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Master of Arts (MA) in English Language and Literature Top Colleges, Syllabus, Scope and Salary

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Sounak Banerjee

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MA English language and Literature is a 2-year full-time post-graduate course which is divided into 4 semesters. The course provides students with an opportunity for advanced study in contemporary Literary Studies and Applied Linguistics. 

Some of the top institutes offering MA English Language and Literature are mentioned below.

The average annual course fee ranges anywhere between INR 17,000 to 3 Lacs depending upon the institute offering the course.

Candidates with a minimum aggregate score of 50% in the final merit in a relevant discipline with English as the main subject are eligible to apply for the course. Admission to the same is based on relevant entrance exam conducted by different universities.

MA English Language and Literature provide students with the theoretical and analytical training required to continue to a research degree at the doctoral level or to develop professional skills relevant to working within relevant fields but not limited to the teaching of English editing and professional writing.

The average salary offered for MA English Language and Literature course in India to successful graduates of the course ranges between INR 2 to 20 lacs depending upon the candidate’s expertise in the field.

Top Colleges for Master of Arts [MA] (English Language and Literature)

MA English Language and Literature: Course Highlights

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

Course Level Post Graduate
Duration 2years
Examination Type Semester System
Eligibility Graduation with minimum 50% marks
Admission Process Counselling after clearing Entrance Examination
Top recruiting organizations Top schools and Universities
Top recruiting areas Schools and Universities, Law Schools, Electronic Media, Administration, Library and others such
Top job profiles Professor, Writer, Editor, Tour guide, Translator, Interpreter, Freelancer, Linguist etc.
Course Fee INR 17,000 to 3 lacs
Average Starting Salary INR 2 to 20 lacs

MA English Language and Literature: What is it about?

MA English Language and Literature cover the range of theoretical approaches making up the contemporary intellectual vocabulary of English Literature and Language Studies. The course develops the candidates’ awareness of practices in language use and their application to various contexts.

M.A English Language and Literature program is designed with a view to giving the students a deep knowledge of British literature. Courses in Linguistics, Contemporary Literary Theory, Literary Criticism, and Post-Independence Indian Writing in English, some research methodology for Language and Literature and Contemporary Fiction are also highlights of the program.

It has a wide variety of electives comprising 20th Century American Literature, American, Australian literature, Canadian, Comparative Literature, Black Literature, and Indian Literature in Translation, Women’s Studies and Film Studies.

MA English Language and Literature subjects aims at giving the learners essential language skills, and vital for employability, an instilling in them the maturity for aesthetic enjoyment, for better understanding and appreciating values are cultural, social, and spiritual so that they are molded into responsible human beings.

MA English Language and Literature: Top Institutes 

Some of the institutes or colleges offering the course in the country with the corresponding locations and fees charged by the respective colleges are listed below.

College Name City Average Annual Salary
Amity University Gurgaon INR 1,64,000
RMIT University Punjab INR 62,000
Lovely professional university Jalandhar INR 1,10,000
Sandip university Nasik INR 40,000
REVA university Bangalore INR 50,000
Biyani girls college Jaipur INR 70,000
Amity University Lucknow INR 1,64,000
Integral University Lucknow INR 60,000
Garden city university Bangalore INR 1,05,000
SRM University Chennai INR 60,000
GD Goenka University Gurgaon INR 1,20,000
Andhra University Vishakhapatnam INR 17,600
Mahatma Jyoti Rao Phoole University Jaipur INR 40,000
Kristu Jayanti college Bangalore INR 1,20,000
Bharath University Chennai INR 60,000
Royal global university Guwahati INR 1,00,100

MA English Language and Literature: Eligibility 

Interested aspirants for the course should fulfill the below-mentioned eligibility criteria.

  • Bachelor’s degree with major from a regionally accredited institution
  • Significant coursework in English or related field from a recognized university

MA English Language and Literature: Admission Process

Reputed institutes follow merit-based admission process. Most of the institutes conduct a common entrance test to select deserving candidates. Name or nature of entrance test may vary from one state to another. Some institutes are known to conduct private (institute-wise) entrance tests.

MA English Language and Literature: Syllabus and Course Description

A Year - wise syllabus of the course is tabulated below.

YEAR I YEAR II
Modern English Usage and Grammar Linguistics and Applied Linguistics
Chaucer to Elizabethans American Literature
Metaphysical to Milton World Literature
Augustans and Neo-Classical Writers Modern British Literature
Pre- Romantics and Romantics Stylistics, Discourse Analysis and Pragmatics
Phonetics and Spoken English Indian English Literature
Literary Criticism Modern British Literature
Victorian Literature Critical Theory
 - Dissertation 

MA English Language and Literature: Career Prospects

MA English Language and Literature graduates acquire knowledge of a wide range of books and of language and history. Associated skills include an understanding of literary forms, an ability to analyze rhetorical and narrative structures, periods and movements,  and an attentiveness to details of language and style in what they read and in what they themselves write.

Few skills which are transferable into other activities and professions include skills of comprehension, critical analysis, skills of oral and written argument and expression, and comparison, and skills of research and presentation.  Many students in the department go on to a wide variety of careers such as law, journalism, teaching, publishing, theatre, arts administration, advertising, manufacturing, and finance. 

An MA English Language and Literature postgraduate often come across employment opportunities in various business services. The education sector is another major recruiter of Masters in English Literature graduate. They can enter in positions as teachers or lecturers. Another option in front of this graduate in English Literature is to take up a career in Journalism. There are many sectors that recruit MA English literature graduates.

Related MA English Language and Literature courses

Read about more Master of Arts College

There are many jobs available in various government agencies as Interpreter, Decoders, and Translators. Many schools and colleges also recruit students with MA English Literature.

Master of Arts in English Language and Literature annual salary
Job Position Job Description Average Annual Salary in INR
Professor Professors teach undergraduate or graduate students in community and 4-year colleges and universities. Some full-time professors at 4-year colleges and universities hold doctoral degrees. Some part-time professors may have master's degrees and work on their doctorate while teaching undergraduate courses. 2,40,000
Writer Writers produce written copy in the form of editorial articles, books, screenplays and promotional marketing material. This writing combines the talents of the writer with the elements of observation and analysis in an artistic portrayal of the human condition. 4,66,000
Editor The editor is also known as the executive editor, and they manage all the day-to-day operations of a publication, such as a trade publication, magazine, newspaper, or academic journal. Editor-in-chief oversees all of the assistant, or department of a publication and they ensure each issue is released on time. 7,00,000
Translator A Translator converts written words from a 'source' language into a 'target' language; this is almost always his or her native language. Some Translators specialize in a combination of source and target languages; they are 'French to English' or 'English to Chinese.' Translators often specialize in a certain topic, such as medicine, finance, literature, law, or technology.  4,02,000
Tourist guide Tour guides work for tour and cruise lines, visitors' bureaus travel guide companies, independent contractors, cruise lines, and hotels as seasonal workers, or full-time employees. Guides may lead driving tours or cruises, walking tours, through popular sites, national parks, museums, historic neighbourhoods, or other regional points of interest. 2,01,000

Ask your question

Answered Questions

R

Ritu

09 Nov 22

It’s not too late to prepare for the entrance exam MA in English program at Delhi University even in the 3 years of your bachelor's. Just be regular at it and keep some important points in mind.

 

Be well versed in your BA course- Read your text thoroughly and in various aspects. Read diverse critical essays on each text to attain a multiplicity of perspectives. In case you are graduating from a different subject, refer to the BA(Hons.) DU syllabus.

 

Read History of English literature- Knowing the roots is a basic step. To get an idea of the basic chronology and ages refer to these books:

  1. A short history of English literature by Sir Ifor Evans.

  2. A brief history of English literature by Peck & Coyle.

 

Indian Literature in English- To get enough knowledge of the same refers to these books:

  1. A concise history of Indian literature in English by Arvind Mehrotra.

  2. Indian writing in English (4th edition) by K.R. Srinivasa.

 

Gain enough knowledge of literary theory & criticism- For this read:

  1. Beginning theory by Peter Barry

  2. Literary theory by Terry Eagleton

 

Update yourself with award-winning authors- This is not difficult if you read beyond your syllabus. Some of the awards to keep track of are:

  • The Nobel prize

  • The booker prize

  • Sahitya Akademi Award

  • Gyaanpith (for Indian regional literature translated into English)

  • Pulitzer Prize

Apart from these strategies, I suggest becoming an avid reader and reading beyond your syllabus, and also practicing writing book reviews. All this will help you make a way for the DU English Literature program.

...Show More

PA

Padmini Alina

20 Oct 22

It is extremely convenient to pursue an M.A. in English through IGNOU. The only problem is that the course materials are delivered very late. However, you are not required to rely on or wait for the materials. Because the materials remain the same year after year, they can be obtained from anyone who has already completed the course or from used bookstores. To be honest, the material isn't much help. In fact, guidebooks are more beneficial because they also provide you with the previous year's question papers, which are extremely helpful in understanding the exam question pattern, and once understood, you are guaranteed to score above 55% on your first attempt.

You have five years to complete your course, which consists of eight credits, four in the first year and four in the second. It is mandatory to submit the assignment for the paper you wish to sit for during the exams, which are held twice a year. It is entirely up to you whether to take all exams at once or spread them out over all ten semesters. In short, if you are determined, you can complete your master's degree in two years by taking two papers each semester. Contact classes are scheduled; if possible, attend them as they will get you started on your preparation and keep you motivated. 

Doing some research for your assignment and attempting to keep your answer original rather than copying from the guide will increase your chances of getting good grades on the assignments. If you fail a paper in the semester exam, you have the option of retaking it in subsequent semesters until you achieve a passing mark.

So, get the reference books, analyze the question pattern, turn in your assignment, and begin studying for the exam.

...Show More

MD

Mahesh Desai

21 Oct 22

When it comes to study material, IGNOU definitely provides the best. The course is lucid, well-written, and informative and contains a summary of all important details. The quality of the study material makes it possible for you to solely rely on it and give exams. 

But if you are aiming for some brownie points, then there is an additional tip for you. Download MA English question papers of the past 5 years. Going through these papers will instil in you a confidence and general picture of the paper. You will also discover the important questions that are repeated almost every year and can focus more on those questions. Basically, this method will enable you to approach your exam a bit more confidently and well-prepared.

...Show More

VG

Vinit Ghose

15 Jul 21

EFLU is an exclusive university for English. There are 29 departments, out of which 20 are in English. With so many micro-specialties, pursuing an MA in English from EFLU is a great option.

The university gives a lot of freedom in choosing subjects in post-graduation.

  • Post-graduation applicants get a pool of subjects to choose from in their degree at EFLU.
  • EFLU conducts only one entrance test for admission in all streams. If you clear the entrance test you will get the chance to choose whichever subject you want to pursue.
  • You can either choose all subjects from one department only or select subjects from several departments if you want to have a mixed degree. Even, you are allowed to change subjects till two weeks of the course.
  • The linguistic department of EFLU is very famous all over India, because of its quality of education. It has a world-class set of faculties in the department, along with an extensive library for helping students in their coursework.
  • The literature department of EFLU is not as good as other central universities in India. Although there are excellent professors here too, the scope for students in literature is limited.

Considering the quality of the linguistics department in EFLU, it is a great option for English graduates. Because of the cafeteria system of choosing subjects, there is a lot of diversity in the department.

...Show More

AN

Amal Nair

28 Oct 22

We have listed below some significant reasons why you should pursue MA in English from IGNOU:

  • The study material for this course is very short and simple

  • The content is designed to facilitate self-study

  • Affordable Fees (INR 14,000) for the entire course including books

  • It is a reputed university with nationwide recognition 

  • IGNOU’s degrees are valid across India and are recognized by UGC.

  • MA in IGNOU will enable you to multitask alongside the course in 2 years

  • You are free to not attend any kind of classes

MA English from IGNOU is a very easy course and is valid for all other courses like PhD NET and BEd.

...Show More

RS

Ranveer Sanghi

10 Oct 22

The Pattern for M.A English Entrance Exams for University of Delhi is elaborated below:

  1. The entrance exam lasts 90 minutes and is designed to assess the candidate's command of the English language.

  1. The entrance exam will be divided into three sections.

  2. The first section consists of 60-mark objective model questions.

  3. The second section will be based on a passage of prose or verse and will include 20-point questions.

  4. A short essay model question is included in the third section (based on a general literary topic). This section also carries 20 points, for a total of 100 points for the entire test.

3. Admissions are made in order of merit based on performance in the entrance exam.

You are required to revisit your graduation studies, and if you have access to the previous year's papers, solve some of them before taking the exam.

...Show More

VK

Varun Kumar

20 Oct 22

The study materials provided by IGNOU are more than enough. They are very helpful as they are loaded with more quality information than other books. Buying extra books will be just an additional unnecessary expense that you can easily cut down on.

Nowadays English Literature students should turn to online study guides. They are the best options. Some famous sites are listed below:

  • Sparknotes

  • Cliffsnotes

  • Jiffynotes

These sites will give students a better understanding of school subjects. Apart from this, there are certain points you need to keep in point for the best results:

  1. Read a lot.

  2. Make extensive notes.

  3. Ask doubts.

  4. Do extra research 

  5. Prove and validate your point clearly.

These points combined with the study material will yield good benefits.

...Show More

S

Sunil

02 Nov 22

Some basic information on IGNOU MEG is as follows:

Minimum Duration 

2 year

Maximum Duration 

5 years

Course fees

INR 9000

Minimum Age

No limit

Maximum Age

No limit

For marks the weightage is as follows- Assignments: 30% and Theory: 70%

The minimum pass percentage required for passing both these components separately is 40% (‘D’ grade). Anything below this is considered a failure and you will see the “Incomplete” status on the grade card.

The grade card is as follows:

  • 60% and above First Division

  • 50% and above but below 60% Second Division

  • 40% and above but below 50% Pass

  • Less than 40% Unsuccessful

The exam board of IGNOU will be issuing passing marks out of 100, 70 and 50 for all subjects in the official site.

...Show More

AM

Anu Mehta

03 Nov 22

Here are two of the major points that are helpful in writing a good answer in the exam for an MA in English:

  • The answer must start with an excellent introduction to the writer and the text. Then, there should be good content, sticking to the point. The answer must end with an eminent conclusion. 

  • The answer must not be written in a storytelling way. Students are supposed to answer what the question is asking them to explain, the theme, the character, and the point of view attached to the question.

Whatever answer students write, it must be revolving around giving proper reasons, perspectives, and possible central ideas that a question is trying to ask. The answer must not be diverting and stretching, without providing any appropriate conclusion.

...Show More

DR

Dabojyoti Roy

18 Jan 22

In the entrance test for MA in English at Ambedkar University, there will be questions that will test your analytic skills. You will have to analyze an unseen poem or passage. Also, there will be short questions. Some of these questions will be opinion based while others will test your subject knowledge. 

For preparation, you can read ‘A glossary of literary terms’ by M.H Abrams, Contemporary Literary and Cultura; Theory: From Structuralism To Ecocriticism by Pramod K Nayar. Also, read a little bit about Indian English Literature, Postcolonial literature, partition literature, etc. 

...Show More

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