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MA Economics: Course Details, Fees, Eligibility, Syllabus, Colleges, Admissions, Jobs, Salary 2023

MA Economics or Master of Arts in Economics is a 2 years long postgraduation course that is divided into 4 semesters. With a blend of all the aspects of economics in society, MA Economics broadly and commonly focuses on topics like macroeconomics, microeconomics, public economics, econometry, international and financial economics.

Note: Students who wish to pursue their education in Management field or get a career boost, can check MBA course.

The course is the branch of science that deals with production and consumption and supply and demand changes in the markets. It is a broad account of the utilization of resources in banking, market, insurance, investment and many other sectors of an economy.

See Also: MA Economics Syllabus

In order to be eligible to pursue this course, one needs to hold a bachelor degree in economics or in a related field with a minimum of 50%. Colleges like Miranda House, Loyola College and Lady Shri Ram College for Women are a few of the popular colleges for this course among many.

Read More: Top MA Entrance Exams in India

The average annual MA Economics fees may range from INR 10,000-50,000, depending majorly on the choice of college made by an individual. After completing this course, one can proceed further with a PhD in Economics as it not only becomes a lot more easy post qualifying this course, but also gives a good career opportunity.

Professionals of this field may expect their annual salary ranging from INR 3 to 7 LPA depending on the level of qualification one possesses. Top recruiters like ICICI Bank, RBI, Citi Bank, Bank of India, Indian Institute of Technology, Accenture, HSBC and Indian Statistical Institute provide tons of job opportunities every year to the aspirants of this field with a good annual package.

Mentioned below are some of the major highlights of the course.

Course Level Postgraduate
Duration 2 years
Examination type Semester system
Eligibility Bachelor’s degree in economics or in any discipline from a recognized university
Admission Process Merit-based and entrance exams
Top Recruiters ICICI Bank, RBI, Citi Bank, Kotak, etc.
Job Profiles Professional Economist, Data Analyst, Equity Analyst, Financial Planner, Professional Economist, etc.
Course Fees INR 10,000 to INR 50,000 
Average Starting Salary INR 5-7 Lakhs

MA Economics: What is it about?

Dealing with the understandings of finance and market managements, MA Economics syllabus revolves around the world’s economy and the distractions of the financial markets. It not only shows the functioning of finance in an economy but also makes one eligible to face challenges in the industry.

  • MA Economics is the study of wealth production, distribution and consumption in a society.
  • The course covers a huge part of macroeconomics in terms of price, output, employment etc. and microeconomics dealing with demands, supplies, markets, consumer behavior and with related topics in an economy. 
  • Every aspect of a country starting from individuals, businesses to government, and services depends on economics.
  • The degree holders may find themselves being placed in either government or private sectors of banking, finance and labor markets.

Why pursue MA Economics?

Studying this course can be interesting and fruitful at the same time. Look into the points below to know how.

  • MA Economics gives a good hold of the subject to the students as it teaches the value of increasing demands and limited means to fulfill the growing needs.
  • Pursuing MA Economics can get you a good scope of high paid jobs than other bachelor degrees. Banking, academic and organizational, government, and investment sectors are good career options for these degree holders.
  • Being qualified also opens the doors for pursuing PhD in the same field of study.
  • Economists are considered very important, as they are responsible in identifying the on-going structural changes in the market as well as dealing with the stability and national security of an economy.
  • This course can also be a perfect choice to get one-step closer to qualifying the Indian Economic Services.

MA Economics Admission Process

Admission in universities like Delhi University, Jawaharlal Nehru University, Manipal University and many others is done through entrance exams, but there are colleges like Christ University, Loyola College, University of Hyderabad and some more that rely on merit-based admission. 

Different patterns of admission are followed by universities like IGNOU and Karnataka State Open University as they provide distance education by direct admission. However, certain Colleges like Delhi University and Department of Business Economic reserve a percentage of seats for merit-based admissions.

Learn More about MA Economics IGNOU Admission 2023

MA Economics Eligibility

The eligibility standards are different for admissions through entrance exams and merit basis, but students eager to pursue their masters in economics must fulfill the mentioned-below MA Economics eligibility criteria.

  • A bachelor degree in economics or in a relevant field of study.
  • A minimum percentage of 50% at the level of graduation is required.

MA Economics Entrance Exams

Compiled below is the list of few popular MA Economics exams that are conducted by various colleges in India every year.

Exam name Registration date Exam date
PUBDET To be Announced To be Announced
APU UG NET To be Announced To be Announced
TS EAMCET - 2nd week of July 2023

How to Prepare for MA Economics Entrance Exams?

An individual willing to sit for entrance exams in order to study MA Economics must have a vivid knowledge of the common sections given in the tests. Given below are some of the sections on which students must start focusing to get themselves a reputed college.

  • Microeconomics
  • Macroeconomics
  • Basis Mathematics
  • Economical Mathematics
  • Probability, Statistics and Elementary Econometrics

Successfully qualifying an entrance test can seem as one of the scariest things but at the same time, it is one of the most important tasks to accomplish in taking you a step forward towards your dream college. Following the tips given below, one may find clearing an entrance exam easy.

  • Note down the syllabus and start preparing study materials of each and every subject.
  • Start collecting previous years' questions and sample papers for getting more knowledge on the patterns of the questions.
  • Make a proper timetable and revise accordingly as well as thoroughly.
  • Surf through relevant websites and books to clear basic doubts.
  • Keep on practicing, taking help of different question banks until you become confident and perfect.
  • Continuous follow-up with the changing dates and updates of the exam is necessary.
  • Make sure to have a proper rest period regularly.

How to get admission in a good MA Economics College in India?

  • In order to secure a seat in one of the good colleges of MA Economics, it is suggested to have more than 55% in the undergraduate level of degree.
  • Listing all the top colleges for the subject has to be done and keeping a track of important dates related to application and exams are to be noted.
  • Candidates must start taking preparations for the entrance exams a year before.

MA Economics Syllabus

The syllabus for MA Economics can vary depending on the colleges and the universities, but down here is the syllabus that is commonly followed.

Semester 1 Semester 2
Microeconomic Theory Macroeconomic Theory
Introductory Mathematical Economics Theory of Pricing and Distribution
Introductory Econometrics International Finance
International Trade Quantitative Methods
Semester 3 Semester 4
Development Economics Public Economics
International Economics Econometrics-2
Econometrics-1 Project Work
Industrial Economics (Electives) Financial Economics (Electives)
Environmental Economics (Electives) Economics of Infrastructure (Electives)
Globalization and Economics (Electives) Economic Demography (Electives)
- Economics and Law (Electives)

MA Economics Books

MA Economics Books help students clear the exams and make the education a smooth process. There are a lot of such book available in the market and we have made a list of the some of the best ones for you. Following are the popular books one can refer to when pursuing MA Economics.

Economics Books Author
Indian Economy Ramesh Singh
Delhi University M.A. Economics Entrance Test Guide R. Gupta
A History of Economic Thought S.Chand
Contemporary Economic Issues in India P.K. Chaubey
Business Economics Dr. J.P.Mishra
Micro Economics P.N. Chopra
Essays on Economic Issues Narasimha Murthy M.S.

MA Economics Colleges

Tabulated below are some of top MA Economics colleges in India, along with the location, average fees and annual package offered.

College Name City Annual Average Fee (INR)
Miranda House College New Delhi  19,030
Presidency College Chennai 900
Ramjas College New Delhi 14,300
Fergusson College Pune 9,680
Christ University Bangalore 60,000
St. Mira’s College for Girls Pune 14,800
Symbiosis College of Arts and Commerce Pune 26,000
St. Xavier’s College Jaipur 62,500
Kristu Jayanti College Bangalore 67,000
Mithibai College of Arts Mumbai 11,300

College Comparison

Based on parameters like THE WEEK rankings, annual fees, annual packages offered and some more, here is the comparison of top colleges for MA Economics that one can discover to gain more clarity.

Parameters Lady Shri Ram College For Women Miranda House College Fergusson College
Overview Ranking 5th among the colleges in Delhi in Arts and Social Sciences, Commerce and Journalism, Lady Shri Ram College For Women (LSR) has 150 faculty and more than 2000 students with 16 courses to offer. Miranda House College, being  affiliated under Delhi University, is a college for women, established in 1948. The college has NAAC A+ accreditation with CGPA 3.61. Established by Deccan Education Society in 1885, Fergusson College is affiliated under Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU).
Location New Delhi New Delhi Pune
Rankings ( THE WEEK) 1 7 10
Average Annual Fees INR 17,976 INR 19,030 INR 9,680
Average Annual Salary Offered INR 8-9 LPA INR 3-8 LPA INR 2-5 LPA
Top companies visited Deloitte, MSU, Citi Bank, KPMG, Samsung, PWC IBM, ITC, Wipro, Kotak Mahindra Bank Amazon, Infosys, Accenture, Symphony, Capgemini

MA Economics Distance Learning

Students eager to know more about MA Economics in India must know that apart from a regular postgraduate degree, the course is also available in the form of a distance degree by the universities like  IGNOU,Sri Venkateswara University, Karnataka State Open University, Punjab University, Bangalore University and Mumbai University.

  • The admission criteria may differ as per variable universities on basis of either merit or entrance exams.
  • MA Economics Distance Learning can take 2 years to 5 years for an individual to complete and the average annual course to study a distance program in the same course may cost from INR 9,000 to INR 12,000.
  • To get placed in any government or a private organization will not be difficult for any aspirant of economics with a distance degree in the same field of study
  • Distance Learning also gives ample opportunities to earn lucrative packages.

The table below shows some of the top MA Economics distance learning colleges in India.

College Name Location Course Duration Application Process Average Annual Fee
IGNOU New Delhi 2 Years Merit-Based INR 4,500
KSOU Mysore 2 Years Merit-Based INR 7,300
Sri Venkateswara University Tirupati 2 Years Merit-Based INR 2,250
Mumbai University Mumbai 2 Years Merit-Based INR 6,015

Course Comparison

Oftentimes, students tend to become confused in choosing between MA Economics and MBA for higher studies. The table drawn below will help you in understanding the basic difference between the two.

Parameters MA  Economics MBA
Objective The main objective of MA Economics is to provide knowledge on all the aspects related to functioning of an economy. MBA as a course revolves around the objective of covering all the topics related to Business Management.
Subjects Taught Behaviour economics; banking and finance; labour market and reforms, etc. Finance management; principles of management; communication skills; business laws; entrepreneurship, etc.
Average Annual Fees INR 10,000 to 70,000 INR 3 to 25 lakh
Duration 2 years 2 years
Eligibility Undergraduate degree in any relevant field or the Entrance Exams Undergraduate degree in any relevant field or Entrances like CAT, MAT, GMAT
Top Colleges Lady Shri Ram College For Women (LSR), Miranda House, Fergusson College, Loyola College IIM Ahmedabad, XLRI Jamshedpur, MDI Gurgaon, FMS New Delhi
Job Roles Professional Economist, Data Analyst, Equity Analyst, Financial Planner, Professional Economist, etc. Financial Manager, Health Service Manager, High-End Management Consultant, Investment Banker, Chief Technology Officer
Average Annual Salary INR 5 to 7 LPA INR 7 to 13 LPA
MA Economics vs MBA (Fees and Placement Comparison)

Source: Official Surveys

MA Economics Job Prospects

Since this subject is closely associated with finance, markets and the functioning of an economy as a whole, professionals of MA Economics with a decent percentage have a huge scope of getting placed in both government and private organizations as economists.

Following are the various suitable MA Economics job profiles which degree holders can get.

Job Role Job Description Average Annual Salary
Research Analyst A research analyst does the work of examining data and producing helpful information to the employers. INR 5,18,000
Data Analyst Conducting surveys, acquiring relevant information and presenting those collections into charts and graphs are what data analysts do. INR 3,85,000
High School Teacher The job of a high school teacher is to make students familiar with all the aspects of economics mentioned in the curriculum off the board of education, and to conduct tests and project works. INR 3,50,000
Economist Conducting and designing researches to identify trends as well to assist the government, banks and agencies are the day-to-day work of an economist. INR 7,92,000
Primary School Teacher Primary school teaches economics as part of social science to the primary students. INR 2,47,000
Director of Operations To ensure that all the individuals working in a firm are productive as well as  to control purchases related to resources is the typical of a director of operations. INR 30,00,000
Project Manager A project manager does all the jobs related to projects. Starting from developing a project plan, communicating the same to managing and arranging resources for the projects, everything has to be checked. INR 20,00,000

MA Economics Top Recruiters

The top recruiters of MA Economics graduates from both private and public organizations are as follows:

Government Organizations Private Organizations
Rail India Technical and Economic Services Infosys
Directorate of Economics and Statistics, Manipur Zocdoc, Inc.
Department of Economic Affairs Buhler India Pvt Ltd
Reserve Bank of India Dell, Inc.
Indian Statistical Universities Accenture
Central Bank of India HSBC

The graph below represents the salary trends of various job profiles. The average MA Economics salary is INR 5-7 lakh.

Salary Trend of M.A Economics Job Roles

Source: Payscale

MA Economics Future Scope

Education is never ending, and if one has the potential and willingness to study further, then pursuing a Ph.D. in Economics or in another related research field may seem interesting. There are top universities like Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), Loyola College, Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) and many more offering a PhD in Economics.

The top specific courses to choose post MA Economics are listed below:

One can consider the above mentioned courses to continue with their further studies, in order to get an in-depth knowledge of specializations attached to the subject as well as of the subjects as whole. Studying further MA Economics is not only worthy in terms of gaining knowledge but it can also make an individual eligible enough to bag a high paid job.

MA Economics FAQs

Ques. Is MA in Economics tough?

Ans. If you already had economics in your undergraduate level then you already have an idea of the subject, but if you did not have economics previously, then it might seem difficult but one can surely overcome it.

Ques. Which are the best universities for MA  in Economics?

Ans. Universities like Lady Shri Ram College For Women, Miranda House College, Loyola College, Madras Christian University, Christ University, Bangalore and Fergusson College are few of the top universities to study the course.

Ques. Which Course is better, MBA or MA in Economics?

Ans. In terms of cost to study, MBA is more expensive than a master in economics. Average salary of an MBA can be more than masters in economics, depending on the job level and role.

Ques. What is the basic difference between MA Economics and MSc Economics?

Ans. Both the courses are of 2 years, but MA Economics revolves around the principles of humanities in the field of economics and MSc economics deals with the scientific principles of economics.

Ques. Is MA Economics worth studying?

Ans. Considered as one of the best paying postgraduate degrees, MA Economics with decent grades can offer opportunities both in government and private sectors with good pay.

Ques. Will there be any impact of Covid 19 on MA Economics Admissions?

Ans. Yes, many MA economic entrance exams have been postponed due to the Covid 19 pandemic throughout the world.

Ques. What can be done after MA Economics?

Ans. One can try their career for the job roles like Investment analyst, Finance analyst, Economists, Satisfaction, Market researchers and more.

Ques. How can one get MA Economics admission?

Ans. The minimum eligibility to study MA Economics is to have 50%-55% in the undergraduate level. However, some colleges do have entrance exams to qualify for this.

Ques. How many total subjects are there in MA Economics?

Ans. As per the Delhi School of Economics, there are 6 core subjects and 9 electives for MA Economics.

Ask your question

Answered Questions

UG

Ujoini Ghose

22 Nov 21M.A. Economics, Jawaharlal Nehru University (2018)

Economics offers many career options. Having a master’s degree in Economics from JNU will offer you many placement opportunities. Here are some of the career paths that you can choose after the completion of your degree. 

  • Quite a few companies visit the JNU campus every year to recruit students in data analyst and research analyst profiles. The average package offered in the placement drive is 9 LPA. However, not all students get placement offers. So, you want to work in a data incentive profile, it’s better to go for institutes like DSE, ISI, IGIDR, etc.
  • Many students chose to pursue higher education. You can do M.Phil or integrated M.Phil-P.hD. JNU is a great option for pursuing higher studies in Economics. After completing your degree, you can teach and continue research.
  • You can appear for civil service examinations. 
  • If you want to work in research domain but are not necessarily willing to pursue a P.hD, you can join think tanks. But you should keep in mind that getting into credible think tanks is not easy. 
  • You also have the option to take examinations for RBI and EXIM Bank. A background in Economics is a must for these examinations. 

No matter what you choose to do, the competition is quite hard. So, you will have to work accordingly. 


SR

Salini Roy

18 Oct 21M.A. Economics, Jawaharlal Nehru University (2018)

Both the courses are distinct from one another.

At DSE, they train you rigorously in mathematics. And this is an important part of your journey but that is about the only part DSE focuses on. Economic theory at DSE will give you an edge over a lot of other institutions and get your foot in the door inside a lot of big names in finance.

Now coming to JNU, they don’t give a lot of emphasis on Maths but they make sure you read a lot more than you will read at DSE. This means you build a well-rounded view of the world and how economies function. This is a good thing as it will help you very much in mainstream research and things like journalism where you need to know a lot of things. 

Also, at JNU reading thoroughly is a part of the curriculum which is not the same in DSE. With the curriculum at JNU, you will discover different schools of thought and learn to think for yourself. 

Overall, choosing JNU will be better.


DD

Disha Dey,

10 Nov 21M.A. Economics, Delhi School of Economics (2016)

Preparing for MA Economics entrances for JNU and DSE will need immense concentration and dedication. You will need to prioritize to keep everything in balance. Here are some things you can go through:

  • The core subjects include Mathematics, Statistics, Microeconomics, Macroeconomics and Econometrics. Select any 3 out of these 5 subjects which you feel are your strengths.
  • Revise the basics from your graduation notes and practice past year exam papers.
  • For the subjects you feel you are weaker in, revise the basics. Do not spend too much time on them. 
  • Practice questions from past years. 
  • Analyse the topics in which you are lagging behind and try to read those in detail. You can also skip some topics too.
  • For Statistics, focus more on Permutations and Combinations, Probability, Discrete and Continuous Random Variables.
  • DSE requires a mathematical approach and proper concentration. So practice past year papers and do not forget concepts.

The books you can refer to are: Dornbush and Blanchard for Macroeconomics. Hal Varian, Nicolson, and Pyndick for Microeconomics. Hammond and Chiang for Maths. SC Gupta and Miller for Statistics and finally Gujarati for Econometrics.


HC

Harsh Chowdhury

09 Sept 22Studied at Central University of Punjab

For an MA in Economics, Central University of Panjab is a good option. The university has a good foundation and a brilliant faculty. The environment on campus is competitive, almost every student prepare for higher studies and competitive examination such as NET, GATE, etc. The competitive peer group will keep you motivated. 


NG

Nimisha Gupta

05 Sept 20M.A. Economics, Delhi School of Economics (2017)

The admission procedure for an MA in economics at the Delhi School of economics has two modes, i.e. Direct or Merit Mode and Entrance Test Mode. For both modes of admission, the prerequisites are described below:

  • Direct or Merit Mode- The candidates must have 60% aggregate in BA Economics Hons.
  • Entrance Test Mode- The candidates must have 60% or first division or equivalent CGPA in undergraduate.

The documents needed at the time of admission are listed below.

  • Academic Transcripts.
  • Original and the attested copy of the character certificate from the Principal of the college last attended.
  • Attested copy of the matriculation or other certificate showing the date of birth proof.
  • In the case of students from other universities, a migration certificate is needed.
  • Recent passport size photographs.
  • Original and attested copy of the category certificate (if SC, ST, OBC, PWD, and CW category).

AS

Anchal Sinha

09 Jul 22M.A. Economics in Delhi School of Economics, University of Delhi

The MA in Economics course of St. Stephens College is taught by University of Delhi, Economics department, i.e. Delhi School of Economics. The classes are held at the university along with students from other colleges under DU. DSE offers excellent academics. 

Being a student of St. Stephen’s you will also have access to the facilities of the college such as the library, hostels, etc. 


MS

Manish Sinha

15 Jul 22Studied at Delhi School of Economics

In terms of MA Economics, there is no difference between Delhi University and Delhi School of Economics. The MA in Economics degree offered by DU is through DSE since it is the Economics department of Delhi University. It is one of the most-sought after Economic schools in the country and offers excellent education in the field.


SS

Should I do MA in Economics from IGNOU?

By Supriya Sarkaron 13 Jul 22
SG

Sanjhbati Gupta

13 Jul 22Studied at Indira Gandhi National Open University

Pursuing IGNOU MA in Economics is good if you are a working professional or preparing for competitive examination. The course structure is flexible and gives students time to study at their own pace. You can apply for Govt. examinations such as Indian Economic Service Examination after completing the course. You can take NET/JRF as well. 

Pursuing the course will only be worth the investment if you secure a good percentage. So, concentrate on studies from the first year itself. 


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