BA Course: Full Form, Course Details, Eligibility, Courses List, Admission, Fees
BA is a three-year undergraduate program that provides an extensive education in the humanities, social sciences, and liberal arts. After completion of a Bachelor of Arts degree, there are various employment options available such as Executive Assistant, HR Manager, Content Writer, Operations Manager, Marketing Manager, etc.
BA Admissions require the candidate must have successfully completed 10+2 with at least 50% aggregate marks in the arts stream from any recognised university and qualify with required cut-off marks in BA entrance exams such as NPAT, GMCET, CUET, DU JAT, SET, JET, etc. The BA course fee ranges from INR 3,000-4,00,000 per year based on factors like type of college, placement opportunities, infrastructure etc.
The BA subjects vary as per the specialization chosen by the student, while core BA subjects include English, Sociology, Journalism and Mass Communication, Philosophy, Psychology, History, Political Science, etc.
Table of Contents
- What is BA Course?
- BA Eligibility Criteria
- Why Choose a Bachelor of Arts Course?
- BA Admission 2024
- BA Entrance Exams
- BA Courses List
- Top BA Colleges in India
- Types of BA Courses
- BA Subjects and Syllabus
- Integrated BA Course
- BA vs B.Sc
- Courses After BA
- Career Options After BA Graduation
- BA Salary in India
- Bachelor of Arts Scholarship
- Skills to Excel as a Bachelor of Arts Graduate
BA Course Details
| Degree | Bachelors |
| Full Form | Bachelor of Arts |
| Duration | 3 Years |
| Age | 17 years |
| Subjects Required | English or Arts Subject in 10+2 |
| Minimum Percentage | 50% in 10+2 |
| Average Fees | INR 3,000-4,00,000 per year |
| Similar Options of Study | BFA, BVA, BVC, BA LLB, BA+MA |
| Average Salary | INR 2-7 LPA. |
| Employment Roles | Executive Assistant, Content Writer, Graphic Designer, Marketing Manager |
| Top Recruiters | Accenture, Genpact, United Health Group, InterGlobe Technologies, Times of India Group |
What is BA Course?
BA Full Form stands for Bachelor of Arts, an undergraduate degree that helps students develop critical thinking skills and gain knowledge of diverse cultures and societies. The BA course duration is for three years. The course offers various BA specializations in domains like Psychology, English, Fine Arts, Mathematics, etc.
After graduation, a candidate can choose to work in various fields such as education, journalism, human resources, market research, public relations, marketing, etc. The average BA graduate salary is INR 2-7 LPA.
BA Eligibility Criteria
To get admission to a BA course, students must meet a certain set of eligibility criteria such as age limit, merit score, entrance exam score, subject requirements etc. Listed below are the BA Eligibility Criteria:
- The candidate should have passed 10+2 with a minimum of 50% aggregate from a recognized education board in the Arts/Humanities stream preferably. As per the college requirements, students must quality cut-off for entrance exams such as IPU CET, BHU UET, JSAT, etc.
- There is a relaxation of 5% marks given to SC/ST/OBC candidates.
- The minimum age limit to enrol in the course is 17 years.
Why Choose a Bachelor of Arts Course?
BA or Bachelor of Arts is a study of various fields of Arts & Humanities. Some of the common queries that students encounter are, "What is BA?" and "Why choose BA?". Below given are the key advantages of choosing to pursue this degree program.
- According to the State of Art Market Report 2023, the collective turnover of Indian art sales registered a growth of 9% with Rs 1,145 crore turnover in FY23.
- The BA subjects allow candidates to adapt to the changing demands of the employer and meet their needs.
- Students can gauge the intrinsic worth of a BA course because it offers more avenues of employment opportunities than any other stream.
- According to Indian Art Investor, the Indian art industry generated Rs 582.7 crore ($75.8 Million) in the first half of FY22-23.
- 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 them to pursue a wide range of career roles.
| Compare BA with BA Hons Course | Compare BA with BFA Course |
BA Admission 2024
The BA admission process is done based on the merit score of the previous qualifying exam or entrance exams such as NPAT, CUET, GMCET, etc. Admission for the BA 1st year is typically in August which is done by the entrance exams for the majority of the colleges. Candidates must have valid scores in the entrance examination and the choice of exam depends on the choice of college.
Below is the step-by-step BA admission process for 2024:
- Step 1: The candidate must appear for the entrance examination as per the requirement of the college of their choice.
- Step 2: Candidates can apply for the course by downloading the application online from the college's official website or offline by visiting the university's Admissions Office.
- Step 3: The candidate will be called for a personal interview or group discussion based on the score obtained in the entrance exam or after the release of the merit list.
- Step 4: Upon receiving the admission confirmation, students can proceed with fee payment and document submission.
Read More: Bachelor of Arts Admission 2024
BA Entrance Exams
Due to the great demand for admission to the colleges and the limited number of seats, several colleges regularly hold entrance exams for BA admission. Some of the most well-known BA exams are listed below:
| BA Entrance Exams | Registration Dates | Accepting Colleges |
| IPU CET | Last week of March 2024 (Tentatively) | Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University, MIT World Peace University, Lovely Professional University |
| BHU UET | Second Week of February 2024 (Tentatively) | Banaras Hindu University Varanasi |
| JSAT | March 2024 (Tentatively) | O.P. Jindal Global University |
| DU JAT | March 2024 (Tentatively) | Sri Guru Gobind Singh College of Commerce, Bhim Rao Ambedkar College,Sri Guru Nanak Dev Khalsa College |
| CUET | February 2024 (Tentatively) | Aligarh Muslim University, Assam University, Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University |
BA Courses List
Students have a multitude of specializations to choose the best BA courses and set their career path. One can download the BA course list from the college website if they are unsure about which specialization to pursue. Popular BA specializations 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 Bachelors of Arts specializations are listed below:
Read More: BA Specializations List
Top BA Colleges in India
The average BA course fees in India range between INR 4,000 - 3 LPA. The BA tuition fees are not fixed and depend on many factors such as location, faculty, demand, infrastructure, the facilities available to the students, specialization chosen, etc.
Listed below are the top colleges offering BA Courses and their fee details:
| Institution | Average Tuition Fees |
Admission Fees | Miscellaneous Fees |
| Lady Shri Ram College for Women | INR 22,000 PA | INR 1550 | INR 3500 PA |
| Loyola College | INR 20,000 PA |
INR 2,000 |
INR 25,000 PA |
| Miranda House | INR 14,160 PA | INR 200 | INR 15,000 PA |
| Presidency College | INR 4,000 PA | INR 1,000 | INR 3500 PA |
| Hindu College | INR 17,560 PA | INR 750 | INR 4500 PA |
| DAVV Indore | INR 20,000 PA | INR 1,000 | - |
| St. Xavier’s College | INR 32,600 PA | INR 3,000 | INR 5,500 PA |
| Christ University | INR 65,000 PA |
INR 2,000 |
INR 4,000 PA |
| Banasthali Vidyapeeth | INR 53,000 PA | INR 5,000 | INR 20,000 PA |
| Amity University | INR 2,00,000 PA | INR 8,000 | INR 15,000 |
| Fergusson College | INR 22,000 PA | INR 1,000 | - |
| CMR University | INR 90,000 PA | INR 2,000 | - |
Top 10 City-Wise BA Colleges in India
Below listed are the location-wise BA colleges in India with the average annual fees:
| S.No | Location | Average Fees |
| 1 | BA Colleges in Delhi | INR 42,000-1,00,000 PA |
| 2 | BA Colleges in Pune | INR 55,000-8,00,000 PA |
| 3 | BA Colleges in Bangalore | INR 14,000-5,00,000 PA |
| 4 | BA Colleges in Mumbai | INR 3,000-9,00,000 PA |
| 5 | BA College in Indore | INR 10,000-3,80,000 PA |
| 6 | BA College in Jaipur | INR 9,000-8,40,000 PA |
| 7 | BA College in Lucknow | INR 10,000-2,00,000 PA |
| 8 | BA Colleges in Kolkata | INR 21,000-3,00,000 PA |
| 9 | BA Colleges in Nagpur | INR 10,000-4,00,000 PA |
| 10 | BA College in Ahmedabad | INR 1,000-2,30,000 PA |
Types of BA Courses
Below are the types of Bachelor of Arts courses offered by various universities across the country.
| Type | Basic Eligibility | BA Duration |
| Full-Time BA | Completed 10+2 examinations with a minimum of 50% aggregate + Entrance Exams | 3 Years |
| Part-Time BA | Completed 10+2 examinations with a minimum of 50% aggregate | 3 Years |
| Distance BA | Completed 10+2 examinations with a minimum of 50% aggregate | 3-5 Years |
Bachelor of Arts Distance Education
BA Distance Education course allows the student to pursue the course in their flexible learning environment in a more cost-efficient way. Given below are the BA Distance Education course details:
- The BA Distance Education course is offered by top colleges such as IGNOU, University of Madras, Delhi University, University of Kerala, etc.
- The average Bachelor of Arts distance education course fee ranges from INR 3,000-20,000 PA.
- The course can be extended to 5 years based on the college examination criteria
Read More: BA Distance Education
Part-Time BA Courses
The part-time BA Courses are ideal for students who are unable to attend the regular classes. The details of BA part-time courses are given below:
- BA part-time courses are offered by top colleges such as Acharya Nagarjuna University, Tamil Nadu Open University, Sambalpur University, etc.
- The average BA part-time course fee ranges from INR 5,000-40,000 PA.
- The duration of the course is three years.
BA Subjects and Syllabus
BA course is structured comprehensively to give students an in-depth understanding of subjects. BA course duration is for 3 years and spans over 6 semesters. The BA syllabus is similar throughout most colleges nationwide, although minor deviations may be observed for a few colleges. BA syllabus has both core and elective subjects.
Listed below are some of the BA subjects and the topics covered in each subject:
| BA Subjects | Topics Covered |
| Indian Writing in English | Poetry, Prose, Fiction, Teaching of English in India |
| Political Science | Concept of Government, Theory of Separation of Power, Indian Government and Politics, Modern Governments |
| Economics | Introductory Microeconomics, Mathematical Economics, Statistical Methods for Economics, Money and Financial Markets |
| Sociology | Sociological Theories, Political Sociology, Sociology of Gender, Religion and Society, Social Stratification |
| Psychology | Biopsychology, Social Psychology, Developmental Psychology, Understanding Psychological Disorders, Counselling Psychology |
Read More: BA Subjects and Syllabus
Integrated BA Course
Undergraduate academics and professional training are combined in the Integrated BA course. Its goal is to give students a well-rounded education that will equip them for a job in the sector of their choice. The integrated BA course duration is usually 5 years.
Listed below are some of the Integrated courses offered with BA:
- BA+MA
- BA +B.Ed
BA vs B.Sc
Bachelor of Arts courses emphasise mostly on specialisations such as languages, humanities, etc. and the BSc Courses deal with the concepts of science in various forms. The table below showcases the differences between BA and BSc based on various parameters:
| Course | BA | B.Sc |
| 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 - 3 LPA. | INR 10,000 - 2 LPA |
Read More: BA vs B.Sc
Courses After BA
Bachelor of Arts consists of several specializations. Students can pursue these specializations in their post-graduate studies. Also, gaining more education can help students pursue a career in research if they are interested in it. Listed below are the courses that can be pursued after this degree program.
Career Options After BA Graduation
There are plenty of private and government jobs available for BA degree holders, who are 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
- Civil Services
- International Relations
- Social Work
- Journalism and Mass Communication
BA Salary in India
The BA salary for the degree holders 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. Graduates' average BA job salary is around INR 2-7 LPA [Source: PayScale].
| BA Job Roles | Average Salary |
| Content Writer | INR 3 LPA |
| Copy Writer | INR 3.7 LPA |
| Executive Manager | INR 6.9 LPA |
| Human Resource Manager | INR 7.3 LPA |
| Linguistics Expert | INR 4.5 LPA |
Read More: BA Salary in India
Bachelor of Arts Scholarship
The Indian government provides several scholarships for students who wish to enroll in BA courses after 12 for people who are physically, mentally, or financially challenged. Those who meet the requirements can apply for several private and governmental scholarships. The following are some of the BA Scholarships:
- Cultural Talent Search Scholarship Scheme
- Inlaks Shivdasani Scholarship
- Saryu Doshi Graduate Fellowships in Liberal Arts & Sciences
- Scheme for Scholarships to Young artists in Different Cultural Fields
Read more: BA Scholarships
Skills to Excel as a Bachelor of Arts 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. Some of these skills include:
- Quantitative Analysis Skills
- Research Skills
- Analytical Skills
- The Ability to Work Under Pressure
- Interpersonal Skills
Top BA [Bachelor of Arts] Colleges
Top Arts Entrance Exams
BA Fee Structure
FAQs on BA
Q: Which BA course is best?
A: BA offers various specialization, one can pick from the wide range of choice based on their career goals and path of research. Some of the popular courses are: Economics, History, Sociology. Philosophy, Literature, Communication Studies, to name a few.
Q: What is BA salary?
A: The average salary for BA graduates is INR 3.5 LPA.
Q: Is BA a good degree?
A: Yes, with BA degree candidates have plethora of options ranging from civil servants, to media directors to journalist.
Q: What can I do after Bachelor of Arts?
A: After graduation one can pursue MA courses, prepare and sit for Civil Service Examination, Specialize in writing and take up various roles in the domain of writing.
Q: Which course has the highest salary in BA?
A: Media, Communication a d Journalism, followed closely by Literature, Economics, History, Political Science, Geography, Sociology. Psychology.
Q: What government jobs are best for BA graduates?
A: Candidates after graduating from BA can sit for either central or state government examination. They can opt for various Group A, B, C and D staffs based on their entrance exam marks.
Q: Can one pursue 2 BA at the same time?
A: Candidates can pursue 2 BA specialization only from online BA. It they opt for regular BA, they can choose only one specialization.
Q: What are the subjects of BA?
A: BA subjects range from Humanities, Social Studies, Liberal Arts and Economics to many more. Candidates have a range to explore in BA course.
