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BA English Honours Course: Eligibility, Admission, Syllabus, Colleges, Scope, Career Options, 2023

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Sounak Banerjee

Associate Content Manager

BA English Honours is a 3- year undergraduate course that deals with the study of english Literature, language, it’s history, phonetics through novels, drama, epics, poetry written by great English authors of both past and present. BA English Honours have a major subject in English, thus students experience a more detailed study.  

The minimum eligibility for BA English Honours Admission is a 10+2 or intermediate qualification. Successful pursuance of the course prepares candidates for careers in fields such as teaching, media, advertising, writing, and publishing, for further graduate or professional studies in English, communications, or law; and for other fields requiring competent communication skills.

See: BA Admission 2023

BA English Honours Syllabus revolves around various novels, plays, poems or dramas written by eminent writers of the English language. Various universities focus on different writers and ages. 

BA English Honours Syllabus consists of English honours subjects such as the History of English Literature, Poetry from the Romantic Revival to the Modern Age, Drama, Novel, Essays, and Short Stories. 

English honours colleges include Lady Shri Ram College for Women, Miranda House, Hindu College, St. Xaviers College, Lady Brabourne College and Bethune College. See: BA English Honours colleges

BA English Honours: Course Details

CourseType Bachelor Degree
Course Full Form Bachelor of Arts in English with Honours 
BA English Honours Duration 3 years
BA English Honours Examination Type Semester System
BA English Honours Eligibility Candidates have to pass their 10+2 exams
BA English Honours Admission Merit/ Entrance
BA English Honours Fees INR 1.91 Lakh
BA English Honours Salary INR 6 lakhs per annum
Top Recruiters IBirds Software Services Private Limited, Digital expertise Pvt. Ltd. In marketing, Wipro, Deloitte, IGNOU, Amity university, NBA Tech solutions in tech business, etc.
BA English Honours Jobs Teacher, Content Developer, Public Relations Officer, Communicator, Blogger, Editor, Publisher or Researcher, Arts Administrator, Travel Writer, Speech Writer, etc.

What is BA English Honours? 

Bachelor of Arts or BA English Honours aims in offering to the students with a variety of knowledge in English Language. It includes the opportunity to read plays, novels, poetrys, of various ages. Also candidates get to earn knowledge in a variety of areas including in literature, political issues, socio-culture, and all these are based on contemporary English.

The components of study present in BA English honors are critical thinking, cultural diversity in literature, written and oral communication skills via the curriculum of composition, literature, linguistics, language along with communication studies.

Who Should Study BA English Honours? 

Candidates pursuing the BA English Honours course, should be eligible at first. Check out the points below, which states who can pursue the course.

  • For pursuing BA English Honours, candidates must complete their 12th standards from a recognised educational institute.
  • Also it is necessary for every aspirant to gain at least 50% in 12th boards.
  • Reserved category candidates have a marks relaxation of 5%.
  • Also, candidates should have English as their compulsory subject in their 10+2 level.

Why Study BA English Honours 

There are certain reasons for an individual to pursue BA English Honours. Check out the points below.

  • Good Compensation - One of the best reasons for studying BA English Honours is earning a good salary in the future. Candidates can get jobs in prestigious companies and work in renowned positions, and their average starting salary can range from INR 2 to 10 lakhs per annum. This will increase gradually with working experience.
  • Strengthen your Grammatical Capabilities - One of the best reasons for pursuing BA English Honours is that, it helps to strengthen your grammatical capabilities. Besides learning it for gaining knowledge on English Literature, numerous students pursue it for advancing in the English Language.
  • Multiple Opportunities - Having a BA English Honours degree brings you multiple opportunities and trains you to work in different sectors. Candidates with this degree, can work in sectors like Media and Journalism, Advertising & Marketing, Publishing industry, etc.

BA English Honours Admission

The admission process for BA English Honours varies college-wise. Candidates are selected based on both merit and entrance exam. In the major educational institutes, candidates have to apply in their official portal inserting their scores of their previous exams or entrance valid scores and are finally selected via the interview round.

Merit Based Admission 

  • Step I - Candidates need to go to the official website of the college they want to pursue at first. The need to log in and make an application ID.
  • Step II - Next they need to fill the application form for the course they want to apply. They need to insert the necessary details, and upload the required documents including their results of previous exams.
  • Step III - They need to pay the application fees and submit the application form. A merit list will be issued by the college on a particular date.
  • Step IV - If the name of the candidate appears on the merit list, they need to report at the college campus being either online or offline. Seat allotment will be done accordingly.

Entrance Based Admission 

  • Step I - Candidates need to sit for the entrance exam, via which candidates are selected to the BA English Honours course. Some of the top BA English Honours entrance exams are, DUET, BHU UET, LPUNEST, CUET, etc.
  • Step II - Candidates need to sit for the entrance exam and qualify for it.
  • Step III - Then the candidates can apply at the official portal of the college, and need to insert their entrance exams scores, and fill the application form accordingly.
  • Step IV - A merit list will be issued by the college on a specific date. If candidates find themselves in the list, they need to report at the college campus.

Entrance Exams Dates

Check out some of the entrance exam dates for the BA English Honours course, below.

Exam Name Application Period Exam Date
CUET February 2023– 4th week of March 2023

May 21 – 31, 2023

Reserved date: June 1 –7, 2023

NPAT December 01, 2022  – May 21, 2023  January 04, 2023 – May 31, 2023
TISS BAT To be Announced To be Announced
IPU CET March 2023 – April 2023 April 2023
JNUEE To be Announced To be Announced

BA English Honours Syllabus

The BA English Honours syllabus deals with subjects including prose, poetrys, and novels of different eras. Check the BA English Honours syllabus in detail.

Semester I Semester II
English Literature 4(i) English Literature 4(ii)
Concurrent – Qualifying Language English Literature 1(i)
Twentieth Century Indian Writing (i) Twentieth Century Indian Writing (ii)
Concurrent – Credit Language
Semester III Semester IV
English Literature 1(ii) English Literature 2(ii)
Nineteenth Century European Realism (i) Nineteenth Century European Realism (ii)
English Literature 2(i) English Literature 3(i)
Forms of Popular Fiction (i) Classical Literature (ii)
Classical Literature (i) Concurrent – Discipline Centered I
Concurrent – Interdisciplinary Forms of Popular Fiction (ii)
Semester V Semester VI
English Literature 3(ii) English Literature 5(ii)
Contemporary Literature (i) Anglo-American writing from 1930(ii)
English Literature 5(i) Contemporary Literature (ii)
Anglo-American Writing from 1930(i) Literary Theory (ii)
Women’s Writing of the Nineteenth and Twentieth Centuries Women’s Writing of the Nineteenth and Twentieth Centuries (ii)
Literary Theory (i) Concurrent – Discipline Centered II.
Modern European Drama (i) Modern European Drama (ii)

BA English Honours Syllabus DU

Check out the BA English Honours subjects at the Delhi University, in the table below.

Indian Classical Literature European Classical Literature
Indian Writing in English British Poetry and Drama (From 14th to 17th centuries)
American Literature Popular Literature
British Poetry and Drama (17th and 18th Centuries) British Literature (18th Century)
British Romantic Literature British Literature (19th century)
Women’s Writing British Literature (Early 20th Century)
Modern European Drama Postcolonial Literatures

CU BA English Honors Syllabus 

Check out the BA English Honors syllabus at the Calcutta University, in the table below.

History of English Literature Poetry from Romantic Revival to Modern Age
Drama Novel, Essays, and Short Stories
Poetry from Elizabethan age to Neoclassical period Novel, Essay Writing
Drama and Literary Types Indian Writing in English

IGNOU BA English Honors Syllabus 

Check out the BA English Honors subjects at the IGNOU, in the tabulation form below.

India Classical Literature European Classical Literature
Indian Writing in English British Poetry and Drama (14th and 17th centuries)
American Literature Popular Literature
British Poetry and Drama (17th and 18th centuries) British Literature 18th Century
British Romantic Literature British Literature 19th Century
Women’s Writing British Literature: The Early 20th Century
Modern European Drama Postcolonial Literatures
Understanding Prose Understanding Drama
Understanding Poetry Understanding the Novel
Environmental studies English Communication Skills
Tourism Anthropology Managing Stress
Indian Society: Image and Realities Gender Studies
Rethinking Development Psychology and Media

Best Colleges for English Honours

BA English Honours is one of the most pursued courses, and it is available in numerous colleges of India. Check some of the top BA English Honours colleges in different cities of India.

New Delhi 

New Delhi consists of one of the best English honors colleges in India. Check out some of them below.

Kolkata 

Kolkata is also one of the best for providing the BA English Honors degree. Check some of them below.

Bihar 

Bihar also comes among the top states, when it comes to providing the BA English honors degree. Check the best colleges below.

Best DU Colleges for English Honors

Delhi University is one of the best universities when it comes to providing the BA English Honours degree. Check them in the tabulation form below.

Name of the College Average Fees
St. Stephens College INR 40,420
Hindu College INR 17,560
Miranda House INR 14,160
Lady Shri Ram College INR 15,870
Kamla Nehru College INR 9,700
Hansraj College INR 20,945
Jesus and Mary College INR 15,610
Sri Venkateswara College INR 12,405
Gargi College INR 12,295
Indraprastha College for Women INR 24,100

BA English Honours: Distance Education 

Distance education is for the students who are not able to attend colleges online by any means. It is significant for working persons, who can handle their job and study equally. The degree of English Honours is also available via distance education and the universities mainly offer the UG degree via this mode. The degree generally lasts for three years to 72 months.

Admission Process

The admission process for BA English Honours distance education is not much different from the actual one. It is stated below.

  • Step I - Candidates have to apply at the college’s official website for the course, at first.
  • Step II - They need to fill the application form and pay the application fees.
  • Step III - Candidates need to check if their name appears on the merit list. If yes, then they have to report at the college (via online mode).

IGNOU English Honors 

The Indira Gandhi National Open University is one of the best educational institutes in India, offering distance education. The college also offers BA English Honours course. It generally lasts for 3 to 6 years. The average course fee for pursuing the program here is INR 1,700.

Also the candidates need to be eligible for this course at the IGNOU. There is no upper or lower age limit. The basic eligibility to pursue the course here is coming through 102 exams from a recognised educational institute. Candidates having BPP from IGNOU are also eligible to apply.

BA English Honours Distance: Top Colleges

Check out the top BA English Honours distance education colleges below.

BA English Honours Jobs 

Check out some of the top BA English Honours jobs in the table, below.

Job Profile Job Description Average Fees
Content Developer A content developer is responsible for researching, preparing, writing and editing online content, which is used for marketing along with front end web-development. They also write static copy, blog posts, video content, along with technical aspects including HTML and SEO formatting. INR 2.9 lakhs
Arts Administrator Arts administrators are responsible for making arts. They organise the art world and assist in organising various exhibitions and events, manage staff. INR 8.3 lakhs
Public Relations Officer A Public relations officer or simple PRO is the chief person who does the work of communicating, PR, and public affairs in a particular organization. INR 3 lakhs
English Teacher English teachers ensure that his or her students accurately learn proper grammar, regarding comprehension and write proper English language. They create lesson plans for teaching the students the skills they need to gain. INR 2.85 lakhs
Speech Writer Speech writers are responsible for preparing and writing speeches, which is significantly made for another person to deliver. INR 2.1 lakhs

BA English Honours FAQs

Ques. Which is better, BA English or BA Honours English?

Ans. When it comes to the comparison of BA English and BA Honours English, certainly the Honours degree gets an upper hand. In the BA degree, candidates simply learn about all the poetry and prose. An Honours degree is more impressive as it is more subject focussed and is a specialized degree in that particular field. Candidates here, learn deeply about the English language's origin, history and its development.

Ques. How many years is English Honours?

Ans. The BA English Honours course generally lasts for 3 years. Candidates need to get into this course, by qualifying through their 10+2 exams.

Ques. Is English an easy degree?

Ans. English seems easy to pursue but it is one of the hardest degrees you'll pursue. This is because the deadlines are not that flexible, and you have to execute a lot of work even in the first year only. 

Ques. Can I do English Honours after 12th?

Ans. Yes. Candidates can pursue the BA English Honours degree, directly with finishing their 12th standards.

Ques. Is BA English a good degree?

Ans. BA English is one of the most professional and rewarding courses. The course offers an array of opportunities in research and also provides great job scope.

Ques. Which college is best for English Honours in DU?

Ans. Some of the best DU English Honours college are - 

  • St. Stephens College
  • Hindu College
  • Miranda House
  • Lady Shri Ram College
  • Hansraj College
  • Kamla Nehru College, etc.

Ques. Is English Honours good for UPSC?

Ans. Candidates pursuing the BA English Honours degree can sit for the UPSC exams. Also the candidates need to have good c bye communication skills which will help them to perform efficiently in the interview round.

Ques. Which is the best degree for IAS?

Ans. For having the career of an IAS, the best degree to pursue is BA. You can take any specialization under the BA degree. Political Science, Sociology and English are preferred in this case.

Ques. What can I do after BA English Honours?

Ans. Some of the best career options after English Honours are - 

  • Mass Communication
  • Journalism
  • Public Relations
  • Law
  • Creative Writing
  • Marketing and Advertising
  • Content Writing and Blogging
  • Digital or Social Media Marketing, etc.

Ques. Can I get admission in DU with 80?

Ans. Apart from the top-ranking colleges, there are many educational institutes under the Delhi University, which set their cut off between 80 to 90%. Candidates scoring this much in their 12th standards can apply at these colleges.

Ask your question

Answered Questions

SA

Shradhha Agarwal

07 Oct 22

If you want to do English Hons at DU, you should have a good XII grade point average. If you have a talent for it, an interest in it, and have been successful at it, please go ahead and hone your knowledge of Literature. In terms of scope, after Hons with good division, you have a lot of options. 

You could try your hand at publishing and work for companies like Oxford, Tata McGraw Hill Elsevier, Sage, and others. You could work in editing or marketing and have the opportunity to meet authors and develop marketing skills for book sales. After completing Hons, you may pursue a career in journalism or mass communication. You can also pursue a Masters in Public Relations, and a plethora of opportunities will open up to you once you complete the Hons course. You can earn a master's degree in a related field and sit for the civil service exam. You can also join MNCs if you develop other skills for the relevant assignment. Remember that it is a difficult course, but it is well worth it.

...Show More

PS

Prabhas Sengupta

16 Jul 21

The entrance examination conducted by EFLU Hyderabad is not easy for English Honours because there are more than 20 centers where this test takes place.

There are certain reservations as well which add up to 50% of all the seats. Even if we don’t consider these numbers, the level of competition will be a real challenge. Also, it is not called BA honors, it is just BA English.

One great advantage that you have is that you get to learn a foreign language consecutively for two years. The language that you opt for depends on the merit scored by you in the entrance exam. Spanish and French are usually in good demand. The admission process for this year has been completed.

This is not to discourage the students from taking admission but it is important to state the facts. Campuses at Lucknow and Shillong also offer such courses where competition is relatively less. You cannot transfer from one campus to another.

If you prepare according to the previous years’ question papers and have a good command of English, then it is not that difficult to get into EFLU.

...Show More

MB

Manav Batra

25 Oct 21

If you are a reading enthusiast and loves to write with a great hold of Grammar, go for English Hons. You should not choose this as your 2nd option because the course is very hectic and requires a lot of concentration and interest. 

English Hons is often misunderstood only with British Literature which is not true. You will be reading literature around the world including American, African, European, and Indian. 

You must be regular to lectures as they are highly recommended. The faculty at Delhi University for this course is exceptional and their teachings should not be missed. You may find everything online but attending classes has its own advantages. 

You will definitely enjoy your experience in the classes while interacting with teachers. It is important to note that your attendance will play a major role in internal assessment.

...Show More

RS

Rahul Sinha

19 Oct 22

Opt for this course only if you are into novels and literature. Otherwise, it will be a monotonous ride. If you are planning to pursue BA English at IGNOU, you can conveniently work full time alongside. Instead of attending full-time classes, just sitting for a few will do it. Get your study material and go through it regularly. Don’t forget to apply for term-end exams. Exam applications come around March for the July exams. 

You must also submit your assignment at the study centre before the last date. The questions for the assignment can be found on the IGNOU website as well as the study centre.

Before the 2nd and 3rd years consult your study centre and choose your desired course and register for it. Lastly, keep in constant touch with your study centre for regular updates.

...Show More

S

Saloni

10 Oct 22

Admission to foreign language courses at Delhi University is relatively simple. You must investigate which colleges offer such courses and which languages are available. You should make a list of colleges that you will be comfortable in based on your requirements and the faculty.

Once you have a list, go to each college's website and look for all of the information there. The date of form distribution, the application deadline, the fee structure, time slots, and other pertinent information.

You can fill out the form online and then keep checking the site for the list. Once the list is published, you must check your name to see if it is on it, and if it is, you must go to the respective college with all of your documents in hard copy. They'll check your documents, and if everything checks out, you'll be seated.

After you've been admitted, you must pay the fees online within a certain number of days. Following payment, you will receive an email confirming your registration as a language student.

The forms are usually available in June and July, and there is a minimum fee for the form.

...Show More

SB

Sheel Saurabh Balley

21 Oct 22

IGNOU uses a credit system, and in order to get an Hons, a student must have 48 credits in that subject, which means taking 6 papers of 8 credits over the course of three years.

In the case of English, below is a chart that includes the course name and code:

BEGE 101 - From Language to Literature

BEGE 102 - The Structure of Modern English

BEGE 103 - Communication Skills in English

BEGE 104 - English for Business Communication

BEGE 105 - Understanding Prose

BEGE 106 - Understanding Poetry

BEGE 107 - Understanding Drama

BEGE 108 - Reading the Novel

You will notice that there are eight papers, each worth eight credits; students pursuing a major (Hons) should select any six of these eight papers (2 papers each year)

Students can only take up to 48 credits in a single subject.

Aside from the major papers, there are two compulsory courses in the first and second years: BSHF 101 and FST-1. Other elective courses must be chosen from the Program Guide's list or groups.

...Show More

PM

Pramod Mehra

28 Oct 22

The course structure at IGNOU for BA English is very simple. You need to complete 48 credits in 3 years. This means 16 credits should be completed every year. 

Every subject is allotted a specific course for example BEGE101, BEGE102, BEGE103, BEGE104, BEGE105, BEGE106, BEGE107 and BEGE108.

...Show More

GS

Gauri Singh

13 Jan 22

Shaheed Bhagat Singh College has a very good English department and is one of the best departments in the city. 

They have an amazing faculty and the professors are equally talented. The DU English faculty has been rated as one of the top 100 departments in the world, so opting for a degree in Literature from any DU college will be worthwhile.

Apart from that huge fests and other cultural events are organized. The management staff is youthful and has no scope of miscommunication between them and the students. The college has a state-of-the-art computerized library with over 65,000 books and 70 journals, so there are no lags considering studies or reference material you need as a student. So, go for English Hons. at SBSC without any doubt.

...Show More

SJ

Shivani Jaiswal

26 Nov 21

Among Loreto College or Shri Shikshayatan College in Kolkata, the former is said to be better. 

  • The cutoffs here are high and they have very limited seats. 
  • General category students only have 25 official seats. 
  • Their English department is said to be the best in Kolkata. 
  • They have an excellent faculty comprising talented members with years of educational experience.

Shri Shikshayatan is a bit liberal and gives students enough freedom to explore, on the other hand Loreto is completely opposite. It is very strict and disciplined. They keep their students in check most of the time.

...Show More

SJ

Shalini Jaiswal

20 Jan 22

Both Loreto College and Shri Shikshayatan College are the most reputed all-girls colleges in Kolkata. Choosing any one of them will prove to be a good step up for your career.

Loreto College is popular for its English Honours course. It is more strict compared to any other college. Students here have to maintain a 80% attendance, failing which you will not be able to sit for the examination. Also for subjects with practicals, students have to maintain a 100% attendance in labs. The faculty of the English department is highly experienced with some professors having 15-20 years of educational experience.

Shri Shikshayatan College is a bit more liberal than Loreto. It is not so strict about certain rules and students have the freedom to explore. The attendance, dress code, academics, etc. are much more lenient than Loreto. But according to the education provided both are equally good. Choose the one that meets all your requirements, as only that can give you a fulfilling college life.

...Show More

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