Updated on Apr 9, 2024 11:56 IST

MA commonly known as Master of Arts is a 2-year postgraduate degree program. One can pursue an MA after completing their bachelor’s in the same discipline. The course has been increasingly gaining huge attention from candidates due to the wide range of career opportunities available to them in India and Abroad.

There are a plethora of specializations available in this field including some of the well-known fields like French, German, Economics, and Psychology. A deep understanding of the course and subjects can provide a bright and well-paying career to anyone who has an aversion towards the course and wishes to pursue it. But it is super beneficial to the ones for the civil service aspirants.
The candidates can apply to a variety of roles that are industry-relevant and pay you well. Some of them include Associate Researchers, Data analysts, Newspaper columnists, and lawyers with an average salary ranging from INR 3 LPA, extending to a maximum of INR 15 LPA depending on the specialization, or the skill one pertains.

After knowing the bright prospects of pursuing an MA, candidates might be curious to know its future, the scope, and obviously, the remuneration one could receive under different specializations. In this section, we will discuss more about the career prospects and salaries of MA graduates.

Table of Contents
  1. MA Course Eligibility Criteria
  2. Top MA Specializations
  3. IIT MA Colleges
  4. MA Jobs by Specialization
    • 4.1 MA Economics Jobs 
    • 4.2 MA History Jobs 
    • 4.3 MA English Jobs
    • 4.4 MA Psychology Jobs 
    • 4.5 MA Political Science Jobs
  5. MA Jobs - Sector Wise
    • 5.1 MA Jobs- Private Sector
  6. Courses after MA
  7. 10 Best Countries for MA Graduates
  8. Top MA Colleges- Placement-wise
  9. FAQs MA Careers

MA Course Eligibility Criteria

Before pursuing a master's, or even starting the preparation for the same one might be aware of the eligibility to pursue that course. So, here are a few factors that make one eligible for undertaking an MA:

Eligibility Criteria MA Course

Should have completed their Bachelor’s, preferably in Arts from a recognized UGC university. 

Should have secured an aggregate of 55% or more. 

Top MA Specializations

Though there are many specializations in the arts field, and can select it according to their interests and choices. Here is a list of a few more prominent specializations along with their average salaries.

S.no

Top Specializations

Average Salary (in INR)

1

MA English 

12,500-62,500 per month

2

MA Economics 

16.2 lakhs

3

MA Psychology 

3.7 lakhs

4

MA Political Science 

3 lakhs

5

MA History

5 lakhs 

6

MA Social Work

3.4 lakhs

7

MA International Relations

6.6 lakhs

8

MA Communication Studies

6 lakhs

9

MA Sociology

4.5 lakhs

10

MA Public Administration

2 - 8 lakhs

(Source: AmbitionBox)

Students also liked topics on:

MA in Hindi

MA in Sociology at Delhi School of Economics

IIT MA Colleges

Apart from providing quality education in the technical field with courses like Btech, M.tech, and M.Sc, IIT has expanded its horizons by providing postgraduate degree courses or MA courses in different fields. However, there are a few courses only which are offered in only some IITs. Yet, the major difference comes with the diversity of courses it provides.
Apart from the general Master in Arts courses which are pursued in the fields of Economics, Psychology, and History the courses at IITs are a little different. The courses offered at IITs include specializations in Development Studies, Philosophy, and English Studies.
Here is a stipulated list providing insights into the MA courses offered by different IITs.

Name of IIT

Program Name

IIT Madras

MA in English Studies
MA in Developmental Studies
MA in Economics

IIT Bombay

MA by Research
MA - PhD Philosophy (Dual degree) 

IIT Guwahati

MA in Developmental Studies
MA in Liberal Arts

IIT Gandhinagar

MA in Society and Culture

IIT Mandi

MA in Development Studies

IIT Delhi

MA in Society, Culture, Thought
MA in Public Policy

MA Jobs by Specialization

There are multiple specializations in MA, each having its own set of career trajectories having an individual path of growth. In the coming section, we will be discovering the top job profiles one can pursue after doing different specializations in MA along with their market salaries.

MA Economics Jobs 

MA Economics is a 2-year postgraduate degree program offering greater insights into the world of economics covering topics like banking, financial management, international economics, macroeconomics, theory of demand and supply, and many more topics that directly, or indirectly impact the economy.
It has 4 semesters, each semester having a duration of 6 months. This table shows the data of a few job profiles that are best-suited to an MA Economics graduate. 

Top MA Economics Job Profiles

Average Salary (in INR)

Research Analyst

4.8 lakhs

Data Analyst

6.3 lakhs 

High School Teacher

5.5 lakhs

Economist

16.2 lakhs

Director of Operations 

37 lakhs 

(Source: AmbitionBox)

MA History Jobs 

Through MA History, a candidate can have a good understanding of the Historical and Cultural aspects of India. It is a 2-year postgraduate degree program divided into 4 semesters, every semester lasting 6 months.

Here’s a list of a few top job profiles best suited for an MA History graduate.

Top MA History Job Profiles

Average Salary (in INR)

Historian

7 lakhs 

Assistant Professor

4.8 lakhs

Teacher

3.1 lakhs

Field Archaeologist 

2 lakhs

Research Assistant

3.8 lakhs

(Source: AmbitionBox)

Relevant links for MA History:
Jobs after MA History

MA English Jobs

MA English is a 2 year postgraduate degree program that gives students a comprehensive knowledge of various important concepts of English Literature including readings from different novels, stories, and poetries written by various authors.
The degree allows the candidate to expand their literary skills and further capitalize on them. Here is a list of a few top job profiles best suited for an MA English graduate.

Top MA English Job Profiles

Average Salary (in INR)

Editor/ Assistant Editor

3 lakhs 

Web Content Writer

3 lakhs

Teacher 

3.3 lakhs

Translator

2.2 lakhs

SEO Analyst

3 lakhs

(Source: AmbitionBox)

MA Psychology Jobs 

The field of Psychology offers a candidate the opportunity to learn different aspects related to the human mind and behavior including issues related to emotions, behavior, and their psychological effects on the brain.
One can choose from different fields while pursuing a Master's in Psychology. Some of the most prominent ones include health psychology, clinical psychology, and sports psychology. It further opens multiple doors for them to practice it by working in hospitals or opening their clinics.
Here is a list of a few top job profiles best suited for an MA Psychology graduate.

Top MA Psychology Job Profiles

Average Salary (in INR)

Clinical Psychologists

4.5 lakhs 

Therapists 

2.8 lakhs

Counseling Psychologists 

4.1 lakhs

Sports Psychologists

5.9 - 7.5 lakhs

Psychiatrist

10 lakhs

(Source: AmbitionBox)

MA Political Science Jobs

MA in Political Science is a 2-year postgraduate degree program taken by a lot of students who wish to continue their careers in politics at Indian and International levels. To pursue the same, one must have completed their graduation in political science with an aggregate of 55% or more.
It includes subjects like Political Theory, International Relations, Policy Making, and Public Laws. Here is a list of a few top job profiles best suited for MA Political Science graduates.

Top MA Political Science Jobs

Average Salary (in INR)

Politician

9.5 lakhs

Public Administration

5.3 lakhs

Political Content Writer

3.6 lakhs

Political Correspondent

4.5 lakhs

PR Executive

3 lakhs

(Source: AmbitionBox)

MA Jobs - Sector Wise

After doing a Master of Arts, a candidate has abundant opportunities in both government as well as private sectors. The scope and spectrum of opportunities further depend on the respective fields one has chosen. Here are some of the well-known, and top opportunities available to MA students in the private, and public sectors.

MA Jobs- Private Sector

MA graduates are respected everywhere and receive abundant opportunities at every organization, and the Private sector is one of them. Some of the top professions an MA graduate can pursue are given below:

Top Job Profiles

Job Details

Average Salary (in INR)

Educator

Involved in constructing meaningful educational experiences through planning, preparing, and delivering lessons.

5.7 lakhs

Economist

Economists majorly conduct surveys, collect data, analyze it, and make interpretations and forecasts about the same.
Example- Related to the topics of the economy such as fiscal policy.

16.2 lakhs

Content Writer 

Content writer researches and write engaging content for brands and businesses to provide meaningful information, and improve the brand image at the same time.

3.6 lakhs

Communication Manager 

Communication Managers promote the organization, its people, products, and services by creating impactful content and consistently delivering the same.

13.2 lakhs

Assistant Professor

Assistant Professors are involved in research and teaching. They assist full-time professors and also spend time conducting investigations and research.

4.8 lakhs

MA Jobs - Government Sector

MA provides a lot of opportunities to candidates in the government sector too. Here is a list of top career opportunities available to MA graduates in the government sector.

Top Job Profile

Job Details

Average Salary (in INR)

UPSC - IAS

IAS officers manage the overall administration of government, maintain the overall expenditure, and ensure law and order in the country.

1 - 2.5 lakhs per month

Railway jobs

RRB NTPC is one such job a person can receive by taking the entrance exam. In this role, one needs to supervise the work of the entire railway station

8.8 lakhs

SSC

SSC personnel recruit candidates for various posts in different departments and ministries under the Government of India.

6.2 lakhs

Research Associate

Research Associates plans, organizes, and conducts research for various market topics including the financial market.

4.6 lakhs

Social worker

Social workers are responsible for improving the lives of the people they are taking care of and helping them find solutions to their problems.

3.4 lakhs

(Source: AmbitionBox)

Courses after MA

A student can further enhance their educational background, and be more skilled at their respective jobs after MA by pursuing the following courses:

  • PhD
  • Mphil
  • PG Diploma

Quick links relevant to MA Careers:
PhD Careers
M.Phil Admissions

10 Best Countries for MA Graduates

MA provides candidates with tons of opportunities in India as well as Abroad. Though some countries are better than others when it comes to opportunities and salaries. In the coming section, we will discuss those few countries along with the salaries they provide.

  • USA 
  • UK 
  • Canada 
  • Australia
  • Singapore
  • Germany
  • Italy
  • France
  • Ireland
  • Spain

Top MA Recruiters
After doing an MA, candidates can get good jobs with handsome salaries in both the public sector as well as private sector. This table gives you a list of the top 10 MA recruiters.

Top MA Recruiters

Amazon

State Bank of India

Myntra

ICICI

Infosys

Government of India

Deloitte

Lady Shri Ram College 

Wipro

Accenture

Top MA Colleges- Placement-wise

The average salary after completing MA ranges from INR 3 LPA - 5 LPA. However, some factors may affect the placement opportunities and the compensation a candidate receives. These factors include location, candidate’s college, their skills, and expertise in the respective domains. 

This table provides the list of those colleges that provide candidates with the greatest opportunities and highest placement packages when it comes to MA graduates. 

Top MA Colleges

Average Salary (in INR)

Jawaharlal Nehru University, Delhi

9.5 lakhs

Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi

8 lakhs

Delhi University, Delhi

15.5 lakhs

Jamia Milia Islamia

8.66 lakhs

Amity University, Noida

5.5 lakhs

FAQs MA Careers

What are the jobs after MA?

There are abundant job opportunities available in both the government sector and private sector after pursuing an MA in any discipline. Some of the jobs include the job of an Economist, Psychologist, Historian, Research Associate, Translator, Social Worker, and Educator.

Which MA course is best?

 Though each MA course is designed in a way to give comprehensive knowledge about the subject, and also provide practical knowledge about the same. But the best ultimately depends on one’s area of interest and its scope and further career opportunities attached to it. These are some of the best MAs when it comes to career scope and salary: 

MA in Economics 
MA in Psychology 
MA in International Studies
MA in History 
MA in History Studies

Can I do PhD without an MA?

Without holding a master’s in the subsequent field one cannot enter into PhD, because an MA or master’s provides candidates with the skills and expertise needed to further take their education to another level and pursue Ph.D. Without having the right academic background, the chances of getting selected for a PhD are fairly low.

What is the salary after an MA in history?

The salary after an MA in history is really good, ranging from a pay scale of INR 2 LPA -  INR 5.5 LPA. Yet, there are different salaries for different roles and positions. For example- The average salary of a journalist after MA history is 5 - 7 lakhs. On the other hand, the salary after becoming a Researcher lies somewhere between INR 3 LPA - 4 LPA. 

 

Popular M.A. (Master of Arts) Specializations

Following are the most popular M.A. (Master of Arts) Specializations . You can explore the top Colleges offering these Specializations by clicking the links below.

Popular Specializations

Popular M.A. (Master of Arts) Colleges in India

Following are the most popular M.A. (Master of Arts) Colleges in India. Learn more about these M.A. (Master of Arts) colleges (Courses, Reviews, Answers & more) by downloading the Brochure.
6 Courses
51.6 K
9.24 LPA
59 Courses
5.16 K - 10.22 K
9 LPA
1.26 L - 7.75 L
3.6
7 Courses
5.0
4.3
4 Courses
432
7 LPA
3 Courses
72.5 K - 1.84 L
6.23 LPA

Popular Private M.A. (Master of Arts) Colleges in India

75 K - 2.72 L
4.7

M.A. Applications open. Apply Now

2.58 L
4.7
1.8 L - 2.6 L
10 Courses
40 K - 2 L
6 LPA

M.A. Applications open. Apply Now

1.06 L
1.26 L - 7.75 L
3.6
qna

Student Forum

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Write here...

Answered 22 hours ago

Helpful information all students 

A

Ajeet singh

Beginner-Level 1

Answered Yesterday

The M.A. in History program at Banaras Hindu University (BHU) has specific cutoff marks for admission. Based on the latest available data, the cutoff marks for the General category are as follows:

  • General Category: 103
  • OBC Category: 65
  • SC Category: 32
  • ST Category: 17

These cutoff marks are determined by

...more

80211380
Ujjwal Gupta

Contributor-Level 9

Answered Yesterday

International students can study over 340 courses at undergraduate and graduate levels at Texas A & M University. These courses are available in multiple majors Accounting & Commerce; Engineering; Mathamatics; Law; Nursing; etc. Mentioned below are 3 most popular majors at Texas A&M:

Ranked by US News

2024

Aerospace Engineering PG

10

UG Mechanical Engineering

11

Civil Engineering PG

12

S

Satyendra Rastogi

Beginner-Level 5

Answered Yesterday

International students can pursue the top-ranked MBA programme at Texas A&M. The duration of the MBA programme at the university is 38 weeks to 24 months. Texas A&M MBA fees is INR 15 L to INR 97 L for the first year.

L

Lalit Gulati

Beginner-Level 5

Answered 2 days ago

An MA degree can be very useful for students. It certifies a student as a postgraduate, who has specialised in a particular subject. It can open up many professional opportunities and help students secure jobs with a higher salary. Students who have done an MA have an extra qualification that can se

...more

m

muskan

Contributor-Level 7

Answered 2 days ago

The best course in MA courses will depend on your personal preferences. You should choose a field that interests you and aligns with your career goals. There are plenty of opportunities in all fields and you can find great scope after MA courses.

However, some of the most popular MA courses, that are

...more

m

muskan

Contributor-Level 7

Answered 2 days ago

The salary after MA courses can depend on various factors like the specialisation that you have chosen, the college from which you completed your MA degree, job location, academic background, skills, and experience. Generally, as a fresher, you can expect a salary ranging from INR 3 LPA to INR 6 LPA

...more

m

muskan

Contributor-Level 7

Answered 2 days ago

MA is one of the most popular postgraduate degrees. There are many subjects under which students can specialize. However, some of the major subjects that are taught in MA are  Economics, Psychology,  Political Science, English, History,   Philosophy, Social work, Sociology, Anthropology, Archaeolog

...more

m

muskan

Contributor-Level 7

Answered 2 days ago

There are many options available to students who have completed MA degrees. Students can choose to start working, or they can further their education. Some popularly chosen courses after MA degrees are:

Course

Description

B.Ed

A B.Ed degree equips a student with the necessary skills to enter elementary, and secondary teaching positions.

PGDM

An academic degree that educates students about market trends and industry requirements etc.

MBA

A 2-year professional, management degree that instructs students on business management, administration, and operation.

PhD

A doctorate degree, that permits candidates to independently conduct and publish their research.

Hope this helps you!

m

muskan

Contributor-Level 7

Answered 2 days ago

The total fees foMBA  at ABES Engineering College in Ghaziabad is INR 133,000, plus a one-time admission fee of INR 5,000. 

A

Aparna Vinod T

Contributor-Level 6

Answered 2 days ago

After the completion of MA you have to select various courses includes 

PHD 

Post graduate Diploma courses

MRes etc.

 

 

A

Aparna Vinod T

Contributor-Level 6

Answered 2 days ago

MA (Master of Arts) courses direct admissions are available at many universities and institutions that provide admission to MA programs based on academic performance. Instead of entrance exams, these institutions typically focus on students' undergraduate marks for shortlisting. However, each instit

...more

m

muskan

Contributor-Level 7

Answered 2 days ago

Ashoka University offers three specialisations in MA 

MA English

MA Economics

MA In Liberal Studies .

 

 

 

A

Aparna Vinod T

Contributor-Level 6

Answered 3 days ago

MA full form is Master of Arts and is 2-year postgraduate degree course. Students who have completed their undergraduation in BA courses, generally pursue MA courses. Students from all undergraduation disciplines can pursue MA courses. Students can choose their specializations in MA degrees. It is p

...more

m

muskan

Contributor-Level 7

Answered 4 days ago

Hi Sejal,

If you're unable to log in to the candidate login, here are a few steps you can try:

  1. Check Credentials: Double-check your username and password to ensure there are no typos.
  2. Password Reset: If you've forgotten your password, look for a "Forgot Password" option and follow the steps to reset i

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A

Ankit kumar

Contributor-Level 9

Answered 5 days ago

The application portal for Kerala University MA is closed. The university has concluded with the admissions for the academic year 2024-25. Candidates seeking admission to the course can apply for the upcoming batch. The application portal for the academic year 2025-27 is expected to open in July of

...more

S

Shailja Rawat

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 5 days ago

For a second opportunity to take admission for a course of LLB at the end of an M.A, you will need to be following the admission processes, which are particular for all the universities or colleges conducting law courses. You probably already have your qualification like a Bachelor's for admittance

...more

H

Hanshika Baswal

Contributor-Level 7

Answered 6 days ago

Yes, UniPune offers two-year long MA programme. The PG-level course is offered in a full-time mode. Moreover, it is offered across different specialisations, such as English, Psychology, Economics, History, and more. The admission criteria is entrance-based for the postgraduate course. It is advisab

...more

A

Aishwarya Kumari

Beginner-Level 5

Answered 6 days ago

Ashoka University offers a two-year full-time MA course covering three specialisations, including English, Economics and Liberal Studies. The Department of Economics at Ashoka University is one of the leading economics departments in the country. It is known for the quality of its research and teach

...more

M

Mohit Sharma

Beginner-Level 5

Answered 6 days ago

Ashoka University MA fee is INR 11.3 lakh. The fee mentioned here is not applicable to MA (Liberal Studies). A refundable security deposit of INR 20,000 and meal cost security deposit of INR 25,000 (if opted-in for Residence) at the time of acceptance of the offer of admission will also be charged.

...more

A

Aayush Bhatnagar

Beginner-Level 5

Answered 6 days ago

Ashoka University admission to the MA course is based on a written assessment or entrance examination. Candidates who pass the test are called for the interview round. The aspirants of the MA programme can apply through the Ashoka University online application portal. Ashoka University admissions fo

...more

P

Piyush Anand

Beginner-Level 5

Answered 6 days ago

Yes, Master of Arts (M.A.) is available at Ashoka University at Postgraduate level. The specialisations are offered English, Economics and Liberal Studies. MA programme in English prepares students to develop critical thinking and professional growth leading them to pursue studies in Advertising, Me

...more

R

Rupali Chauhan

Beginner-Level 3

Answered a week ago

If you wish to pursue through regular campus than u must apply for CUET (PG) conducted by NTA every year in the month of March but application starts beforehand. Most of the institution induct candidates through CUET (PG) and u also have other options like many universities (e.g. Allahabad Universit

...more

D

Deepak AV Singh

Beginner-Level 1

Answered a week ago

I could not find the latest cutoff information for the M.A. in Education program at Shri Agrasen Mahila Snatkottar Mahavidyalaya. The best would be to contact the college administration directly for the most accurate and up-to-date details.

K

Khushi Gupta

Contributor-Level 10

Answered a week ago

It depends upon your interest and career goals.

If you want a become a professor ot assistant professor MA is better.if you are interested in a dept subject knowledge MA is a better option.

if you want to become a teacher in schools, colleges, or other academic institutions. Then B.Ed is better .

 

 

 

A

Aparna Vinod T

Contributor-Level 6

Answered a week ago

Absolutely. Coursera offers accredited online MAs in trending subjects from top universities. Currently, it has two MA online courses from O.P. Jindal Global University - one in Public Policy and the other in International Relations, Security & Strategy. These are among the best online MAs that you

...more

S

Syed Aquib Ur Rahman

Contributor-Level 9

Answered a week ago

The MA subject you are going for should be based on the bachelor's degree you had. Plus, you must have interest in the subject and should align with your career goals.  

S

Syed Aquib Ur Rahman

Contributor-Level 9

Answered 2 weeks ago

Yes, universities like Delhi University and Jamia Millia Islamia generally accept degrees from recognised institutions, including Amity University, for postgraduate courses such as MA in English. However, it's important to check the specific admission guidelines of each university as they may have t

...more

R

Rupesh Katariya

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 2 weeks ago

Lucknow University PG cutoff 2024 has been released for admission to several postgraduate courses, including MVA, MA, MCom, M.Ed, MTTM, MSc and MPH, among other courses. The last round cutoff ranged between 10.5 and 150, of which MVA in Stone Carving stands out as the most competitive course for the

...more

R

Rashmi Sinha

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 2 weeks ago

K.S. Rangasamy College of Arts and Science admission to MA programme is based on merit of the aspirants in the last qualifying exam. Candidates need to complete BA in relevant subject or bachelor's degree examination of Periyar University or any other university recognised by syndicate or equivalent

...more

N

Nishtha Shukla

Contributor-Level 10

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