Society Capstone Project
Semester-8
Elective Course Literature and Film Senior Seminar in Literature

Top Colleges for Literature Courses

English Literature courses can be pursued by both government and private colleges. Students can choose from any college as per their suitability. Every year, students compete for seats in the top institutions offering various courses in English. Some of these top colleges include government and private institutions.

Private Colleges for Literature Courses

Some of the top private colleges offering Literature courses are:

Name of College

Fees (in INR)

Guru Nanak University Hyderabad

INR 2.4 lakh

Madras University Distance Education

INR 16700

LPU Delhi

INR 3 lakh

SAGE University Indore

INR 60000

UEM Jaipur

INR 1.6 lakh

Adamas University Kolkata

INR 3.4 lakh

Mount Carmel College Bangalore

INR 1.9 lakh

JSPM University

INR 1.4 lakh

Kristu Jayanti College Bangalore

INR 1.9 lakh

R V University Bangalore

INR 9.5 lakh

Government Colleges for Literature Courses

The names of government colleges offering Literature courses are:

Name of College

Fees (in INR)

Calcutta University

INR 2400

University of Mumbai

INR 11000

Jamia Millia Islamia

INR 21000

Jadavpur University Kolkata

INR 1800

University of Madras

INR 3000

IGNOU

INR 6700

University of Hyderabad

INR 9600

Nizam College Hyderabad

INR 10500

Information source: Multiple external official sites, hence may vary

1.65 L - 2.35 L
6.5 - 8.1 LPA

#34 NIRF

4.8
4.78 LPA

#22 Outlook

11.87 K
2 LPA

#32 Outlook

1 Course
1.32 L
3.68 LPA

#54 The Week

3.78 - 4.35 LPA

#68 The Week

3.5
3.5 LPA

#42 Outlook

Q:   Which colleges offer Literature courses with low fees?
A:

There are many colleges that offer Literature courses with an affordable fee structure. Some of them are as follows:

Literature Courses Colleges

Average Fees (in INR)

National Sanskrit University

350

Ganesh Dutt College, Lalit Narayan Mithila University

396

Shyam Lal College, University of Delhi

540

Punyashlok Ahilyadevi Holkar Solapur University

1 K

Vellalar College For Women

1.63 K - 2.1 K

Jadavpur University

1.8 K

Thunchath Ezhuthachan Malayalam University

2 K

The American College

2.14 K

Calcutta University

2.4 K

Visva Bharati University

2.4 K

Central University of Gujarat

2.4 K

Central University of Jammu

2.5 K - 4.5 K

Q:   Which colleges offer good placements for Literature courses students?
A:

There are some colleges that offer good plaement opportunities to the students of Literature courses. Some of these are as follows:

Literature Courses Colleges

Average Fees (in INR)

Delhi University (DU)

15.5 LPA

University of Mumbai [MU]

15 LPA

Manipal Center for European Studies, MAHE

11.68 LPA

Department of Liberal Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Bengaluru

11.68 LPA

Jadavpur University

8 - 10 LPA

NIT Trichy - National Institute of Technology

9.24 LPA

Calcutta University

9.2 LPA

Jamia Millia Islamia

8.66 LPA

Pocker Sahib Memorial Orphanage College

7.8 LPA

Amrita School of Arts, Humanities and Commerce Kochi

4.7 - 7.35 LPA

Kristu Jayanti College

6.41 - 7.13 LPA

University of Hyderabad

6.75 LPA

Popular Private Literature Colleges in India

66 K
1.77 L
4.1 LPA

Literature Applications open. Apply Now

1.02 L
4.98 LPA
3.21 L
2.0
3 L
51 K - 85 K
3.35 - 3.5 LPA

Literature Career Scope: Job Profiles, Salary and Top Recruiters

A literature course can give you a solid foundation in communication techniques, cultural awareness, and critical thinking. Although it might not result in a particular professional route like certain specialised degrees, it does open up a variety of chances in a variety of areas.

Job Profiles and Salaries After Literature Course

Having a degree in literature can lead to many different career paths since it gives graduates the ability to think critically, reason analytically, communicate well, conduct research, and appreciate different cultures. The following are some possible career choices for somebody with a background in literature:

Job Profiles

Average Salary (in INR)

Teacher

4.5 LPA

Consultant

4.3 LPA

Content Writer

5.6 LPA

Translator

3.7 LPA

Human Resources

5.3 LPA

Management

6.1 LPA

Publisher

5.6 LPA

Journalism

6.1 LPA

Information source: Multiple external sites, hence may vary

Literature FAQs: 2024

Here are some Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) related to Literature:

Q:   What is the admission procedure for Literature courses?
A:

Students who want to study Literature course need to follow the below steps:

  • Choose University/College: The first step is to search for colleges or universities which are offering courses and programmes in English Literature. The aspirant will have to check the fees, the seats offered eligibility criteria which is set for the course.
  • Apply for Course: Once the candidate has found the university offering a course in Linguistics, proceed to apply for admission. Fill up the details as required and pay the application fee. The application forms are available for a limited period of time so the candidate is advised to know the details way in advance.
  • Mode of Admission: Universities and Colleges will either conduct entrance exams for admission or offer admission on the basis of merit. For postgraduate courses, you will have to appear for an entrance exam.
  • Results: On getting qualified and selected you will make it to the merit list. The student has to get the desired rank and percentage, to be eligible for admission. For postgraduate courses, entrance exams are conducted.
  • Counselling: The candidate will have to appear for the counselling session conducted at the university to book their seat, submit their documents and pay the fees to seal admission

Popular Literature UG Courses

Following are the most popular Literature UG Courses . You can explore the top Colleges offering these UG Courses by clicking the links below.

UG Courses

Popular Literature PG Courses

Following are the most popular Literature PG Courses . You can explore the top Colleges offering these PG Courses by clicking the links below.

PG Courses

Popular Literature Specializations

Following are the most popular Literature Specializations . You can explore the top Colleges offering these Specializations by clicking the links below.

Popular Specializations

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Student Forum

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Answered a month ago

JSLL courses' admissions are based on entrance exam scores + PI. The university also accepts CUET scores for BA (Hons.) English courses. The selection criteria for the BA course are based on Application form evaluation including personal statement + Online entrance test/Score of listed National or I

...Read more

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Shikha Arora

Contributor-Level 10

Answered a month ago

The Jindal School of Languages and Literature (JSLL) is the eleventh school of O. P. Jindal Global University and has been established to encourage innovative research and effectively teach languages, linguistics and literature studies. Students can check the table below to know the detailed eligibi

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Nitesh Gulati

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 2 months ago

It depends on how UPPSC interprets your B.Com (Hons). If English was your main or Hons. subject during B.Com (which is rare), then you're safe. Otherwise, your MA in English and B.Ed with English should be enough in most cases, but it's best to check the official UPPSC TGT notification or contact th

...Read more

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Sahil kumar

Beginner-Level 1

Answered 2 months ago

Of course, here's a small list of my personal favorite English literature, you can also read apart from your BA syllabus:

  • "The God of Small Things" by Arundhati Roy.
  • "A Suitable Boy" by Vikram Seth.
  • "Interpreter of Maladies" by Jhumpa Lahiri.
  • "The Inheritance of Loss" by Kiran Desai.
  • "Sea of Poppies" by

...Read more

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Lalit Rastogi

Contributor-Level 9

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