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BA English: Course Details, Admission, Eligibility, Fees, Jobs, Salary 2024

Course

Chetna Verma

Updated on 11th September, 2024 , 14 min read

BA English

BA English is a three-year undergraduate course that focuses on English Literature, Cultural Studies, English Literary History, Contemporary Literature, Rhetoric, etc. BA in English full form is Bachelor of Arts in English. In this course, students read about diverse plays, books, and poems from various periods of history to debate and discuss those periods, the author's intentions, the works' cultural relevance, literary skill, and character depth. Know More: BA (Bachelor of Arts)

BA English eligibility criteria require students to complete class 12th board exams from a recognized board with a minimum of 50% overall marks or an equivalent CGPA. Admission to BA English course are merit-based as well as entrance-exam-based. Some of the entrance exams for BA English are CUETBHU UET, and Jamia Millia Islamia University entrance exam. The Delhi University will administer BA English Admission in 2023 based on applicants' results in the CUET entrance exams and 10+2 examinations.

Some of the top colleges for BA English are Miranda House, St. Stephen's College, and Lady Shri Ram College for Women, which are all included under Delhi University.

When taking a degree in BA English honors, students are required to take several challenging subjects. BA English subjects include Communicative English, Professional Communication, and Literature. English prose from the Elizabethan era to the Victorian era, English poetry from the Augustan to the Elizabethan, English poetry from the Pre-Romantic to the Victorian era, English prose from the late Victorian era to the modern era, etc. are also covered in the BA English course.

BA English jobs include content writing, teaching, journalism, script writing, copywriting, print media writing, and more. After acquiring a, BA English degree, students can expect an average salary of INR 413,822 LPA.

Related Articles:

English Honours SyllabusArts SubjectsBA Subjects

BA English Course Details

BA-English

BA English Full Form

Bachelor of Arts in English

Course Level

Undergraduate

BA English Course Duration

3 years

Course Mode

Full-time / Distance Education

BA English Course Eligibility

Pass class 12th board with 50% aggregate score or equivalent CGPA

BA English Course Admission Process

Merit-Based / Entrance Exams

BA English Course Fees

INR 8,000 - 1.3 LPA

BA English Salary

INR 2.5 - 3.5 LPA

BA English Jobs

Teaching, Journalism, Publishing Houses, Translators, etc.

Find the top BA English colleges in your city:

Top BA English Colleges in DelhiTop BA English Colleges in Jaipur
Top BA English Colleges in BangaloreTop BA English Colleges in Kolkata
Top BA English Colleges in PuneTop BA English Colleges in Mumbai
Top BA English Colleges in ChennaiTop BA English Colleges in Gurgaon
Top BA English Colleges in HyderabadTop BA English Colleges in Noida

What is BA English?

Many universities and colleges have an advanced degree program called BA English that concentrates on English Literature, Cultural Studies, Rhetoric, and Literary History. It is a three-year undergraduate degree program that is provided by several schools and institutions around the nation. After completing their BA English courses, students have the option of continuing their education by pursuing an MA or PhD in English.

Check Also: High Salary Courses After 12th Arts

Benefits of BA English Course

Studying BA in English comes with many benefits. Given below are the main reasons why it is advantageous to pursue this particular course:

  • Enhance your Language Skills: English is one of the most widely spoken languages in the world today. Therefore, earning a degree in English will eventually help you develop a firm command of the language and may also help you land some of the most esteemed positions in the nation.
  • Flexibility: There is a lot of flexibility and choice with the degree; there is no absolute requirement that one pursue a master's after earning a bachelor's in English.
  • Open up a Wide Range of Career Possibilities: You can find a lot of rewarding employment prospects with a BA English degree in a variety of industries, including teaching, translating, language expertise, journalism, publishing, etc.
  • Possibility of Studying Overseas: English is a subject that is studied all over the world and offers a choice of modules that can be studied abroad. Universities frequently include a year abroad program in their course offerings so that you can customize your degree to suit your travel interests as well.

Also Read: BA English Literature

Why pursue a BA in English?

Since BA English is one of the most popularly chosen degrees in India, there is no specific reason for studying it. However, the top reasons for choosing to pursue a BA in English are briefly listed here.

  • Enhance your Language Skills: English is one of the most widely spoken languages in the world today. Therefore, earning a degree in English will eventually help you develop a firm command of the language and may also help you land some of the most esteemed positions in the nation.
  • Flexibility and choices: There is no absolute requirement that one pursues a master's after earning a bachelor's in English. One of the few topics, English, allows students to pick from a variety of career paths after completing the coursework.
  • Open up a Wide Range of Career Prospects: If you have a degree in English, you will have access to a wide range of rewarding career opportunities, including those in teaching, translating, language expertise, journalism, publishing, and many more.
  • Possibility of Studying Overseas: English is a subject that is studied all over the world and offers a choice of modules that can be studied abroad. Universities frequently include a year abroad program in their course offerings so that you can customize your degree to suit your travel interests as well.

BA English Eligibility Criteria

Here are the important points to keep in mind before opting to pursue a BA in English course:

  • Students who want to major in English at the bachelor's degree level must have graduated from high school in any stream.
  • Students must have achieved a minimum of 50% in Class 12.
  • Students should be aware that English is a subject that must be taken in Class 12 from any recognized Board.

BA English Admission Process

Admissions to BA English courses are made based on merit as well as entrance exams. The majority of the entrance exam questions are MCQs, but depending on the syllabus and the format of the college entrance exam, there may also be subjective questions.

Merit-based BA English Admission

Admission to BA in English is based on merit at the institutions connected to Delhi University. The following procedures are involved in admission:

  • The application is made available by the institute. Anyone interested can fill it out and send it in with the required application fees.
  • Following an evaluation of the applications based on their prior academic records, a list of shortlisted individuals will be made public.
  • The selected candidates must accept admission within the specified window of time; otherwise, students on the waiting list will be offered their seats.

Entrance Exam Based BA English Admission

To choose the students who will be admitted to the BA in English program, certain institutes hold entrance exams. The procedures consist of:

  • The institute's application form must be filled out by interested candidates using the institute's website.
  • The candidates must download their admission cards and show up for the entrance exam.
  • The students will be judged according to how well they did on the admission exam, and a merit list of those who have been shortlisted will be made public.
  • The shortlisted candidates must accept admission within the allotted window of time.

BA English Entrance Exams

Students must pass the entrance exam to the course to enroll in BA English courses. The results of the entrance exam and interview administered by the individual Universities are used to determine admission to BA English courses.

One can select from several entrance exams, including CUET, BHU UET, JMI EEE, and others to enroll in a BA English course. 

BA English Admission 2023 Important Dates

Listed below are the important dates for BA in English  entrance exams: 

Entrance Exam

Application Dates

Exam Date

NPATDecember 1, 2022 – May 21, 2023June 4, 2023 - May 31, 2023
TISS BATFebruary 10, 2023 - March 12, 2023May 21 – 31, 2023
IPU CETMarch 2023 – April 2023April 2023
JNUEETo be announcedTo be announced
CUETFebruary 9, 2023 – March 12, 2023 (up to 9 PM)May 21 – 31, 2023
JMI EEETo be announcedTo be announced
Jadavpur University Entrance TestTo be announcedTo be announced

BA English Cut-offs

Students must pass the entrance exam to the course to enroll in BA English courses. Most universities grant BA English admissions based on the results of the entrance exam and interview rounds.

The table below mentions the cut-off scores of the past 5 years for some colleges:

College Name

Cut-off 2023

Cut-off 2022

Cut-off 2021

Cut-off 2020

Cut-off 2019

NMIMS Jyoti Dalal School of Liberal Arts320 - 156245 - 120300 - 250370 - 255469 - 389
NMKRV College for Women197 - 120148 - 110200 - 120110 - 185180 - 158
Baghini Nivedita College297 - 150245 - 220400 - 350270 - 285260 - 288
Jadavpur University378 - 283360 - 250345 - 170330 - 233340 - 271
Ramnarain Ruia Autonomous College396 - 220141 - 290300 - 380280 - 195290 - 175

Course Comparison: BA English Vs BA Literature

ParticularBA EnglishBA Literature
Full FormBachelor of Arts EnglishBachelor of Arts English Literature
Admission CriteriaMerit and entrance exams basedMerit and entrance exams based
Course OverviewBA English degree focuses on the study of linguistics, English language, literature, writing, and communication studies. It includes topics like literary criticism, literary history, and works of poets and writers.The BA in English Literature comprises of different literary genres. This degree focuses on the study of poetry, drama, novels, prose, and history.
Average SalaryINR 3-5 LPAINR 3-6 LPA

BA English Syllabus

The below table displays the detailed syllabus for the 3-year BA in English course. 

ba-english-syllabus

The BA in English course provides a wide range of topics, including American literature, European classic literature, and Indian classical literature. The disciplines covered in a three-year BA English study are listed in further depth in the table below.

BA English Syllabus: 1st Year

Indian Classical LiteratureIndian Writing in English
European Classical LiteratureBritish Poetry and Drama: 14th to 17th Centuries

BA English Syllabus: 2nd Year

American LiteraturePopular Literature
British Poetry and Drama: 17th & 18th CenturiesBritish Literature: 18th Century
British Romantic Literature-

BA English Syllabus: 3rd Year

Women's WritingBritish Literature: The Early 20th Century
Modern European DramaPostcolonial Literatures

Also Read: MA English Syllabus and Subjects

BA English Subjects

ba-english-subjects

This section lists the detailed subjects covered over the three years of BA English as followed by most colleges offering BA in English course programs:

BA English Subjects: Semester I

BA English Subjects: Semester II

Communicative EnglishProfessional Communication
Language Paper ILanguage Paper II
History of English Literature: The Pre-Chaucerian to the AugustanHistory of English Literature: The Pre-Romantic to the Victorian
English Poetry: The Elizabethan to the AugustanEnglish Poetry: The Pre-Romantic to the Victorian
English Prose: The Elizabethan to the VictorianEnglish Prose: The Late-Victorian to the Modern
Introduction to ComputingIndian Writing in English: Fiction
Cultural Education ICultural Education II

 

BA English Subjects: Semester III

BA English Subjects: Semester IV

Communicative English (Advanced)History of English Language and Phonetics
History of English Literature: Victorian to the PresentIndian Writing In English: Poetry
American LiteratureShakespeare: Comedies
BiographyEnvironmental Studies
English Fiction: VictorianElective A
Life Skills IOpen Elective A
Amrita Value Program ILife Skills II
Amrita Value Program II-

 

BA English Subjects: Semester V

BA English Subjects: Semester VI

Elements of Literary CriticismLiterary Criticism: Introduction
English Poetry: ModernEuropean Fiction
English Drama: Elizabethan to VictorianEnglish Fiction: Modern
Spiritual LiteratureEnglish Drama: Modern
Elective BShakespeare: Tragedies
Open Elective B/Live-in-LabAutobiography
Life Skills III-
Canadian Literature-

BA English: Skills Required

For those with a passion for literature, pursuing a bachelor's degree in English can be an intriguing option. The applicants will be able to understand and perform better in this course if they possess a certain set of skills, which are necessary to pursue a BA English course.

Here is a list of the skills required to pursue a BA in English:

  • Reading and Writing Passion
  • Strong hold on English Grammar
  • Flair for writing
  • Creative thinking
  • Fluency in English

BA English: Types of Courses

In addition to the typical online classes, there are other different methods to acquire a BA in English. BA in English courses are available in full-time, part-time, and distance learning options.

For your information, we have included a detailed discussion of each type of BA English course below.

BA English Full Time

This is a complete on-campus degree program that gives the student all the necessary information and training for BA English courses. Full-time BA English degree programs are offered by universities and colleges such as Lady Shri Ram College for Women, St. Stephen's College, Presidency University, Kirori Mal, and Miranda House.

BA English Part Time

A part-time degree in BA English allows students to finish their degree requirements over a longer period. In contrast to normal courses, part-time courses allow students to arrange their classes at their convenience without having to regularly attend college. Along with full-time degrees, most universities also offer part-time degrees. Students can earn part-time degrees from universities like Jawaharlal Nehru University and Jamia Millia Islamia.

BA English Distance Education  

Since students do not need to consistently attend classes, distance education is virtually like taking part-time courses. In addition, compared to a full-time course, distance learning is more affordable and has fewer prerequisites. IGNOU, Annamalai University, Osmania University, Karnataka State Open University, and others are a few institutions and universities that provide distance learning for BA English courses.

Top Distance BA English Colleges

Here is a list of the top BA English colleges to pursue distance learning programs in English:

College Name Average Fees (INR) 
IGNOUINR 1,700
Annamalai UniversityINR 1500
Alagappa University

INR 7400

 

BA English IGNOU

When it comes to pursuing a BA in English Distance Education, Indira Gandhi National Open University, also known as IGNOU, is among the top universities. Below are the requirements and other information for pursuing a BA in English through IGNOU.

  • Students must have qualified for the Class 12th exams from a recognized board.
  • The distance learning BA in English course duration is three years.
  • The cost of the BA English distance learning course at IGNOU is approximately INR 6,000.

BA English Top Colleges in India

The below infographic represents the top colleges that you can pick to pursue a BA English course program:

top-ba-english-colleges-in-india

In India, there are more than 14,000 colleges that provide BA programs in a range of subject areas. 3403 colleges out of them provide BA English courses. Here is a list of the top colleges in India that offer BA English Courses in India:

Top BA English Colleges in India

BA English Course Fees

St Stephen's College, DelhiINR 1,13,760/-
Lady Shri Ram College for Women, DelhiINR 49,170/-
Hindu College, DelhiINR 44,370/-
Women's Christian College, ChennaiINR 1,08,000/-
Miranda House, DelhiINR 42,480/-
Fergusson College, PuneINR 8,060/-
Presidency College, ChennaiINR 3,735/-
Jesus & Mary College (JMC), DelhiINR 46,600/-
Ramnarain Ruia Autonomous College, MumbaiINR 18,750/-
Daulat Ram College, DelhiINR 44,610/-

BA English Colleges Abroad

For students who wish to study abroad, BA English courses are available in foreign countries as well. Many renowned schools and institutions throughout the world offer a BA in English program. Oxford University, Columbia University, McGill University, and other renowned universities are offering a BA in English overseas.

BA English Eligibility for Abroad

The following are some requirements to meet before pursuing a BA in English abroad:

  • Students must receive the highest possible scores on their class 12 board exams, preferably above 70% overall. They must also pass several language proficiency exams, such as the TOEFL and IELTS, with minimum qualifying scores of 6.5 and 80, respectively.
  • The BA in English course fees overseas are between INR 10,01,320 and 41,24,400 on average.
  • Students who complete the course might choose to continue their education by pursuing an MA or PhD in English or they can begin working.

Below is a list of some of the best institutions that offer BA in English courses.

UK

College/University Course Fees
University of OxfordINR 23,71,600
University College LondonINR 17,43,490

USA

College/UniversityCourse Fees
Columbia UniversityINR 41,24,400
University of MassachusettsINR 26,14,080

Canada

College/UniversityCourse Fees
University of MontrealINR 9,01,320
University of AlbertaINR 15,48,750
McGill UniversityINR 11,88,950

Career Options After BA English

The image displays the top career options that one can indulge in after completing the BA English course program:

career-options-after-ba-english

After earning a bachelor's degree in English, you may have access to a wide range of professional choices. Content writing, writing for print media, proofreading, creative writing, and others are a few of them.

Here is a list of the career options that one can pursue after completing a BA in English:

  • Content Writing
  • SEO writing
  • Content marketing
  • E-learning content
  • Review writing
  • Print Media Writing

Courses After BA English

Students who want to pursue higher education after acquiring a BA English degree can opt for various professional courses such as:

MA English

After earning a BA in English, students may pursue a 2-year master's degree program in English.

Eligibility criteria for MA English:

Students should graduate from a reputable university with at least 50% overall or an equivalent CGPA in BA English or related discipline.

Some of the top MA in English Colleges are:

Name of the College Course Fees
Miranda HouseINR 25,060
Lady Shri Ram College for WomenINR 30,407
Jadavpur UniversityINR 4,940
Lady Brabourne CollegeINR 27,174
St. Xavier's CollegeINR 50,000
KJ Somaiya College of Arts, Commerce and ScienceINR 16,850
Mithibai College of ArtsINR 19,657

Ph.D. English

The Ph.D. focus in English is the most popular choice among students who have earned an MA in English. In India, several institutions and universities, including JNU, Calcutta University, Mumbai University, etc., offer PhD programs in English.

Eligibility Criteria for PhD English:

  • Students must get their postgraduate or master's degree in a relevant field from an accredited university with a minimum cumulative grade point average (CGPA) of 50%.
  • The total aggregate marks will be reduced by 5% for students in the SC/ST category.

Some of the top colleges for PhD in English are: 

Name of the College Course Fees 
Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU)INR 856
University of CalcuttaINR 10,000
Mumbai UniversityINR 15,000
Delhi UniversityINR 12,555
IGNOUINR 6,600

BA English: Course Comparison

Given below is the comparison between two of the most popular courses which are BA English and BA English Literature:

Feature

BA English

BA English Literature

Full FormBachelor of Arts EnglishBachelor of Arts English Literature
OverviewIt focusses on the study of prose, poetry, and other works by famous personalities of the language.It focusses on the study of literature including the origin, history, and development of English literature.
ObjectiveIt provides a deep understanding of texts and poems.It provides deep understanding of language development and literary advancement through the ages.
Admission CriteriaMerit/Entrance BasedMerit/Entrance Based
Average Course FeesINR 50,000 - 3,00,000INR 60,000 - 3,50,000
Average SalaryINR 3,50,000 - 6,00,000INR 4,00,000 - 6,00,000

BA English Jobs

Here is a list of the top job opportunities after completing a BA in English from a recognized university:

BA English Job Profiles

Job Description

TeacherTeachers hold the responsibility of educating students in schools and colleges.  BA English Literature graduates are highly preferred for teaching roles.
Content WriterThe roles and responsibilities of content writers are to write blogs, advertisements, articles, product descriptions, video scripts, and more for company websites and social media channels.
JournalistThe main role of journalist is to pursue latest news and happening in the world and produce new write-ups for newspapers.
Script WriterScriptwriters holds the responsibility to write up scripts for television shows, movies and other forms of production.
Proof-readerProofreaders are required to read, find errors, and correct errors in the grammar and language of write-ups that are produced by other writers.
EditorEditors hold the responsibility to review and revise the content material which will be published in newspapers, magazines, and websites.

BA English Salary

ba-english-jobs-and-salary

Given below is the average salary for jobs after BA in English:

BA English Jobs

Average Salary

Teacher3 LPA
Content Writer3.5 LPA
Journalist2.5 - 4 LPA
Script Writer5 - 6.5 LPA
Proof-reader3 - 3.5 LPA
Editor3 - 4 LPA

BA English: Top Recruiters

Here is a list of the top recruiting companies that hire BA English graduates:

  • Edelman
  • Adfactors Ltd.
  • The Times of India
  • The Telegraph
  • Deloitte
  • TCS
  • Capgemini
  • Pearson
  • Wipro

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is BA English?

BA in English is a three-year undergraduate program that educates students about the different concepts of language and literature.

What is the duration of BA in English?

BA English course duration is 3-years.

What is the course fees for BA English?

BA English course fees can range anywhere between INR 8,000 - 1.3 lakhs.

Which are the top colleges for BA in English?

Some of the top colleges that offer BA English course are: St Stephen’s College, Delhi Lady Shri Ram College for Women, Delhi Hindu College, Delhi Women’s Christian College, Chennai Miranda House, Delhi

Is BA English a good course?

Yes. BA English is a highly popular and rewarding course which offers various job opportunities in private as well as public sector. Moreover, it increases chances of pursuing higher education or job in abroad.

What are the job options after BA English?

BA English graduates can find job opportunities such as: Teacher Content Writer Journalist Script Writer Proof-reader

What is the average salary offered after completing BA in English degree?

BA English graduates can earn anywhere between INR 2.5 - 3.5 LPA.

What is the eligibility criteria for BA English?

BA English eligibility criteria requires students to complete 10+2 (any stream) from a recognized board with a minimum of 50% aggregate score.

What is the admission process for BA English?

The admission to BA English course are both merit as well as entrance exam based.

Which are the entrance exams for admission into BA English program?

Some of the entrance exam for admission in BA in English course are: NPAT IPU CET JNUEE CUET

Which topics are covered in BA in English syllabus?

BA English syllabus include topics like Indian Classical Literature, European Classical Literature, American Literature, British Romantic Literature, Modern European Drama, Postcolonial Literatures, etc.

What is scope of BA English?

With a BA in English Literature, students can work in a variety of industries, including journalism, public relations, content writing and blogging, teaching, academia, media and advertising, writing and publishing, creative writing, and content writing. Clearly, it has immense scope in terms of career and job options.

Is BA English is tough?

No, BA English is not tough as long as you are interested in the subject. It will be a really engaging discipline if you have an aptitude for writing and reading. It is dependent on the fact that numerous colleges and institutions have different curricula.

What are benefits of studying BA English?

The BA in English Literature teaches the fundamentals of English language and literature from various historical periods. The academic training will prepare you to comprehend the essential components of each subject, to create an autonomous and original thought process, and to improve your communication abilities.

Is BA English in demand?

In today’s developing world, BA English jobs in India are highly sought after and have a promising future. After completing a BA English course, any student may be put in the placements for that course (if it exists in their institution). Other than that, both the public and commercial sectors provide a variety of employment options.

What is the full form of BA English?

BA English full form is Bachelor of Arts in English.

Can BA English be done through distance education?

Yes. BA English distance education is available for students who cannot attend regular courses. Some colleges and universities offer BA English course in distance mode.

What is the BA English subjects covered in first year?

BA English subjects in first year include subjects such as Indian Classical Literature, Indian Writing in English, European Classical Literature, and British Poetry and Drama: 14th to 17th Centuries.

Can a BA in English lead to a career in publishing

Yes, BA in English can be a pathway to a career in the publishing industry. Graduates can find employment as editors, proofreaders, literary agents, content managers, or work in marketing and publicity departments of publishing houses.

Is BA in English a good choice for aspiring writers

Yes, a BA in English can be an excellent choice for aspiring writers as it hones writing skills, exposes students to different writing styles and genres, and provides opportunities to receive feedback and guidance from professors and peers.

Is a BA in English only about literature?

While literature is a significant component of the program, BA in English goes beyond just studying literature. It also encompasses language studies, writing skills, cultural studies, and the exploration of various literary genres, periods, and movements

What is BA in English?

A BA in English is an undergraduate degree program that focuses on the study of the English language, literature, and related disciplines.

Can I become a teacher with BA in English?

Yes, BA in English can help in becoming a teacher, however, a Bachelor of Education (BEd) or a teaching credential program, may be required.

What skills can I develop through BA in English?

BA in English helps develop strong communication skills, both written and verbal, enhances critical thinking, analysis, research, and interpretation abilities.

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