Become Job Ready with CollegeDekho Assured Program. Learn More
The MA in Economics is a postgraduate program that has long been a popular choice among students interested in the arts. As part of their Master of Arts degree program, almost every institution of arts and humanities offers a postgraduate degree of MA in Economics. MA in Economics is a curriculum that prepares students to confront any challenge in the public sector, industry, or business by providing them with a deep grasp of the financial and managerial sectors while also enhancing their soft skills. MA in Economics teaches students about the most up-to-date economic theoretical ideas. Through a variety of projects and internships, the course provides them with practical experience. Students interested in the global economy and related subjects flock to the MA in Economics program. MA in Economics students will learn how an economy's finances grow while also developing critical thinking skills for analyzing financial market changes.
The science of wealth generation, distribution, and consumption is known as economics. The MA in Economics program is available in both regular and distance mode. Every year, students are accepted into distance MA in Economics programs at various universities and colleges in India.
The Master of Arts in Economics (MA in Economics) is a two-year postgraduate program organized into four semesters. Microeconomics, Macroeconomics, public economics, international and financial economics, and econometry are just a few of the topics covered in the MA in Economics postgraduate degree program which covers all facets of economics in society. A bachelor's degree in economics or a related discipline with a minimum of 50% is required to enroll in an MA in Economics course. Loyola College, Miranda House, and Lady Shri Ram College for Women are few of the popular colleges to study MA in Economics in India.
The typical annual MA in Economics expenses might range from INR 10,000 to INR 50,000 depending on an individual's college preference. After completing this MA in Economics, students can pursue a PhD in Economics which is not only easier to obtain after completing the MA in Economics course but also provides a strong employment prospect. Professionals in this sector can anticipate earning between INR 3 and 7 LPA per year, depending on their degree of qualification, knowledge, and job position. Top recruiters such as ICICI Bank, RBI, Citi Bank, Bank of India, Indian Institute of Technology, Accenture, HSBC, and Indian Statistical Institute provide a plethora of career opportunities to MA in Economics candidates in this profession each year, many of which come with a competitive annual salary.
The MA in Economics highlight section will display some of the important features of the MA in Economics postgraduate program like MA in Economics duration, MA in Economics eligibility, MA in Economics admission process and more. Refer to the below mentioned tabulated data to get a quick overview of the MA in Economics course.
MA in Economics Course Level |
Postgraduate Degree |
MA in Economics Duration |
2 years |
MA in Economics Examination type |
Semester-based |
MA in Economics Eligibility |
Bachelor’s degree in economics or any discipline from a recognized university with a minimum of 50% aggregate marks |
MA in Economics Admission Process |
Merit-based and entrance exams |
MA in Economics Top Recruiters |
RBI, CITI Bank, Kotak, ICICI Bank, Indian Statistical Universities, etc. |
MA in Economics Job Profiles |
Data Analyst, Research Analyst, Teacher/ Professor, Equity Analyst, HR manager, Business Analyst, Professional Economist, etc. |
MA in Economics Course Fees |
INR 10,000 to INR 70,000 |
MA in Economics Average Starting Salary |
INR 4-7 Lakh per annum |
The MA in Economics course revolves around the world's economy and the fluctuations of the financial markets, dealing with financial understanding and market management. The MA in Economics program not only demonstrates how finance works in an economy but also qualifies one to tackle obstacles in the economic field. MA in Economics is the study of a society's wealth generation, distribution, and consumption.
The MA in Economics course covers a large portion of macroeconomics, such as price, output, and employment, as well as microeconomics, which deals with needs, suppliers, markets, consumer behavior, and other economic matters. Economic factors influence every part of a country, from citizens to businesses to government and services. MA in Economics degree holders may find employment in the banking, finance, and labor markets in the public or private sectors.
Some of the most popular career prospects available for students after completing M.A. in Economics are listed below. Students with a postgraduate degree in Economics can apply for several job opportunities in various sectors. They can easily get jobs in the corporate sector, commerce and banking sector, economic consulting firms, etc. The pay scale of postgraduates in Economic is quite good and it keeps getting better as the candidate advances further in his/ her career. Check the most sought after job roles after MA in Economics below.
Studying for an MA in Economics course can be both enjoyable and beneficial. MA in Economics provides students with a solid understanding of the subject by emphasizing the importance of increasing demands and limited resources to meet those demands. MA in Economics can lead to a wider range of high-paying employment than other bachelor's degrees. MA in Economics degree recipients can work in the banking, academic and organizational, government, and investing industries. Being a MA in Economics postgraduate also opens up the possibility of obtaining a PhD in the same field.
Economists are crucial since they are in charge of spotting ongoing structural changes in the market as well as dealing with an economy's stability and national security. The MA in Economics program is also a great way to get closer to qualifying for the Indian Economic Services. Candidates who pass the MA in Economics program with a good percentage have a good chance of landing positions as economists in both government and commercial enterprises.
The eligibility criteria for admissions to MA in Economics course is through entrance exams or merit basis selection, however, candidates interested in pursuing an MA in Economics degree must meet the MA in Economics eligibility criteria listed below:
Entrance exams for MA in Economics course are conducted by universities such as Delhi University, Banaras Hindu University, Jawaharlal Nehru University, Manipal University, and others, but merit-based admission is also conducted at institutes such as Christ University, Loyola College, University of Hyderabad, and others.
Universities that provide remote education, such as IGNOU, Netaji Subhas Open University, and Karnataka State Open University, follow direct admission methods. Certain colleges, such as Delhi University and the Department of Business Economics, do, however, set aside a number of seats for merit-based MA in Economics admissions.
Economics degrees might be theoretical or applied/career-oriented. Candidates interested in pursuing a career in MA in Economics must possess a set of abilities. Some universities will provide students with the opportunity to participate in applicable internships and/or study abroad to further their education. A few of the required skills necessary to be successful in the MA in Economics course are mentioned below:
The following are some of the most popular entrance exams for MA in Economics admissions. Multiple colleges and universities administer their own entrance exams on different dates.
Exam Name |
Last Registration Date |
Exam Date |
BHU PET |
Last week of May 2022 |
June/ July 2022 |
AU-PGAT |
2nd week of June 2022 (tentative) |
Last week of June 2022 (tentative) |
AUCET |
1st week of May 2022 |
2nd week of May 2022 |
TS-CPGET |
June 2022 |
August 2022 |
DUET |
15th May 2022 |
1st week of June 2022 (tentative) |
JNUEE |
1st week of June 2022 |
June 2022 (tentative) |
BHU-PET: The Banaras Hindu University Postgraduate Entrance Test (BHU PET) is a university-level exam for individuals seeking admission to postgraduate programs provided by Banaras Hindu University's colleges (BHU).
AU-PGAT: Allahabad University (AU) administers the PGAT, which is a University Level Admission Test for admission to several Master's Degree programs. Allahabad University in Uttar Pradesh holds the AU PGAT once a year.
AUCET: Andhra University Common Entrance Test, also known as AUCET, is a state-level entrance exam held by Andhra University in Visakhapatnam. The exam is held to enroll students in postgraduate courses in the fields of arts, science, commerce, management, humanities, education, mass communication, and journalism.
TS-CPGET: The Telangana State Common Post Graduate Entrance Test (TS CPGET) is a test that is used to admit students into various postgraduate programs offered by the Telangana state government's universities. TS-CPGET exam is for admission to the Master of Arts/Humanities, Master of Science, and Master of Commerce programs.
DUET: Delhi University Entrance Test is an online-based entrance test for admission to Delhi University. It is administered by a National Testing Agency (NTA) to candidates seeking admission to DU's undergraduate, postgraduate, MPhil, and PhD programs. For eligible candidates, the exam is held once a year.
JNUEE: The Jawaharlal Nehru University Entrance Exam is held to select candidates for admission to the university's undergraduate, postgraduate, MPhil, PhD, and other integrated programs. JNUEE is a university-level entrance exam that is conducted once a year. JNUEE scores are approved by all 14 schools affiliated with JNU.
An applicant for MA in Economics who wishes to appear for the MA in Economics entrance exams must have a thorough understanding of the most asked questions from selected topics. Some of the aspects on which students should begin focusing in order to obtain a reputable college are listed below:
Successfully passing the MA in Economics entrance exam would be an easy task if you revise the entire syllabus, create proper schedules to study all the topics, especially the ones which you find a little complex or confusing, study previous years' question papers, and examine each topic carefully. Following the advice provided below will help you in clearing the MA in Economics entrance exam in a rather easy way.
MA in Economics candidates interested in learning more about MA in Economics degree in India should be aware that, in addition to a regular MA in Economics postgraduate degree, universities such as IGNOU, Sri Venkateswara University, Karnataka State Open University, Punjab University, Bangalore University, and Mumbai University offer the MA in Economics course as a distance degree. Different universities may have different MA in Economics admission criteria based on merit or entrance tests. An individual's MA in Economics Distance Learning program can take 2 to 5 years to finish, and the typical annual course fee for a MA in Economics distance program can vary from INR 3,000 to INR 12,000.
Any MA in Economics aspirant with a MA in Economics distant degree in the same field of study will have no trouble finding work in any government or commercial firm. MA in Economics correspondence course also provides a lot of options to earn good money after completing the MA in Economics course.
A few of the best MA in Economics distance learning institutes in India are mentioned below:
Institute Name |
MA in Economics Admission Criteria |
MA in Economics Average Annual Course Fee |
IGNOU |
Merit-based |
INR 4,500 |
KSOU |
Merit-based |
INR 7,300 |
Mumbai University |
Merit-based |
INR 6,015 |
Sri Venkateswara University |
Merit-based |
INR 2,250 |
The MA in Economics curriculum is determined by the institutions and universities. The MA in Economics curriculum is mostly standard, however, some colleges adopt optional or elective classes such as Demography 1 and 2, Labour Economics 1 and 2, Econometrics 1 and 2, and others. The MA in Economics syllabus that is typically followed by most institutions in India is listed below.
MA in Economics Semester 1 Syllabus |
MA in Economics Semester 2 Syllabus |
Microeconomic Theory |
Macroeconomic Theory |
Introductory Mathematical Economics |
Theory of Pricing and Distribution |
Introductory Econometrics |
International Finance |
International Trade |
Quantitative Methods |
MA in Economics Semester 3 Syllabus |
MA in Economics Semester 4 Syllabus |
Development Economics |
Public Economics |
International Economics |
Econometrics-2 |
Econometrics-1 |
Project Work |
Industrial Economics (Electives) |
Financial Economics (Electives) |
Environmental Economics (Electives) |
Economics of Infrastructure (Electives) |
Globalization and Economics (Electives) |
Economic Demography (Electives) |
- |
Economics and Law (Electives) |
The MA in Economics subjects that constitute the MA in Economics course curriculum is mentioned below. There may be minor differences in MA in Economics course subjects across universities and colleges but there is a standard recommendation for the MA in Economics curriculum across most of the institutions in India.
A lot of colleges and universities in India provide electives and optional subjects for their MA in Economics course. Some of the MA in Economics electives are listed below:
The fee of an MA in Economics course is determined by a number of factors including whether the university or college chosen by the candidate is public or private. In comparison to private institutions, state universities have lower course fees and quality education. In a public university or college, the typical MA in Economics cost ranges from INR 15,000 to INR 20,000. A private university's typical MA in Economics course fee ranges from INR 60,000 to INR 70,000. Most colleges and universities, whether public or private, decide on their own MA in Economics fee structure by including and excluding various elements in the course fees depending on their requirements.
Students are generally perplexed when deciding between MA in Economics and MBA for advanced study. The table below will assist you in comprehending the fundamental differences between the two.
Criteria |
MA in Economics |
MBA |
Objective |
The main goal of an MA in Economics is to provide students with knowledge of all the aspects of economics. |
MBA courses are designed with the goal of covering all aspects of business management and administration. |
Subjects |
Behaviour economics, International Trade, Sectors of the Indian Economy, Public Finance, etc. |
Business Economics, Corporate Finance, Human Resource Management, Accounting, Financial Management, etc. |
Average Annual Fees |
INR 10,000 to 70,000 |
INR 3 to 25 lakh |
Duration |
2 years |
2 years |
Eligibility |
Undergraduate degree in Economics or any relevant field or the Entrance Exam |
BBA or undergraduate degree in any relevant field with Entrance exams like CAT, MAT, GMAT, etc. |
Top Colleges |
Lady Shri Ram College For Women (LSR), Miranda House, Fergusson College, Loyola College |
IIM Ahmedabad, XLRI Jamshedpur, FMS New Delhi, MDI Gurgaon |
Job Roles |
Data Analyst, Financial Planner, Professional Economist, Equity Analyst, Research Analyst, etc. |
Project Manager, Analytics Manager, System Manager, Human Resource Manager, etc. |
Average Annual Salary |
INR 4 to 7 LPA |
INR 5 to 20 LPA |
Students prefer top universities in India that provide MA in Economics admission because these colleges provide great education and decent placements. The best MA in Economics institutions in India offers the greatest institutional and infrastructural facilities to prepare their students for a flourishing career in the field of economics. MA in Economics students are exposed to real-time experiences through practical training, in addition to gaining comprehensive economic ideas.
In the table below, aspirants can find a list of top MA in Economics institutes in India:
Fergusson College, Pune |
Presidency College, Chennai |
Symbiosis College of Arts and Commerce, Pune |
Miranda House College, Delhi |
Christ University, Bangalore |
Ramjas College, Delhi |
Loyola College, Chennai |
St Joseph's College, Bangalore |
Kristu Jayanti College, Bangalore |
St. Xavier’s College, Jaipur |
Mount Carmel College, Bangalore |
St Stephens College, Delhi |
MA in Economics has a wide range of applications because every firm has a financial department that requires skilled graduates to efficiently manage economics and finance of a business entity. Marketing, finance, market functioning, and the overall functioning of an economy are all strongly related to an MA in Economics course curriculum. It signifies that MA in Economics graduates with a good percentage and a high level of economic understanding have a good chance of landing positions as economists, research analysts, teachers, etc. in both government and commercial sectors.
Moreover, pursuing a PhD in Economics or any related research topic after MA in Economics is one of the finest possibilities if one has the desire, expertise, and potential to learn more. Top universities such as Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs), and others provide PhD programs. Furthering your education in MA in Economics is not only beneficial in terms of knowledge, but it can also assist you in obtaining high-paying jobs. MA in Economics students can also obtain a higher degree and enter into research by pursuing a PhD in economics or a similar discipline.
The MA in Economics degree assists students in obtaining lucrative employment and opens up opportunities for very important projects in prominent administrative agencies. An MA in Economics degree will educate you on how to apply economic ideas and concepts to real-world problems and will provide you with a high level of mathematical, statistical, and analytical abilities.
An MA in Economics postgraduate course prepares you for jobs that require analytical skills, problem-solving skills, and numerical skills such as market research, financial management, budgeting, resource allocation, business planning, and so on.
Economists, Accountants, Actuary, Financial Consultants, Financial Planners, Risk Analysts, Investment Analysts, Economic Researchers, Economics Teachers/ Professors, and many other jobs are available after obtaining your MA in Economics postgraduate degree.
Some of the most popular MA in Economics job profiles that candidates can find employment in after completing their MA in Economics degree are mentioned below:
Economist: Economists acquire pertinent data, research patterns, and analyze them in order to better understand the demand and supply of goods and services in a given economy. Tax rates, business cycles, currency rates, international trade, economic development, health/energy statistics, transportation, and other themes are all studied using both qualitative and quantitative economic research.
Data Analyst: A data analyst gathers and organizes information about sales figures, consumer research, logistics, communications, and other behaviors. They contribute technical skills to assure the data's quality and precision, then analyze, structure, and exhibit it in ways that assist individuals, organizations, and groups in making better decisions.
Credit Analyst: Credit analysts are professionals who assess a person's or a company's creditworthiness. They undertake microeconomic evaluations of potential clients in order to assess and identify the risks associated with lending them credit. Credit Analysts compile extensive reports based on their findings, underlining the risks and recommending the optimal interest rates for a given client's risk profile.
Financial Analyst: Financial analysts research demographics, market trends, and microeconomic aspects in order to assist businesses in making informed investment decisions. They look at companies, industries, shares, bonds, and other financial assets to see how and where a company has put its money and how future financial decisions may affect its short and long-term growth. Financial analysts depict their analysis and develop presentations and reports for internal teams and clients about investments, stocks and bonds, and mergers and acquisitions using computer tools and models.
Some of the top recruiters that hire MA in Economics graduates in both public and private firms are mentioned below:
MA in Economics graduates enjoy pretty decent starting salaries. MA in Economics graduates are able to work under various job profiles and they play an instrumental role in the long-term and short-term success of any firm. A few of the top job profiles that MA in Economics graduates can work in are mentioned below along with their respective salaries:
MA in Economics Job Profile |
Salary per Annum |
Economist |
INR 5-8 lakhs |
Market Research Analyst |
INR 4.5-7 lakhs |
Data Analyst |
INR 3.8-7 lakhs |
Credit Analyst |
INR 4-5.5 lakhs |
Some of the popular MA in Economics entrance exams in India are BHU-PET, AUCET, DUET, JNUEE, etc.
The MA in Economics focuses on the advanced study of economics as a discipline. MA in Economics is open to those who have completed a bachelor’s degree in any discipline whereas M.Sc Economics is the study of scientific concepts in the field of economics open to applicants with a Bachelor of Science degree in any specialization.
Multiple subjects form the syllabus of the MA in Economics course and a few of the MA in Economics subjects are Public finance, International trade, microeconomics, macroeconomics, statistics and computer applications, etc.
After finishing your MA in Economics, you can begin working in consulting businesses. Other industries include market research, financial services, labor, etc. MA in Economics fields like consultancy and research require multiple job duties to be performed.
After MA in Economics, graduates can work in various fields and earn pretty decent starting salaries. A few of the MA in Economics job positions that you will work under after your MA in Economics degree are:
TOP