BA in English

BA English is an undergraduate degree course, with various core subjects such as Indian Classical Literature, Popular Literature, American Literature and various other electives such as Text and Performance, Language Literature & Culture, Media and Communication Skills etc. BA English is not just restricted to regular courses but students can also pursue it through Distance mode as well.

BA English course emphasizes the detailed study of English Literature which includes poetry, proses, essays, and several other literary pieces. In addition to this, the curriculum of BA English also includes various novels of different genres. This course helps students to gain expertise in English reading, writing, and fluent speaking. Not just this, it builds the students’ intellect and helps broaden their understanding of literature through rigorous reading and make them more efficient.

BA English is a 3 years undergraduate degree course, offered by various top colleges spread across the country such as Lady Shri Ram College for Women, Miranda House, St. Stephen’s College, etc.

BA English eligibility criteria are that students should clear class 12th board exams with minimum 50% aggregate marks or equivalent CGPA and they should clear class 12th examination from a recognized board.

The table below has the highlights of the Bachelor of Arts in English or BA English course.

BA English can be pursued by any student who wishes to study various topics such as Indian Classical Literature, Popular Literature, American Literature, and various other electives such as Text and Performance, Language Literature & Culture. Students from all the streams are eligible to apply for BA English course. 

You should also pursue BA English if you want to develop some transferable skills because this degree will help you develop skills that employers are looking for. Writing essays allow you to develop skills such as carrying out research, developing persuasive arguments and writing in a coherent, articulate way, all of which are important to employers.

Studying BA English does not require any particular reason, as it is one of the most commonly pursued courses in India. However, students who are willing to pursue BA English course must check the below-mentioned reasons that justify the choice:

• Improve your Language Skills: In today’s world English is one of the most commonly spoken languages globally. So a BA English degree will eventually help you in getting a strong grip on the language and can also help you in landing some of the most prestigious jobs in the country.
• Flexibility and Choices: There is no hard and fast rule that after completing a BA English one has to pursue a Master’s in the same field as well. English stands among the very few subjects which after pursuing students can choose to select some other career options as well and blend in easily.
• Open up Plenty of Career Opportunities: BA English degree will help you get a lot of interesting and exciting job opportunities in various fields such as Teaching, Translating, Language Experts, Journalism, Publishing Houses, content writing, PR, etc.
• Opportunity to Study Abroad: English is an international language and offers a variety of modules that can be studied abroad. It is becoming increasingly common for Universities to offer a year abroad program as part of their course structure so you can tailor a degree to your traveling aspirations as well.

Admissions to BA English courses are done on the basis of both Entrance Exams and on the basis of Merit as well. The entrance exam questions for admission in BA English course are generally MCQ based but there might be subjective questions as well depending on the syllabus as well as on the college entrance exam pattern.

How to Apply for BA English?

To apply for BA English course students must use the online portal to get the application form first. Then, it has to be filled. Once done, the aspirant has to upload with all the required documents attached as per the guidelines and the specifications mentioned. Also, pay the fee for the application form otherwise your BA English form might not considered submitted.

BA English Selection Process

The selection is based on the merit list prepared by considering the board examinations marks or on the basis of BA English entrance exams. The candidates must score the minimum marks in the listed exams. Once that is done, there might be further rounds like a personal interview in some colleges to offer admission in BA English course. After passing those with a decent score, the aspirant is selected.

Like any other Undergraduate courses, BA English too has a list of eligibility criteria that needs to be followed inorder to enroll oneself in a good college. Below mentioned are few of the top eligibility criterias for pursuing BA English course:

• Students should have cleared class 12th board exams from a recognised board
• They should have minimum 50% aggregate marks or equivalent CGPA during their class 12th board exams
• There is no minimum age to apply for BA English course

BA English course can be pursued in various other ways apart from the regular online classes. Students who can not afford to study regular BA English courses due to financial or any other constraints can choose Part-Time Courses and Distance Education mode.

Below we have discussed in detail each of the types of BA English course for your reference:

BA English Full-Time

This is a full-fledged on-campus degree course that provides the student with all the required knowledge and skills for BA English course. Colleges like Lady Shri Ram College for Women, St. Stephen’s College, Presidency University, Kirori Mal, Miranda House, etc. provide BA English Full-time degree courses.

BA English Part-Time

Part-time degree is the provision of completing the degree course with more time. Unlike regular courses, for part-time courses students do not have to go to colleges regularly and can schedule courses according to their convenience. Most colleges provide Part-time degrees along with full-time degrees. Colleges like Jamia Millia Islamia and Jawaharlal Nehru University provide part-time degrees in BA English to students.

BA English Distance Education

Distance Education is almost similar to part-time courses, whereby students do not have to attend classes regularly or partly as well. Apart from this, distance courses are also cost-effective and have fewer eligibility requirements compared to a full-time course. Some of the colleges/universities offering distance education for BA English Course are IGNOU, Annamalai University, Osmania University, Karnataka State Open University, etc.

Some universities and institutions may conduct their entrance examinations for BA English admission. The exam includes topics like Contemporary British and Indian Literature, grammar, vocabulary, general knowledge, and many more subjects, helping them understand the course. The exams are:

• CUET
• BHU UET
• JMI EEE
• CUCET
• IPU CET

India has plenty of colleges offering a wide range of courses including BA English. Students can study the courses of their choice at one of these colleges and give a push to their careers. Most of the colleges offer various specializations that require a practical and theoretical study which helps students get in-depth knowledge of the course. Some of the top BA English colleges in India are mentioned below, according to the latest rankings.

Students who wish to study BA english can either study it in India or choose any destination abroad to pursue their BA English degree. There are plenty of good universities and colleges that offer an undergraduate degree in BA English. Most students choose to study BA English course in english speaking countries like the USA, the UK, Australia, Canada, Ireland, etc. There are numerous well-known universities located in these countries such as Oxford Universitry, Cambridge University, MIT, Harvard, University of Sydney, University College Dublin, and more. 

A person studying a BA English course can even look at graduating as a Linguistic Major. These courses usually deal with the science and history behind the language and seek to answer questions like the origin of the language and the structure. A multi-disciplinary field, it has connections to social sciences, and students are urged to study languages in the context of sociology and psychology. 

Also, as an BA English student here you'll have the chance to study your subject in another country and get a different cultural perspective.

BA English as a course is not just restricted to India but is well taught abroad. BA English is taught in several top and prestigious colleges and universities globally. Some of the top BA English colleges abroad are mentioned in the table below along with their BA English fees. 

There are more than 14,000 colleges in India that offer BA English course along with various other courses and specializations. Most of these top colleges for BA English course are located in major cities of various states to provide easy connectivity to students. In this section we will discuss the best BA English colleges in some top cities of India.

BA English Colleges in Bangalore

Students from the north and north-eastern states view Karnataka, particularly Bangalore, as full of opportunities for every person to dream to make a career and realise it. There are plenty of good colleges to choose from and here is the list of best BA English Colleges in Bangalore for your reference along with their BA English Fees.

BA English Colleges in Mumbai 

Apart from being a business and trade metropolis, Mumbai has great Institutes and Universities, which makes it the best place to study. Being home to more than 80 Universities and Research Institutes, students can seek quality education in all fields and according to their own interests. So, here is the list of top BA English Colleges in Mumbai for your reference along with their BA English Fees.

BA English Colleges in Kolkata 

As Kolkata is a hub of universities and colleges, there are really good institutions available for students. Kolkata is a relatively inexpensive city compared to other metro cities, culturally rich, good, and cheap in terms of food and lifestyle. Here is the list of top BA English Colleges in Kolkata for your reference along with their BA English Fees.

BA English Colleges in Hyderabad 

Hyderabad is an important seat of learning in southern India. The city hosts two central universities, three deemed universities, and six state universities. Osmania University is one of the oldest universities in India. Here is the list of top BA English Colleges in Hyderabad for your reference along with their BA English Fees.

BA English Colleges in Delhi 

New Delhi offers many world-class higher education options. The city boasts of some of the leading engineering, arts, and medical institutes of India. There are highly renowned universities in the city that offer a variety of courses to students from all around the world. Here is the list of top BA English Colleges in Delhi for your reference along with their BA English Fees.

Pursuing a BA English course can be an interesting choice for students who have a taste in literature. However, in order to pursue a BA English degree course, a set of skills are required which will help the aspirants to understand and perform better in this course. Let us know about each required skill in detail. 

• Interest in reading and writing: BA English Aspirants must have a taste in reading and writing as the course is all about reading, building intellect, and expressing oneself. They can express and reflect better only if they read thoroughly. Therefore, before choosing BA English course, aspirants must introspect about their area of interest.
• Good grasp on English Grammar: A basic understanding of English grammar is essential that too when aspirants are planning to take up BA English. Students who wish to pursue a Bachelor in Arts in English must have good knowledge of grammar so that they can express their thoughts in a better way.
• Creative thinking: Being able to create something new out of essays, prose, and poetry is one of the things which can help in learning better. Creating and having one’s own perspective is important for BA English aspirants.
• Fluency in English Language: Students must be able to speak English fluently if they want to pursue a course in English Literature. Expressing through words on paper is not enough as expressing thoughts verbally is equally important in order to grow and understand better. BA English course will help in developing good writing skills and communication skills. 
• Flair for writing: In order to excel in BA English course, aspirants must have an artistic ability to write creatively and create something unique out of their imaginative thinking. This will help them to express themselves using a variety of vocabulary and grow in the field of English Literature.

Every institution has a different curriculum but the most common topics which are included in BA English are given below semester-wise. Below mentioned tables will discuss in detail the BA English subjects taught each semester during the entirety of the 3 years duration of BA English colleges.

BA English covers a wide range of subjects, starting from Indian Classical Literature to American Literature, European Classical Literature etc. Below mentioned table will discuss in detail the syllabus that are taught in a BA English 3 years course duration 

BA English Syllabus 1st Year

• Indian Classical Literature
• Indian Writing in English
• European Classical Literature
• British Poetry and Drama: 14th to 17th Centuries

BA English Syllabus 2nd Year

• American Literature
• Popular Literature
• British Poetry and Drama: 17th & 18th Centuries
• British Literature: 18th Century
• British Romantic Literature

BA English Syllabus 3rd Year

• Women’s Writing
• British Literature: The Early 20th Century
• Modern European Drama
• Postcolonial Literatures

BA English has a huge scope both in India and abroad. After successfully completing BA English students can choose to pursue further studies, such as MA in English, Ph.D. in English, and more. The complete details about the courses are mentioned below. 

MA English

Master of Arts in English Literature is a two-year postgraduate program in English literature. The course primarily included works and writers from British Literature; but, throughout time, colleges have updated their curriculum to incorporate all types of English-language literature. This is one of the best options for students who have completed their BA English.

MA in Journalism

Candidates who have finished a bachelor's degree programme in journalism or BA English can apply for a master's degree programme. Coursework and real-world journalism experiences put MA in Journalism candidates to the test. Students are taught how to build strategic communication skills, industrial competence, and enhanced writing and editing abilities throughout the curriculum.

MBA

MBA is a two-year postgraduate management program that focuses on human resources, finance, marketing, sales, and customer service administration. The purpose of this course is to generate qualified professionals who will be able to manage effectively in today's entrepreneurial environment. MBA graduates can work in a variety of industries, including fashion, marketing, education, and information technology. BA English graduates can opt to do their MBA from some of the top universities in India. 

Ph.D. English

Students who have done their BA English and MA English can pursue a Ph.D. in English. After completing research, thesis, and accompanying courses in English, research scholars are awarded a Ph.D. English degree. Researchers who pursue a Ph.D. in English examine numerous methods of text analysis and probe the depths of literature. Students receive pedagogical training. The Ph.D. English studies might last up to 5 years. This is determined by the university that offers the course. Throughout the course, students will be exposed to various ideas, texts in various formats, dialects, and sects of the English language.

Post completing BA English students can either choose to study further as already discussed or can choose to kick start their professional career. There are a range of career options one can choose from starting from teaching to working as a language translator. We have mentioned below some great career options that a student can choose after BA English. 

• Editor 

An editor is someone who is in charge of what comes out on a publication. This can be a magazine, a newspaper, or an online news portal. A BA English graduate will have to take care of the content, not just in terms of the grammar and punctuation, but also you must look into whether the copy is relevant and there aren't any repercussions of publishing the same.

After a BA English Literature, you can also start as a reporter or a content writer, and with experience, you can move up the positions of assistant editor, sub-editor, and so on.

• Translators 

Many might not know this, but translation is a very important area today. There are various career opportunities for BA English graduates since they are proficient in English and another language. 

Translation as a whole is a vast area in English literature. Many publication houses will hire you to translate texts from regional or foreign languages to English and vice versa. Translation of academic texts, subtitles in movies, and other visual media is also an option.

• Teacher 

A BA English graduate will always have the option of teaching the language, in higher classes, colleges, and universities where you won't be just narrating the story but also diving into the depths of the text. 

You can also be a teacher of English in a foreign non-english speaking country. There are many opportunities like this, in countries where they pay a really good amount for teaching English to students who do not have English as their first language.

BA English will offer a lucrative salary package to the aspirants. The salary offered to a fresher after completing BA English can be between Rs. 2.5 lakhs to Rs. 4 lakhs per annum. Some of the job profiles along with their salaries are mentioned in the table below: