MA in Liberal Arts - Course, Admission Process, Fees, Syllabus, Colleges, Scope

MA in Liberal Arts - Course, Admission Process, Fees, Syllabus, Colleges, Scope

Edited By Nikhil Verma | Updated on May 28, 2024 05:22 PM IST | #M.A.

MA in Liberal Arts is a two-year-long postgraduate programme that is divided into four semesters. A few colleges in India offer this degree and the total provider college count is eight. Students will study Introduction to Liberal Arts, Political Theory, International Relations, Cultural Studies, and Philosophy in MA Liberal Arts.

This Story also Contains
  1. Highlights - MA Liberal Arts
  2. MA Liberal Arts Eligibility Criteria
  3. MA in Liberal Arts Admission Procedure
  4. Top MA Liberal Arts Entrance Exams
  5. Skills Required for Master's Degree Liberal Studies
  6. MA Liberal Arts Syllabus
  7. MA Liberal Arts Fee Structure
  8. Scope of MA in Liberal Arts
  9. Career Options After MA in Liberal Arts
  10. Benefits of Studying MA Liberal Arts
  11. MA Liberal Arts Salary Trends
  12. Top MA Liberal Arts Colleges in India with Fees
MA in Liberal Arts - Course, Admission Process, Fees, Syllabus, Colleges, Scope
MA in Liberal Arts - Course, Admission Process, Fees, Syllabus, Colleges, Scope

Liberal Arts is a form of education that encompasses various subjects such as literature, sociology, economics, biology, chemistry, history, philosophy, psychology, physics, and art. Liberal Arts is a traditional academic course in the Western education system but is relatively new in India. Liberal Arts is offered via many degrees; one popular PG degree is the MA in Liberal Arts.

IIT Guwahati and GGSIPU Delhi are among the top providers of MA Liberal Arts courses. Candidates can pursue careers such as Journalist, Social Worker, Lecturer, and Sales Representative after graduation. The total MA Liberal Arts fees can be anywhere from Rs. 66,000 to Rs. 10.0 lakhs.

Highlights - MA Liberal Arts

Particulars

Values

Degree Name

MA Liberal Arts

Degree Type

Postgraduate

Degree Duration

2 years

Entrance Exams

CUET-PG, CUCET

Eligibility Criteria

BA in any discipline

Admission Process

Entrance Exam or Merit-based

Course Fees

Rs. 66,000 to Rs. 10.0 lakhs

Average Salary

Rs. 3.5 LPA

Job Profiles

Journalist, Social Worker, Lecturer, Sales Representative, HR Manager

Top Recruiters

Deloitte, BCG, EY, Media and Publishing House, TCS Consulting, Max Healthcare, Federal Bank

MA Liberal Arts Eligibility Criteria

To pursue a Liberal Arts Masters, students must meet the eligibility criteria first. Candidates can find all the requirements for the course on the official website or programme brochure of provider colleges. We have listed the MA in Liberal Studies eligibility criteria for several colleges in India.

  • Candidates need to have a BA degree from a recognised university.
  • They should score at least 50 per cent marks in their degree, however, the required percentage varies across colleges.
  • In public colleges, SC/ ST/ other reserved categories are provided with a five per cent concession on required marks.
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MA in Liberal Arts Admission Procedure

There is no set admission process that is followed across all colleges, as it depends on the governing body of the college. Most colleges admit students based on the entrance exam scorecard, whereas, many offer direct admission. Mentioned below is the MA Liberal Arts admission procedure followed by most colleges.

  • Candidates should appear and pass the relevant entrance exam- CUET PG in most cases.
  • They must register on the official website of the respective college and appear for the counselling process.
  • In the counselling round, candidates are allotted seats based on their scorecard in the entrance examination.
  • In public colleges, reservation also plays an important role in seat allocation.
  • Some colleges offer direct admission based on the scorecard of a BA degree.

Top MA Liberal Arts Entrance Exams

To gain admission to top colleges in India, it is necessary to appear for the respective entrance examinations. Entrance exams for MA Liberal Arts can be facilitated at university, state, and national levels. The following list highlights some top MA in Liberal Arts entrance exams.

Exam Name

Level

Conducting Body

Exam Schedule

CUET-PG

National

NTA

CUET Exam Date

CUCET

University

Chandigarh University

-

Skills Required for Master's Degree Liberal Studies

To pursue the MA Liberal Arts course, certain skills play an important role throughout the course and in the future as well. Possessing these skills is not compulsory but having those will help students to gain in-depth knowledge. These skills include:

  • Research Skills
  • Communication Skills
  • Decision-making Ability
  • Analytical Skills
  • Problem-solving skills
  • Critical Thinking
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MA Liberal Arts Syllabus

As of now, a Master of Arts in Liberal Studies is offered by very few colleges. However, the National Policy on Education (NPE) 2020 aims to enhance essential learning including liberal arts, critical thinking, and more analysis-based learning. Following, we have compiled the MA Liberal Studies syllabus taught at IIT Guwahati.

Semester 1

Semester 2

Introduction to Liberal Arts

Introduction to Literary Studies

Essentials of Political Theory

Foundational Linguistics

Theories and Thinkers: The Concept of Culture

Historical Studies1

Elective 1

Elective 3

Elective 2

Elective 4

Semester 3

Semester 4

Debates in Philosophy

International Relations and Diplomacy

Digital Humanities: Theories in Practice

Cultural Studies: Key Theories and Concepts

Elective 5

Elective 7

Elective 6

Elective 8

Project 1

Project 2

MA Liberal Arts Fee Structure

Candidates can find the total course fees on the official website of the college. MA Liberal Arts fees include security deposit, admission fees, and other miscellaneous charges. Fees at private colleges are relatively higher than government colleges.

Also, in government colleges, scholarships are provided to students with good academic records. The average MA in Liberal Arts fees range from Rs. 66,000 to Rs. 10.0 lakhs, depending on the college choice.

Scope of MA in Liberal Arts

An MA in Liberal Arts offers a broad and interdisciplinary education that aims to provide versatile skills to students applicable across various fields. The degree's emphasis on critical thinking, communication, and analytical skills makes graduates adaptable and well-suited for the job market.

Graduates can pursue careers in media, public service, NGOs, and arts and culture fields. The business sector also values liberal arts graduates for positions in human resources, corporate communications, and consulting. If graduates are interested in higher education, they can further opt for a Ph.D.

Career Options After MA in Liberal Arts

After completing an MA Liberal arts degree, graduates can pursue careers in the private as well as public sector. In public sector, they can join civil services, academic institutions, government departments, ministries, or NGOs. A few MA Liberal Arts job profiles are listed below.

Journalist: Journalists are professionals who report news from across the world. They inform a large number of the audience about current events happening in the world through TV, Social Media, Newspapers, and other mediums.

Social Worker: Social Workers are individuals who work for the welfare of the society. They work with NGOs, old age homes, healthcare, or other social groups to support underprivileged communities.

Lecturer: Lecturers are individuals who have deep knowledge of a particular subject. As per their expertise, they teach students in different academic institutions.

Sales Representative: Sales Representatives sell and promote products to consumers. They meet sales targets and find new sales leads to help organisations to launch new products.

HR Manager: Human Resource Managers handle the inner associations, policies, and systems of an organisation. They also play an important role in hiring employees for various positions.

Top Recruiters:

  • Deloitte
  • BCG
  • EY
  • Media and Publishing House
  • TCS Consulting
  • Max Healthcare
  • Federal Bank

Benefits of Studying MA Liberal Arts

An MA in Liberal Arts offers several benefits, making it a valuable degree for those seeking a well-rounded and adaptable education. MA Liberal Arts training enhances creativity and innovation across various fields. The degree's broad curriculum allows for a deeper understanding of cultural, historical, and social contexts.

MA Liberal Arts is particularly beneficial in roles that require interaction with diverse populations or understanding societal impacts. MA Liberal Arts prepares graduates for a rapidly changing job market and makes them versatile candidates for various career paths.

MA Liberal Arts Salary Trends

The salary of graduates with an MA in Liberal Arts largely depends on the job profile, experience of candidates, and location of the job. The college from which one graduates also determines the salary package. Below, we have listed some MA Liberal Arts job roles, along with their average salary.

Job Profile

Average Salary

Journalist

Rs. 4.1 LPA

Social Worker

Rs. 2.9 LPA

Lecturer

Rs. 4.0 LPA

Sales Representative

Rs. 2.8 LPA

HR Manager

Rs. 10.8 LPA

Source: Ambition Box

Top MA Liberal Arts Colleges in India with Fees

Not many colleges in India offer MA Liberal Arts courses. Below, we have compiled a list of colleges and their total course fees that offer MA in Liberal Arts.

MA Liberal Arts equips students with the knowledge and skills needed to succeed in fields like education, writing, public service, business, arts, and research. Provided by very few institutions, an MA in Liberal Arts is expected to be offered by many institutions in upcoming years.

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Questions related to M.A.

Have a question related to M.A. ?

Hello there,

Admission dates for the MA in Yoga program vary by institution. Typically, application processes begin in April or May and continue through June or July . It's important to note that some universities may have already initiated their admission procedures for the 2025 academic year.

Recommended Steps:

  1. Identify Preferred Institutions: Research universities or colleges offering the MA in Yoga program that align with your preferences.

  2. Check Official Websites: Visit the official websites of these institutions to obtain the most accurate and up-to-date information regarding admission timelines, eligibility criteria, and application procedures.

  3. Prepare Necessary Documents: Ensure you have all required documents ready, such as academic transcripts, identification proof, and any other materials specified by the institutions.

  4. Stay Informed: Regularly monitor the official websites or contact the admissions offices for any updates or changes to the admission schedule.

Given that today is April 13, 2025 , it's advisable to act promptly to meet application deadlines that may be approaching.


I hope this answer helps you. If you have more queries, then feel free to share your questions with us, we will be happy to assist you.

Thank you, and I wish you all the best in your bright future.

Hello there,

Yes, you can pursue a new stream (like Biology) after completing your 12th in Arts. However, you will have two separate marksheets — one for your Arts stream and another for your Biology subjects. This is generally not an issue, but it depends on the specific course you want to pursue and the admission requirements of the universities you apply to.

Having two marksheets shouldn't cause any major problems, but make sure to check with the institutions you're interested in to confirm their eligibility requirements.


I hope this answer helps you. If you have more queries, then feel free to share your questions with us, we will be happy to assist you.

Thank you, and I wish you all the best in your bright future.

Admission to an M.A. in Political Science with 44% marks in graduation depends on the university's eligibility criteria. Here’s what you need to consider:

General Eligibility for M.A. Political Science :

Most universities require at least 50% marks in graduation (General category).

Relaxation for reserved categories (SC/ST/OBC) is usually 5%, bringing the requirement down to 45% in many universities.

Some private universities and distance learning programs may accept students with lower percentages.

Options for Admission with 44% in Graduation:

1. Open Universities & Distance Learning

IGNOU (Indira Gandhi National Open University)

Karnataka State Open University (KSOU)

Tamil Nadu Open University (TNOU)

Annamalai University

Nalanda Open University

2. Private Universities

Amity University

Lovely Professional University (LPU)

Jaipur National University

Sharda University

3. State Universities with Relaxed Criteria

Some state universities or autonomous colleges may offer admission with lower percentages, especially under management or reserved quotas.

Reappearing in Science after Arts Stream

If you've passed 12th grade in the Arts stream and want to reappear in Science, you can consider taking the MP Open Board exam.


Key Points

1. MP Open Board Policy: Check the MP Open Board website for their policies and eligibility criteria.

2. Eligibility Criteria: Ensure you meet the MP Open Board's eligibility criteria.

3. Validity of Arts Marksheet: Your Arts marksheet will remain valid, but its scores might not be considered for Science stream admission.

4. New Marksheet: You'll receive a new marksheet if you reappear in Science.


Next Steps

1. Visit MP Open Board Website: Check the official MP Open Board website for policies and eligibility criteria.

2. Contact Authorities: Reach out to MP Open Board officials if you have doubts.

3. Follow Rules: Ensure you comply with MP Open Board's rules and regulations.

Hello,

Yes, you can do 12th again from Biology side through MP Open Board. Your Commerce marksheet will still be valid, no issue with that.

You will have to give exams for all Biology stream subjects. Usually, it's 5 main subjects.

In future, having two 12th marksheets is not a big problem, but you should use only one marksheet for higher studies or job. Use the one which suits your career path.

Just don’t use both at the same time anywhere. That can create confusion.

Hope it helps !

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