B.A. (Hons.) History is a 3-year undergraduate course, the minimum eligibility for which is a 10+2 qualification. The program aims to build in eligible students basic and advanced lessons in the discipline of History, and skills in research, analysis, and quantitative reasoning that are essential for a firm base in the Liberal Arts. History covers the study of the evolution of human civilizations from down the ages i.e. from the pre-historic to the present time.
See Also: BA History Syllabus
The course covers a comprehensive study of the major historical events that have occurred both in India and across the world. The average tuition fees charged for the course in India ranges between INR 8,000 and 1.8 Lacs for the span of three years.
Bachelor of Arts in West Bengal | Bachelor of Arts in Uttar Pradesh | Bachelor of Arts in Karnataka | Bachelor of Arts in Maharashtra |
Admission to B.A. (Hons.) History course is based on the candidate’s performance in a relevant entrance test, such as UGC-NET, and the subsequent round of counselling, however, the admission process may vary across institutes.
Such graduates are hired in capacities such as Museum Curator, History Teacher, Broadcast Journalist, Charity Officer, Chartered Certified Accountant, Corporate Investment Banker, Early Years Teacher, Editorial Assistant, and Exhibition Designer etc. They are hired in areas such as museum curation, genealogy, museum education and archeology, marketing, advertising and public relations, law, business, commerce, and media.
The average annual salary offered to B.A. (Hons.) History graduates ranges between INR 2 and 10 Lacs, based on the candidate’s experience and skill set.
B.A. (Hons.) History: Course Highlights
Listed below are some of the major highlights of the course.
Course Level | Graduate |
Duration | 3 years |
Examination Type | Semester System |
Eligibility | 10+2 with Science subjects |
Admission Process | Based on counselling after qualification of entrance tests such as UGC-NET for different colleges. |
Course Fee | INR 8,000 to 1.8 Lacs |
Average Starting Salary | INR 2 to 10 lacs per annum |
Top Recruiting Companies | Museum Curation, Genealogy, Museum Education and Archeology, Marketing, Advertising and Public Relations, Law, Business And Commerce, Media, etc. |
Job Positions | Museum Curators, History Teachers, Broadcast Journalist, Charity Officer, Chartered Certified Accountant, Corporate Investment Banker, Early Years Teacher, Editorial Assistant, Exhibition Designer, and such. |
B.A. (Hons.) History: What is it about?
B.A. (Hons.) History course involves a mode of study replete with historiographical approaches oriented towards research in the discipline. Seminar-style formats and regular tutorials form part of the curriculum which includes a wide range of courses in both Indian and global history, and ancient and contemporary archaeological methods that represent the disciplinary practices today.
The course offers to eligible candidates the opportunity to explore History on an advanced level as an academic discipline, with insight on how the human civilization developed from the ancient times and how advancements happened over time. The curriculum includes a detailed study of the kings who ruled different countries of the world at different times.
The course is also often offered in the distance learning mode at some institutes across the country. B.A. (Hons.) History syllabus essentially covers subjects of study such as History of India, Social Formations and Cultural Patterns of the Ancient World, Medieval World, History of Modern West, and the History of Modern Europe.
B.A. (Hons.) History: Admission Process
The admission process for B.A. (Hons.) History course is varied, as various institutes have their very own criteria and processes of admission. Admission to the course is often based on the candidate’s performance at the 10+2 level, and other times, on the candidate’s performance in a relevant entrance test. Some such entrance tests conducted in India are listed here.
- UGC-NET exam in History
- Punjab University entrance exam
- Kerala University Entrance exam
- Delhi University entrance exam
- Nehru Arts and Science College entrance exam
- Mahatma Gandhi University entrance exam
Eligibility for B.A. (Hons.) History
As a minimum criterion of eligibility, aspiring candidates need to have completed the Higher and Senior Secondary levels of education (classes X and XII) from a recognized educational Board, with a minimum aggregate score of 50%.
B.A. (Hons.) History: Syllabus and Course Description
A semester-wise breakup of the course syllabus is tabulated here.
Semester I | Semester II |
---|---|
Paper I – History of India-I | Paper IV – History of India-II |
Paper-II- Social Formations and Cultural Patterns of the Ancient World | Paper V – Social Formations and Cultural Patterns of the Medieval World |
Paper III - Concurrent – Qualifying Language | Paper VI - Concurrent – Credit Language |
Semester III | Semester IV |
Paper VII – History of India-III (c. 750-1206) | Paper XI- History of India-IV (c. 1206-1550) |
Paper VIII – Rise of Modern West-I | Paper XII- Rise of Modern West-II |
Paper IX (a) I: History of United States of America (C. 1776 – 1945) | Paper XIII (a) II: History of the United States of America (C. 1776 – 1945) |
Paper IX (b) I: History of the USSR (c. 1917- 1964) | Paper XIII (b) II: History of the USSR (c. 1917 – 1964s) |
Paper IX (c) I: History of Africa (c. 1500 – 1960s) | Paper XIII (c) II: History of Latin America (c. 1500 – 1960s) |
Paper IX (d) I: History of Southeast Asia – The 19th Century | Paper XIII (d) II: History of Southeast Asia - The 20th Century |
Paper X - Concurrent – Interdisciplinary | Paper XIV - Concurrent – Discipline Centered I |
Semester V | Semester VI |
Paper XV- History of Modern Europe I (c. 1780-1939) | Paper XIX – History of India-VII (c. 1605-1750) |
Paper XVI –History of India-V (c. 1550-1605) | Paper XX- History of India-VIII (c. 1857-1950) |
Paper XVII – History of China & Japan – I (c. 1840-1949) | Paper XXI- History of China & Japan – II (c. 1840-1949) |
Paper XVIII – History of India-VI (c. 1750-1857) | Paper XXII - History of Modern Europe –II (1780-1939) |
- | Paper XXIII - Concurrent – Discipline Centered II. |
B.A. (Hons.) History: Top Institutes
Name of Institute | City | Average Fees (in INR) |
Loyola College, Chennai | Chennai | 13,430 |
Christ University | Bangalore | 61,000 |
Fergusson College | Pune | 8,000 |
Madras Christian College | Chennai | 59,500 |
Indraprastha College for Women | Delhi | 19,000 |
LSR | Delhi | 16,400 |
Miranda House | Delhi | 12,200 |
Hindu College | Delhi | 14,300 |
Hans Raj College | Delhi | 19,200 |
Ramjas College | Delhi | 10,600 |
B.A. (Hons.) History: Career Prospects
Successful graduates of B.A. (Hons.) History course are equipped with a broad range of skills, including critical thinking and writing that can be harnessed in many different careers. Such graduates can serve as teachers, museum curators, and advertising executives to journalists. Popular areas of employment would include Archaeology & Archives, Genealogy, Historical Fiction, Historical Parks, Public Relations, Radio, Research and Restoration, and such.
Graduates interested in pursuing higher studies in the discipline may go for pursuing M.A., and later, Ph.D. in History, and B.Ed. if they are interested in teaching.
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Some of the popular professional avenues open to such graduates are listed below with the corresponding salaries offered for the respective positions.
Job Position | Job Description | Average Annual Pay Scale in INR |
Archivists | Archivists help acquire, catalog, and maintain historical documents and records intended for display or storage in a museum or other facilities. These items can come in the form of audio, video, pictorial records, or paper documents. Some Archivists choose to specialize in one of these specific records formats. The goal of an Archivist is to preserve such original records. | 2,95,493 |
Information Managers | They communicate job expectations, plan, monitor, and appraise job results, coaching, counsel, and discipline employees, initiate, coordinate, and enforce systems, policies, and procedures. | 4,47,559 |
Librarians | The main responsibilities of a Librarian include selecting, developing, classifying, and cataloguing the resources of a library. Also, they answer the queries of readers. As staff managers, they also recruit, supervise, and train personnel in the library. | 2,55,347 |
Politician | They represent the financial, economic, administrative, and educational interests of particular communities, and also attempt to elect to represent those interests at the legislative level. They have responsibilities of the scale of municipal, regional or national level. | 9,00,900 |
Public Relations Officer | Public Relations (PR) is about managing reputation. PR Officers provide support and understanding to clients and try to influence public’ opinions and behavior. All means of media and communication are used to manage the reputation of the client. | 2,40,790 |
Records Managers | These managers are hired to perform duties such as organizing, protecting and maintaining records related to business-related documents, and are vital components of successful business practices. Also, these database are maintained in both paper and electronic forms. | 4,87,745 |