Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Sociology is an undergraduate program which deals with various aspects of social behavior and its consequence on modern society. Students who have successfully qualified the 10+2 examination are eligible for admission to this program.

It is a 3 year duration program often divided in 6 semesters. The average tuition fee for BA Sociology ranges from 15,000 INR to 2 Lakh INR for three years depending upon the type of institution.

After a BA degree in Sociology, an individual can find employment in a variety of sectors ranging from government service to corporate world. Average entry level salary for BA Sociology graduates lies between 10,000 INR to 20,000 INR per month. 

Duration

The duration for a BA degree in Sociology is 3 years. Each year is divided in 2 semesters. For distance programs the minimum duration is 3 years and maximum duration is generally 6 years.

What is BA Sociology about?

Sociology is a branch of study which investigates into multiple aspects of society and social behavior. A Bachelor degree in Sociology teaches the fundamental concepts related to structure of society, organization of society, and how humans interact within these constructs. The basic subject matter of Sociology concerns itself with topics related to family structure, global warfare, religious cults, social class, race and gender etc.

 The scope and subject range of a sociology course is one of the rarest among undergraduate courses. With its huge emphasis on society and social structure, this course fits in perfectly with the needs of modern society.

Who should opt for BA Sociology?

BA Sociology is an ideal course for students who are interested in learning the various mechanisms of a society and the different factors which contribute in the formation of a community or organization. This course helps develop multiple useful skills such as communication skills, analytical and critical thinking, research aptitude etc.

This course not just focuses on the society but also on the aspects of human behavior in relation to a community making it ideal for students wishing to pursue a career in Public Relations, Marketing or Human Resources. A Bachelor degree in Sociology also paves way for a career in Public Administration and Social Work.

Where to study?

There are many Colleges and Universities in India which offer an Undergraduate degree in Sociology. Some of the top colleges for BA in Sociology are:

• Lady Shri Ram College for Women, New Delhi
• Loyola College, Chennai
• St. Stephen’s College, New Delhi
• St. Xavier’s College, Mumbai
• Christ College, Bangalore
• Fergusson College, Pune
• National P.G. College, Lucknow
• St. Francis College for Women, Hyderabad

BA Sociology Honors & BA Sociology Program

There are universities which offer two kind of undergraduate courses in Sociology. These are a BA Honors in Sociology and BA Program or BA Pass in Sociology. There is no substantial difference between the two courses. The core courses and electives generally remain the same. The only difference is that in an Honors course, a student has an option to specialize in one or more subject related to sociology.

So while a BA Program or BA Pass in Sociology student has to study all the general subjects of Sociology, a BA Honors in Sociology student has in-depth knowledge of the honors paper of their choice.

Academic Options after BA Sociology

A lot of students may choose to pursue further academics after BA Sociology. For such students there is no dearth of options. The first and most obvious option is a Master of Arts degree in Sociology from any reputed University offering Postgraduate courses in India. Students looking for a professional edge can also pursue an MBA in Human Resource Management or an MBA in Marketing.

Another good option for BA Sociology graduates is an MA in Social Work which is offered at institutes such as Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai. A sizeable portion of students also opt for an MA in International Relations or an MA in Gender Studies available at universities such as Jawaharlal Nehru University, Delhi and Ambedkar University, Delhi. 

Aspirants seeking admission to 3 year Full-time BA Program should have passed the intermediate or 10+2 level from a recognized board.