Bachelor of Arts (B.A) Honours in Economics is a 3-year full time graduation course. The eligibility for which is a Higher Secondary Certificate qualification from a recognized board with a minimum aggregate marks of 45% .The entire course program is spread across 3 years which is divided into 6 semesters of 6 months each. Some universities also follow the yearly program of examination. The cut-off marks for application in this course varies from institute to institute. In various recognized universities, there are entrance tests held followed by an interview to judge the eligibility of the candidate seeking admission.
See Also: BA Economics Honours Syllabus
The course is best-suited for students who are seeking to build a career in the economics field. This will be helpful in prospective career programs such as MBA and the likes to build oneself as an entrepreneur with detailed knowledge of the economy and how it runs. It is the social science that analyses the economy as a whole and its production, consumption, and distribution of different goods and services. A BA honours in Economics takes into consideration the detailed study of both the macro and micro aspects of economics.
The course covers the definition, scope, limitations, concepts, utility, production, market, and other major/minor aspects of economics. It teaches them to not only learn in detail but to also scrutinize and analyse the different aspects based on which an economy runs. The course is not limited to the Indian economy and covers international economies as well, providing it a global scope when it comes to career opportunities.
Top Institutes offering this course are:
- Lady Shri Ram College for Women
- Loyola College
- Christ University
- Miranda House College
- Presidency College
Such graduates may be hired Sales Analyst, Economics Researcher, Economist, Customer Profit Analyst, Investment Analyst, Investment Administrator, etc. in areas such as Analysis/Forecasting Firms, Stock Exchanges, Manufacturing Firms, Agricultural Companies, Financial Information Firms, Banks/Credit Unions, International Trade Companies etc.
The average full time fee charged for the course in India ranges between INR 25,000 to 3 lakhs per academic year, and the average salary offered to such professionals’ ranges between INR 2 lakhs to INR 18 lakhs per annum, increasing with experience and expertise.
B.A. in Economics: Course highlights
| Course Level | Graduation |
| Duration | 3 year |
| Examination Type | Semester System |
| Eligibility | A Higher Secondary Certificate qualification from a recognized board with a minimum aggregate marks of 45% |
| Admission Process | In various recognized universities, there are entrance tests held followed by an interview to judge the eligibility of the candidate seeking admission. |
| Course Fee | INR 25,000 to 3 lakhs |
| Average Starting Salary | INR 2lakhs to 18 lakhs |
| Top Recruiting Areas | Analysis/Forecasting Firms, Stock Exchanges, Manufacturing Firms, Agricultural Companies, Financial Information Firms, Banks/Credit Unions, International Trade Companies etc. |
| Job Positions | Sales Analyst, Economics Researcher, Economist, Customer Profit Analyst, Investment Analyst, Investment Administrator, etc |
B.A Honours in Economics: What is it about?
The program has been designed to offer the eligible candidates a comprehensive course which delves into the nuances of the Indian as well as the other economics around the world. B.A. honours in Economics studies the definitions, scope, limitations, markets, consumers, producers, and distribution of goods and services within an economy. Along with macro, the micro aspects of an economy are also taken into consideration. The students develop analytical and problem-solving skills. As a result, it prepares them for different commerce and banking-related jobs. They may also become entrepreneurs running their business with the knowledge of production, consumption, and distribution in the economy.
The candidates are required to possess a few qualities such as numeracy, problem solving, analytical, communication, computing, and time management, among others. These qualities will help the candidate to build himself/herself as a successful economist after the completion of the course. B.A. Honours in Economics is both an inclusive as a well-round up program which starts off with the basic definition and understanding of economics as a whole. Following which is the study of the evolution, nature, and scope of economics along with methods of economic analysis. Through a comprehensive study of the market forces of demand and supply, utility, consumption, production, and other important but basic aspects of economics, the course gives a very detailed introduction to economics to the students.
A very important aspect of the course is the inclusion of the environmental aspects of economics and its impacts on the environment, which is extremely crucial in the present times. Since the course concentrates on the foundations of economics, it is extremely helpful in building the perfect base for future studies of the subject.
The course requires an analytical bend of mind in the students and also a sharp capability to solve problems quickly. Logical and numerical ability and an interest in the current social and political activities are also very appreciated in the field. After the successful completion of the course, the candidates can seek a career in the prestigious Reserve Bank of India, Planning Commission, Planning Board, Ministry of Economic Affairs, and The Indian Economic Service.
The students can also seek further studies in the field and can pursue M.A. in Economics
Top Institutes Offering B.A in Economics
| Name of Institute | City | Average Fees in INR |
|---|---|---|
| Lady Shri Ram College for Women | New Delhi | 16,390 |
| Loyola College | Chennai | 4,614 |
| Quantum University | Roorkee | 53,000 |
| Christ University | Bangalore | 56,667 |
| Miranda House College | Chennai | 12,160 |
| Presidency College | Chennai | 4,617 |
| Madras Christian College | Chennai | 18,179 |
| Hindu College | New Delhi | 14,333 |
| Hansraj College | New Delhi | 14,333 |
| Fergusson College | Pune | 3,037 |
| K J Somaiya College of Arts and Science | Mumbai | 8,345 |
| Ramjas College | New Delhi | 10,573 |
| Jesus and Mary College | New Delhi | 12,997 |
| Presidency University | Kolkata | 3,700 |
| Jai Hind College | Mumbai | 4,262 |
| Sri Venkateswara College | New Delhi | 9,590 |
| Delhi College of Arts and Commerce | New Delhi | 9,120 |
| St. Xavier’s College | Ahmedabad | 4,740 |
| Shri Ram College of Commerce | New Delhi | 29,273 |
| St Andrew’s College of Arts and Commerce | Mumbai | 5,263 |
| St. Mira’s College for Girls | Pune | 1,400 |
Admission Process for B.A. Honours in Economics
In various recognized universities, there are entrance tests held followed by an interview to judge the eligibility of the candidate seeking admission. While some institutes offer admission on the candidates’ performance in boards, while some institutes may also hold an entrance test followed by an interview to judge the eligibility of the candidate for the course.
Some such entrance tests and counselling held in the country for admission are:
B.A. Honours in Economics: Syllabus and Course Description
| Semester I | Semester II |
|---|---|
| Economics Core Course 1 : Introductory Microeconomics | Economics Core Course 3 : Introductory Macroeconomics |
| Economics Core Course 2 : Mathematical Methods for Economics-I | - |
| Ability Enhancement Compulsory Course (AECC)-I | Economics Core Course 4 : Mathematical Methods for Economics-II |
| Generic Elective (GE) Course-I | Ability Enhancement Compulsory Course (AECC)-II |
| Semester-III | Semester IV |
| Economics Core Course 5 : Intermediate Microeconomics-I | Economics Core Course 8 : Intermediate Microeconomics-II |
| Economics Core Course 6 : Intermediate Macroeconomics-I | Economics Core Course 9 : Intermediate Macroeconomics-II |
| Economics Core Course 7 : Statistical Methods for Economics | Economics Core Course 10 : Introductory Econometrics |
| Skill Enhancement Course (SEC)-I | Skill Enhancement Course (SEC)-II |
| Generic Elective (GE) Course-III | Generic Elective (GE) Course-IV |
| Semester V | Semester VI |
| Economics Core Course 11 : Indian Economy-I | Economics Core Course 13 : Indian Economy-II |
| Economics Core Course 12 : Development Economics-I | Economics Core Course 14 : Development Economics-II |
| Discipline Specific Elective (DSE) Course-I | Discipline Specific Elective (DSE) Course-III (From List of Group-II) |
| Discipline Specific Elective (DSE) Course-II | Discipline Specific Elective (DSE) Course-IV (From List of Group-II) |
B.A. Honours in Economics: Career Prospects
This course caters to the students who seek a career in the trade and commerce and banking sectors of the economy as it offers them a highly detailed and comprehensive study of the basics of economics. The program helps the students develop a highly keen and analytical attitude which further helps in their academic and professional careers. The 3 year long course offers a well-round up study of the Indian economy, agricultural economy, and industrial economy. It also takes into account the environmental aspects of the growth and development of different economic plans in the country, as it includes a specialized study of the Indian economy in particular.
A B.A. honours in economics requires the candidates to have analytical, logical, and problem-solving capabilities in order to survive and prosper in the field. Along with communication, computing, numeracy and time-management, hard-work and dedication is also appreciated in the field of economics. It will, as a result, not only provide theoretical knowledge to the students but also hone their skills which are required to sustain oneself in the industry, along with the theoretical knowledge.
Such professionals are assets to companies such as the Ministry of Economic Affairs, the Reserve Bank of India, The Planning Commission of India, National Sample Survey, The Indian Economic Service, etc in job positions such as Sales Analyst, Economics Researcher, Economist, Customer Profit Analyst, Investment Analyst, and Investment Administrator. They may also be hired in areas such as Analysis/Forecasting Firms, Stock Exchanges, Manufacturing Firms, Agricultural Companies, Financial Information Firms, Banks/Credit Unions, International Trade Companies etc.
One can also opt to pursue further studies in the field, like M.A. honours in Economics to further hone their knowledge of the subject. Doing so helps the students to be eligible for more lucrative jobs in The Planning Commission of India, the Reverse Bank of India, Ministry of Economic Affairs, etc. B.A. honours degree itself will bring you to a position where you can find employment in prestigious companies and acquire better job positions with increase in expertise and experience.
Some of the popular professional avenues open to successful graduates of the course are listed below with the corresponding salaries offered for the respective positions.
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| Job Position | Job Description | Average Annual Salary Per Year |
|---|---|---|
| Investment Analyst | Responsible for providing insights on economic trends and evaluate investment potential for firms/companies. | 4.5 lakhs |
| Sales Analyst | Responsible for making sales forecasts, collects, and analyses data in order to evaluate present sales goals for the company. | 4.5 lakhs |
| Economist | Responsible for the research, organization, and evaluation of economic data pertaining to current economic status of the country. | 6.87 lakhs |
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