BA English: Course Details, Fees, Eligibility, Admission, Duration
BA English is a three-year undergraduate program designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of English Literature, Language and Linguistics, Genre Studies, Literary Criticism, etc. The BA in English syllabus covers topics like History of English Literature: The Pre-Chaucerian to the Augustan, Indian Writing in English: Fiction, History of English Language and Phonetics, Shakespeare: Tragedies, Introduction to Literary Criticism, etc.
BA English eligibility criteria require candidates to clear their 10+2 with English as a mandatory subject with a minimum of 50% marks for the unreserved category and 45% for the SC/ST/PwD category from an accredited board. Apart from the merit score, the candidate must also qualify for the entrance exams such as GAT, GLAET, CUET, etc.
The BA English fees per year range from INR 5,000 - 1,50,000 based on various factors that include location, placement opportunities, infrastructure, accreditation, etc. The BA English fees in government colleges range from INR 10,000- 1,00,000 whereas the BA English fees in private colleges range from INR 35,000 - 1,50,000 per year in India.
Table of Contents
- What is BA English Course?
- Why Choose a BA in English Course?
- BA English Admission Process
- BA English Entrance Exam
- Top BA English Colleges in India with Fees
- Types of BA English Courses
- BA English Syllabus and Subjects
- BA English vs BA English Literature
- Courses After BA English
- Career Options After Bachelor of Arts in English Course
- BA English Salary in India
- BA English Scholarships
- Top 3 Cities to Pursue BA English Course
- Skills Required for BA English Graduates
BA English Course Details
| Degree | Bachelors |
| Full Form | Bachelor of Arts in English |
| Duration | 3 Years |
| Age | There is no minimum age limit to enroll in the course. |
| Subjects Required | English |
| Minimum Percentage | 50% marks for unreserved category and 45% for reserved category in 10+2. |
| Average Fees | INR 5,000 - 1,50,000 per year. |
| Similar Options of Study | BA English Hons, BJMC, BA English Literature |
| Average Salary | INR 3-7 LPA (Source: Ambition Box) |
| Employment Roles | Primary School Teacher, Sales and Marketing Manager, Content Writer, etc. |
| Top Recruiters | Penguin Random House, Tata Communications Ltd, The Times of India, NDTV, etc. |
What is BA English Course?
BA in English or Bachelor of Arts in English course deals with understanding the English language and its components such as cultural studies, literary analysis, creative writing, modern literature, rhetoric, etc., and how it is used in various contexts.
The course falls under the umbrella of the BA course. The top most colleges that offer BA English include Loyola College Chennai, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, St. Teresa's College and many more.
After completing the BA English course graduates can work in media and journalism, publishing, education, content creation, advertising, etc, in roles like editor, scriptwriter, education consultant, etc. The average salary of a BA English graduate is INR 3 -7 LPA (Source: Ambition Box)
BA English Eligibility Criteria
The eligibility criteria for BA in English varies from one college to another and requires the candidate to fulfill a set of requirements such as merit score, age limit, subject requirements, entrance exam, etc. Listed below are the BA English Eligibility Criteria:
- Students need to pass 10+2 with a minimum of 50% aggregate marks for the general category and 45% for the reserved category with English being a mandatory subject. The candidate should clear the entrance exams such as CUET-UG, GAT, etc., for admission to the course.
- There is no minimum age limit to enroll in the course.
Why Choose a BA in English Course?
The BA English course can be the right choice for candidates who aim to gain advanced knowledge on various forms of expressions and language with a strong interest in creative writing or poetry. Here are some of the important pointers on why choosing a BA English course can be the right choice:
- The US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported that jobs in the English language are expected to grow 10.9% between the years 2022-2032.
- About 11,600 openings for BA English graduates are projected each year, on average, over the decade
- The various job roles for BA English graduates such as UX writer, copywriter, and website content writer are projected to grow in the range of 4-20% in the year 2032.
BA English Admission Process
BA English eligibility criteria consist of parameters like maximum age limit, entrance exam, HSC percentage, etc. Given below is the standard step-by-step BA English admission procedure:
- Step 1: As per the university/college requirement students should clear the entrance exam cut-off for the course.
- Step 2: The student is required to fill out the application form for respective colleges downloaded from the college's official website or directly from the college.
- Step 3: The college may call the students for the GD/PI process.
- Step 4: After the merit list is out, students have to complete the necessary documentation process and pay the required admission fees.
BA English Entrance Exam
BA English Entrance exams such as CUET-UG, GAT, GLAET, etc. are conducted either at the national or institutional level for the admission process. Tabulated below are some of the important entrance exams for BA English along with the registration date and accepting colleges:
| BA English Entrance Exam | Examination Date | Accepting Colleges |
| CUET-UG | May 15 - May 31, 2024. | Loyola College, Central Universities, etc. |
| GITAM GAT | Mar 24, 2024 | GITAM University |
| GLAET | July 2024 (Tentative) | GLA University |
Top BA English Colleges in India with Fees
The course is offered by private colleges and universities such as Sharda University, Parul University, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, etc., and government colleges such as Periyar University, Kannur University, etc.
The annual BA English fees range from INR 5,000 to 1,50,000. The fee structure in government colleges ranges from INR 10,000 to INR 1,00,000 whereas the annual fee structure in private colleges ranges from INR 35,000 to INR 1,50,000.
Below listed are the best colleges for BA English in India along with fee details:
|
NIRF Ranking 2023 |
Name of the College |
Tuition Fees Per Year(INR) |
|
7 |
24,560 |
|
|
28 |
60,000 |
|
|
41 |
9,420 |
|
|
54 |
35,000 |
|
|
59 |
21,000 |
|
|
65 |
30,100 |
|
|
87 |
1,10,000 |
|
|
- |
7,000 |
|
|
- |
1,05,000 |
|
|
- |
64,688 |
|
|
- |
53,000 |
Top 10 City Wise BA English Colleges in India
Below listed are the location-wise BA English colleges in India with annual fees:
| Location | Average Annual Fees (INR) |
| BA English Colleges in Delhi |
12,000-1,00,000 |
| BA English Colleges in Mumbai |
10,000-60,000 |
| BA English Colleges in Hyderabad |
35,000-1,00,000 |
| BA English Colleges in Kolkata |
5,000-50,000 |
| BA English Colleges in Bangalore |
40,000-1,10,000 |
| BA English Colleges in Chennai |
12,000-70,000 |
| BA English Colleges in Pune |
20,000-80,000 |
| BA English Colleges in Lucknow |
15,000-75,000 |
| BA English Colleges in Jaipur |
30,000-80,000 |
| BA English Colleges in Nagpur |
10,000-50,000 |
Types of BA English Courses
BA in English courses are offered in full-time, integrated and distance education mode in various colleges and universities in India. Candidates can choose the course based on their convenience. Below is the BA English course details:
|
BA English Course Types |
Eligibility Criteria |
BA English Duration |
|
Full-Time |
A minimum of 50% marks in 10+2 with English for general category and 45% marks for reserved category students + Entrance Exam Score |
3 Years |
|
Distance Education |
Should have passed 10+2 with a minimum of 50% marks. |
3-5 Years |
|
Integrated |
A minimum of 50% marks in 10+2 with English for general category and 45% marks for reserved category students |
5 Years |
Distance BA in English Course
The distance BA English course is UGC-DEB recognized and helps students to understand the fundamentals of the course in a flexible learning mode and cost-effective way. Below mentioned is the distance BA English course details:
- BA English through distance education can be pursued from renowned colleges like IGNOU, SRM Distance Education College, etc.
- The course fee per year is in the range of INR 1,700-15,000.
- The maximum course duration can be extended to six years in colleges like IGNOU.
- IGNOU also allows candidates to enroll in the course who have studied a Bachelor Preparatory Program from IGNOU.
Integrated BA in English Course
Below mentioned is the integrated BA English course details:
- Integrated BA English courses can be pursued in the form of BA English + MA English, BA English + B.Ed, etc.
- The integrated BA in English course fee is in the range of INR 30,000-1,50,000 per year.
- The students can pursue integrated BA English courses from colleges like LPU, Sharda University, etc.
BA English Syllabus and Subjects
The BA English first-year syllabus focuses on subjects such as History of English Literature: The Pre-Chaucerian to the Augustan, English Prose, Communication English, Professional Communication, etc.
The second-year BA English syllabus deals with subjects such as American Literature, Biography, History of the English Language Phonetics, etc whereas the third-year BA English includes subjects like European Fiction, Elements of Literary Criticism, Canadian Literature, etc.
Listed below is the semester-wise BA English syllabus:
| Semester I | Semester II |
| Environmental Studies | English/MIL Communication |
| Indian Classical Literature | Indian Writing in English |
| European Classical Literature | British Poetry and Drama: 14th to 17th Centuries |
| Academic Writing and Composition/Media and Communication Skills | Text and Performance/Language and Linguistics |
| Semester III | Semester IV |
| American Literature | British Literature: 18th Century |
| Popular Literature | British Romantic Literature |
| British Poetry and Drama: 17th and 18th Centuries | British Literature: 19th Century |
| Elective-I | Elective-II |
| Semester V | Semester VI |
| Women’s Writing | Modern European Drama |
| British Literature: The Early 20th Century | Post Colonial Literature |
| Discipline-Specific Elective 1 | Discipline-Specific Elective 3 |
| Discipline-Specific Elective 2 | Discipline-Specific Elective 4 |
| Generic Elective | Children’s Literature/World Literature |
| Modern Indian Writing in English Translation/Literature of the Indian Diaspora | British Literature/Nineteenth-Century European Realism |
| Practical Workshops | Research Project Report/Viva |
Read More: BA English Syllabus and Subjects
BA English vs BA English Literature
BA English course focuses on English literature and languages, the history of literature from ancient to modern times, literary criticism, etc. whereas BA English Literature deals with a variety of literary genres like poems, prose, fiction, poetry, history, etc. Below is the course comparison between BA English and BA English Literature
| Course | BA English | BA English Literature |
| Full Form | Bachelor of Arts English | Bachelor of Arts in English Literature |
| Course Overview | This course focuses on equipping the students with the knowledge related to English language and Literature from ancient to modern times | The course covers an extensive curriculum on the various avenues of English language and literature to enable the candidate to pursue careers in various fields. |
| Stream | Arts | Arts |
| Course Duration | 3 Years | 3 Years |
| Eligibility | Students should clear 10+2 exams with a minimum of 50% marks | Students should clear 10+2 exams with a minimum of 50% marks with English as a core subject |
| Entrance Exams | CUET-UG | CUCET-UG, IUCET, DUET |
| Top Colleges | Sharda University, Loyola College, St. Xaviers College, etc. | Government Autonomous Post Graduate College, Christ University |
| Course Fee Per Year | INR 5,000-1,50,000 | INR 10,000 - 2,00,000 |
| Average Salary | INR 3-7 LPA | INR 3.50-7.20 LPA |
| Job Roles | Content Writer, Copy Writer, Journalist, News Editor | Author, Content Marketing Specialist, Government Administrative Officer |
Read More: BA English Literature
Courses After BA English
Graduates can enrol in various higher education and certification courses after completion of the BA English course to enhance their knowledge and skills. Below is a list of courses that can be pursued after BA in English:
- MA English
- MA Journalism
- MA in Mass Communication
- MA Linguistics
- MBA
- MA Psychology
- MA Sociology
- LLB
- Ph.D. English
- MA Film Editing
- MA Visual Communication
- Certification Course in Copy and Content Writing
Read More: Courses After BA English
Career Options After Bachelor of Arts in English Course
After completing a course in B.A English, the graduates can work in public and private sectors based on their preference in roles such as copywriter, content marketing specialist, SEO Writer, etc. Some of the best job designations for graduates after the course of BA English are as follows:
| Job Designations | Job Description | Hiring Company |
| Content Writer |
|
Freshflow, Upwork, Tata Consulting Agencies |
| Editor |
|
Schbang, Incedo, Packt |
| Copywriter |
|
Intuit, Schbang, Unacademt |
| Literary Criticism Researcher |
|
Sun Pharma, Pfizer, Accenture |
| Digital Marketer |
|
Amazon, Myntra, E&Y |
Read More: Career Options After BA English
Top Recruiters for BA English Graduates
BA English graduates are recruited by private companies such as NDTV, Amazon, IBM, Accenture, etc., and government companies such as MyGov, National Skill Development Corporation, Aligarh Muslim University, etc. Listed below are the top recruiters for BA English graduates.
| Times of India | Tata Communications Ltd. | ITC Limited |
| Wipro | Hindustan Unilever | Cognizant |
| HDFC | Envestnet | Coal India Limited |
| Infosys | Accenture | Ernst & Young (EY) |
| Amazon India | Genpact | Deloitte |
| HCL Technologies | The Hindu | NDTV |
BA English Salary in India
BA English salary in India ranges from INR 3-7 LPA based on skill set, job roles and experience. Graduates who work as UX can earn between INR 9-10 LPA after 5+ years of experience. Listed below are some of the job roles for BA English graduates along with the salary details:
| BA English Job Role | Average Entry-Level Salary | Salary After 5+ Years of Experience |
| UX Writer | INR 4.0 LPA | INR 9-10 LPA |
| Copy Writer | INR 3.0 LPA | INR 6-9 LPA |
| Content Writer | INR 3.5 LPA | INR 7-8 LPA |
| News Editor | INR 5.0 LPA | INR 6.5-9 LPA |
| Academic Writer | INR 3.0 LPA | INR 5-8 LPA |
Read More: Salary of a BA English Graduate
BA English Scholarships
There are various scholarships available to students who want to pursue a BA English course offered by various government schemes and private institutes. Below is a list of a few scholarships available to graduates pursuing bachelor of arts courses in different specializations:
| Scholarships | Eligibility Criteria | Amount |
| Nurture Merit cum Means Scholarship | Underprivileged students with the best academic performance | INR 2 Lakhs |
| Cultural Talent Search Scholarship Scheme | Minimum of 5 years of professional training in the specified field is mandatory | INR 9,000 per annum |
| Inlaks Shivdasani Scholarship | Candidates must have a minimum academic grade of 65%, CGPA of 6.8, or GPA of 2.6 from a recognized university/institution. | 50% Tuition fee waiver |
| Saryu Doshi Graduate Fellowships in Liberal Arts & Sciences | Candidate must have a first-class degree or equivalent to that from a recognized university | INR 3 Lakhs |
| Scheme for Scholarships to Young Artistes in Different Cultural Fields | Candidate must have a minimum of 5 years of experience in a specialized art | INR 5,000 per month |
Top 3 Cities to Pursue BA English Course
Below listed are the top 3 cities to pursue a BA English course based on top colleges, average living expense, top recruiters and average starting salary:
| City | Top Colleges | Average Living Expense Per Month (INR) | Average Starting Salary (INR) | Top Recruiters |
| Delhi | Sharda University, Jamia Millia Islamia University, etc. | 15,000 - 25,000 | 3,00,000 - 4,50,000 LPA | Times of India, Oxford University Press, Wipro |
| Mumbai | St. Xavier's College, Sophia College for Women, etc. | 20,000 - 35,000 | 3,50,000 - 5,00,000 LPA | Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), Hindustan Unilever, HDFC |
| Chennai | Loyola College, St. Xavier's College | 12,000 - 20,000 | 3,00,000 - 4,50,000 LPA | ITC Limited, Cognizant, Coal India Limited |
| Hyderabad | Osmania University, Dr.B.R. Ambedkar Open University | 12,000- 25,000 | 3,00,00- 5,00,000 LPA | Microsoft, IBM, Oracle, Accenture |
| Pune | Fergusson College, Symbiosis College of Arts and Commerce | 17,000- 32,000 | 3,00,000- 4,50,000 LPA | Deloitte, Capgemini, Wipro, Federal Bank |
Skills Required for BA English Graduates
Students need to enhance their soft skills and hard skills such as research skills, editing skills, team coordination, etc. to become successful professionals. Listed below are some of the skills required for BA English graduates:
- Analytical Skills: It is expected that graduates present their work in a clear and organised way to ensure it reaches the target audience
- Creative Skills: With creative and interesting content, candidates will be able to generate new ways to attract the reader or the target audience
- Research Skills: In most cases, the topics given are new to the writers and are required to be researched well before delivering the information to the users.
- Effective writing: This is important for academic and expository writing and helps the graduate to have a logical flow of ideas.
- Critical and Synthetic Thinking: Synthetic thinking makes the students generate new ideas, perspectives and solutions by combining or recombining existing knowledge or elements in novel ways.
- Information Literacy: Any BA English graduate must have the ability to find, evaluate, organize, use, and communicate information in all its various formats, most notably in situations requiring decision making, problem-solving, or the acquisition of knowledge.
- Listening Skills: These skills are very essential for vital communication. Listening skills improve relationships and collaboration, leading to better problem-solving and fewer misunderstandings.
Top BA English Colleges
Top Arts Entrance Exams
BA English Fee Structure
FAQs
What subjects are typically covered in a BA English program?
Some of the important BA in English subjects are Indian Classical Literature, British Poetry and Drama: the 14th to 17th Centuries, American Literature, etc.
Which are the top colleges for B.A. English course?
The top colleges to pursue BA English course in India are Hindu College, St.Stephens College, Symbiosis College of Arts & Science, etc.
Do I need to have a strong background in English literature before enrolling in a BA in English program?
A strong background in English literature is beneficial but not mandatory, Bachelor of Arts in English course is structured to accept students with different degrees of basic knowledge
Can I pursue a BA in English through online or distance learning?
Yes, students can pursue a BA in English through distance learning from colleges like IGNOU, SRM Distance Education College, etc
Can Science background students do BA English?
Yes, various colleges allow students from diverse backgrounds to pursue BA English courses.
Are there any scholarships available to BA English graduates?
Students can avail of scholarships like Inlaks Shivdasani Scholarship, Saryu Doshi Graduate Fellowships in Liberal Arts & Sciences, Cultural Talent Search Scholarship Scheme, etc.
Is a BA in English only about literature, or does it also cover language studies?
Bachelor of Arts in English focuses on literature and language, focusing on a range of literary forms, historical eras, and linguistic theories offering comprehensive knowledge.
Can I pursue higher education after completing a BA in English?
Yes, students can pursue an MA in English, MBA, Post Graduation Diploma in Journalism, etc., after completing a Bachelor of Arts in English.
What is the difference between a BA in English and a BFA in Creative Writing?
A BA in English covers language and literature, and a BFA in Creative Writing focuses on developing one's creative writing abilities and writing specialized original content.
Are there any specific skills that I can develop through a BA in English?
Yes, students get proficiency in skills like effective communication, writing, research abilities, understanding of cultural contexts, etc., after completing a BA in English course.
What jobs can I get after B.A. English degree?
The job opportunities after BA English is extensive, providing roles such as editor, writer, or teacher in both private and public sectors.
What is the future scope of BA English?
Students after completing BA in English Literature can work in a variety of industries, including journalism, public relations, content writing and blogging and academia.