Overview
MA is a postgraduate degree in a humanities or social science subject such as English, History, Economics, Political Science or Sociology.
Students study one subject in depth through advanced papers, seminars and often a dissertation. Under UGC’s framework the MA is two years after a three-year bachelor’s or one year after a four-year honours degree.
Many universities admit through CUET-PG. An MA with 55% marks opens the door to UGC-NET and PhD programmes.
Who is it for?
Graduates who love a humanities or social science subject and want to study it further. It suits future teachers, researchers, writers and civil service aspirants.
Eligibility
You qualify if you match any one of these:
General
- Studying in: UG
- At least 50% marks in UG
- three- or four-year bachelor's degree
- subject requirements vary (e.g. DU M.A. Economics needs Mathematics in Class 12 or 4 credits of Mathematics in the degree)
SC/ST/PwBD
- Studying in: UG
- Category: SC, ST
- At least 45% marks in UG
- PwBD candidates also get 45%
Colleges may set higher cut-offs or require an entrance test. Check each college's page.
Skills you build
- Academic writing
- Argument and debate
- Critical thinking
- Research methods
- Source analysis
- Subject expertise
Where it leads
Careers
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Journalist
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Research Scientist
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Higher study after MA
Colleges offering MA
Tuition ranges from ₹1,200 to ₹2,50,000 a year across 72 colleges that publish fees.
By location
- MA colleges in Patna
- MA colleges in Jaipur
- MA colleges in Jodhpur
- MA colleges in Udaipur
- MA colleges in Raipur
- MA colleges in Ranchi
- MA colleges in Lucknow
- MA colleges in Jalandhar
- MA colleges in Gurugram
- MA colleges in Jamshedpur
- MA colleges in Ludhiana
- MA colleges in Bhopal
- MA colleges in New Delhi
- MA colleges in Rohtak
- MA colleges in Varanasi
- MA colleges in Alwar
- MA colleges in Greater Noida
- MA colleges in Durg
- MA colleges in Bilaspur
- MA colleges in Prayagraj
- MA colleges in Kanpur
- MA colleges in Indore
- MA colleges in Dehradun
- MA colleges in Ajmer
- MA colleges in Meerut
- MA colleges in Haridwar
- MA colleges in Chandigarh
- MA colleges in Chittorgarh
- MA colleges in Jabalpur
Frequently asked questions
Is the MA one year or two years?
UGC's NHEQF provides a two-year master's after a three-year bachelor's and a one-year master's after a four-year honours degree.
Do I need a BA in the same subject?
Not always. For M.A. English and History, the University of Delhi accepts any three- or four-year bachelor's through CUET-PG, alongside a separate route for its own honours graduates.
Can I do a PhD after MA?
Yes. UGC's 2022 PhD regulations accept a master's with at least 55% marks, with 5% relaxation for SC/ST/OBC and some other groups.
Sources
Information verified on 10 Oct 2026
- National Higher Education Qualifications Framework (UGC, 2023) · Official notice, accessed 10 Oct 2026
- University of Delhi Bulletin of Information - Two-Year PG Programmes 2026-27 (CUET-PG 2026) · Prospectus PDF, accessed 10 Oct 2026
- UGC (Minimum Standards and Procedures for Award of Ph.D. Degree) Regulations, 2022 · Official notice, accessed 10 Oct 2026
- UGC Notification - Specification of Degrees · Official notice, accessed 10 Oct 2026
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