BA History: Course Details, Eligibility, Fees, Admission
BA History is a 3-year undergraduate course that deals with historical events, societies, cultures, and civilizations from ancient to modern times. BA History subjects include political, economic, social, and cultural history. Graduates get the opportunity to work in various roles such as Archaeologist, Curators, Journalist, History Teachers, etc.
BA History eligibility requires students to have a minimum of 45-50% in their high school degree (10+2) with humanities or arts stream. The students are need to qualify with the required cut-off marks in BA History entrance exam such as CUET, JNUEE, etc. However, some colleges like Loyola College, Lady Shri Ram College, etc. admit candidates on a merit basis.
The BA History fees range from INR 2000 to 1,00,000 per year depending on various factors such as location, placement opportunities, infrastructure, accreditation, etc. The fees in private colleges range from INR 5,000 to 1,00,000, whereas the fees in government colleges range from INR 2000 to 50,000 per year in India.
Table of Contents
- What is a BA History Course?
- Why Choose BA History Course?
- BA History Admission Process 2024
- BA History Entrance Exams
- Top BA History Colleges in India with Fee Details
- Types of BA History Courses
- Bachelor of Arts in History Syllabus and Subjects
- BA History vs BA History (Hons.)
- Courses After BA History
- Career Options After BA in History
- Top Recruiters for BA History
- BA History Salary in India
- Top 3 Cities to Pursue BA History Course
- BA in History Scholarships
- Skills to Excel as a BA in History Graduate
BA History Course Details
| Degree | Bachelors |
| Full Form | Bachelor of Arts in History |
| Duration | 3 Years |
| Age | There is no minimum age limit to enroll in the course. |
| Entrance Exam | CUET, JNU EE, TANCET, etc. |
| Subjects Required | English |
| Minimum Percentage | 10+2 from a recognized board with 50% in any stream. |
| Average Fees | ₹2K - 1,00,000 per annum. |
| Similar Options of Study | BA (Ancient History), BA (Sociology), BA (Political Science) etc. |
| Average Salary | INR 2-5 LPA (Ambition Box) |
| Employment Roles | Historian, Teacher, Archivist, Content Writer, etc. |
| Top Recruiters | Mahatma Gandhi National Foundation, Archaeological Survey of India, Landmark Group, National Library, etc. |
What is a BA History Course?
BA History full form is Bachelor of Arts in History, an undergraduate degree that focuses on analyzing and interpreting historical events through economic, political, social and cultural history. The BA History duration is three years.
BA History is a specialized course that falls under BA courses. Top colleges like Jawaharlal Nehru University, Banaras Hindu University, Hansraj College, Presidency University, etc., offer BA in History courses.
BA History syllabus and subjects cover ancient, medieval, modern history, Indian history, environmental history, and gender studies. After graduation in BA History, candidates can make a good career in a wide range of fields such as journalism, publication, content writing, entertainment, etc. The average salary of a BA History graduate is INR 2-5 LPA.
BA History Eligibility Criteria
BA History admission requires a candidate to fulfill a certain set of eligibility criteria. Below mentioned is the eligibility for BA History course:
- Admission for the BA History courses in India requires the aspirants to complete their 10+2 examinations with a minimum of 45-50% aggregate marks from any recognized boards. Students must also clear the entrance examinations such as CUET, JNU EE, etc.
- There is no minimum age limit to enroll in the course.
Why Choose BA History Course?
BA History course is a diverse course that enables students to pursue a career in various fields such as teaching, writing, research, journalism, etc. Below are a few points that give us in-depth insight into why to choose the BA History course:
- As per Bureau of Labor Statistics, the projection of historical employment is to grow at a rate of 11% between 2022 and 2032.
- The BA History programme offers students a chance to understand the intricacies of historical occurrences and their influence on the contemporary world.
- Students get opportunities to excel in research and academic areas by publishing papers and participating in seminars, conferences.
BA History Admission Process 2024
The admission procedure for the BA History course is done on a merit or entrance basis. Listed below is the procedure to get admission for the BA History course:
- Students must meet the Bachelor of Arts in History basic eligibility with a minimum of 45-50% in 10+2 examinations.
- As required by the college, students must clear entrance exams to be accepted into the course.
- A general interview (GD) or interview is also invited by colleges like Christ University, Loyola College, Presidency College, etc., and then a final merit list is published.
- Students must then submit the valid documents for verifications and pay the admission fees.
BA History Entrance Exams
BA History admission includes entrance exams at national, state, and institute levels. The popular BA History entrance exams are listed below:
| Entrance Exams | Exam Date | Accepting Colleges |
| CUET | May 15, 2024 - May 24, 2024 | Hansraj College, Christ University, |
| TANCET | March 09, 2024 (Closed) | MCC Chennai |
| JNUEE | May 21, 2024 | Jawaharlal Nehru University |
| BHU UET | May 15 - May 31, 2024 | Banaras Hindu University |
Top BA History Colleges in India with Fee Details
The average BA History course fees are in the range of INR 2,000- 1,00,000 per annum. The course fees differ for colleges or universities as per the facilities, location, infrastructure, etc. Below is a list of the best BA in History colleges along with their fees breakdown:
| NIRF Ranking 2023 | College Name | Tuition Fees (INR) |
| 07 | Loyola College | 22,380 |
| 09 | Lady Shri Ram College | 17,880 |
| 10 | Jawaharlal Nehru University | 13,000 |
| 11 | Banaras Hindu University | 4000 |
| 12 | Hansraj College | 20,945 |
| 13 | Christ University | 50,000 |
| 16 | MCC Chennai | 20,000 |
| 55 | St.Xaviers College, Ranchi | 27,200 |
| 58 | Banasthali Vidyapith University | 53,000 |
| - | Presidency College | 2,000 |
| - | Nizam College | 3,500 |
| - | Loreto College | 24,000 |
Best BA History Colleges in India Location Wise
Below listed are location-wise BA History colleges in India with the average annual fees:
| Location | Average Annual Fees (INR) |
| BA History Colleges in Hyderabad | 10,000-33,000 |
| BA History Colleges in Delhi | 2000-25,000 |
| BA History Colleges in Karnataka | 5000-60,000 |
| BA History Colleges in Rajasthan | 6000-22,000 |
| BA History Colleges in Chandigarh | 10,000-38,000 |
| BA History Colleges in Maharashtra | 7000-50,000 |
| BA History Colleges in Gujarat | 2,200-15,000 |
| BA History Colleges in Kerala | 3000-54,000 |
| BA History Colleges in Tamil Nadu | 2000-56,000 |
Types of BA History Courses
The course has full-time, part-time, and distance learning options available to students. The following BA History course details are provided below:
| Type | Eligibility | Duration |
| BA History Full Time | Should have passed 10+2 with Arts or Humanities | 3 Years |
| BA History Part-Time | Should have passed 10+2 with Arts or Humanities | 3 Years |
| Distance BA History | Should have passed 10+2 with Arts or Humanities | 3-5 Years |
Distance BA History Course
IGNOU is one the best universities for distance education in India. The university offers a BA in History course that focuses on core modules such as periods in history, including ancient, medieval, and modern history.
Below mentioned are the BA History Distance Education course details:.
- The course fee per year is in the range of INR 10,000-20,000 per annum.
- The duration of the course can be extended to five years, as per the coursework completed by the student.
- IGNOU, one of the prominent distance education colleges offers a Bachelor of Economics Honors course, with a fee of INR 9,600 per year.
Bachelor of Arts in History Syllabus and Subjects
BA History syllabus is comprehensive that helps in understanding basic to advance concepts of history. A few institutions may have slight changes from the core subjects, but the majority of colleges adhere to the same curriculum. Below is a list of generic subjects covered during the BA 1st year History syllabus:
| Semester I | Semester II |
| English I | English II |
| History of India-I | History of India-II |
| Medieval India (1206-1526) | Social Formations and Cultural Patterns of the Medieval World |
| Prehistory and Proto-history | Medieval Europe: Institutions |
| Social Formations and Cultural Patterns ofAncient Greece | Economy and Society (circa 300 BCE to circa CE 300) |
| Semester III | Semester IV |
| History of India-III | History of India-IV |
| Europe Transformed – from 1350 onwards to the 17th century | The Transformation of Europe: Mind, Body and Society |
| Islamic Society and Pre-Sultanate India: Rise of Islam | Comparative Colonialisms in Latin America, Sub-Saharan Africa, North Africa, and West Asia |
| Rise of the Modern West I | Rise of the Modern West II |
| Semester V | Semester VI |
| History of India-V | History of India-VII |
| Modern Europe | History of India-VIII |
| Western Political Thought | The Chinese Civilization |
| History of India-VI | History of the United States of America |
| History of SouthEast Asia | Dissertation |
Read More: BA History Syllabus and Subjects
BA History vs BA History (Hons.)
BA History course is typically catered to students interested in and inclined towards humanities and History whereas a BA History (Hons.) deals with subjects involving civilization and prehistoric times.
The table below showcases the differences between B.A History course details and BA History (Hons):
| Course | BA History | BA History Hons. |
| Full Form | Bachelor of Arts in History | Bachelor of Arts in History (Honours) |
| Course Overview | It deals with historical events, societies, cultures, and civilizations in detail. | It provides students with access to modern historiography in the discipline, organized in an understandable and intriguing pedagogical fashion. |
| Stream | Arts and Humanities | Arts and Humanities |
| Course Duration | 3 years | 4 years |
| Eligibility | 10+2 with a minimum of 45- 50% aggregate | 10+2 with a minimum of 50% aggregate |
| Entrance Exams | CUET, JNUEE, TANCET, BHU UET, | DUET, JNUEE, JMI EEE, CUET, IPU CET |
| Top Colleges | St. Xavier’s College, Christ University, Presidency College Chennai | St. Mira’s College for Girls, St Andrew’s College of Arts, Science, and Commerce, Lady Shri Ram College for Women, Delhi |
| Fees | INR 2000-1,00,000 | INR INR 5,000 - 1,50,000 |
| Average Salary | INR 2-5 LPA | INR 3-5 LPA |
| Job Role | Archeologist, Historian, Teacher, Auctioneer, Archivist | Social Worker, Archivist, Travel and Tourism Expert, Historian, |
Courses After BA History
Graduate students with a BA in history have access to a variety of advanced study choices that might help them better comprehend the topic. Also, increasing one's education might aid students who are interested in pursuing a job in research. BA History graduates can pursue both long-term and short-term courses. Some of them are listed below:
- MA
- MA History
- PhD
- MPhil
- Diploma in Archaeology
- Postgraduate Diploma in Ancient Culture and History
Career Options After BA in History
The career options after a BA in History are vast, graduates can work in top sectors like Museum Curation, Genealogy, Museum Education and Archeology, Marketing, etc.
Below listed are a few BA History job roles offered to graduates along with their job designation, top companies, and average salaries:
| Job Designations | Job Description | Hiring Companies |
| Museum Curator | A content specialist charged with an institution's collections and involved with the interpretation of heritage material including historical artifacts. | Victoria Memorial Hall, The House of MG,Sensistan · Technology Art Experiential Museum |
| History Teacher | Instructs students on the history of the world or specific regions and can often relate current events to past events. | Delhi University, BHU, JNU |
| Journalist | Collects and writes news stories and articles for newspapers, magazines, radio, and television: | BBC, Times of India, NDTV, |
| Archaeologist | Studies the buildings, graves, tools, and other objects of people who lived in the past. | Archaeological Survey of India, ICRC, VIT |
Top Recruiters for BA History
The B.A History graduates are hired by various private and government departments such as Advertising and Public Relations, Law, Business And Commerce, Media, etc.
Below listed are a few top recruiters for graduates:
| Baldwins High School | Thomson Reuters | Ministry of Tourism |
| Indo Archaeology Research Institute | Victoria Memorial Hall | Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) |
| Government NGO | National Library | HDB Financial Services |
| Archaeological Survey of India | ICRC | Times of India |
| Times Internet | NDTV | ICHR |
BA History Salary in India
BA History graduate average salary in India is INR 2- 5 LPA (Source: AmbitionBox). The pay is determined by various factors such as domain competence, employment role, and type of organization they work for profit organizations, NGO, etc. The pay scale rises as candidates gain more experience and practical exposure.
Below listed are job roles for BA in History graduates, along with their average entry-level salaries:
| BA History Jobs | Average Entry Level Salary (INR) | Salary After 3+ Years of Experience (INR) |
| Museum Curator | 2.3 LPA | 5.6 LPA |
| History Teacher | 3.1 LPA | 5.1 LPA |
| Journalist | 4.0 LPA | 6.0 LPA |
| Archaeologist | 3.5 LPA | 5.8 LPA |
| Researcher | 3.0 LPA | 5.0 LPA |
.Read More: BA History Salary
Top 3 Cities to Pursue BA History Course
Below listed are the top 3 cities to pursue a BA History course based on top colleges, average living expense, top recruiters and average starting salary:
| City | Top Colleges Offering the Course | Average Living Expense Per Month (INR) | Average Starting Salary (INR) | Top Recruiters |
| Delhi | Lady Shri Ram College for Women, Hansraj College, Jawaharlal Nehru University | 15,000-20,000 | 3,00,000 - 4,50,000 | Archaeological Survey of India, Times of India, Ministry of Tourism |
| Kolkata | St Xavier's College, Loreto College | 20,000-25,000 | 3,50,000-4,00,000 | Chinsurah Smart Study, Art Fervour, St. Xavier’s Public School |
| Bangalore | Christ University, Presidency College | 20,000-25,000 | 3,00,000-4,00,00 | Wipro, TCS, EY |
BA in History Scholarships
Students pursuing Bachelor of Arts in History can apply for various scholarships provided by public and private institutions. A list of scholarships for Bachelor of Arts students is provided below:
| Scholarship | Eligibility Criteria | Amount |
| Scheme for Scholarships to Young Artistes in Different Cultural Fields | The candidate should be between 18-25 yrs. | INR 5,000 Per Month |
| Hasimohon Kr. And Tulsi Mani Kr. Scholarship | Minimum 45-50% marks in 10+2 (High School Degree) | Up to INR 10,000 |
Read More: BA Scholarships
Skills to Excel as a BA in History Graduate
Graduates with a BA in history need a combination of hard and soft abilities to succeed in their careers. Some of the skills required by a BA in History graduate are:
- Communication skills: It is essential that they understand the client's requirements, articulate them to ask questions, coordinate with their team and ensure accurate execution.
- Interpersonal skills: Those with good interpersonal skills are strong verbal and non-verbal communicators and are often considered to be good with people.
- Analyze and Interpret complex information: Effective critical thinkers are able to think clearly and rationally and understand the logical relations between data points and ideas.
- Attention to detail: People who have this trait often produce accurate and error-free work. They tend to be thorough with their research and are highly efficient individuals..
- Problem Solving skills: Problem-solving skills help you determine the source of a problem and find an effective solution. Although problem-solving is often identified as its own separate skill, there are other related skills that contribute to this ability.
Top BA History Colleges
Top Arts Entrance Exams
BA History Fee Structure
FAQs on BA History
Q: Is BA history hard?
A: BA in history is not tough as long as the aspirants are interested in ancient knowledge.
Q: Is an entrance exam necessary for BA History?
A: Admission to the BA History program is based on merit as well as entrance exams such as CUET, JNUEE, BHU UET, etc.
Q: Are there any scholarships for BA History students?
A: Yes, Students pursuing BA History courses get various scholarships upto INR 10,000 per year from private and government institutes.
Q: Can I do a PhD after BA History?
A: Yes, the student can pursue a PhD after completing BA History.
Q: What is the scope of BA History?
A: After BA History, graduates can pursue careers such as Museum Curator, History Teacher, Journalist, Archaeologist, Researcher, etc.
Q: Can I pursue BA History from IGNOU?
A: Yes, IGNOU is one of the prominent universities to pursue BA History course in offline as well as in distance education mode.
Q: What are the subjects in BA History?
A: The BA History subjects include History of India, History of North India, Social-Religious Reform Movements of the 19th and mid 20th Centuries, Glimpses of Modern European History, etc.
Q: Can a science background student do a BA History course?
A: Yes, students majoring in science are also eligible to earn a BA in History degree.
