Master of Arts

Master of Arts courses are more self-contained than undergraduate courses and cover a broader range of topics. When students learn new skills, they are forced to put in more effort to learn the entire process. The MA programme helps students develop critical thinking, logical reasoning, and investigative skills. Students with a bachelor's degree can find good jobs, but a master's degree is a game changer for career advancement.

Students with a Master of Arts Course (MA degree) have a deeper understanding of the subject. It gives them a thorough understanding of the field they have chosen. They can also attend guest lectures and seminars given by academic and business experts. 

Following are the major highlights of the Master of Arts (MA) degree programme: 

There are plenty of specializations in which a student can pursue his/her MA degree. Some of these popular Master of Arts courses are given below: 

Also Read:  Courses after 12th Arts 

Those who are interested in pursuing a Master of Arts degree can apply for the programme either online or offline. The applicants are narrowed down for the programme based on the grades received for the bachelor's degree programme and the results of the entrance exams for any applicable field in the arts, psychology, sociology, etc.

Aspirants can apply for the Master of Arts (MA) programme by downloading an admission form from the university or college website. After submitting their application forms to the college or university, applicants will be invited to take an entrance exam by college officials. Following this, there will be a personal interview, a group discussion, and counselling.

Most colleges hold their own entrance exams for Master of Arts admission, while others accept students based on merit. Some top universities also hold a second round of selection for admission to MA programmes, which includes WAT and PI.

• Candidates who want to enrol in an MA programme must take and pass an entrance exam. Most universities and institutes require an entrance exam for MA programmes
• Some colleges may offer direct MA admission based on the results of an entrance exam. Many colleges, however, use additional rounds of selection, such as group discussions and personal interviews, to select the best candidates for admission
• To advance to the next round, candidates must pass the university/admission institute exam, which is determined by their marks/ranks

Also Read: Top 10 Arts Colleges in Delhi University (DU)

Master of Arts selection process is based on the results of the entrance exam in the arts or any other subject, the grades received in grades 12 and 10, and the graduate degree marks obtained to the level of the Master of Arts in question. The college or university assigns seats to applicants based on a variety of Master of Arts (MA) requirements that applicants must meet as well as those that are suggested by the college or university officials after a written exam, in-person interview, counselling session, and group discussion.

Many colleges/universities accept students through online entrance exams. So, if you wish to pursue MA in any specialization these are the popular Master of Arts entrance exams you must give. 

A student can pursue an MA degree in a variety of ways. Candidates must meet the eligibility requirements before enrolling in an MA programme in the field of their choice. Those who want to study full-time can enrol in a regular degree programme, while those with limited funds or time can pursue an MA through correspondence or distance education. Multiple colleges offer MA programmes in a variety of formats, which students can research on the college's official website.

Different ways by which a student can pursue a master of arts degree are mentioned below:

Top MA college in India, is the University of Delhi (DU) to pursue a Master of Arts degree. There are a number of good colleges affiliated to Delhi University from where a student can pursue an MA course. However, Kolkata, Maharashtra, Ahmedabad, and Chennai also boast some of the top Masters of Arts colleges in India. Some of these popular and highly ranked MA colleges are mentioned below. 

The popular and highly sought-after MA course is also offered as a distance learning course. Distance in MA is strongly advised for working professionals who want to continue their education but are unable to find the time.

The following are the requirements for being eligible to pursue an MA via distance learning:

• Students must have completed their undergraduate studies in a relevant field at an accredited university
• They must meet the minimum requirements in all subjects to be eligible to enroll in a distance learning MA programme
   

Top MA Distance Education Colleges

Below is a list of some of the top universities offering an MA in distance education:

Also Read: Top 15 Distance Learning Universities in India for Arts and Humanities

There are thousands of study abroad programs for master’s degrees that allow international students to pursue MA course in a foreign destination. These MA abroad course provide education of international standards in some of the top universities around the world. There are plenty of universities across the world that award a Master in Arts degree to students upon completion of a course of study in specific MA subjects. With a Master’s Degree, students acquire qualifications to teach at universities or colleges in a certain discipline. Depending upon the study, the Masters's degrees are course-based, research-based, as well as both. Also, depending on the research work involved in some Master of Arts degree the duration of some programs is between one to six years.

Best College to Study Master of Arts Abroad

There are thousands of universities and colleges around the world where students can pursue their studies. Some top Arts and Humanities Colleges in the world along with the college name and country name are mentioned below. 

The United States and the United Kingdom have some of the most prestigious universities. They offer world-class education and students from all over the world come here to study. MA in UK is more self-directed than a course or degree at the under graduation level. All university departments are audited by the relevant higher education funding councils and by the UK Research Councils for the Masters in UK courses offered by them. Similarly in the USA, some universities as part of their curriculum offer hands-on training and various research opportunities to the students. MA in USA includes assistantships, internships, and on-campus jobs. Students intending to pursue a Master's in USA have over 1,700 institutions to choose from with varied specializations offered by each University. You can also pursue an online MA from some of the top universities in the world.

Master of Arts (MA) Course fees as per the areas of specialization are mentioned below:

DU MA Fees

The fee structure of regular MA courses is different in different DU colleges. The MA fees structure based on different specializations of some top Delhi University colleges are mentioned below in the table:

Although any candidate can pursue a Master of Arts degree, there are certain skillsets that all candidates planning to pursue a Master of Arts degree should possess. Candidates must be dedicated and focused on the subject in which they wish to pursue their master's degree. A postgraduate degree requires more determination and grit than an undergraduate degree. This is largely due to the extensive research required for the course. As a result, the following are some essential skills that MA candidates should possess:

• Good communication skills
• Problem-solving skills and Analytical thinking
• Time management skills
• Focus
• Curiosity 
• Organizational and Interpersonal skills

Some of the top recruiters who hire fresh graduates with an MA degree are listed below.

Looking at the various job profiles that are offered to an MA graduate, the range of salaries along with their designated positions are mentioned below for your reference.

There are numerous opportunities to pursue an MA in any specialisation. Students who have pursued an MA, for instance, will have a unique perspective or an innovative point of view on a specific subject.

• Students who earn a master's degree in the arts will have a solid academic foundation that will help them in their careers. Additionally, it provides students with excellent job opportunities
• The MA serves as a springboard for doctoral study. Students who have earned a master's degree may pursue a doctorate because having earned a master's degree is a major requirement for admission to doctoral programmes.
• Students can become experts in any subject they choose or are interested in, including politics, public relations, economics, history, archaeology, education, philosophy, psychology, and sociology
• When a student pursues a master of arts degree, it's like opening a door to a world of opportunities in the industry they want to work in. A master's degree enables students to pursue more fulfilling employment opportunities

Also Read: Importance of Arts Courses: Scope, Career Prospects & Best Subjects Details

After completing their Master of arts students can plan to study further and do an M.Phil or PhD in the subject of their interest. For pursuing any of these the students will have to appear for an entrance examination because there is no merit-based selection when it comes to pursuing an MPhil or PhD.

Furthermore, if someone doesn’t want to study further then he/she can choose to join corporates and other organizations to kick start their professional careers. They can even prepare for some government exams like UPSC, State PCS as their field of study will help a lot in these exams. 

• MPhil Courses

Master of Philosophy (MPhil) is a 2-year research-based advanced postgraduate degree course that tends to be a mixture of both taught subjects and researched subjects in a specific field of study. Candidates can pursue an MPhil course if they have successfully completed their master’s degree in a related field of study in which they desire to pursue an MPhil course. Apart from this basic requirement, some colleges also specify that candidates should have secured an aggregate of 55% marks at the postgraduate level in the subject in which they want to pursue an MPhil degree. 

• PhD Courses

PhD also known as Doctor of Philosophy is a 5-year course that deals with an in-depth and intrinsic study of research for any relevant subject. Aspirants are eligible to pursue a PhD course only if they have completed their master’s degree in a similar course/ field/ stream in which they want to pursue a PhD. Some colleges also specify that candidates need to have completed an MPhil to pursue a PhD course offered by them.

Apart from this, many colleges state that candidates meet the eligibility criteria for PhD programmes offered by them if they have cleared UGC NET. Candidates who want to pursue a PhD in Engineering need to possess a valid GATE score.

Advantages of MA for a Successful Career

Master of Arts (MA) degrees are among the most sought-after academic degrees worldwide. Let's say the students are enthusiastic about sharing their creativity, knowledge, and skills along with the most recent developments. In that case, they likely already are aware of the rewarding careers that a bachelor's and master's degree in the arts can bring to a candidate. 

Demand: Due to their in-depth exploration of all subjects, master's degrees are in high demand. They have many job opportunities as well as global opportunities in every talent area.

Career Development: A Master of Arts (MA) position enables you to think critically, produce, and analyse subject-specific knowledge. A Master of Arts degree focuses on personality development, and having one can open up a variety of job opportunities.

Jobs & Opportunities: A Master of Arts degree is fantastic because today almost every company is about language, communication, marketing, entertainment, blogs, content development, and promotion. As a postgraduate in these fields, you can access more jobs and industries than almost any other profession.

And at last, Master of Arts job opportunities in India and abroad are in high demand, with a diverse range of options available to postgraduates. Some Master of Arts graduates can go into teaching, media, education, theatre, hospitality, writing, research, and other fields. Master of Arts students have opportunities for advancement and advancement in a variety of public and private sectors of reputable organisations in India and abroad. MA is one of the highest-paying jobs in India, with good numbers and a good annual salary package.