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

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 |
|
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
.
- 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
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
Literature Course Admission Process
The generic admission process is as follows
- Research about the eligibility criteria
- Choose the entrance exam accordingly.
- Fill out the application/ registration form.
- Attend counselling sessions if shortlisted.
- 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) |
|
Common University Entrance Exam- Postgraduate(CUET PG) |
|
University Grants Commission National Eligibility Test(UGC NET) |
Information source: Multiple external sites, hence may vary
Important Exam Dates
Dates | Past 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 (... |
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.
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.
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.
To fill the CUET application form, candidates must ensure to keep the following documents/information ready in the prescribed size and format:
Documents | Required Format | Required Size |
---|---|---|
Recent Photograph |
| Between 10 kb to 200 kb (clearly legible). |
Scanned Signature | JPG/JPEG format | Between 4 kb to 30 kb (clearly legible) |
Category Certificate (SC/ST/OBC/EWS etc.) | Between 50kb to 300 kb | |
Scanned copy of the PwBD certificate | 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 |
Popular Courses
- Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)Sophia College
- B.A. (Mass Communication, English Literature, Social Management)St. Francis College for Women
- Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)VMOU - Vardhman Mahaveer Open University
- Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)CSJM - Chhatrapati Shahu Ji Maharaj University
- Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)Institute of Distance and Open Learning, University of Mumbai
- Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)Shyam Lal College, University of Delhi
- M.A. in English LiteratureChrist College, Irinjalakuda
- B.A. (Hons.) in EnglishVasant Kanya Mahavidyalaya
- B.A. (Hons.) in EnglishGraphic Era Deemed to be University
- B.A. in (Psychology, English Literature, Philosophy)Nizam College
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.
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.
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) |
---|---|
INR 2.4 lakh |
|
INR 16700 |
|
INR 3 lakh |
|
INR 60000 |
|
INR 1.6 lakh |
|
INR 3.4 lakh |
|
INR 1.9 lakh |
|
INR 1.4 lakh |
|
INR 1.9 lakh |
|
INR 9.5 lakh |
Government Colleges for Literature Courses
The names of government colleges offering Literature courses are:
Name of College |
Fees (in INR) |
---|---|
INR 2400 |
|
INR 11000 |
|
INR 21000 |
|
INR 1800 |
|
INR 3000 |
|
INR 6700 |
|
INR 9600 |
|
INR 10500 |
Information source: Multiple external official sites, hence may vary
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 |
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
Literature Applications open. Apply Now
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:
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
UG Courses
- B.A.
134 Colleges
- B.A. (Hons)
88 Colleges
- UG Diploma
26 Colleges
- B.Lit.
10 Colleges
- B.Sc.
1 College
Popular Literature PG Courses
PG Courses
- M.A.
224 Colleges
- PG Diploma
12 Colleges
Popular Literature Specializations
Popular Specializations
- English
107 Colleges
- Hindi
14 Colleges
- Public Administration
4 Colleges
- Sanskrit
4 Colleges
- Home Science
3 Colleges
- Mathematics
3 Colleges
- Sales & Marketing
2 Colleges
- Statistics
2 Colleges
- Acting
1 College
- Advertising
1 College
News & Updates
Oct 16, 2025
Student Forum
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
S
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
N
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
S
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
L
Contributor-Level 9
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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.