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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To get accurate details about the fee structure for B.Com course in any particular college, please ask your question with relevant details like college names and location which you are referring to.

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Hello,

If you're thinking about pursuing an MA (Master of Arts), it's a wonderful step toward deepening your knowledge in a subject you're passionate about. Whether you’ve studied English, History, Political Science, Psychology, or any other humanities subject during your graduation, an MA allows you to specialize further and build a strong academic and professional foundation. The course usually spans two years and includes both core subjects and electives, along with opportunities for research, presentations, and sometimes internships. Admission to MA programs typically requires a BA degree with a minimum percentage (which varies depending on the university), and some universities conduct entrance exams like CUET PG or their own.

Hope this helps. All the best!

Hello there,

Yes, you can do 12th again in the science stream (bio) after completing it in commerce.

Your commerce marksheet will remain valid and will not be canceled or invalidated by doing 12th again in bio.

Both marksheets will be considered separate qualifications.


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

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

The admission process for the 2025–26 MA Political Science program varies across universities in India. Here's a brief overview:

  • Delhi University (DU) : The admission process for the 2025–26 academic session is expected to begin in June 2025. The last date for submission of filled application forms is anticipated to be on 31 July 2025.

  • Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) : Admissions for the July 2025 session commenced on 12 May 2025. The last date for admission is 30 June 2025.

  • Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI) : The entrance test for MA Political Science admissions was conducted from 26 April to 26 May 2025.

  • Central University of South Bihar (CUSB) : Online registration for postgraduate programs, including MA Political Science, began after the CUET (PG) results were released. The registration deadline was 2 June 2025.

  • Madhya Pradesh (MP) : The Department of Higher Education announced the admission schedule for the 2025–26 academic year. Online registration for the first admission round began on 15 May 2025 and ended on 30 May 2025.

Please note that admission timelines and procedures may vary, and it's advisable to check the respective university websites for the most accurate and up-to-date information.

If you have a CUET score of 65 and want to pursue an MA in History, good private options include Ashoka University , Shiv Nadar University , Christ University , and Azim Premji University . For students aiming to improve their CUET performance, ArthaPoint offers one of the best CUET coaching programs with expert guidance and personalized support.

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