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 CUET, BHU 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.
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BA English Course Details
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:
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 |
NPAT | December 1, 2022 – May 21, 2023 | June 4, 2023 - May 31, 2023 |
TISS BAT | February 10, 2023 - March 12, 2023 | May 21 – 31, 2023 |
IPU CET | March 2023 – April 2023 | April 2023 |
JNUEE | To be announced | To be announced |
CUET | February 9, 2023 – March 12, 2023 (up to 9 PM) | May 21 – 31, 2023 |
JMI EEE | To be announced | To be announced |
Jadavpur University Entrance Test | To be announced | To 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 Arts | 320 - 156 | 245 - 120 | 300 - 250 | 370 - 255 | 469 - 389 |
NMKRV College for Women | 197 - 120 | 148 - 110 | 200 - 120 | 110 - 185 | 180 - 158 |
Baghini Nivedita College | 297 - 150 | 245 - 220 | 400 - 350 | 270 - 285 | 260 - 288 |
Jadavpur University | 378 - 283 | 360 - 250 | 345 - 170 | 330 - 233 | 340 - 271 |
Ramnarain Ruia Autonomous College | 396 - 220 | 141 - 290 | 300 - 380 | 280 - 195 | 290 - 175 |
Course Comparison: BA English Vs BA Literature
Particular | BA English | BA Literature |
Full Form | Bachelor of Arts English | Bachelor of Arts English Literature |
Admission Criteria | Merit and entrance exams based | Merit and entrance exams based |
Course Overview | BA 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 Salary | INR 3-5 LPA | INR 3-6 LPA |
BA English Syllabus
The below table displays the detailed syllabus for the 3-year BA in English course.
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 Literature | Indian Writing in English |
European Classical Literature | British Poetry and Drama: 14th to 17th Centuries |
BA English Syllabus: 2nd Year
American Literature | Popular Literature |
British Poetry and Drama: 17th & 18th Centuries | British Literature: 18th Century |
British Romantic Literature | - |
BA English Syllabus: 3rd Year
Women's Writing | British Literature: The Early 20th Century |
Modern European Drama | Postcolonial Literatures |
Also Read: MA English Syllabus and 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 English | Professional Communication |
Language Paper I | Language Paper II |
History of English Literature: The Pre-Chaucerian to the Augustan | History of English Literature: The Pre-Romantic to the Victorian |
English Poetry: The Elizabethan to the Augustan | English Poetry: The Pre-Romantic to the Victorian |
English Prose: The Elizabethan to the Victorian | English Prose: The Late-Victorian to the Modern |
Introduction to Computing | Indian Writing in English: Fiction |
Cultural Education I | Cultural 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 Present | Indian Writing In English: Poetry |
American Literature | Shakespeare: Comedies |
Biography | Environmental Studies |
English Fiction: Victorian | Elective A |
Life Skills I | Open Elective A |
Amrita Value Program I | Life Skills II |
Amrita Value Program II | - |
BA English Subjects: Semester V | BA English Subjects: Semester VI |
Elements of Literary Criticism | Literary Criticism: Introduction |
English Poetry: Modern | European Fiction |
English Drama: Elizabethan to Victorian | English Fiction: Modern |
Spiritual Literature | English Drama: Modern |
Elective B | Shakespeare: Tragedies |
Open Elective B/Live-in-Lab | Autobiography |
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) |
IGNOU | INR 1,700 |
Annamalai University | INR 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:
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, Delhi | INR 1,13,760/- |
Lady Shri Ram College for Women, Delhi | INR 49,170/- |
Hindu College, Delhi | INR 44,370/- |
Women's Christian College, Chennai | INR 1,08,000/- |
Miranda House, Delhi | INR 42,480/- |
Fergusson College, Pune | INR 8,060/- |
Presidency College, Chennai | INR 3,735/- |
Jesus & Mary College (JMC), Delhi | INR 46,600/- |
Ramnarain Ruia Autonomous College, Mumbai | INR 18,750/- |
Daulat Ram College, Delhi | INR 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 Oxford | INR 23,71,600 |
University College London | INR 17,43,490 |
USA
College/University | Course Fees |
Columbia University | INR 41,24,400 |
University of Massachusetts | INR 26,14,080 |
Canada
College/University | Course Fees |
University of Montreal | INR 9,01,320 |
University of Alberta | INR 15,48,750 |
McGill University | INR 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:
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.
- The typical cost of an MA in English course is between INR 40,000 and 50,000.
- The University of Calcutta, Delhi University, JNU, Jamia Millia Islamia, etc are some of the leading institutions offering MA in English programs.
- You can also pursue an MA in English through distance learning at universities like IGNOU, Osmania University, Rabindra Bharati, University, etc.
- After earning an MA in English, some of the best career options include those of a journalist, teacher, professor, language translator, etc.
Some of the top MA in English Colleges are:
Name of the College | Course Fees |
Miranda House | INR 25,060 |
Lady Shri Ram College for Women | INR 30,407 |
Jadavpur University | INR 4,940 |
Lady Brabourne College | INR 27,174 |
St. Xavier's College | INR 50,000 |
KJ Somaiya College of Arts, Commerce and Science | INR 16,850 |
Mithibai College of Arts | INR 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 Calcutta | INR 10,000 |
Mumbai University | INR 15,000 |
Delhi University | INR 12,555 |
IGNOU | INR 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 Form | Bachelor of Arts English | Bachelor of Arts English Literature |
Overview | It 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. |
Objective | It provides a deep understanding of texts and poems. | It provides deep understanding of language development and literary advancement through the ages. |
Admission Criteria | Merit/Entrance Based | Merit/Entrance Based |
Average Course Fees | INR 50,000 - 3,00,000 | INR 60,000 - 3,50,000 |
Average Salary | INR 3,50,000 - 6,00,000 | INR 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 |
Teacher | Teachers hold the responsibility of educating students in schools and colleges. BA English Literature graduates are highly preferred for teaching roles. |
Content Writer | The 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. |
Journalist | The main role of journalist is to pursue latest news and happening in the world and produce new write-ups for newspapers. |
Script Writer | Scriptwriters holds the responsibility to write up scripts for television shows, movies and other forms of production. |
Proof-reader | Proofreaders are required to read, find errors, and correct errors in the grammar and language of write-ups that are produced by other writers. |
Editor | Editors hold the responsibility to review and revise the content material which will be published in newspapers, magazines, and websites. |
BA English Salary
Given below is the average salary for jobs after BA in English:
BA English Jobs | Average Salary |
Teacher | 3 LPA |
Content Writer | 3.5 LPA |
Journalist | 2.5 - 4 LPA |
Script Writer | 5 - 6.5 LPA |
Proof-reader | 3 - 3.5 LPA |
Editor | 3 - 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