Updated on Sep 15, 2022 12:38 IST

Online MA or Online Master of Arts, is a two-year postgraduate degree available in a variety of specialisations. Online MA programme prepares students for many opportunities in both the corporate and academic sectors. The dissertation component of this programme help students to translate their knowledge into real-world experience. In addition, various seminars based on the topics taught in the online MA also provide an opportunity for the students to improve their soft skills. Various colleges and universities in India and overseas offer degree in a variety of specialisations. The degree can be pursued as a full-time, part-time or correspondence in an online mode. The advantages of studying Online MA give a student the best of both worlds- the comfort and flexibility with the equivalence that is acquired through an on-campus, conventional Degree.

Online MA Eligibility Criteria

Before enrolling on an MA programme, it is important to understand the general eligibility requirements set forth by colleges and universities. The general criteria are given below:

  • Candidates must have completed a Bachelor's degree in Arts of at least three years duration or an equivalent degree from a recognised university to be eligible for an MA programme

  • They must achieve a minimum of 50% in the relevant disciplines.

Required Skills For Online MA 

Those interested in pursuing an Online Master of Arts degree must be committed and focused on their chosen field. Because a master's degree requires significant research, it requires more resolve and fortitude than a bachelor's degree. The following are some of the fundamental abilities that candidates should possess in order to pursue an Online MA programme:

  • Good communication skills

  • Multi-tasking skills

  • Problem-solving skills

  • Management and organising skills

  • Analytical and critical thinking

  • Goal-oriented

  • Ability to work under pressure

  • Interpersonal skills

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Institutes/Academies offering online MA courses

Given below are some of the universities offering Online MA programmes:

University/ College/ Institute

Programme

Fees (in INR)

Alagappa University

MA Journalism and Mass Communication

80,300

MA English

80,300

Aligarh Muslim University

MA English

10,500

MA Economics

10,500

MA Hindi

10,500

MA History

10,500

MA Political Science

10,500

MA Urdu

10,500

Amity University

MA Journalism and Mass Communication

2,03,000

Bharathidasan University

MA English

70,000 to 90,000

MA History

MA Political Science

MA Economics

MA Public Administration

IGNOU

MA in Translation Studies

4,800 per year

MA Hindi

6,000 per year

MA in Gandhi and Peace Studies

4,500 per year

Acharya Nagarjuna University

MA English

6730 per year

MA Journalism and Mass Communication

6730 per year

Note: The duration of the programmes are usually 2-years, but the colleges offer flexibility to complete the course within 4-years as well.

Online MA Course Syllabus

The MA syllabus is a theoretical and practical curriculum that includes internships, research projects, and coursework. Every speciality has a different syllabus and course content. Core subjects are covered in the first year of the programme. In their second year, students can choose from a variety of elective courses. English, Bengali, History, Economics, Sociology, Political Science, Hindi, Philosophy, and other particular fields are included in the MA programme. The themes and curricula for distinct MA courses will be discussed separately in the tables below.

MA English Syllabus

MA in English entails a thorough understanding of British literature. The programme also covers linguistics, literary criticism, and post-independence Indian writing in English, among other topics. The course includes some modern fiction, research methods, language, and literature. For an MA in English, there is a wide range of elective subjects to choose from.

Eligibility: Bachelor's degree in English or any related discipline with 50% marks are applicable

  • British Literature

  • African Literature

  • American Literature

  • Indian Writing in English Literature

  • Literary Theory and more

MA Political Science

Among all of the MA disciplines, Political Science is a major concentration. MA in Political Science is one of the most popular courses, and it covers topics such as political behaviour and system analysis, political practise and theory, and so on. This subject's postgraduate study deals with public affairs, among other things, in addition to national and worldwide political systems.

Eligibility: A BA degree in Political Science or a related discipline with a minimum of 50% marks is required.

  • Themes in World Politics

  • Indian Strategic Thoughts

  • Western Political Thought

  • Debates in Political Theory

  • Ethics and Politics and more

MA Economics Syllabus

MA in Economics enables students to gain a thorough understanding of the financial sector, allowing them to develop their ideology in order to face any issues that may arise in the industry or business. They learn how a financial system in an economy operates and evolves from the ground up. While studying for an MA in Eco, students are taught the three essential mechanisms for maintaining wealth (creation, distribution, and consumption).

Eligibility: A bachelor's degree in Economics or a related subject of study with a minimum of 50% marks is required.

  • Microeconomics Theory

  • Introductory Econometrics

  • International Finance

  • Development Economics and more

MA History Syllabus

MA History is a mash-up of past and present views of events. World history, Indian government and politics, literature, economic history, contemporary issues in international relations, three eras (ancient, medieval, and modern) history of India, and so on are among the subjects covered in the MA in History curriculum.

Eligibility: Students who have passed Bachelor's degree in History with 50% marks from a recognized university are eligible for this Specialization.

  • Ancient History and theory

  • Contemporary World

  • Polity in Medieval India

  • Indian Independence

  • History of women in India

MA Philosophy

MA Philosophy, or Master of Arts in Philosophy, is a two-year postgraduate programme that covers both classical and modern philosophical schools. The study of reality, existence, and the underlying nature of knowledge is the focus of this programme.

A comprehensive and in-depth study of Philosophy as a discipline at an advanced level is included in the course. It entails the investigation of a critical and systematic approach to general problems, as well as its dependence on a reasoned argument. Existence, knowledge, truth, beauty, law, justice, validity, mind, and language are some of the most common issues.

Eligibility: BA in Philosophy or any other related subject from a recognized university.

  • Indian Heritage Heritage and Axiology

  • Epistemology

  • Greek and Medieval Philosophy

  • Indian Culture and Ethics

  • Logic and Scientific Method

Other MA specialisations are: MA History, MA Political Science, MA Sociology, MA in Bengali, MA in Urdu, MA in Literature, MA in Public Relations and more.

MA Job Profiles

Students are provided with a wide range of work opportunities after completing their MA, ranging from teachers to part-time professors, managerial jobs to running a start-up. Dome of the top job roles are listed below:

  • Teacher

  • Administrative Officer

  • Social Worker

  • Journalist

  • Consultant

  • Content Writer

Scope and Benefits of Online MA Courses

  • Students with an MA degree can improve their subject-specific knowledge. It provides an advantage in terms of establishing their place in the sphere of work.

  • Professors will surround students and encourage them to attain their goals. Aside from that, they will have the option to attend lectures delivered by guest lecturers who have demonstrated their worth in the academic or corporate world.

  • Postgraduate courses are larger and more self-contained than undergraduate courses. As a result, students must devote more time to mastering the complete procedure. As a result, they learn new personal and professional abilities, as well as time management. Students who opt to pursue their master's degree abroad will improve their social skills and confidence in communicating with people from various cultures.

  • Students can get a good job with a UG degree, but a Master's degree is a genuine game-changer for further advancement in the sector.

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FAQs related to Online MA Courses

Q. What is the scope of MA?

A. After completion of MA, students can pursue PhD in their respective subjects. Other than that one can also apply for a job.

Q. What distinguishes a one-year online master's degree from a two-year master's degree?

A. In a nutshell, 1-year online Masters differ from ordinary online Masters in the following ways:
  • It is less expensive because you only have to pay for one year of education.
  • If you take out a loan, your student debt will be lower.
  • Curriculum with a specific focus
  • A combined study option is less likely to be available (so not mixing online with on-campus studies)
  • An option to pursue another Master’s degree after completing the first one-year

Q. What is an ideal duration of an MA programme?

A.  A traditional or a typical MA course is of 2 years.

Q. Is it possible for a 10+2 graduate to apply for an MA course?

A.  No. It is not possible for a 12  graduate to apply for a Master in Arts programme.

Q. Which option is preferable? Is it better to have an MA in history or an MA in sociology?

A.  MA Sociology opens up more opportunities for employment in international organisations, embassies, public relations firms, research, public health and welfare organisations, politics, and the media, among other places.

Q. Is there any eligibility criteria to register for an Online MA programme?

A.  Yes. Each MA programme has eligibility criteria that a student must satisfy before applying. A general criterion for every programme is to have a Bachelor’s degree in the course specialisation a student is applying for.

Q. Is it possible to pursue a PhD after completion of an MA?

A.  Yes. Only those who have finished their master's degree in a similar course/stream to the one in which they wish to pursue a PhD are eligible to apply for a PhD programme. Some colleges additionally require candidates to have earned an MPhil before enrolling in a PhD programme.

Q. What are the benefits of pursuing an MA Online course?

A. One of the topmost benefits one can think of is that a student has the flexibility to complete the course as per their comfort. As most of the course curriculum is pre-recorded, a student has the freedom to review it again, whenever they wish to.

Q. What's the difference between an MA and an MSc?

A. A graduate level of study in the humanities or social sciences is a master's degree. The Master of Science degree, on the other hand, is normally designated for scientific and mathematical programmes.

Q. Is it worthwhile to pursue a Master of Arts degree?

A. Yes, a master's degree will boost your existing earnings and status.

Q. Which are the top MA specialisations students opt for?

A.  The students usually go for MA in English, MA in Economics, MA in Physiology, or MA in Journalism and Mass Communication .

Popular Online M.A. Colleges in India

Following are the most popular Online M.A. Colleges in India. Learn more about these Online M.A. colleges (Courses, Reviews, Answers & more) by downloading the Brochure.
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4.8
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#85 Outlook

Popular Online M.A. Specializations

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

Popular Specializations

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Answered 22 hours ago

The total tuition fee for School of Humanities and Social Sciences of Jain-deemed-to-be University is INR 3.3 lakh. This information is sourced from official website/ sanctioning body and is subject to change. Students opting for hostel facility have to pay other fee components such as hostel rent,

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Indrani Choudhury

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 22 hours ago

To get into School of Humanities and Social Sciences of Jain-deemed-to-be University for a MA course, candidates must meet the eligibility criteria set by the university. School of Humanities and Social Sciences of Jain-deemed-to-be University offers full-time MA courses of two years' duration. Stud

...Read more

S

Shikha Arora

Contributor-Level 8

Answered 23 hours ago

Entrance examinations for M.A in Journalism and Mass Communication happen at different times at individual educational institutions. The following predictions for 2025 entrance exam dates rely on historical patterns as Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC) may conduct its exam during the 1st

...Read more

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Kapil Lalwani

Contributor-Level 10

Answered Yesterday

After pursuing an MA degree from Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, students have various opportunities in the government sector. To be considered for the govt. job, candidates must ensure that they meet the eligibility criteria and appear for the accepted entrance exam. Tabulated below are some of the pop

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Kanishk Katariya

Contributor-Level 6

Answered Yesterday

After completing an MA from Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, students have a wide range of career opportunities in the arts field. They can choose as per their interests and choices. Here is a list of some prominent specialisations along with their average salaries.

Top Specialisations

Average Salary

MA English 

INR 12,500-INR 62,500 per month

MA Economics 

INR 16.2 lakhs

MA Psychology 

INR 3.7 lakhs

MA Political Science 

INR 3 lakhs

MA History

INR 5 lakhs 

MA Social Work

INR 3.4 lakhs

MA International Relations

INR 6.6 lakhs

MA Communication Studies

INR 6 lakhs

MA Sociology

INR 4.5 lakhs

MA Public Administration

INR 2 - INR 8 lakhs

NOTE: The above-mentioned information i

...Read more

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Aashi Garg

Contributor-Level 6

Answered Yesterday

The application period for the MA Applied Psychology at TISS ran from December 15 to February 1 in 2024 for admit season 2024 but it has since come to a close. The eligibility requirements demand graduating students or their equivalent to maintain a minimum 50% mark average from an accredited univer

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Kapil Lalwani

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 2 days ago

Students are able to combine B.Ed in regular format with M.A through distance learning education framework. The University Grants Commission (UGC) permits students to study two degrees at once by following a regular mode format and a distance learning or online format. Students must verify with univ

...Read more

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Kapil Lalwani

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 2 days ago

Key points to remember:

Eligibility:

Check the specific eligibility criteria of the university you are applying to, as some might have additional requirements or preferred academic backgrounds for the MA program. 

Bridging the gap:

While your B.El.Ed is sufficient for admission, you might need to take a

...Read more

C

Chirag

Beginner-Level 1

Answered 2 days ago

Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham offers various state-level and national-level scholarships based on academic excellence and financial need. Some of the notable scholarships include those for GATE-qualified candidates and non-GATE students. The Amrita Chancellor Scholarship is a 100% tuition fee waiver fo

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Nikita Pandey

Contributor-Level 6

Answered 2 days ago

The total seat intake for the MA programme at Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham is 120 seats. This figure is indicative and may be subject to modification. The university allocates seats across its affiliated colleges, ensuring that the distribution aligns with academic standards and capacity. To confirm t

...Read more

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Nidhi Madavi

Contributor-Level 6

Answered 2 days ago

Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham can accommodate more than 100 students in the seats under the MA programme. The number will differ based on the requirements of the college and seat reservations due to government regulations. There is a proper system of admission, and the admitted students are evaluated b

...Read more

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Nishtha Pruthi

Contributor-Level 7

Answered 2 days ago

According to the official website, the intake process for the MA at Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham is available on an equal basis. Any candidate with a relevant bachelor's degree and an acceptable aggregate score can apply. The admission is strictly based on merit in the qualifying examination and seat

...Read more

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Nishtha Dhawan

Contributor-Level 7

Answered 2 days ago

Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham MA is a two-years full-time programme. The university follows a semester pattern for its MA programme. During the first semester, all modules are mandatory for all students. After the first Semester, candidates can have an introduction to the different career streams. They

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Nishtha Garg

Contributor-Level 7

Answered 2 days ago

Hi, the tuition fee for pursuing MA in IGNOU is quite affordable as its only around INR 9,000 to INR 21,400. IGNOU offers around 34 MA courses with an average placement package of INR 3.36 LPA

A

Aneena Abraham

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 2 days ago

The MA course curriculum offered at Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham spans two years and is segmented into four semesters. The programme offers Core and Elective courses. Additionally, the core curriculum focuses on essential Arts, Humanities, and Social Studies concepts. The programme's objective is to p

...Read more

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Jaya Madavi

Contributor-Level 7

Answered 2 days ago

HI, listed below are the top universities in Delhi NCR that offer distance MA courses:

University NameTuition FeeEligibility / Exams
IGNOUINR 9,000 - INR 21,400Merit-Based
DUSOLINR 2,000CUET-PG
Centre for Distance and Online Education, Maharshi Dayanand UniversityINR 880 - INR 10,000Merit-Based
Centre for Distance and Open Learning JMIINR 20,000JMI Entrance Exam
Delhi Degree College BadarpurINR 6,000Merit-Based

Hope this helps!

A

Aneena Abraham

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 2 days ago

Amrita University accepts online applications for its MA programme. During the application process, aspirants must upload the required documents for the verification process. The documents required during admission form filling are listed below:

  • Class 10 and Class 12 mark sheets (for UG courses)
  • Bache

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Kanishk Katariya

Contributor-Level 6

Answered 2 days ago

Hi, yes DU does offer distance MA and you can refer below for more information:

Courses OfferedTuition FeeDuration
MA in HindiINR 2,0002
MA in Political ScienceINR 2,0002
MA in HistoryINR 2,0002
MA in SanskritINR 2,0002

Hope this helps!

A

Aneena Abraham

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 3 days ago

While applying for MA admission at Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, applicants are required to submit a non-refundable application fee. However, the fee amount varies depending on the students' chosen specialisations. Candidates can submit the applicable fee using online payment modes, such as Credit/Deb

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Anya Vimal

Contributor-Level 7

Answered 3 days ago

Yes you can pursue MA or Master of Arts course through distance or correspondence mode of education. If you are a working candidate or you have other commitments then pursuing an MA course in distance mode can be a good option for you. This way you would be able to expand your knowledge and enhance

...Read more

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Aneena Abraham

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 3 days ago

Hi, it can be observed that pursuing distance MA in Delhi NCR camn be quite inexpensive as most of the colleges have an average tuition fee of less than INR 1 lakh. 

A

Aneena Abraham

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 3 days ago

Hi, the top specialisations offered by best distance MA colleges in Delhi NCR are English, Hindi, Public Administration, History, Languages, Political Science, Economics, Sociology, etc. 

A

Aneena Abraham

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 3 days ago

The application process for MA admission at Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham is conducted online on the university's official website.  Students must ensure to submit the application form before the stipulated timeline. The steps included in the online application process are as follows:

Step 1: Visit the

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S

Shiksha Divya

Contributor-Level 6

Answered 3 days ago

Hi, you can refer to the table below for the popular distance MA colleges in Delhi NCR:

College NameTuition FeeEligibility / Exams
IGNOUINR 9,000 - INR 21,400Merit-Based
School of Open Learning DUINR 2,000

CUET-PG

Centre for Distance and Online Education Maharshi Dayanand UniversityINR 880 - INR 10,000Merit-Based
Centre for Distance and Open Learning JMIINR 20,000JMI Entrance Exam
Delhi Degree College BadarpurINR 6,000Merit-Based

Hope this helps!

A

Aneena Abraham

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 3 days ago

Amrita University offers admission based on merit for its MA programme. However, for some MA specialisations, the selection is based on the entrance exam. The university conducts university-level entrance exams. Interested candidates must visit the official website to apply online. They must submit

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B

Bhumika Yadav

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 3 days ago

Hi, there are 20+ best Distance MA colleges in Delhi NCR of which 10+ colleges are owned privately and 4 colleges are owned by the governmentJMI Entrance Exam and CUET PG are the popular entrance exams for admission to best colleges for distance MA in Delhi NCRIGNOU, DUSOL, Centre for Distance a

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A

Aneena Abraham

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 3 days ago

Admission for the MA programme at Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, is expected to commence soon. Interested applicants can visit the official website to enquiry about the admission dates. However, the university is likely to accept applications soon for the academic year 2025. Prospective students are ad

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Nikita Pandey

Contributor-Level 6

Answered 3 days ago

The Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham has not specified any application deadline for MA admission for 2025. However, based on the eligibility and selection criteria, students must be shortlisted according to their most recent qualifying examination scores. It can be understood that the university will fina

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Nidhi Madavi

Contributor-Level 6

Answered 3 days ago

To be eligible for the MA programme, candidates must meet the course-specific eligibility criteria. Students must have completed their Bachelor's degree with at least 50% to 60% aggregate from any recognised university. The selection is based on merit, followed by the PI round. Additionally, the sel

...Read more

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Nishtha Pruthi

Contributor-Level 7

Answered 3 days ago

Yes, Amrita University does offer a Master of Arts (MA) programme at the PG level. The selection of the candidates is based on the scores obtained in the last qualification examination. To be considered, students must ensure that they fulfil the requisite academic qualifications. For more details, c

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Nishtha Dhawan

Contributor-Level 7

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