List of Top Online MA University in India
The students and working professionals who aspire to update themselves in higher studies have benefited from the advent of online education in the present scenario where digital learning is fast becoming the rage. Among many other postgraduate courses, the MA has the best popularity and the widest spectrum in terms of specializations and employment opportunities.
An online MA program promises to be flexible, cheaper, and accessible across the country, thus creating a lucrative market for students. This article provides an overview of the best colleges for an online MA, how to enroll, its fee structure, course details, job opportunities, and the role of Study Jagat in all these processes for better guidance.
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Why Go for an Online Program in MA?
Online MA programs are most favored by students for the benefits they offer. Some incredible reasons that should prompt you to start an online MA course are:
- Flexibility – You can study from anywhere, being comfortable.
- Affordability – The lightest on pockets compared to the traditional classroom program.
- Availability of a wide range of specializations – Choose from English, History, Political Science, Sociology, or others.
- Better job prospects – Before improving your chances of landing a job, go through salary prospects.
- University accreditation – Many good colleges offer online MA courses with UGC approval.
Best Online MA University in India
Here’s a list of a few top-of-the-line institutes that have recognized UGC online MA programs offered in India:
Indira Gandhi National Open University(IGNOU): The nationally important institution has the aim of promoting distance education; it is the largest university in open learning circuits. Offers an online MA with UGC and AICTE approvals, with a sum fee of fairly near INR 25,000, thus making it the cheapest option available.
Amity University Online: A significant private university located in Noida, the university that offers a Master’s of Arts. The core specializations include Journalism and Mass Communication, Public Policy and Governance, and Psychology. The fee varies according to the specialization, approximately 1,70,000 IN for an MA in Journalism and Mass Communication and 1,30,000 INR for Public Policy and Governance.
Manipal University Online: This university, located in Jaipur, provides an MA degree through its online programs on Journalism, and Mass Communication, Information theory with practical skills. Total program costs will be around INR 1,00,000 and INR 1,50,000.
Chandigarh University Online: Located in Punjab, this university offers online MA programs in English, Economics, and Journalism and Mass Communication. All of these courses have a total fee of around INR 1,00,000.
Lovely Professional University (LPU) Online: Lovely Professional University, another fine university in Punjab, offers MA courses in English, history, sociology, and political science. Approximately, the total fee for these courses is INR 59,840.
Jain University Online: Un offering the MA master’s online courses in English, Economics, Psychology, and International Studies are courses that Jain University from Bangalore also offers. The program fees stand nearly at INR 1,10,000 per annum.
Annamalai University Distance Education: MA in History, Sociology, and Political Science are being taught by the University under distance education in Tamil-Nadu. No information is left to provide about the courses offered, the specializations awarded, or the fees charged.
Online University of Mysore: The University of Mysore located in Karnataka conducts online MA courses; no wide-ranging information is available on the specializations offered and fee structure.
Alagappa University Online – This University from Tamil Nadu offers an MA in Journalism & Mass Communication, English, and Tamil. Pretty much anything from INR 30,100 to INR 80,300 as fees is chargeable.
Symbiosis School for Online and Digital Learning (SSODL): It is a part of Symbiosis International University in Pune and offers online courses, but no detailed information about its MA programs and fee structure is very much available.
All the above universities offer numerous MA specializations, great faculty, and interactive learning platforms.
Best of Online MA Programs in India
MA Online in Popular Specializations
- MA in English Literature
- MA in History
- MA in Political Science
- MA in Sociology
- MA in Economics
- MA in Journalism and Mass Communication
- MA in Psychology
Different universities are known to specialize in different programs. Some are worth mentioning, such as IGNOUs are best known for their cheap MA in political science and English. Amity University Online is meant for its advanced MA in Journalism & Mass Communication. Manipal University Online: Sociology & Psychology also ranks high.
Admission Process for Online MA Courses
The admission process is quite simple, and online MA courses can be successfully admitted in a few steps. The entire admission procedure is as follows:
Step 1-Check Eligibility: Different universities will have different eligibility criteria for their MA programs. Generally, candidates should have a Bachelor’s degree in a relevant discipline from a recognized university.
Some universities specify a certain minimum percentage in graduation, while others do not.”
There are many universities where you can access admission through their sites by having an account created to apply for the online graduate programs of that university.
Application Form Entrance: Carefully fill in all the relevant personal, educational, and contact information. Incorrect information may delay the admission. Some universities may also ask for a Statement of Purpose (SOP) but in most cases, only a brief essay is needed about interest in the program.
Upload Documents: Besides this, you will also submit scanned copies of the essential documents, such as:
- Graduation mark sheets and degree certificate
- Government-issued ID proof (Aadhar card, passport, etc.)
- Passport-size photographs
- Caste certificate (if applicable)
Any other documents required by the university Pay the Fees: You now move to the section in which you pay your fees.
Most of the universities have the following:
- Credit/Debit Card
- Net Baking
- UPI.
Some might also include an EMI option. Some institutions also have the privilege of allowing installments to students.
Confirmation: After all documents are submitted and confirmed, you will receive an email or letter confirming your entry into the course. This would also provide details related to your student login credentials, course structure, academic schedule, and any other useful information.
Further Notes: Generally, many universities conduct rolling admissions so students do not have to wait most times throughout the year.
- Some universities conduct either an online entrance exam or an interview for admission to their specialized MA programs.
- For instance, when you are applying for an MA in Psychology or Journalism, that university will possibly look into your academic qualifications or work experiences that are most relevant.
As an admitted student into an MA program, the student now has access to the learning portal, where he or she may download study materials, attend live or recorded lectures, and participate in coursework based on the university’s academic schedule.
Fee Structure of Online MA Courses
University | Estimated Fee Range (INR) | Duration |
IGNOU | 12,000 – 18,000 | 2 Years |
Amity University Online | 80,000 – 1,20,000 | 2 Years |
Manipal University Online | 80,000 – 1,00,000 | 2 Years |
Chandigarh University Online | 70,000 – 90,000 | 2 Years |
Jain University Online | 60,000 – 80,000 | 2 Years |
Course Structure & Curriculum of Online MA Programs
The structure of an online MA course is divided into four semesters over two years. Below is a general course structure:
Semester | Subjects |
Semester 1 | – Introduction to Subject Specialization |
– Research Methodology | |
– Core Subject Paper 1 | |
– Academic Writing & Communication | |
Semester 2 | – Core Subject Paper 2 |
– Elective Subject 1 | |
– Digital Learning & E-resources | |
Semester 3 | – Elective Subject 2 |
– Research Paper/Project | |
– Internship/Field Work (if applicable) | |
Semester 4 | – Dissertation |
– Advanced Subject Study | |
– Final Exam & Assessment |
The subjects may vary depending on the specialization chosen
Eligibility Criteria for Online MA Courses in India
The requirements for an online MA program include some academic and general eligibility criteria for students. These differ from one university to another; nevertheless, most of the common entry requirements are:
Educational Qualification:
- The candidate must have a Bachelor’s degree (BA or equivalent) from a university recognized in the respective country.
- While some universities will accept graduates from all disciplines, other universities often require some relevant bachelor’s qualification, for instance, a BA in English for an MA in English.
Minimum Percentage Requirement:
- Most universities require applicants to score at least 50% marks in obtaining their qualifying degree for admission purposes.
- However, some have lower thresholds or no percentage requirement at all, thus opening the door to many more students.
Age Limit:
- There will be no age limit for a person seeking admission to an online MA program.
- This provides flexibility to the young graduate, the aged, the professional working to improve current skills, and the housewife who wants to hone any skills.
Other Requirements (if applicable):
- Some may want to examine an applicant through at least an interview or an entrance test, especially in competitive specializations like Psychology or Journalism.
- Some programs seek applicants who possess relevant experience,particularly in the more professional fields like Mass Communication or Public Administration.
As eligibility varies from one institution to another, it is advisable to check for such requirements from the official university website before applying.
Top Career Option After Online MA
An online degree is a lot more promising in shaping various careers:
Job Profiles :
- Professor/Lecturer – Teaching roles in colleges and universities.
- Content Writer/Editor – For publishing houses, digital media, and journalism.
- Research Analyst – In positions for policy research and think tanks.
- Social Worker/NGO Executive – As in development sectors.
- Public Relations Specialist – Corporate and media relations.
- Government Jobs – Administration, UPSC, and various jobs in state-level services.
Moreover, these graduates can go for further studies- M.Phil. and Ph.D. programs to pursue academic and research-oriented careers.
How Study Jagat Facilitates Admission into the Top Notch Online MA Universities
It is really difficult to find the best online MA universities. Study Jagat helps students in taking expert advice for making an effective selection. Understand how we help one go through:
- University Selection – Based on ranking, fees, and specializations.
- Admission Assistance- Step-by-step guidance throughout the application process.
- Scholarships Help- Informative tips and guidance on feasible financial aid options.
- Career Counseling- Counselling about specialization and career paths.
- Regular Updates- Up-to-date information about university admissions, deadlines, etc.
Study Jagat makes the process of enrolling in an online MA program a hassle-free process for its students.
Conclusion :
An online MA is a degree from a well-known university through which students can modify their education and careers without spending a lot. All courses in such a university are recognized by UGC and therefore students are guaranteed to get quality education studying from the comforts of their houses.
If you are thinking of an online MA program, you can use this guide to help find the best university and specialization. Also, to make the admission process easier visit Study Jagat today!
