BA stands for Bachelor of Arts, and it is a three-year-long undergraduate program that deals with humanities and social sciences. The BA course aims to provide extensive knowledge of humanities and social sciences through the many BA specializations available for students to choose from. BA jobs after graduation include Executive Assistant, HR Manager, Content Writer, Operations Manager, Marketing Manager, etc.
BA Course Details
| Degree | Bachelors |
| Full Form | Bachelor of Arts |
| Duration | Course Duration of Bachelor of Arts [BA] is 3 Years. |
| Age | Minimum age limit is 17 years |
| Minimum Percentage | 40% in 10+2 |
| Subjects Required | Any stream at 10+2 level from a recognized university or board |
| Average Fees Incurred | The average BA course fees in India ranges from INR 4,000 - 65,000 per annum |
| Similar Options of Study | BFA, BVA, BVC, BA LLB, BA+MA |
| Average Salary Offered | INR 3.5 LPA [Payscale] |
| Employment Roles | Executive Assistant, HR Manager, Content Writer, Operations Manager, Graphic Designer, Primary School Teacher, Marketing Manager,, etc |
| Placement Opportunities | Accenture, Genpact, United Health Group, InterGlobe Technologies, Times of India Group, Oracle, HDB Financial Services Ltd, Concentrix Corporation etc |
Bachelor of Arts Latest Update:
- Jun 27, 2022: CUCET 2022 Exams to be held from July 15 to August 10. Read more
- Jun 17, 2022: Loyola Colleges registrations are open for BA Programs. Read more
- May 26, 2022: IGNOU BA Programs registrations are open till July 31. Read more
- May 10, 2022: ICFAI University, Jaipur registrations are open for BA Program till July 29. Read more
- May 10, 2022: ICFAI University, Sikkim registrations are open for BA Program till August 20. Read more
About BA
BA courses are composed of many artistic disciplines and offer various subject combinations to candidates to choose from apart from compulsory subjects. The BA syllabus covers all the related topics for the field and gives rigorous training to the students. The BA course stands for Bachelor of Arts. According to Wikipedia, "Bachelor of Arts is the holder of a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate program in the arts, science, and commerce. A Bachelor of Arts degree course is generally three or four years, depending on the country and institution."
Table of Contents
- BA Eligibility Criteria
- BA Admission Process
- Who Should do a BA?
- Types of BA
- Distance BA
- BA Courses
- Popular BA Entrance Exams
- Study BA in India
- Top BA Colleges
- Study BA Abroad
- BA Abroad Top Colleges
- BA Fees Structure
- BA Syllabus and Subjects
- Why Choose BA?
- BA Course Comparison
- Scope of Higher Education for BA
- Preparation Tips for BA
- Salary of a BA Graduate
- Career Options after BA
- Skills to Excel
Eligibility Criteria for BA
For BA course admission, the students need to know the eligibility criteria and all the BA course details. BA course eligibility includes students having to successfully pass their higher secondary examinations (10+2) from a recognized education board with any stream. In addition, many colleges and universities conduct entrance exams for students to be eligible for the course. In comparison, other colleges require students to have scored a minimum of 50% in their 12th exams. There is no age limit to applying for this course.
How To Get Admission for BA?
BA admission is possible through both entrance examination and merit-based selection. Many universities offer direct and entrance exam-based admission to the BA course. Candidates applying for the BA degree should have their results from the respective entrance exams boards required by the selected/opted universities. Though the admission process varies from college to college, below are the steps that one should generally go through to get admission.
How to Apply?
The BA degree course applications are available either online from the University website or offline by visiting the university's Admissions Office. In addition, some colleges may conduct interviews before admissions to check if students have good communication skills. Candidates applying for the Bachelor of Arts program should have all the necessary documents before the entrance test, such as class 12 results and ID verification.
Selection Process
The selection process for the courses under BA in India is usually the same irrespective of the specialization. Generally, once the application for the course is received, colleges decide on the final selection of the candidates based on the marks obtained by them in the entrance exams. Additionally, the merit obtained by the candidates in their undergraduate degrees also plays an important role.
Who Should do a BA?
The BA course is for those aspirants that want to set up a career in humanities and social sciences. Depending on the nature and type of BA course, aspirants can set up their careers in the domain of their preferences, such as English, Economics, Political Science, Psychology and Communication Studies, to name a few. Those that want to pursue a career in humanities and social sciences research can enrol for the BA course.
When to do BA?
Typically, it makes sense for BA aspirants to apply for their respective courses immediately after completing class 12. However, students from any stream can apply for a BA course.
Types of BA
Aspirants can pursue the BA course in the full-time or part-time mode. Below are the types of BA courses in detail:
Full-Time BA
The full-time BA program is typically for 3 years, where students will have to attend classes in person, submit assignments, and write their exams on-campus. The advantage of a full-time BA course is that students will gain a lot more exposure, experience and knowledge through direct interaction with their peers and faculty.
Part-Time BA
The part-time BA course is designed for students who cannot attend regular classes. Part-time courses either entail weekend or night classes or online classes, depending on the type of course. The advantage of the part-time BA course is that students can pursue this course while simultaneously being engaged in employment, research, etc.
Distance BA
Many universities and colleges in India offer the Distance BA course. The course is designed keeping the Distance Education methodology in mind. This course is designed for students who cannot afford to attend classes on-campus or those engaged in some form of employment and cannot take time out to pursue a full-time course.
Read More: Distance BA
BA Courses
Students can download the BA courses list from the college website if they are unsure about which specialization to pursue. A student can easily map their Bachelor of Arts course as per their future aspirations with options ranging from Psychology, Anthropology, History, Literature, Political Science, Philosophy, Foreign languages, Foreign Studies, Tourism, Public Relations, Sociology, and more. Popular BA courses are listed below:
- BA English
- BA Sociology
- BA Journalism & Mass Communication
- BA Psychology
- BA Economics
- BA History
- BA Political Science
- BA Philosophy
- BA LLB
- BA Hons
- BA Assamese
Other Popular BA specializations are listed below:
Popular Entrance Exams for BA
Entrance exams are a common and popular means for some colleges to have a screening to decide which student must be admitted to the course. Many popular colleges around the country have made a name for themselves by conducting internationally acclaimed research projects. These colleges often conduct entrance exams, as the demand to enter these colleges is higher than the number of seats available. Listed below are some of the popular exams:
A Quick Glance at the BA Entrance Exams
Students can access the BA course details by going to the college's official website to which they are interested in applying. The specialization plays a vital role in the college's approach to the entrance exam. Below listed are some of the general guidelines of the BA entrance examinations:
- The exam pattern includes English, Logical Reasoning, Analytical Thinking, and subject-specific questions according to the specialization.
- The papers are objective and MCQ-based.
- The syllabus, mode of examination, and question pattern may change according to a university/conducting body.
Study BA in India
India is home to some of the BA colleges in the world. Aspirants have many options to choose from in terms of the best BA course as per their preferences. Depending on the type of BA programs offered, candidates will have to make the appropriate choice. Below are some of the top colleges in India offering BA courses:
Top 10 BA Colleges in India
Below is the list of the 10 best BA Colleges in the country:
| Sl.No | Name of the College |
| 1 | LSR, New Delhi |
| 2 | Loyola College, Chennai |
| 3 | Christ University, Bangalore |
| 4 | St. Xavier's College, Mumbai |
| 5 | Miranda House, Delhi University |
| 6 | Hans Raj College, Delhi University |
| 7 | SRCC, New Delhi |
| 8 | Hindu College, Delhi University |
| 9 | Ramjas College, Delhi University |
| 10 | St. Stephen’s College, Delhi University |
Top BA Colleges in Delhi
India’s capital city is home to some of the best institutions for BA in India. Check the table below for the top BA colleges in New Delhi:
| Sl.No | Institution |
| 1 | LSR |
| 2 | Miranda House |
| 3 | Hindu College |
| 4 | Hansraj College |
| 5 | Ramjas College |
Read More: BA Colleges in Delhi
Top BA Colleges in Pune
Pune also has some of the best institutions for BA in India. Check the table below for the top BA colleges in Pune:
| Sl.No | Institution |
| 1 | Fergusson College |
| 2 | Modern College of Arts, Science and Commerce |
| 3 | St. Mira’s College for Girls |
| 4 | MES Abasaheb Garware College |
| 5 | Symbiosis College of Arts and Commerce |
Read More: BA Colleges in Pune
Top BA Colleges in Chennai
Tamil Nadu’s capital city is home to some of the premier institutions for BA in India. Check the table below for the best BA colleges in Chennai:
| Sl.No | Institution |
| 1 | Loyola College |
| 2 | Presidency College |
| 3 | Madras Christian College |
| 4 | Women’s Christian College |
| 5 | Guru Nanak College |
Read More: BA Colleges in Chennai
Top BA Colleges in Bangalore
The capital city of Karnataka is renowned around the country for colleges offering top BA programmes. Check the table below for the best BA colleges in India:
| Sl.No | Institution |
| 1 | Christ University |
| 2 | Vivekananda Degree College |
| 3 | Jain University |
| 4 | Kristu Jayanti College |
| 5 | Presidency College |
Read More: BA Colleges in Bangalore
Top BA Colleges in Kolkata
West Bengal’s capital city, Kolkata, has some of the best colleges for BA courses in India. Check the table below for the best BA colleges in Kolkata:
| Sl.No | Institution |
| 1 | Presidency College |
| 2 | St. Xavier’s College |
| 3 | Adamas University |
| 4 | Lady Brabourne College |
| 5 | Jadavpur University |
Read More: BA Colleges in Kolkata
Top BA Colleges in Hyderabad
The Telangana state capital has some premier institutions in the country for BA courses in India. Check the table below for the top BA colleges in Hyderabad:
| Sl.No | Institution |
| 1 | Nizam College |
| 2 | AV College of Arts, Science and Commerce |
| 3 | Osmania University College for Women (UCW) |
| 4 | St. Ann’s College for Women |
| 5 | St. Francis College for Women |
Read More: BA Colleges in Hyderabad
Top BA Government Colleges
There are several top Government Colleges offering quality BA programmes across the country. Check the table below for the top BA government colleges in India:
| Sl.No | Institution |
| 1 | LSR, New Delhi |
| 2 | Loyola College, Chennai |
| 3 | Miranda House, New Delhi |
| 4 | Presidency College, Chennai |
| 5 | Hindu College, New Delhi |
Top BA Private Colleges
India has seen significant growth in the number of quality BA private colleges that offer some of the best programmes in the country. Check the table below for the top BA private colleges in India:
| Sl.No | Institution |
| 1 | St. Xavier’s College, Mumbai |
| 2 | Christ University, Bangalore |
| 3 | BML Munjal University (BMU), Gurgaon |
| 4 | MCC, Chennai |
| 5 | Fergusson College, Pune |
Study BA Abroad
Students can opt to study a BA course abroad if they can afford it. The BA course abroad is for 3 - 4 years, depending on the type of course, college and country. The benefits of studying a BA course abroad are access to some of the best resources, facilities, and faculties, apart from worldwide exposure in terms of subject matter and other cultures. In addition, BA is one of the best courses to study abroad because of its diversity. Below are some of the top BA colleges abroad and the relevant fees structure:
Top BA Colleges Abroad
The table below contains the list of the some of the best colleges abroad for BA:
| Institution | Fees |
| University of Oxford | GBP 33220 |
| Harvard University | USD 46690 |
| University of Cambridge | GBP 25670 |
| University of California (Berkeley) | USD 41722 |
| Stanford University | USD 17501 |
| Yale University | USD 54650 |
| New York University | USD 52538 |
| University of California (Los Angeles) | USD 32160 |
| Princeton University | USD 53346 |
| Columbia University | USD 59105 |
Top BA Colleges in the USA
The USA is home to some of the best universities and colleges offering top-notch BA programmes in the world. The table below contains the list of top BA colleges in the USA:
| Sl.No | Institution |
| 1 | Harvard University |
| 2 | University of California, Berkeley |
| 3 | Yale University |
| 4 | Stanford University |
| 5 | New York University |
Top BA Colleges in the UK
The UK has institutions that date back to the 13th century. This makes the UK one of the best destinations for pursuing a BA. The table below shows the top colleges in the UK for BA:
| Sl.No | Institution |
| 1 | University of Oxford |
| 2 | University of Cambridge |
| 3 | University of Edinburgh |
| 4 | University College, London |
| 5 | London School of Economics |
Top BA Colleges in Canada
Known as the ‘Great White North, Canada is one of the most sought after destinations for BA programmes in the world:
| Sl.No | Institution |
| 1 | University of Toronto |
| 2 | University of British Columbia |
| 3 | McGill University |
| 4 | University of Montreal |
| 5 | University of Alberta |
Top BA Colleges in Australia
Known as the ‘Land Down Under’, Australia has emerged as one of the top destinations for higher studies for many students. The list of top BA colleges in Australia is as follows:
| Sl.No | Institution |
| 1 | University of Melbourne |
| 2 | Australian National University |
| 3 | University of Sydney |
| 4 | Monash University |
| 5 | University of New South Wales |
Fee Structure for BA
The BA course fee is not fixed and depends on many factors. Some of the factors which affect the BA fees include location, faculty, demand, infrastructure, and the facilities available to the students. The average BA course fee in India is around INR 10,000 - 1.5 LPA.
| Sl.No. | Name of the College | Total Fee Structure |
| 1. | St Stephens College, Delhi University, New Delhi | INR 1 LPA |
| 2. | Miranda House, Delhi University | INR 36,000 Per Annum |
| 3. | Madras Christian College, [MCC] Chennai | INR 56,000 Per Annum |
| 4. | Loyola College, Chennai | INR 13,000 Per Annum |
Syllabus and Subjects for BA
The course syllabi included in the curriculum of some of the most popular BA courses are tabulated below. The crux of the syllabus is maintained throughout most colleges across the nation, although minor deviations may be observed for a few colleges. Listed below are some subjects that the students get a chance to study:
- Contemporary Literature
- Political Theory - Concepts and Debates
- Classical Political Philosophy
- Social Formations and Cultural Patterns of the Ancient World
- Social Formations and Cultural Patterns of the Medieval World
Read More: BA Syllabus and Subjects
Why Choose BA?
When students decide to pursue the BA qualification, they should research BA course details to ensure that they know the course they are enrolled in. Some of the common queries that students encounter are, "What is BA" and "Why BA?". To understand the answer to these questions, we can make it simpler by breaking it down into the following three short questions:
What is BA All About?
A Bachelor of Arts Degree or BA course is an undergraduate arts degree awarded to students, usually in a branch of the Liberal Arts. The Bachelor of Arts degree is one of the oldest and most popular programs globally. BA degree is a mix of many subjects that allows candidates to adapt to the changing demands of the employer and meet their needs. The BA course enhances the candidates’ communication, research, and analytical skills.
What Does a BA Graduate Do?
Students can select the subjects of their choice depending on their interest in job prospects available in the specific field. Since graduates with a Bachelor of Arts degree possess skills in various subjects, there are career opportunities available in multiple fields for them. In addition, there are many responsibilities that graduates of this role have to undertake, which makes the role very dynamic and diverse.
Teaching: One of the popular roles undertaken by graduates of the BA course is teaching. Since students gain a deeper understanding of a specific subject when studying BA, it helps them pursue teaching as a career.
Reasons Why BA Can Fetch You a Rewarding Career?
BA course is a very reflective and exciting stream of education. Students can gauge the intrinsic worth of a BA course because it offers more avenues of employment opportunities than any other stream. Thus, the BA job scope is forever widening and appealing.
Diversity in Job roles: There is a diverse range of job roles available for the graduates of this course. Since the specializations available to the students are very flexible, it enables the students to pursue a wide range of roles in their careers.
Read More: BA Jobs & Scope
BA Course Comparison
BA stands for Bachelor of Arts and is typically catered to students interested in and inclined towards humanities and social sciences. Below is a comparison of the BA course with other courses:
BA vs B.Tech
The table below showcases the differences between BA and B.Tech:
| Course | BA | B.Tech |
| Full-Form | Bachelor of Arts | Bachelor of Technology |
| Stream | Arts and Humanities | Engineering and Technology |
| Course Duration | 3 years | 4 years |
| Eligibility | 10+2 in any stream with 50% aggregate | 10+2 with Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics |
| Entrance Exams | IPU CET, BHU UET, JSAT, TISS NET, DU JAT | JEE Main, JEE Advanced, BITSAT, VITEEE, COMEDK UGET |
| Top Colleges | St. Xavier’s College, Christ University, Presidency College Chennai | IIT, IISc, BITS, VIT |
| Fees | INR 4,000 - 65,000 LPA | INR 2 - 10 LPA |
Read More: BE vs B.Tech
BA vs B.Com
The table below showcases the differences between BA and B.Com:
| Course | BA | B.Tech |
| Full-Form | Bachelor of Arts | Bachelor of Commerce |
| Stream | Arts and Humanities | Commerce |
| Course Duration | 3 years | 3 years |
| Eligibility | 10+2 in any stream with 50% aggregate | 10+2 in commerce stream with 50% aggregate |
| Entrance Exams | IPU CET, BHU UET, JSAT, TISS NET, DU JAT | CA-ICAI, PUCETl, LPUNEST, IPU CET |
| Top Colleges | St. Xavier’s College Mumbai, Christ University, Presidency College Chennai | St. Xavier’s College Mumbai, Shri Ram College of Commerce, Christ University |
| Fees | INR 4,000 - 65,000 LPA | INR 7,500 - 1 LPA |
Read More: B.Com
BA vs B.Sc
The table below showcases the differences between BA and B.Com:
| Course | BA | B.Tech |
| Full-Form | Bachelor of Arts | Bachelor of Science |
| Stream | Arts and Humanities | Science |
| Course Duration | 3 years | 3 years |
| Eligibility | 10+2 in any stream with 50% aggregate | 10+2 in the science stream with 50% aggregate |
| Entrance Exams | IPU CET, BHU UET, JSAT, TISS NET, DU JAT | NEST, UPSEE, TS EAMCET, IEEE, NPAT |
| Top Colleges | St. Xavier’s College Mumbai, Christ University, Presidency College Chennai | Miranda House, Lady Shri Ram College, Presidency College Chennai |
| Fees | INR 4,000 - 65,000 LPA | INR 10,000 - 2 LPA |
Read More: BA vs B.Sc
BA vs BBA
The table below showcases the differences between BA and BBA:
| Course | BA | BBA |
| Full-Form | Bachelor of Arts | Bachelor of Business Administration |
| Stream | Arts and Humanities | Business Management |
| Course Duration | 3 years | 3 years |
| Eligibility | 10+2 in any stream with 50% aggregate | 10+2 in commerce stream with 50% aggregate |
| Entrance Exams | IPU CET, BHU UET, JSAT, TISS NET, DU JAT | GGSIPU CET, DU JAT, SET, AIMA UGAT, NPAT |
| Top Colleges | St. Xavier’s College Mumbai, Christ University, Presidency College Chennai | Shaheed Sukhdev College of Business Studies, NMIMS Anil Surendra Modi School of Commerce |
| Fees | INR 4,000 - 65,000 LPA | INR 1 - 2.5 LPA |
Read More: BA vs BBA
Preparation Tips for BA
There are many tips that students must note when deciding to pursue a BA degree. Some important preparation tips are listed below to ensure that the students crack the course and pass the exams without any hurdles.
- Improve Vocabulary: Improving vocabulary is very necessary as the BA course deals with many writing and reading activities. So having excellent communication and writing skills are a plus for the student studying the BA course.
- Read and Practice More: Being up to date with the syllabus every day is very important. Practising and reading more will help the student be thorough with the syllabus and do well in the exams.
- Have Intrinsic Knowledge and Interest in Subjects: Having intrinsic knowledge about the subject and having the same interest will keep the student motivated to learn more than what's in the syllabus.
- Revise Methodically: Revising from time to time can be a key to scoring well in the final exam. Keep revising regularly and understand the subject properly. Revision is the key to scoring good marks.
Scope For Higher Education
Students can pursue many specializations under BA. There are also many higher study options available for graduate students after a BA degree, which can help them better understand the subject. Also, gaining more education can help the students pursue a career in research if they are interested in it. Listed below are some of the popular higher education options available for students:
Salary of a BA Graduate
The BA salary for the graduates can differ according to the specialization that the aspirants decide to pursue. Other factors that can affect BA salary in India include experience, geography, and the industry they are working in. Graduates can increase their salary by doing internships and work placements as it would add to their experiences. The average BA jobs salary for graduates is around INR 2.5 - 3 LPA [Source: PayScale].
Read More: BA Job Salary
Career Options After BA Graduation
There are plenty of jobs available for students looking for a career in Humanities and Social Sciences. The job roles will differ based on the specialization that one has opted for. BA graduates have abundant job opportunities with good salary packages that include the following fields:
- Advertising
- Law
- Broadcast
- Library and Information Science
- Business Process Outsourcing Units
- Policing
- Civil Services
- International Relations
- Social Work
- Journalism and Mass Communication
Skills That Make You The Best BA Graduate
There are many complex and soft skills that BA graduates need to possess to succeed in their careers. These are not necessarily skills that students can get in a classroom setting. Instead, these are skills that are learned through experience. Therefore, students should always put in the effort to go out of their comfort zone and gain as much experience as possible. Some of these skills include:
- Quantitative Analysis Skills
- Research Skills
- Analytical Skills
- The Ability to Work Under Pressure
- Interpersonal Skills
Frequently Asked Questions
⭐Which is a better degree BA or BSc?
Bachelor of Arts degree is a liberal arts degree which means that it emphasizes on social science, languages, and humanities. Conversely, a Bachelor of Science degree [BSc] is a more specialized degree that is reserved for more technical or science-related fields.
⭐What should I do after BA?
An aspirant who has just finished his or BA course may opt for any of the following for higher studies: Master of Arts [MA], Bachelor in Education [B.Ed], Diploma Courses, Master of Business Administration [MBA], among others.
⭐Can I do LLB after BA?
Yes, you can study LLB after completing the BA. completing your 12th standard, you can directly research or apply for LLB (5 years course) accompanying any degree like, BA LLB,B.com LLB,BBA LLB.
Entrance Exams For Bachelor of Arts [BA]
See Various Bachelor of Arts [BA] Colleges in India
Fee Structure of Bachelor of Arts [BA] in India
Fee Structure by State for Bachelor of Arts [BA]
All Over India
Pondicherry / Puducherry
West Bengal
Punjab
Andhra Pradesh
Gujarat
Uttar Pradesh
Maharashtra
Rajasthan
Kerala
Uttarakhand
Haryana
Chhattisgarh
Jammu And Kashmir
Assam
Orissa
Madhya Pradesh
Bihar
Tamil Nadu
Himachal Pradesh
Karnataka
Jharkhand
Nagaland
Telangana
Arunachal Pradesh
Meghalaya
Bachelor of Arts [BA] Reviews
Harshavardhinidben
Bachelor of Arts [BA] (English Literature), batch of 2021
The eligibility was just a pass mark in high school, and admission procedures were great. It was a great experience. Exposure to various fields and structures, extra-departmental courses, everything was great.
Adibehl
Bachelor of Arts [BA] (English), batch of 2019
Miranda House is affiliated with the University of Delhi, and its entrance is based on the final percentage in the 12th examination. The college releases its cutoff list every year for different courses. One can apply for the college by submitting the required documents if one is clearing the cutoff list. The college authenticates your documents and marks, and if you are clearing the cutoff, you are admitted. I enrolled in B.A. Honors (English) course and the cutoff for general category was 95.75%. The cutoff has usually ranged from 96% to 98% over the last few years for the general category. You can see the past year's cutoff on the website of the college for each course.
Bachelor of Arts [BA] (Psychology), batch of 2021
Eligibility criteria is a minimum of 60% in the 12th standard, and the admission process is online. First, I have registered then filled in the basic details. Then submitted documents (12th marks sheet and photo); and paid INR 1000 as application fees. Then they took my interview.
